Here are some basic tips for finding the best graduate career opportunities:

• Check with your placement office regularly. Most schools have a placement service, but many students don’t realize they can keep using it even after they’ve graduated.
• Research hot careers at your state unemployment office. Each state maintains a list of online and in-person resources for identifying what kind of workers are most needed in that specific area of the country.
• Check national statistics. The Department of Labor maintains a database of all the jobs in the U.S. and which ones are hot and which are not.
• Consider public service jobs. Check your city, county, and state government websites for job openings. Often state and local governments set up special internships for recent graduates that can lead to long-term employment.
• Consider temporary work. Many temporary services can place you on a trial basis with a company that is really looking for a permanent hire.

Finding the best graduate career opportunities takes a certain amount of work and drive. It’s almost like a job in itself. Devote yourself to the task and you will be rewarded with a career that lasts and opens up lots of new opportunities.

The following graduate employment tips can help you move to the front of the line:

• Dress for the job you want. You may think office casual is fine, but for an interview, kick it up a notch and wear a blazer or a suit.
• Take whatever you can get while you’re waiting for what you want. The longer you are out of school without work, the harder it will be to get work. It looks better on your resume to be working, even if it is only bagging groceries, than it does to be out of work.
• If you can’t find work, volunteer. Many people who end up in rewarding social service jobs started out as volunteers. You can also use your volunteer experience on your resume and your coordinator as a reference.
• Keep your skills current. You have a degree or a diploma, but your employer wants to see your skill set. Is it up to date? If not, brush up.
• Suit up and show up. Internet applications are a great tool, but sometimes it pays to show up and ask for the Human Resource Department. Dress as if you are going to interview and bring a resume.

Always follow up if you don’t hear back from an employer after a week or so. Use these graduate employment tips as a starting point. Talk to everyone! Network, be persistent, and before you know it you will have your first job.

First, skills and interests should be evaluated personally.  Jotting down a list would definitely be the best way to define your capabilities and second, to know your limitations.

There are jobs that are too demanding that might not work for you, or jobs that you may be overly qualified for; and third, planning the time as soon as there is an inner instinct that tells you that you are ready and qualified.

Once this has been done, go to companies and prospective employers early in the morning for this will give them a good impression and for the applicant, a time to complete the process the application if lucky.

The very first thing that needs to be done when looking for a job is to prepare an impressive resume.  Your resume will depend on the type of job being applied for.  There are times when certain employers require a curriculum vitae and even a cover letter or letter of intent.  Every professional job you apply for expects to receive a well written resume.

After preparing the documents needed for your application, the next thing that should follow is finding vacancies for new hires.  Searching using the Internet will be very helpful for this activity.  There are sites that provide this assistance like HotJobs, America’s Job Bank, and Monster that utilizes resources and convenience for people to look for jobs.

Where else can you look for job openings?

The initial step is to look at local newspapers as this provides information just by looking at the Classified Ads section and the lists of wanted personnel and employment opportunities will be read.  Applying at several companies initially in a local area can save an applicant more time and money.  If it so happens a job was found late in the day, call immediately for inquiries.  Never let a day pass when opportunities come.

How to look for jobs that are not announced?

Sometimes companies and other employers do not really advertise any job openings in their organization.  The best thing for an applicant is to weigh things if it will be possible to be hired by a certain company by just submitting an application form or resume.

Start looking for the job personally.  Tell everyone about your job hunting.  Relatives and previous offices or company co-workers will be able to give hints on job vacancies in their current companies.  Professors or teachers will also be helpful in recommending schools and institutions that are now looking for new instructors.  These people might not have any vacant position in their company in mind but they certainly know someone who knows or needs a new employee.  That is what others call networking.

Often times, the Yellow Pages does the important job of providing information on how and where to call to look for a job.  This gives an accurate list of companies and prospective employers in a chosen area.  Visiting the library is also a tool than can be useful when looking for a job.  There are libraries that have a list of local employers, just asks the librarian for more information.

Contact these employers personally, even if they did not advertise any vacant positions that needed to be filled

Lastly, be observant of signs posted on doors and windows of shops and stalls being passed by.  If lucky, just walk in and ask for information about the job and how to apply.

After submitting application forms and resumes to respective companies, keep a track of  progress by creating a chart where you can jot down the name of the company and when the application was submitted.

So you have distributed your resume to prospective employers and you have determined the correct job to apply for. The next step is to schedule the job interview.

You can make the acquaintance of the assistant or the receptionist when you schedule for the interview, either by phone or personally. Be friendly and polite, as these people might provide information that can be essential to getting that job or, even just give you a background of the company or your prospective boss.

Finally, you show up for the interview and are prompt. The basic traits of being prompt, how you speak and carry yourself and even how you dress are all factors that contribute in making a lasting impression that will eventually get you hired.

