job search checklist Job Search Checklist for Job-Hunting Success This job-search checklist follows the five

essential steps of job-hunting that job-seekers need to master in order to have a successful job search. ... www.quintcareers.com/job-search_checklist.html - 32k - Cached Similar pages

This job-search checklist follows the five essential steps of job-hunting that we also explain in our article, The Domino Effect: Key Phases of Your Job Search. To have a successful job search, all job-seekers must be sure to have every element on this list checked. To truly master the job search, youll want to master each element on the list. Part 1: Job Search Planning & Preparation I have: a clear understanding of the job search process and have developed a jobsearch strategy. Read more. a clear understanding of the jobs that interest me -- and that I am qualified for. outlined a clear career path/track for myself. Read more. identified my strengths and weaknesses. Read more. developed my unique selling proposition, which will help me distinguish myself from other job-seekers. Read more. identified my key accomplishments from all school and work experiences. Read more. identified my core transferable skills. Read more. identified the main industries/companies that interest me. researched the companies that most interest me. Read more. a clear understanding of the importance of marketing skills when job-hunting. Read more. developed and strengthened my network

of contacts and know the value and importance of networking in a job search. Read more. gathered a key list (including contact information) of references. Read more. Part 2: Cover Letters I have: reviewed the Cover Letter Tutorial. read about the basic strategy and importance of using a cover letter. Read more. reviewed the basic structure of a dynamic cover letter. Read more. examined examples of strong, dynamic cover letters. Read more. used action verbs to describe my accomplishments. Read more focused my cover letter with specific information. Read more. addressed each cover letter to a named individual. tailored each cover letter to the specific needs of each employer. clearly stated how I can meet the employers needs. demonstrated my knowledge of the company. kept my cover letter to one page. not rehashed my resume, but highlighted specific critical points. not stated anything negative. Read more. avoided the three most common cover letter mistakes. Read more. edited and proofread each letter carefully. requested action (an interview) from the employer. reviewed the Cover Letter Checklist. Part 3: Resumes I have: reviewed the Resume Tutorial. a clear understanding of the different types of resumes formats. Read more.

developed a list (3-4) of key accomplishments for each work experience. used bullets and short phrases to describe my accomplishments. avoided the usage of "responsibilities included" or "duties included," "responsible for." provided as much contact information as possible on my resume. composed a "summary of qualifications" or "key accomplishments" section. Read more. reviewed samples of strong resumes. Read more. avoided using personal pronouns ("I," "my," "me") in my resume. considered using transferable skills (especially if I am a career changer or recent college grad without much experience). Read more. not listed any personal information (age, marital status, etc.) on my resume. not lied or provided any false information on my resume. not listed any references directly on my resume. proofread my resume carefully and eliminated any errors, typos, and misspellings. Part 4: Interviewing Skills I have: reviewed the Job Interviewing Tutorial. read about and reviewed different types of job interviews. Read more. prepared answers for the most common interview questions. Read more. practiced answering different types of job interview questions. Read more. taken advantage of mock interviews. prepared several questions to ask the employer during the interview. Read more. a clear understanding of the position I am interviewing for. prepared for the possibility of an initial screening interview by phone. Read more.

read and reviewed the importance of dressing for success. Read more. taken a practice run so I know how long it will take to reach the interview. prepared myself to give a firm (and dry) handshake, to make eye contact with the interviewer(s), and to show enthusiasm for the job and company. researched each company so that I can showcase that knowledge in the interview. Read more. a clear understanding of the salary negotiation process. Read more. researched salaries and have clear expectations about salaries. prepared a "closing" for the interview that expresses my desire for the job and inquires about the next step in the interview process. Read more. Part 5: Follow-Up I have: chased down every potential job lead. kept my network of contacts informed of my job search progress. followed-up each cover letter with a phone call or email to the employer requesting a job interview. written thank you letters to every person I interviewed with at each company. Read more. phoned the employer about a week after the first interview to check on the progress of the job search. Read more. written acceptance or declining letters to all job offers. Read more.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms. Dr. Randall Hansen is currently Webmaster of Quintessential Careers, as well as publisher of its electronic newsletter, QuintZine. He writes a biweekly career advice column under the name, The Career Doctor. He is also a tenured, associate professor of marketing in the School of Business Administration at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. He is a published career expert -- and has been for the last ten years. He is co-author, with Katharine Hansen, of Dynamic Cover Letters. And he has been an employer and consultant dealing with hiring and firing decisions for the past fifteen years. He can be reached at randall@quintcareers.com.

