- What are my skills?
- In what type of environment do I want to work?
- What major should I choose?
- Where are there strong programs to transfer?
There are many ways to develop accurate and useful information about yourself so that you may determine the direction(s) you wish to pursue.
The following steps have been found to be effective:
- Schedule an appointment with a counselor in the Career Development and Counseling Center
- Self-assessment Inventories. A variety of resources exist. Some measure occupational interests while others aid you in evaluating temperament, values, and work related skills. These include the Strong Interest Inventory, Self-Directed Search, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as well as Discover, a computer based, interactive assessment tool. These are available through the Center, but you must first meet with a counselor to determine which tools might work best for you
- Talk to those who know you well for their opinions. Sometimes others close to us are able to better note our skills and talents. See if these have held true over time.
- Write down thoughts you have concerning these issues. When were you most productive? What times have made you the happiest? etc. Try to be specific about these incidents. Remember the situation; were you working alone or with others? What skills were you using? Think about the environment. In most circumstances, a pattern will emerge. Next, share these anecdotes with a counselor. Between the two of you, some tentative decisions may be reached.
- After you have identified some possibilities, utilize the Career Library to read and gather more information on the careers and/or majors on which you have decided. These resources will most likely describe the type of position, educational background, training and qualifications, and potential income of people in the field as well as discuss the environment in which you would work.
- In addition to reading about various career fields, you may wish to speak with professionals in the field. Through doing an "informational interview" with those who are working in that occupation, you may gain a better understanding of what it is really like. To assist you in planning this informational interview process, it may be helpful to meet with a counselor.
- Employer information. You may find it helpful to both identify and read about employers who may hire people in your field. This may be accomplished by reviewing directories in the career library, accessing the internet, or reading classified advertisements in a newspaper or on line. By knowing what your options are for employment, you will have more information on which to base your decisions.
Whether you are searching for a career-oriented position or a job to assist you in financing your education, there are several basic components of a job search. Generally you will need to prepare a resume, write a cover letter, and attend an interview(s) in order to secure a position.
The Resume
The resume is the most common way to let perspective employers know how your background and qualifications might meet their needs. It is your opportunity to provide relevant information on your past experiences, your education, and your skills that pertain to that particular work setting. Please stop by the Career Development and Counseling Center to obtain materials that will aid you in writing and designing a resume. After you have drafted this document, schedule an appointment with a counselor to have your resume critiqued.
The Cover Letter
This document accompanies the resume when you contact an employer for a position. It enables you to explain to an employer why you would be an asset to his/her organization. Here is where you may highlight your background and experiences as they pertain to the specific position for which you are applying. Again, there are materials in the center to assist you in drafting a cover letter. Please take the time to meet with a counselor to review your letters.
The Job Interview
In order to secure a position, you will have to meet with the employer. Interviews may be arranged in many different ways. Sometimes the employer will first have a telephone screen interview with a large number of candidates. Other employers may directly bring you in for an interview that may last anywhere from one hour to almost an entire day.
It is critical that you prepare in advance for interviews. This process includes reviewing your resume to ensure you can draw upon examples from it, reading information about the company, and preparing a list of questions for the employer concerning the position and/or the company. It may be helpful for you to stop by the Career Development and Counseling Center and pick up the information handouts on the interview process. You may also choose to schedule an appointment with a counselor to either discuss interviewing for positions or perform a "mock" practice interview.
Within the Career Development and Counseling Center library there are a number of resources that may assist you in identifying employers within your field. These books contain overview information on the employer to whom you may directly contact.
The Center hosts a Career Fair in the spring semester. A variety of companies and organizations attend this event. Please call the Center at 860-343-5826 for additional information.
