Find the right job and you will never work again!

You are a college graduate and now is the time to find a job. You are fresh talent, fired up, and ready to work so there shouldn't be a problem locating a job - right! You have worked hard at college, and you are flexible - right! Well, here is where your back may be put squarely against the wall if you haven't searched for a full-time position before.

Getting a job is work! It is pretty scary and, unfortunately, there's no magic formula. What you can't do is just sit back and wait for the offers to line up at your front door. You are in competition with others who just graduated as well, and they have the ticket to compete too. What are you going to do, especially when the job market may not be all that hot? What is your plan when you find an advertisement that appears to be exactly what you want to do.

If you really want that "die-for-position" you should do something that gives you the edge over your competitors. And, actually, it is rather straight forward strategies and tips for success that every graduate should know about.

Here are Several Suggestions

1. Start by finding out where the Career Center is located at your college/university, and how they can help you with on-campus recruiting activities. This is an important beginning step even though on-campus exercise physiology activities, interviews, and recruiting may be low. Some exercise physiologists expect the career office to experience more recruiting by companies with an interest in the health and well-being (not to mention the financial/medical savings) of their employees.

2. Don't delay. Don't procrastinate. Graduation is just around the corner. Putting off your job hunt will only make getting sarted that much harder. Go to career services early in the academic year (if possible, during the junior year) to draft resumes and practice interviewing. Define your career goals, and how much money you need to pay back student loans and to get a head.

3. Think about what you want from the first job, especially consider whether the job/profession is right for you. Do you want to hold the hands of heart patients while they walk down the hall? Are you motivated to rehab ankles and knees? Talk to others who are working in the job you believe you want to do. Network with everyone you come into contact with. Learn their names (including friends in other majors, parents' friends, neighbors, roomates, and alumni), what they do at work (specific job responsibilities), and be prepared to consider different jobs.

4. Be prepared. Develop a resume that sells your skills and experiences. A resume portrays educational background, personal accomplishments, and professional achievements. Remember, a resume is not a curriculum vitae (CV). A resume summarizes your accomplishments, skills, and strengths. It is no more than two pages. The key elements include demographic information (e.g., name, address, telephone number, and email address), education, work and/or internship experience, personal and/or professional achievements, and other relevant activities. Identify the activities that support your career choice, professional organizations, and honors. Include the type, place, activities, and internships that demonstrate leadership responsibility and hands-on experience. Ask the career counselors and/or your professors to critique the resume. Feedback is essential to developing the best resume possible. Give it your full attention, and remember that you can get a step on other job seekers if you have a well-crafted resume that:

(a) Has a purpose.
(b) Represents your professionalism.
(c) Shows honesty and competence.
(d) Observes the rules of good writing.
(e) Links your professional interests, skills, abilities, and hands-on laboratory experiences to the employer's needs.
(f) Is professional with the right paper (white, off-white, or light grey 20 to 50 lb bond paper with 100% cotton fiber), ink, and image; visually appealing, and limited to one or two pages.
(g) Is accompanied by a cover letter addressed to a specific person (via a mailing label or a typed envelope).
(h) Is an outstanding written document that communicates your best professional image, competence, and personality.
(i) Have a simple statement at the end of the resume, "References available upon request."

5. Do not take the interview lightly. Remember, the purpose of a job search is to get taken seriously by interviewers who have the power to hire you. You never have a second chance to make a good first impression. Make sure you know the name and title of the interviewer, the company, its reputation, and its competitors. In fact, research the organization or company. It is important that you know exactly what the position requires. Practice the interview process by arranging to participate in videotaped mock interviews. Be sure to arrive early for the interview. This allows you time to collect your thoughts and be prepared. Have all the information you need to complete an application with you. Have your friends, professors, counselors, or family members ask questions and review your answers. What could you have done differently or better to sell yourself?

6. Stay on track and maintain momentum. Look for job announcements and opportunities. Review your strategy periodically. Keep your options open and be willing to relocate. Everyone you meet is a potential source of information. Do not overlook roommates, professors, friends, relatives, former employers, or other people you already know.

7. Create a portfolio of strong recommendations. Easy said, but not always easy to do. It takes time, careful planning, and persistent follow-up. Top-notch recommendations are very important. Find someone who knows you and your potential for success; a person who will portary you as likable, professionally capable, and as someone who is motivated. Consider the person who is writing the recommendation, his/her time to write a good letter, and whether the request is during his/her vacation time. How about providing the person with a copy of your resume, goals/objectives, list of employers you are considering, and a description of how you plan to use the letter.

8. Dress professionally for the interview. A well-groomed appearance in which your clothes are spotless, clean, and pressed may mean more than your credentials to some interviewers. Smile, relax, and present yourself with confidence and enthusiasm. Be positive. Your attitude is everything. Make sure your body language is conveying what you want it to. Smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake. In other words, greet everyone cordially and with confidence. Rehearse your answers to the questions you probably will be asked, such as:

(a) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
(b) Tell me about yourself.
(c) Why do you want this job?
(d) Where do you want to be in five years from now?
(e) How you would solve a problem for a former employer?

9. Send the interviewer a "thank you" note should be sent within 24 hours. Be sure that it is flawless (no sloppy language. You may want to type it, but be brief and to the point. This applies to your cover letter when distributing your resume. Indicate how your short- and long-term goals are consistent with the employer's growth and objectives, and use the same paper stock as you did for the resume. Your cover letter should describe a need you can fill in the employer's firm, company, or department. Highlight some commonality between your skills or hands-experiences and the company, such as your familiarity with the product, the service, or the clients. It is also good to follow up with a phone call to see if the references were received.

10. To maximize your worth to an employer, you need to keep current on new developments, special training, advanced degrees, and certifications. In addition, today's employers are placing an increased focus on interpersonal and communications skills. Employers are looking not only for your hands-on technical skills, but also whether you can apply that technical competency to diverse, fast-moving situations. They want to know whether you can make sound decisions and offer solutions within the requirements of acknowledged regulations and procedures. Employers want people who can be trusted to make decisions and act in a manner that has as its foundation a deep sense of leadership and ethical behavior.