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Packaging Horizons Landing Your First Job New graduates who start their job searches early dig up the best possibilities. The saying “the early bird gets the worm” might have been around for ages, but there’s still truth to it — especially if you’re looking for your first job after college. Human resources professionals, executive recruitment specialists and seasoned employees for entry-level professionals agree that early career searches often land the best opportunities. Preparation for the student beginning a job search should begin in the junior year of studies. At this point, you should begin to develop your resume (on paper and electronically) and make some decisions about your career plans. Where do you want to live? Do you want to work in a niche market of the industry? Do you want to travel? What path do you want your career to take? Are you missing any courses that could help your development? Do you need an internship or co-op program for additional experience? After you have evaluated your options and done some research on the jobs available, pinpoint your goal. Fine-tune your resume and skill set to meet the needs of that market. In the fall of your senior year, sign up at student placement services on campus. It is also helpful to attend career fairs to gain some interviewing experience. Ask your professors and advisors if they can make any recommendations. “Always make sure you get information on campus interview programs. These employers are usually familiar with the school’s curriculum and are looking for specific talent. Then, make sure you sign up for an interview,” recommends Jim Sullivan, president and technical recruiter at Ethical Search Professionals in Oregon, Illinois. Laura Bartlett, a recent college graduate now employed at Welch Foods, Inc., advocates using the Internet. “The Internet should be your best friend in your job search. Visit the job boards frequently. I spent a lot of time searching through the listings on the Internet. Women in Packaging’s site, PackagingCareerHotline.com, Monster.com, HotJobs.com and my school’s career center web sites were the first places I went to in order to find different listings.” Once you start identifying and applying to the companies that interest you, make yourself readily available. Most companies begin serious interviewing just prior to spring semester graduation. Research potential employers to become well-educated in their history, evolution and strengths. Carefully weigh all of the opportunities presented. “I had several interviews (I couldn’t even begin to count how many). I received several offers as well. I did not, however, jump on the offers that would lead me in the direction I had chosen. It was frustrating, and I was beginning to think I was being too picky. Then two months after graduation, I found the job that extended the career path I wanted,” enthuses Mary Jo Geisenhaver, a recent graduate who is employed with Goody Hair. As a testament to Geinsenhaver’s experience, Doug Beabout CPC, offers this advice to the entry-level job candidate, “Pursue every possible road in your search and evaluate your decision carefully. Explore every opportunity before deciding which job is for you.” Laura Bartlett can be reached by phone at 978-670-8574 or web site www.welchs.com. Doug Beabout writes books and training manuals on recruiting and careers. To get more information about his books and CDs, contact him via e-mail at Search@DougBeabout.com, phone 330-678-1620, web site www.DougBeabout.com. When ordering books or CDs, please use the code WMPKG. Mary Jo Geisenhaver can be reached by e-mail at MaryJo.Geisenhaver@goodyhair.com. Jim Sullivan can be reached by e-mail at jim@ethicalsearch.com, phone (815) 732-4773, or web site www.ethicalsearch.com. Dos and Don’ts in Your Job Search DO . . . • start as early as possible • research the companies in which you are interested • fine-tune your resume (and then do it again) • use job boards on the Internet to aid your search • explore every possible opportunity • relax • something positive everyday! Don’t . . . • wait until graduation to start your search • miss out on job fairs, on-campus interviews, or other interviewing building opportunities • waste time on jobs that don’t interest you • feel like you have to accept your first offer • stray from your original goal • panic! RETURN TO PACKAGING HORIZONS EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS PAGE