Essential Steps to Finding Your First Job
Essential Steps to Finding Your First Job
Students Learn Valuable Tips on Getting That First Job
You’ve studied, worked hard, and now graduation is just months away. But in addition to preparing for those final exams and ordering that cap and gown, you might have something else on your mind—getting your first job.
WIST conference participants received a wealth of information and practical tips on that subject in the discussion panel "Essential Steps to Finding Your First Job." Moderated by Judy Trimble of Research and Development Employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, this panel focused on the tools needed to begin a successful career in scientific and technical fields. Speakers included Eva Hall, President of Passrelle Associates, a human resources-related consulting service; Anne Rigell, Director of Human Resources Development and Equal Employment Opportunity at Oak Ridge Associated Universities; and Emily Nunn, Manager of the Lockheed Martin Career Center.
Students received several valuable handouts to help them in their job search preparations. One handout—the Job Hunter’s Preparation Checklist—provided students with the opportunity to evaluate themselves in seven areas: Getting Started, Focusing, Applications and Resumes, Researching, Networking, Marketing Yourself, and Interviewing. After completing the questionnaire and totaling their scores, the students knew in which areas they were strongest, and where they needed to concentrate more effort.
A handout on understanding the job market explained the difference between a "formal" and "informal" job market, and then how to approach each market in the most effective way. The students also learned about the three primary sources for identifying job opportunities—published jobs, hidden jobs, and created jobs—and where to go for more information. Because of the sheer volume of information resources that are available today, including numerous on-line job listings, the panel stressed that it is important to be clear and structured with regard to your job search so that you don’t become overwhelmed. Your time is a valuable commodity!
According to the panel, networking is the most effective way to find a job and accounts for 60 to 70 percent of all job offers. Students were advised to look for opportunities to network with potential employers, and to personally contact friends, business associates, neighbors, or anyone else who can provide information or ideas about possible employment. Joining a professional organization is another avenue for networking.
Developing an effective resume is also vital to the job search, and the panel provided students with numerous tips on creating one that "clearly demonstrates your ability to produce results in an area of concern to potential employers in a way that motivates them to meet you." Attendees learned about the different types of resumes—functional, chronological, combination, qualification brief, and scannable (one that can be scanned, converted, and then called up on a computer)—and the elements each one includes. A list of resume "dos and don’ts" was included in the informative handout, as well as nine steps for creating a cover letter. Students were advised to "Think of a resume as a picture of you—you don’t go for the worst side, you go for the best side."
So, you’ve done your market research, you’ve networked, your resume sparkles with all of your accomplishments, and your efforts have paid off. You have an interview! Now what? Well, it’s time to do some more preparation so you can put your best foot forward when you talk with a potential employer.
The interview is the time for you and the employer to evaluate each other and for you convince the employer to hire you by demonstrating how you’ll help the company. An interview checklist provided by the panel reminded the students of things to review before the big day, and a list of commonly asked questions that will help them consider their personality and work traits and formulate some good answers. Students were also reminded that they have only one chance to make a good impression, and that preparation and follow-up are essential to making the interview a success.
Getting that first job will never be an easy process, but research, preparation, and polishing the areas that need work will help you face the task with confidence.