Have you taken advantage of all of our Career Checklists for Job-Seekers?

Career and Job-Search Checklists for Job-Seekers

Quintessential Careers now offers job-seekers several career development and job-search checklists.
As you prepare to complete an aspect of career development or job-hunting, be sure to use one or more of these job-seeker checklists for complete success. Career Research Checklist i-- Are you trying to find some direction for your career? Make sure you are using all your available career research resources by using this checklist Cover Letter Checklist -- If you're serious about writing a cover letter that's going to get your resume noticed by employers, then be sure to use this checklist. Job Search Checklist -- This job-search checklist follows the five essential steps of jobhunting that job-seekers need to master in order to have a successful job search.

We'll be adding more checklists over the next few months. Stay tuned!

Job Search Checklist Job Search Checklist | Employer ... Job Search Checklist. A successful job search will require your commitment to careful planning, preparation, and participation. ... ncsu.placementmanual.com/develop/develop-01.html - 15k - Cached Similar pages

Check when completed

____ Identify personal strengths, skills, interests, and values. You will communicate these through your cover letter, resume, and interviews. ____ Start a job search notebook to track employer correspondence and activity. ____ Activate your ePack account for internships and full-time positions:

www.ncsu.edu/career-follow login instructions. Complete your personal profile with care. Upload your carefully constructed resume. Publish your resume to the resume book

Take action:

Search for opportunities to apply for on-campus interviews. Follow procedures and watch for upcoming deadlines. Schedules are updated frequently Be prepared for employers who contact you directly as a result of searching the resume database and finding your resume. Search for opportunities to apply for positions directly; these are posted by employers who are not interviewing for these positions on campus. Use the employer database to contact employers directly, when appropriate.

____ Register with the Co-op Office for co-op positions (3 alternating semesters) www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/co-op_ed/. Consider both internships and co-op as a means of gaining experience in your field prior to graduation. ____ Create a list of three references. Make this available to employers, upon request. This is most often requested of students who are graduating. ____ Print a copy of your transcript from TRACS. Make this available to employers, upon request. ____ Prepare a portfolio or work samples (if appropriate for your field). ____ Identify and attend Career Center workshops, designed to prepare you for the search. Small group and on-line versions are available. ____ Prepare for interviews. Practice! ____ Research industries, employers, and locations before making contact. ____ Take advantage of every opportunity to meet employers.

On-campus interviews at the Career Center On-campus interviews at the Co-op Office Employer information sessions through the Career Center Career fairs Employer presentations through classes and societies Contacts provided by faculty and classmates Career Search national database of employers MonsterTRAK, Eleads, and other sources of job or employer listings Websites of employers Websites of organizations you are affiliated with (professional, honor, sororities/fraternities, for example) Employer directories, on-line and in print Networking (family, friends, faculty, classmates, colleagues, supervisors, for example)

____ Final tips: Start early. Create flawless paperwork. Be positive and persistent. Follow up and follow through. Be professional, enthusiastic, honest, and thoughtful. Demonstrate a "can do" and "will do" attitude throughout the process.

____ Let the Career Center know when you have accepted a position or committed to a graduate or professional school program by completing the New Graduate Survey online.

Employer Research Resumes Power Verbs for Your Resumes Sample Resumes: Internship or Co-Op #1 Internship or Co-Op #2 Internship or Co-Op #3 Internship or Co-Op #4 Full-time #1 Full-time #2 Full-time #3 Full-time #4 Graduate Student, page 2 CV (Curriculum Vitae) If you are seeking an academic or research position, you will need to prepare a curriculum vitae (CV). Sample Curriculum Vitae Information for Academic Positions Letters In the job search you have three intertwined opportunities to showcase and prove your qualifications. The resumes, professional letters, and interviews should be a unified presentation in which you detail your strengths in increasing depth and complexity. Critical Components of a Cover Letter Sample Letters: Cover Letter #1 Cover Letter #2 Cover Letter #3 Thank-You Letter Letter of Acceptance Letter of Refusal References

The Interview Process Interviews What Happens During the Interview? Professioanl Etiquette Interviewing Questions Are You Ready for a Behavioral Interview?

