OU
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. So, what are
you going to do especially when the job market may not be all that hot?
Here
are a few 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. Identify
the activities that support your career choice, professional organizations,
and honors. Include the type, place, and activities including 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:
(1)
Has a purpose, and represents your professionalism, honesty, and competence.
(2)
Observes the rules of good writing (sentence structure, grammar, word selection,
categories, punctuation, and spelling).
(3)
Links your interests, skills, abilities, and hands-on professional experiences
to the employer's needs.
(4)
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.
(5)
Is accompanied by a cover letter addressed to a specific person (via a
mailing label or a typed envelope).
(6)
Is, in short, an outstanding written document with communicates your best
professional image, competence, and personality.
(7)
Has a simple statement at the end of the resume, "References available
upon request."
5.
Don't 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. Practice the interview process by arranging to participate
in videotaped mock interviews. 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. Don't
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 appropriately 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. Rehearse your
answers to the questions you probably will be asked, such as:
(1)
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
(2)
Tell me about yourself.
(3)
Why do you want this job?
(4)
Where do you want to be in your career five years from now?
(5)
Can you tell me how you would solve a problem for a former employer?
9.
Send the interviewer a thank-you note. Be sure that it is flawless (no
sloppy language). 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.
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.
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American
Society of Exercise Physiologists
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