Here are 7 easy steps on how you can improve your interviewing skills:

1.) Prepare for the interview.

First, dress appropriately. Once the interviewer walks into the room, or once you walk into the room to be interviewed, your appearance will be the first thing to make the impact. Dress appropriately, check your grooming and mind your posture.

Second, practice basic courtesy. Know where the interview will be held and be there with ample time to prepare yourself before the scheduled interview. Turn your phone off to avoid unnecessary distractions.

2.) Research.

Use all your resources to make sure that you know the basics about the company. You would not want to be caught unprepared when asked about how you heard or what you know about the company that you are applying for.

Learn about your potential employer. In your mind, develop a clear picture of the company profile.

Make sure that you prepared answers to a few basic questions, but do not sound scripted. This happens when you rehearse what you will be saying word for word. It is enough that you have an overview of what you will impart to the interviewer, and it is better to be spontaneous.

3.) Be cool.

Step forward so that you are now seated and the interview is about to begin. Make a great first impression by maintaining eye contact, giving the interviewer a firm handshake, a friendly smile and a polite greeting. Sit only when you are asked to do so and do not forget to thank the interviewer for taking time off of his or her busy schedule to interview you.

Make sure to start on a positive note and set the proper expectations.

4.) Do not sell yourself short.

In the course of the interview, answer the questions briefly and accurately. The key is to be honest.

Make sure that as a prospective employee, you impart to your future employer what you really are and what you can do for the company, not the other way around. Stay positive and do not give a bad impression about your previous employer.

If you are applying for your first job, do not let your lack of experience hinder you from gaining the advantage against more experienced applicants. What you lack in experience, make up for in confidence and eagerness to learn.

You may also put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Ask yourself, if I were on the other side of this desk, what qualities should I look for in a potential employee? Would I profit if he works for me and can he contribute to the development of the company?

Do not be afraid to sell yourself but do not be overconfident. Just project an air that you are sure of yourself and your capabilities.

5.) Ask questions.

Should you encounter a difficult interviewer, do not be intimidated. One who does not let you put in a word edgewise should be lightly reminded that you should do most of the talking since he is the one who needs to learn more about you.

6.) Wrap it up.

As you near the end of the interview, make sure that all bases are covered. Now is not the time to discuss or even ask about the salary and the benefits that you will receive once employed. There is ample time for that once you do get the position and you are discussing the job offer.

Wrap things up by summarizing your strengths and pointing out your positive traits. Finally, as you end the interview, make sure to thank the interviewer again for his or her time, thus leaving a lasting impression.

7.) Follow up.

Send that all-important thank you note after the interview. Thank the interviewer for the time that he took with you and for giving you that opportunity. Make sure that you know who to contact for follow-up of the results.

But imagine what this little girl could  be feeling even before approaching doors.  Will they know that she is on official business and would just be selling cookies for the good of humanity?  Will she be able to speak her rehearsed cookie scripts?  Will she make her first order?

Little that we know that a lot of adults, even professional salesmen, experience anxiety at the idea of making their own cold call.  It’s so normal to feel butterflies hitting big time up and down your belly, that just thinking of making the call (whether personal or business) would even want to make you throw up.

So what is a cold call. A cold call is a personal call, it can be a visit or phone call to someone you know a little or someone whom you really don’t know.  The main reason for the call is that you are selling something for personal or official business.

Others think that a cold call is only being made to total strangers, taken from phonebooks or referrals from other persons.  On the contrary, this cold call can be made to someone you already know or to a prospect you’re already familiar with.  It can be someone you met last month at a party or maybe a friend introduced him to you before and you found him to be a good prospect to sell the product.  But still, contacting someone you know breaks the ice for a moment.  Try to narrow your prospects at first where you feel comfortable, once you’ve mastered the technique that’s the time you can move on to a more challenging prospects you never even thought of approaching.

The ordeal that you have to go through first is making that personal, meaning one on one, physical appearance or telepresence.  This can make you so tense that you feel like quitting everything.  There are even cold calls that make you feel like you will disappear in a heartbeat.

Even professionals like doctors, lawyers and professors feel the same, which is why they depend on friends or clients’ referrals for fear of losing their dignity and good name after making an unsuccessful cold call.  One deep breath can help do the trick.

Nothing can be as uncomfortable as prospecting someone for your cold call.  The fear of being shouted at or making a fool out of yourself, are roadblocks and keep you from selling.  This can be overcome with the right attitude together with guarded planning, preparation and if possible – Training.  Believe it or not, salesmanship is possible for everyone.

Take these simple tips on how to Cold Call

Always be Positive

Remember that cold calling is a powerful business strategy.  First be positive with yourself.  Your co-workers and your prospects you’re about to make the cold call should be next to feel positive about.  There must be enthusiasm in your voice the people can feel right away.

