Things To Do:

• First, make sure that your expectations are realistic in terms of how long the job search takes. Check with your career center to get average search times for new graduates.
  
  
• Seriously evaluate your job-search efforts. Are you really trying all avenues, or just casually "browsing" for a job? You should be spending at least 3 to 5 hours a day on your search.
  
  
• Also evaluate your job goals. Given your background, education, and experience, are they realistic? If you aren’t getting interviews--maybe you are overshooting the possibilities. Talk to someone in the industry for a quick reality check on your plans.
  
  
• Have a good, trustworthy person in a position of responsibility evaluate your job search package (resume, etc.) and conduct a sample interview. Ask for honest feedback on anything you’re doing wrong.
  
  
• Recognize that if you are looking for a non-traditional job, or you fall into a non-traditional category, the search will take longer. However, eventually, things will fall into place.
  
  
• Don’t let yourself get discouraged or desperate. It can show in the interview, and affect your chances of getting hired.
  
  
• Finally--set a date after which you will look for and accept any job that meets your basic needs. It doesn’t need to be forever--you can start looking again after as little as 1 or 2 years--and the second time, you will have more to offer a future employer.
  
  

Careers: Table of Contents

• Introduction
  • Welcome
  • Making Your Life Easier
  
  
• Taking Stock
  • What Do You Have to Offer a Future Employer?
  • Putting Together Your Package
  • Determining What You Want
  
  
• Making It Happen
  • Getting In
  • Making a Match
  • Shining at the Interview
  • Negotiating the Deal
  • It's a Career, Not Just a Job
  • If Nothing Is Happening
  • Encouraging Words