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The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
February/March
2002 Issue
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Looking for a Job? How to Survive the Search
By Glen Hansford
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"If
you want something, go for it! Don't hesitate to make one more call,
see one more person, take one more course, write one more letter,
and give one more day to doing the right thing. Careers, jobs, situations
and people change. Use that knowledge to continue to evolve and
stretch yourself in order to be ready for your 'perfect' job."
Ruth
Whisler, Phi Theta Kappa Alumna, 1992 Guistwhite Scholar, Program
Director at The Center for Cultural Interchange, St. Charles, Illinois
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Whether you're looking to ease the burden of your school expenses, preparing
early for summer work or entering the workforce full-time, here are a
few basic tips to help you land the perfect job.
Be Prepared!
- Roll up your sleeves. Searching for a job is a job in itself.
Actively searching takes a great deal of time and effort. Be prepared
to work hard.
- Look ahead. Even if you are searching for part-time or temporary
work, try to get a position in your desired career field. This will
help you to understand whether you are headed in the right direction
in addition to providing you with valuable experience in your field
of study.
- Enjoy it. You will probably spend the majority of your day
at your place of employment. With this in mind, figure out what it is
you really enjoy or support and strongly consider that when making a
career choice. If you love spending time on your computer, maybe you
should consider a future in the computer or information systems field.
If you feel you may have trouble sitting at a desk all day, consider
a future in outside sales.
- Consider your talents. Also, consider your talents when choosing
a job or career. For example, if you are not good with numbers, becoming
an accountant would probably not be in your best interest.
- Sell yourself on paper. Prepare an effective résumé and cover
letter. While you will need to tailor each of these to the specific
job for which you are applying, you can go ahead and prepare the majority
of the text and format the information in an easy-to-read manner. For
résumé and cover-letter writing tips, access monsterTRAK™ through
Phi Theta Kappa's getconnected.ptk.org
or try a book such as "The Résumé Handbook: How to Write Outstanding
Résumés and Cover Letters for Every Situation," by Arthur D. Rosenberg
and David. V. Hizer.
Let the Search Begin!
- Network. "It's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know." Networking
is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get leads on jobs.
- Surf. Many companies now post job openings online. Search these
jobs by visiting a particular company's website or use an online job
search engine. As a Phi Theta Kappa member, you can access monsterTRAK™'s
database of jobs at no charge.
- Go to a fair. Career fairs allow you the opportunity to meet
face-to-face with company representatives. Check with your college career
center about upcoming career fairs or campus interviews. In addition,
your state's Employment Security Commission is sure to have some information
on upcoming job fairs.
- Read all about it! Many companies choose to advertise openings
in the local newspaper. Be sure to keep an eye on these.
- Use an agent. Visit an employment agency. This can prove to
be a very useful resource in your job search.
We want you!
- Convince them. Your cover letter and résumé were good enough
to get the employer's attention. Now that you've landed the interview,
it's time to convince the interviewer that you are the right person
for the job. Be positive, confident and prepared. For valuable interviewing
tips, access monsterTRAK™ through Phi Theta Kappa's getconnected.ptk.org
or try a book such as "Last Minute Interview Tips" by Brandon Toropov.
Look before you leap!
- Shop around. Compare the offers you get to find the perfect
match for you. Keep in mind that benefits such as insurance, vacation
and, most importantly, job satisfaction, play as large a part in your
decision as the salary.
You have the advantage!
As a Phi Theta Kappa member, you are entitled to certain benefits that
can give you the upper hand in your job search. To access these free online
benefits, visit getconnected.ptk.org
- monsterTRAK™. Through a partnership with monsterTRAK™,
Phi Theta Kappa members and alumni can access the monsterTRAK™
Network, featuring targeted job listings and a résumé database for Phi
Theta Kappa students and alumni. monsterTRAK™ includes listings
of full and part-time positions, entry-level jobs and internships, as
well as advice and ideas to help you find your perfect job. This benefit
is provided at no charge, and is not available to any other community
college honor society.
- Letter of Recommendation. You may request one personalized
letter of recommendation at no charge. Your personalized letter will
be sent directly from Headquarters to a potential employer, confirming
membership and leadership roles in Phi Theta Kappa.
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