Looking for a job is hard work; it can be a difficult and frustrating process, especially if you're a college student trying to juggle academics and other responsibilities. In Getting Hired, author Frances R. Schmidt offers a quick and easy job search handbook for graduates and soon-to-be-graduates that presents a five-step approach for getting hired during difficult economic times. Getting Hired helps college graduates successfully get hired by encouraging, motivating, and teaching them how to focus on the employers' needs in any economic circumstances. It covers the nuts and bolts of the entire hiring process, including handling job search stress; realizing the importance of networking; marketing one's qualifications; preparing a resume and writing a cover letter; getting results from the portfolio; learning the art of interviewing. Schmidt, an experienced career counselor, shows how graduates can and will get hired if they distill the job search process down, step-by-step, to achieve employment career success in any job situation. Learn how to successfully market yourself in order to make a smooth transition from college to career. Praise for Getting Hired "The text is comprehensive and offers clear and concise messages important to job seekers" -Dr. Timothy Gallineau, Interim Chair and Faculty Higher Education Administration Department, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, New York

GETTING HIRED

Handbook for College GraduatesBy Frances R. Schmidt

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Frances R. Schmidt
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-9531-4

Contents

Introduction..............................................................1Summary of Contents.......................................................1Ten Job Search Stressors..................................................3Eight Job Search Strategies...............................................4Swimming in the Goldfish Bowl.............................................7The Meaning of Career Success.............................................7Exercise: Clarifying Values...............................................8Your Top Ten Work Values..................................................13Exercise: Your Strongest Skills...........................................13Networking Realities......................................................19Networking Homework.......................................................21Networking Tips...........................................................23Information-Gathering Interviewing........................................25Ten Job Search Questions..................................................30Job Search Survival Tips..................................................33Avoiding Pitfalls on the Web..............................................34Web Privacy Checklist.....................................................34Job Search Schedule Template..............................................36Quiz: Would You Hire Yourself?............................................38Résumés 101.....................................................41Curriculum Vitae 101......................................................42Résumé/CV Advice................................................42Questions for Job Search Experts..........................................43Foolproof Résumés/CVs...........................................44Eight Foolproof Tips......................................................45Résumé/CV Research..............................................45Required Information......................................................53Optional Information......................................................55Organizing Your Résumé/CV.......................................61Online Résumé/CV Basics.........................................64Basic Résumé/CV Worksheets......................................66Sample Résumé/CV Templates......................................80Basic Résumé/CV and International Templates.....................81Advice for International/Global Candidates................................90Résumé/CV Action Verbs for All Majors...........................91Sample Action Verbs.......................................................91Your Portfolio: Ten Reminders.............................................96Portfolio Format Outlines.................................................96Cover Letter Quiz.........................................................103Cover Letters Facts.......................................................104Cover Letters Misconceptions..............................................104How to Analyze Job Requirements...........................................105Cover Letter Worksheet....................................................107Cover Letter Checklist....................................................108Cover Letter Outline for All Career Sectors...............................109Scoring Your Cover Letter.................................................110Traditional and Behavioral Interviews.....................................115Pre-Interview Questions...................................................117Interview Myths Checklist.................................................117Interview Truths..........................................................118Dressing for the Interview................................................121Your Interview Image......................................................122Telephone Interview Kit...................................................123Telephone Interview Tips..................................................123Ten Optional Employer Questions...........................................124Handling Inappropriate Questions..........................................124Interview Thank-You Letters...............................................125Interview Rejection Letters...............................................125Acknowledgments...........................................................127About the Author..........................................................129

Chapter One

HANDLING JOB SEARCH STRESS

Preparing and executing a job search can be stressful, depending upon your time restraints and current economic circumstances. Graduates often feel overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to manage an employment search. However, you can take control of the process. It is important to view job hunt stress as an opportunity to put yourself in the employer's shoes.

Try to maintain a positive attitude by giving yourself credit for beginning your job search. The process is difficult and can leave you feeling frustrated. It involves time, research, and movement outside of your comfort zone. It challenges your status quo and may make life uncomfortable and confusing for a while. But the rewards will be worth your effort. Think about how some family members, friends, and acquaintances remain underemployed because they are afraid of the stress involved in planning a job search. If you learn how to recognize and manage your job search stressors, you can and will get hired.

Ten Job Search Stressors

Most college students experience job search stress. Sometimes it takes awhile before you realize how it affects your entire employment search. Once you identify areas of common stress other graduates experience, you will have the courage and motivation to keep moving forward. Approach the job search as you would an exam. When you have an exam to take, you research and study the topic to prepare yourself to answer all the questions. It's the same with job search stress—knowing ahead of time what can happen makes you stronger.

Job hunt stress is common. If it happens to you, it can have a devastating effect on your work and personal life. By learning how to identify your stressors you can navigate any job market successfully.

Feelings of discomfort and anxiety are strong indications of job hunt stress. They are warning signs of future job-related frustrations.

Mark "Y" for Yes, "N" for No, and "S" for Sometimes.

1. I feel anxious, confused, and fearful because I'm afraid I won't get hired. ____

2. I worry about opportunities for career advancement, and I feel I'll be lucky to get hired anywhere. ____

3. I'm afraid I'll have to accept a lower salary than I'd like just to pay off my college loans. ____

4. I'm unsure of myself because I believe other job seekers are more qualified. ____

5. I paid hundreds of dollars to have my résumé prepared, and it never generates interviews. ____

6. I feel vulnerable because I don't have all the qualifications the employer is asking for. ____

7. My stress level rises the minute I start my job search, because I'm not adequately prepared. ____

8. I'm afraid of the interview process....