Prepare to be Prepared

It’s not enough to know the procedure and having the right attitude.  Prepare the list of who to be called or visited, how the introduction should be done, learn what prospects do and the most important part of all is that your offered product or service should be something that could be of good use for them.  Being well prepared can turn a simple cold call into real business.

I am what I am

Never sound too over reactive or obviously nervous on the phone or when you shake your prospect’s hand.  Never try to be somebody you are really not with an aim to getting the attention you need.  Assume that talking to your prospective employer for the first time should be the key to a lasting relationship.

Calm Down

Anticipate that you’ll be declined.  That’s it.  It’s really hard but never take it as a personal attack on you.  Don’t let the feeling of being dismissed put you down and roll you back.  Be patient and learn from your mistakes.  You will reap a good harvest if you commit yourself to being persistent.  This will also help you find a strategy that will work in the long run.  Look at each turn down as if it were the next stepping stone.

The Art of Questioning

You cannot expect someone to believe you right away. You have to ask the right questions.  Ask what they do correctly and promptly to help you use it along the conversation.  “Can you help me out about this.”  This question does not ask for a yes or no answer but would definitely give you a valuable response that you can use all through out the interaction.

It’s possible that the little Girl Scout on the street asked the same question and left the doorway with 2 less boxes of cookies at hand!

Better questions and service can be received if your appearance itself commands respect.  It’s important to consider the surroundings of the company granting you an interview.  There is no reason to be over dressed or poorly dressed during this very significant day.  In fact, it is a good rule of thumb to always dress appropriately for any situation.  All to often appearance is glossed over.  Some might say that the inner characteristics of the person matter more, but in reality, you only have one opportunity for a first impression.  Make it count!

Although there are specific guidelines that can be followed, these do not apply to all states like New York for example, where people wear trendy up to extreme styles that are far away from the usual fashion rules common people know.  The rule of thumb should be to wear something that could boost your confidence.

Below are the top ten do’s and don’ts for an interview:

Ø Avoid wild colored nail polish before the interview.  The same goes with long nails that could easily turn off some conservative employers.  These should be neat and very tidy looking.

Ø Never wear jewelry that rattles and jiggles as you speak and move.  Try not to wear two or more rings or earrings.  Piercing aside from the ears is also a no.

Ø Professional hairstyles ar eimportant

Ø A good suit or dress makes you more confident.

Ø Avoid short skirts for women and wearing leggings are a no- no during interviews.

Ø  Do not use any leather coats or jackets.

Ø For men, a tie is still appropriate.  Avoid using turtlenecks.  If there is no suit and tie available, use a collared shirt or white long sleeves.

Ø Men must not use too much aftershave.

Ø Use bags that are not too bright and conspicuous.  These should be conservative and matching the dress.

Ø A briefcase used must be in perfect condition.

The way a person looks equals the message he is trying to convey.  During the interview, this can either become a plus factor for the applicant or big loss.

Regardless of your personal career background, skills, and underlying talents, if the first impression was never striking enough to make an outstanding appeal to the interviewers, nothing else counts.  This can be the potential employers’ initial interpretation of how an applicant will do on the job.
Whether that perception is “fair” is irrelevant.  Do you want the job?  Look the part and your chances for success are much greater!

1) Research:  Before the interview process begins, contact the professional organization that represents your field of career. As soon as they provide you with your salary information, you can now examine your monthly cash requirements. Remember that once your taxes are added to your paycheck, approximately 30% of your gross monthly salary is deducted.

2) Determine your skills: You should understand that different segments of the economy require a variety of skills depending on the industry setting. Once you have established what your skills are and what they are worth to the current employment market, you would know the limitations of your negotiation.

Salary range information is available at American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, National Association of College and Employers, Career Center, and professionals in your related field.

In stating your salary range, avoid basing your desired salary on your current salary. Always tell the truth when it comes to your past salary. It is acceptable to extend a range to approximately $6,000 to show that you are within the company’s price range but interested in more compensation.

3) Weigh the company’s compensation package: To determine your fair market value for a specific job, you should consider the economic, geographic, and industry factors of the job offer. Weigh the benefits of compensation and promotions, insurance, allowed time off and retirement settlements of the offer to ensure a fair proposed salary.

4) Sell yourself: If you know what you could offer the company requires a larger income, never say it directly.  Once you sell yourself discreetly, the interviewer would understand that the proposed salary is not appropriate for your background.

5) Have a positive attitude: In negotiating, never compete. Negotiation is basically a process which could benefit both parties. Understand your needs and those of the company.

6) The final offer: Be aware when the negotiation is done. Pushing further when a deal has been set could give a negative first impression on your part.

7) Show what you are made of: The interview is only the first step in having an enhanced compensation. Once you are hired, offer your skills to the company and prove your worth by doing quality work. You may even get a promotion for doing so.

