Well, it is June and schools are finishing up for the year. Newly graduated young adults are receiving their diplomas and dreaming of their future successes. Most will enjoy a well deserved, summer of care-free fun and then realize “I’ve graduated…now what?  

Four, five or more years of hard academic work must now be put into action. For the graduates that are just starting their job search, they are already behind in the game. Graduates should ideally start looking for a new job before they ever leave the security of their college life.  

College career centers can be a great place to start; they offer counseling and career tools to begin preparing students for their future job search. They inform students of career fairs, internships and other available opportunities. Internships are especially valuable with an estimated 60% of interns being asked to stay on permanently after graduation. They also offer students a chance to see what work in their chosen field will look and feel, and act as a great reference after graduation. 

For the students that have yet prepared for their graduation, they can do several things to quickly improve their situation. 

1.  Graduates need to decide which career direction is of most interest to them. If you are not sure, and many aren’t, you can begin by making of a list of potential industries and positions that are of interest to you and find out more about their advantages and disadvantages.

If you are really unsure of which direction you to focus on, a career coach can be very effective in helping to weed through what you like and don’t like. They offer a variety of tools to assist you, including assessments which provide insight to your professional and behavioral style and strengths. Assessments often provide a list of great career options to think about. 

2.  Once you have made your decision the next step is to gather your career tools. If you didn’t take advantage of the career counselors at your college, an experienced certified resume writer is my recommendation. Even though I am a bit biased, they are a great wealth of information for the beginning career enthusiast. 

Many full service writers can assist with the industry and company research, preparation for resume, cover letter and other career documents such as reference sheets, thank you notes, and addendums. If they aren’t equipped to handle all your needs they will be able to point you in the right direction. 

3.  Other resources to look into are resume distribution services, posting services, interview coaching, and job search assistance. Although it may seem like a great expense initially, these services will save you time, prepare you to meet the job search challenges and help you to avoid missing out on great opportunities because of lack of preparation or proper career tools. 

4.  Conducting research on companies, industries, and even specific managers or offices will give you a better understanding of what different opportunities will look like and what types of working environments are available. The better you know your potential employer the more rewarding your resume, interview and networking efforts will be. 

5.  Develop a network of contacts that can help in your job search. Get in touch with alumni, old friends, join organizations and associations in your chosen industry and get connected! Try using LinkedIn, MySpace, FaceBook, and the many other social online networks as well as local groups in your community to make connections in the right places. 

The job market is an exciting, competitive arena with great opportunities available to those who take the time to prepare and know where to look. Don’t settle for just any job to launch your career - find the right one the first time! CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!!