Buffalo State - CDC - Job Search Preparation ... The following checklist should help you identify and organize some of the job search tasks you will need to complete. CLARIFY YOUR JOB TARGET. ... www.buffalostate.edu/offices/cdc/checklist.html - 15k - Cached Similar pages

Job Search Preparation

So, how would you rate your job searching skills? Many job seekers spend the majority of their time answering want ads from the paper or searching the web for job listings, but here's a tip this is not how most people get jobs! If this is how you planned to approach your job search, then you may want to revise your strategy and start spending time on the job search activities that work the best. According to some sources 85% of jobs for recent college graduates are not advertised. The effective job seeker spends most of their time uncovering these types of "hidden" job openings. That means talking to people and identifying and approaching employers of interest. While it is important to check out advertised openings, more time should be spent cultivating your contacts (see Networking information in the Interview handout) and conducting informational interviews with potential employers. Use the internet not just to look for openings, but to network, research industries and organizations, and access employer directories such as Career Search. Join a professional organization to meet people in your field as well as to keep current on industry trends. Most jobs never hit the newspaper, so be a proactive rather than a reactive job seeker. Focus your energy on meeting people and contacting organizations that you have researched. Remember - think creatively about how you can make contact with employers, and how to best construct your job search. The successful job seeker uses a variety of job searching methods with most of their time and effort devoted to cultivating relationships with people!

The following checklist should help you identify and organize some of the job search tasks you will need to complete.

CLARIFY YOUR JOB TARGET

Determine where your interests, abilities, and values fit best in the world of work. Use the CDC Career Information Center to learn about career opportunities. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your field. The CDC's Connect with a Mentor Program, found in ORCA, may be useful in identifying potential interviewees.. Complete an internship in your field of interest. The conversion rate of interns being hired by the organization where they interned is 31.9% (NACE). Select preferred geographic location(s) and determine your starting salaries in your field.

PREPARE YOUR JOB SEARCH CORRESPONDENCE:

Attend resume and cover letter writing workshops offered by the CDC. Submit your resume/cover letter to the CDC for a written critique (you must first attend a workshop!) or set up an appointment with a counselor to review your printed resume or cover letter. Use the CDC's books on resume/cover letter writing. Pick up the Resume/Cover Letter handouts in the CDC or view them here.

GET READY FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH:

Start networking now! Let friends, relatives, supervisors, teachers, and former employers know you are looking. Pick up the Networking handout in the CDC or view it on our website. Use the CDC books on job searching. Join and become active in a professional organization in your field. Read local newspapers or, if relocating, read out-of-town newspapers on the web. Shop for your interview suit. Pick up a Reference File Packet or view it on the CDC website.

IDENTIFY UNADVERTISED OPENINGS:

Research potential employers the CDC's print and online employer directories such as Career Search. Begin contacting potential employers with phone calls, visits, and letters of inquiry with resumes. Start keeping records on employer contacts and follow up periodically. Continue to increase your networking activities.

CHECK OUT ADVERTISED OPENINGS:

View job openings using ORCA on the CDC website. Visit popular links to other job listing sites on the CDC website. Identify publications or websites related to your field that list current openings. Visit organization websites for employment listings.

DEVELOP GOOD INTERVIEW SKILLS:

Attend the CDC's interviewing workshop. Refer to books on interviewing in the CDC library. Pick up the Interviewing handout in the CDC or view it on our website. Practice interviewing in a videotaped mock interview session with a CDC counselor. Use the CDC's employer resources, or the web, to learn more about organizations.

FOLLOW UP:

Check with the CDC to make sure all references requested have been submitted. Re-contact organizations from which you have not heard. Send thank you letters after interviews.

Updated 9/3/2004 Malone College: Job Search Checklist ... Job Search Checklist. Pray. Read scripture. Memorize verses for wisdom, strength and encouragement. Seek Gods guidance on His plan for your life. ... www.malone.edu/1466 - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

Job Search Checklist

Pray. Read scripture. Memorize verses for wisdom, strength and encouragement. Seek Gods guidance on His plan for your life. Ask His advice daily. Ask the advice, counsel and testimony of committed Christian professors and Christian professionals in your field. Meet with The Office of Career Services/Career Advisor, Colleen CramblettONeil or Director, Mr. Reichenberger. Register for CareerConnections, web-based resume referral software system (see brochure).