Based from a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, four out of five employees are willing to negotiate compensation. Understanding these basic tips will allow you to enhance the terms of your new job.

Most employers tend to look for people who are endowed with the most desirable job skills in order to match the expectations and necessities of the company.

Therefore, for people who wish to make it to the jobs that they have long been dreaming of, it is important to know the most sought after job skills of most employers.

Below is a list of the important job skills a job seeker must have in order to land a good job and keep it.

1. The ability to research

Job seekers should possess the ability to research not because they wanted to land a job in a research company but in order to do simple searches on the data needed by a particular activity.

2. Logical thinking

Most employers need people who are able to produce effective solutions and to make sensible solutions regarding a proposal or a probable activity.

3. Technologically literate

With the advent of information technology, most job openings require people who are computer literate or know how to operate different machines and office equipments.

Most employers do not necessarily need people who are technological graduates. The simple fact that job seekers know the basic principles of technology is already enough.

4. Communication skills

People who are able to land a good job are mostly those who are adept in speaking and writing. Employers hire people who are able to express their thoughts efficiently through verbal and written communications.

5. Organizational skills

No employer would like to hire somebody who is disorganized. Organization is extremely important to maintain a harmonious working relationship in the company. Hence, most employers find people who know how to arrange scheme and methods that would maintain the orderliness in the area.

6. Interpersonal skills

Because the working environment consists of various kinds of personalities, it is necessary, therefore, to acquire the skill to communicate to people form different walks of life.

7. Professional Growth

Employers hire people who are able to create a plan that will generate personal career growth, therefore a new graduate should be willing to improve him or herself professionally by learning new things he or she still does not know.

These are just some of the most wanted job skills required by most employers. Hence, it is important for the job seekers to take note of these assets in order to be successful in every endeavor they make.

The majority of the top companies search for employees who stand out based on their expertise, ability tbring new ideas to a role and a pleasing personality that would enhance the organization.

Skills are grouped into three kinds – knowledge-based, transferable, and personal traits.

1) Knowledge-based skills are those learned from experiences. These may include educational attainment, additional training, seminars attended, and other practices that you have studied to enhance your expertise.

Knowledge-based skills include computer and communication skills, marketing or managerial knowledge, product development, and many more. These skills vary depending on the field of industry of each job candidate.

2) Transferable or portable skills are those you bring to a specific job. This is the reason why interviewers ask, “What could you offer the company?” Transferable skills are important because companies strive to look for quality employees that would improve the development of the workforce.

Portable skills include problem solving, team leader potential, organized, writing and communication skills, customer service oriented, time and project management, and good with numbers and budget. This kind of skills varies depending on the experience and versatility of each job candidate.

3) Personal traits determine who you are. In a job interview, one of the most common things an employer says is “Tell me something about yourself.” Your response is vital because it would set the tone for the rest of the interview.

Personal traits include good judgment, well organized, analytical, goal oriented, flexible, creative and many more. Try to sell yourself in as modest as possible within a limited time.

* Self-assessment. In order to provide an impressive presentation, examine your resume and list all the skills you have used for each past job experience. Make a comprehensive list of your skills and strengths including personal traits, knowledge-based and transferable skills. This would be the basis for your personal commercial.

* Once you have completed your script, you are now ready to face the interviewer. Remember that employers are interested in your accomplishments. Use words that are concise, direct and clear.

Although many companies require a unique set of skills, you should still highlight your technical skills in the interview. These skills, which top companies usually seek, include leadership, communication, confidence, flexibility, problem solving and energy.

Emphasizing all of your strengths and skills on job interviews would increase your chances of landing the desired job.

Most guides in resume writing present power words – words that attract employer attention when he scans hundreds of resume – but few of them include words you should not use in a resume.

Here is a list of words and word categories which should be avoided when you create your resume.

Abbreviations and acronyms
APTA, CPOFAS, RIFL, MRSRSA and it starts to look like a Scrabble game. Too many abbreviations and acronyms make a resume unreadable. As a rule, avoid using them, and use them only when they are easy to recognize. If these words are very popular in your field use them with care.

Personal pronouns
It may seem strange to avoid personal pronouns (me, I, mine, etc) in your resume – a document that’s only talking about you. Because it’s all about you, using personal pronouns is redundant and pointless. A resume should not contain unnecessary words, because it is not a novel, but a short presentation of your abilities and experience.

Negative words
These words transform your resume in a total failure: “arrest”, “boring”, “fired”, “hate” and “racist”; if there are problems you want clarified with the employer, keep them for the interview.

Don’t overuse some of the words
There are words that are a must in a resume but you don’t have to overuse them. For example: excessive use of: “a”, “and”, “but”, “because”, “very”, “also” and words you can’t define: even if a word sounds good and makes you look intelligent, if you use them the wrong way, you lose any chance to be called to an interview.

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