Build your resume in CareerConnections call Colleen or Mr. Reichenberger when you have submitted the resume to the Office of Career Services. It must approve it before it can be referred. Make sure the following paperwork is Job Search Ready: __ Personal Assessment (Testing/Evaluating Instruments-Career Services) __ Resume (1page preferred) - Professional, marketable and correct __ Statement of Faith/Testimony (1 page summary) __ Philosophy of Your Vocation (1 page summary) __ Cover Letter (see example in Job Hunter's Guide) __ Reference Sheet (obtain their permission first and supply them with a resume __ Letters of Recommendation ( From every employer paid or unpaid) __ Portfolio (A purposeful collection of class or work project samples, etc) __ Sample Thank-You note (Always send a note A.S.A.P. after every interview) __ Marketing List (Make a list starting from home of 25 work possibilities) __ Research the companies/schools __ Prepare good questions to ask an employer during an interview (6-8) __ Have a list of questions employers often ask and why they ask them __ Write out your top Skills/Traits, illustrate with examples (Skill Triangle) __ Networking ( Write out who is in your network, their title, & where they work) Tell everyone you are looking for a job, what type of job you want, ask their advice, and give them copies of your resume. Get organized, use a planner/calendar to schedule your job search. Learn how to present yourself over the telephone and pre-interview. Prepare interview clothes and accessories - dress for the interview, be conservative. If in doubt, DONT wear it. Practice interviewing Understand the Behavior-Based Interview Process . Career Services can help! Know the questions not to ask an employer, as well as the basic Interviewing DONTS Learn how to Think Like an Employer Prepare for a meaningful career! Make your own mission statement and live it!

Remember to continually update your resume and resubmit it on-line to Career Services. Keep in telephone contact with Career Services until you are employed. Call with any questions. And please let us know where you are working and how much you enjoy it. Remember, we are always here for you.

CareerPerfect Checklist to quickly identify your next step in a ... ... Save time & money with Relocation tools and calculators, Career & job search checklist to identify your next step, Featured Topics, ... www.careerperfect.com/CareerPerfect/checklist.htm - 40k - Cached Similar pages

Understanding Career Planning and Testing Career planning is the exciting process of finding your ideal career, based upon your intrinsic interests, motivational traits, personality, values, skills, aptitudes, personal work style, and work environment preferences. Studies show people who are working in a career that supports their intrinsic interests are happier, and more successful and fulfilled. Career planning is ideal for changing careers, selecting a field of study or major, and beginning a new career. Career tests (also known as inventories or assessments) assess your values, interests, motivational traits, personal work style, personality, skills, and aptitudes. Each type of inventory/test is designed to gather data and provide you with meaningful feedback to help ensure that you will land in a career you will love, and in which you will be most successful! The most effective career planning process utilizes the various types of career tests (inventories) together with decision-making tools. To understand the major types of tests (inventories) used in career planning, click for a description of each: Career Interest Inventory Personality Inventory Values Inventory Skills Inventory

Whether a first career or a career change, millions of people are using career planning and testing to find the perfect career for optimum success and happiness!

Job Search Checklist for K-12 Educators JOB SEARCH CHECKLIST FOR K-12 EDUCATORS. Talk with your cooperating teacher about needing to leave the classroom for interviews, career ... www.uwm.edu/Dept/CDC/education_jobchecklist.html - 11k - Cached Similar pages

1. Talk with your cooperating teacher about needing to leave the classroom for interviews, career fairs, and other special events related to finding a job. If you didn't do this at the beginning of the semester, remember, it's never too late. Cooperating teachers

understand the importance of finding a job and will usually work with you to the best of their abilities.

2. Prepare a resume and cover letter and have it critiqued by a Career Development Center
counselor during Express Lane.

3. Get 10 of your classmates together and request the Career Development Center to
present a resume writing, interviewing, or job search workshop.

4. Register with the Career Development Center for on-campus interviews with school
districts and referral of your resume during the spring semester. 5. Check out the resources on the CDC website and in the CDC Career Information Library and Media Center located in Mellencamp 128. All provide resources on the field of education including resume writing, interviewing, job search, portfolio development, employment outlook, salary ranges, and directories of school districts.

6. Begin identifying and asking people to be your references and write letters of
recommendation for you.

7. Consider attending one or more Wisconsin or mid-west education recruitment fairs. 8. Regularly look at online education employment listings. 9. Watch the classified ads in local newspapers and papers from cities you might be
interested in moving to. Many newspapers' classifieds are online.

10. Apply directly to school systems in which you would like to teach. You can identify hiring
personnel and addresses in our school directories section. 11. Alert your cooperating teacher, campus supervisor, school principal, fellow students, etc., so they can contact you if they hear of a teaching vacancy that might be of interest to you. Be sure to leave a current copy of your resume with these key people and keep them abreast of your job search activities. 12. Pay close attention to each school district's application procedures. Procedures and application materials vary from district to district. Many times candidates are eliminated from the hiring process because they do not follow directions. Be sure to follow up with districts you apply to and check that you have submitted the proper information. 13. Develop a system to record and organize th e following: o Job advertisements for jobs you applied for. o Copies of application materials you submit to each district. o Dates you applied for jobs and when to make follow up contact. o Names, dates, and times of job interviews. o Dates of follow up contacts made. o Names, dates, and times of informational interviews. o Names of people to network with. o Daily, weekly, and monthly goals. o Rewards you give yourself for reaching your goals.

Career-Resumes :: Resumes by former Monster Expert ... Peter Newfield?s Job-Search Checklist is like your job-search ?trip planner?. It?sa simple to follow strategy to systematically pursue the job you want. ... www.career-resumes.com/Sections-article3-p1.phtml - 31k - Cached Similar pages

Finding the right job is more like a road trip than a Sunday drive. If you plan your trip, have a map, and write a schedule, you?ll arrive at your destination and be there on time. Peter Newfield?s Job-Search Checklist is like your job-search ?trip planner?. It?s a simple to follow strategy to systematically pursue the job you want. We invite you to use the checklist and let us know how it works.

Step 1 Sharpen your job search skills.

The job search process is one that requires careful analysis, planning and dedication if you hope to succeed. For this, you will need a plan of attack. The concepts and practices for executing your job search campaign are outlined in this document (download as Word or PDF). These are companies that may offer positions comparable to those that would interest you whether advertised or not. Create an entry in the log for each of these companies with all available information you can find. Identify companies that are actively advertising positions that interest you. Create an entry in the log for each of these companies with all available information that you can find. Try going to their website or look them up by other means to find out as much as possible about these companies. Carefully read through job advertisements to identify common requirements among the companies/positions that interest you. This should be done according to the most basic skills and work your way up to more advanced skills. List these requirements from least important to most important or most demanding requirements. Now, go down the list and determine which of the key skills you possess. Of the skills that you possess, start with the most advanced qualifications and make sure that these qualifications are mentioned in the upper of the first page of your resume. Bullets can be rearranged or words can be added to existing statements, but these qualifications must have mention in this section. Do not re-write your resume or add content that is not complimentary to the rest of the resume to do this. The resume likely has this information already if you have accurately selected jobs that you possess interest and are moderately qualified for.

Step 2 Identify potential companies that interest you.

Step 3 Find out who's hiring.

Step 4 Know what they're looking for.

Step 5 Highlight your strengths.

Step 6 Revise your resume to match the job.

If various positions differ greatly in requirements or fall into two or more groups of similar companies/jobs, it is a good idea to use a certain resume for one group and another copy for another group. A subtle change such as re-arranging sentences to fall in an order so that the content of interest is mentioned first is suitable in most cases.

Step 7 This is your first impression so do it right.

Print your resume on a quality 24 lb paper that is light in color. For best results, take your resume to a professional printing center on diskette to have them laser print your resume. Get matching full-page size 9 x 12 envelopes. If you?re able to print addresses directly on the envelopes or can print labels to address the envelopes with it will look more professional than hand-written envelopes. Be sure to include the contact person?s name if available just below the company name and above the address so that it is delivered directly to the intended recipient. Mail all of your resumes out at once, ensuring that each company has the appropriate copy enclosed. Allow 2 days for local delivery, and four business days for the rest of the addresses you have sent your resume to. On the anticipated day of arrival of your resume, send a copy by email and announce the arrival of the hard copy in the mail. It is best if your email goes out the day before or the exact day that your resume arrives. Mention in the email that you will follow up with them by phone on a specified day and state whether you will call in the morning or afternoon. You should call no later than three business days after your resume arrives. Make follow up calls with your resume and the advertisement (if available) in hand. If you have to make another follow up call next week, ask them if you may contact them next week to see how their selection process is going if there has been no decision made at that time. Continue process until you have an answer, interview or rejection letter. Befriend the person you are calling, call them by their first name after the first call and keep your resume copies handy at all times during the process so that you are better prepared if they should call you unexpectedly.

Step 8 Step ahead of the competition.

Step 9 Follow up!

Job Search Checklist ... CS&P HomePage Career Planning Job Search Strategies Researching Companies Interview Checklist Cover Letters Resumes Employers Favorite Questions Applicants ... www.msu.edu/user/leedyjen/joblist.htm - 12k - Cached - Similar pages Checklist
o

Register with Career Services and Placement (CS&P) to take advantage of interviewing with recruiters on-campus. Fill out the registration form on the

o o

CS&P World Wide Web site (http://www.msu.edu/csp) to become eligible for interview sign-ups and to have your information forwarded to employers requesting prospects with your qualifications. This service is free to MSU students up to one semester after graduation. Alumni may use a limited service for an annual fee. Regularly check the "Career Events and Interviewing Bulletin" for a list of companies recruiting on campus three weeks following bulletin publication. This bulletin will list the majors that the companies are interested in interviewing. This bulletin is published weekly and is available on the CS&P homepage on Thursday through Monday noon. Vacancy Bulletins listing current job openings across the United States are published every other Friday. Reference copies are available at the CDC information desk. Subscription information is also available in CS&P, 113 Student Services, or the Career Development Center (CDC), 6 Student Services. Binders containing job listings by college are located at the CDC information desk and may be viewed in the Center. Review job listings, employer information, or trade periodicals available at the CDC information desk and in the CDC Career Files or at other libraries on campus. Also, review newspapers from locations where you would like to work-in addition to classified ads, check regular advertisements and news articles for leads on potential employers for your field. Check out all the job listings available on the World Wide Web and research some employers while you're at it. Become well acquainted with the Web sites for your employment field and check them frequently. Use Web search engines by typing in keywords to discover these sites. Also, put a polished, up-to-date copy of your resume on the Web and participate in relevant listservs and discussion groups. You can access the Web in all campus computer labs using a current student ID or from home through a World Wide Web browser. Pick up the "Cruising for Careers on the Internet" handout at the CDC Career Exploration stand for more information.

Article: Job-Search Checklist - MedHunters Job-Search Checklist. By MedHunters Staff, ... www.medhunters.com/articles/jobSearchChecklist.html - 31k - Cached Similar pages

Step One: Identify Your Job and Career Goals

You feel as though you want a change, but a change to what? Do you want a big change or a little change? Do you want a new location, a new work environment, a new specialty, or a new field all together? Making this list will help to ensure that you apply for the right jobs and will stop you from wasting your time and the recruiter's.

Identify your skills, interests, objectives, and priorities and write them down.

Identify the type of employers that have jobs that would interest you, e.g., hospital, home health, government, or education.

Step Two: Create Your Rsum

A rsum is a tool that prospective employers use to assess, quickly and easily, whether you have the right qualifications for the job. The quality of your rsum is extremely important. Here's how to make sure your rsum lands you an interview rather than landing in the recycle bin.

Identify a rsum format that will best showcase your experience. There are three types: chronological, functional, and combination. The chronological is the most popular and puts information in order from most recent to most distant, thereby, showing your educational and career growth and illustrating job continuity, professional growth, and achievements. The functional type focuses on credentials, skills, and accomplishments. This type emphasizes what you did, not where and when you did it, so it can be misleading about the currency of your skills in a particular area. A combination, just as it sounds, uses both styles including a listing of skills and a listing of education and employment in reverse order. Read Write the Right Rsum. Ensure that your rsum includes your work history, skills, interests, education, and licensing. Obtain copies of written professional references from previous jobs or education, or maintain up-todate contact details of former employers or teachers who have agreed to act as references for you. If you want to attach a cover letter, read Write an Effective Cover Letter. Make sure you proofread the rsum and cover letter and/or have a friend or family member do it. Do not rely solely on the computer's spell check even if a word is spelled correctly, it may not be the right one!

Step Three: Prepare for the Interview

Congratulations! You have an interview. The job you want is in sight, and you don't want to miss out now. Remember to take the interview seriously. You don't want to be halfway through an interview, find that you are really excited about a job, and then lose the opportunity because you were't prepared.

Research the employer to ensure you know about the hospital or company: its mission, its strengths, and its weaknesses. This knowledge will also demonstrate your interest to the interviewer. If it is a different job than you've held in the past, talk with people in the same area of practice to find out more about it. Read the job description, to know what is expected. If the job will entail a move, research the geographic location to assess whether it would be an attractive place to live. Be able to answer questions such as: "Tell me about yourself?" "Why are you interested in working with us?" "What do you hope to be doing in five years from now?" "How would others describe you?" "What kind of work environment is best for you?" Prepare a list of questions for the interviewer. These may include a request for contact details for people in the department/unit in which you will work, details about benefits (e.g., continuing education and child care), specifics of work expectations, etc.

Step Four: Interviewing

Read our article Interviewing for Success.

Step Five: Assessing the Offer

You aced the interview and have an offer. You should have decided already that you're serious about starting a new job, but, with the new information you received in the interview, is this job right for you?

Were all your questions answered in the interview? If any remain, contact the interviewer. Is the salary/pay scale offered comparable to what others are offering? Even if the salary/pay scale is not quite what you want, do the benefits, cost of living in the geographical area, work environment, etc., make up for it? Is there an opportunity for career advancement? If you decide you are not interested in the job, politely decline the offer as quickly as possible. Don't become discouraged continue your search for the job that is right for you. If you do want the job, congratulations and enjoy your new position!
Published on July 19, 2004.

CURF: Teacher Job Search Checklist Job Search Checklist for Public School Teacher Candidates. Attend Career Services's "Orientation" meeting approximately one year prior to graduation. ... www.curf.edu/career_services/ resources/jobsearch_checklist.asp - 20k - Cached - Similar pages

Are you trying to find some direction for your career? Perhaps a change in careers? Perhaps your first career? Its critical, at this stage, to conduct research into various careers that interest you. The more research you do, the more likely a career path will become evident to you. What are the best methods for researching careers? Use our Career Research Checklist Develop a career plan. Conducting career-related research and gathering information about careers is great, but you should consider developing a career plan. Read more. Take one or more career assessment tests. If you're unsure of your career direction, these tests should be one of your first steps in researching careers. Find our recommended list here. Review books about specific careers. You can find these books online and your local library -- or check out our Industry-Specific Career Books. Read about various occupations and learn about the nature of the work, working conditions, training and educational requirements, earning potential, future job outlook, and more -- in the U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics. Search the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Talk with your network of contacts -- family, friends, professors, teachers, neighbors, peers, colleagues, mentors -- about potential careers. Use these Key Career Networking Resources on the Web. Conduct career research online. Learn more about careers, specific jobs, and jobs for specific college majors by using the key resources in our Career Exploration section. Explore current job openings. Different companies have different variations of jobs within the same career field. Go to the Quintessential Directory of Company Career Centers and read job descriptions and job requirements of some of the top U.S. employers. Join a job club. Read more. Consider volunteering. Read more. Conduct informational interviews. Not sure how? Use our step-by-step guide: Informational Interviewing Tutorial. Go to one or more career fairs. Go to: Job Expo and Career Fair Resources. Visit a local job service office. Visit your colleges career services office. Whether a current student or an alum, these professionals can help you in many, many ways. Read more. Arrange to job shadow one or more people who have careers that interest you. Use the Web to find industry organizations and other key career resources. Simply go to your favorite search engine -- ours is Google.com -- and type in the name of the career and see what results you get. Find one or more trade journals related to your career choice. Go online -- or to your local library -- and begin reading trade journals to learn more about your career path, as well as specific employment opportunities. Locate one or more professional associations related to your career field. There are professional or trade organizations for just about every career field. Use these resources to help you locate a profesional organization. Use some of our key career resources: For career-changers For students trying to decide on a major/career path For general career exploration resources When ready, take the next step with your research. Once you're done exploring careers, the next step is to begin researching companies and industries. Use our Guide to Researching Companies, Industries, and Countries.