Black Collegian's complete career planning and job search guide, 1994-95, The

Black Collegian, Oct 1994 by Bardwell, Chris B

This two-part series tells you every step that you need to take in a successful job search and when to take each step. From information on the importance of self-assessment and how to write resumes and cover letters to preparing for the interview--campus and on-site--Part I will show you how to position yourself for a competitive advantage over other job applicants and for career success in the years ahead. We've also included samples of good resume styles and tips for enhancing your cover letters. (Samples omitted) The Annual Planning Chart gives pointers you should take from freshman to senior year. Let's get started.

SELF-ASSESSMENT: ASSESSING YOU AND YOUR CAREERS

Why is self-assessment important? The more you know about who you are as a person and where you're going, the better you will fit your personal profile into your short-and long-term goals. Before you start any career, it's important to know not only your likes and dislikes but your strengths and weaknesses also.

Develop a written statement reflecting your honest opinion about your skills and strengths. Sit down and get to know yourself. Close your eyes and think seriously about your skills--what you're good at and why. What don't you like and why? Where do you want to be? There are various skills identification and self-assessment tests/exercises that your career planning and placement office can administer.

For example, skill identification can fall into many areas: Communications-Human Relations, Organizational-Numerical, Creative, Management-Leadership, Physical-Mechanical, Instructional-Helping, and Research-Study. Take advantage of any tools the career planning office can provide that will help you develop your self-assessment profile.

Assess where you'd like to be two years into your career. Five years. Ten years. Your self-assessment should include a long-range plan for your professional life.

Develop a list of your answers to questions that surface in your self-assessment. From this reflection, you should be able to fill in the answers to the following questions about your career direction:

The type of job I want is in the field of-

The employer I am interested in will be a-

Small size Medium Large size

I want to work at

* The headquarters of the organization * Important branch office * A smaller branch office or

My position will be:-

Who is above me?--Who is below me?--My responsibilities will be--The tangible rewards of my job will include-

* Good salary * Good benefits (medical, insurance, dental, etc.) * Expense Account * Company Car * Travel * Responsibility Other:-

The intangible rewards of my job:

* Prestige * Security * Glamour * Fulfillment * Recognition/Identity * Potential (leading to future benefits) Other:-

The environment I'd like to work in:

* Office * Factory * School/Laboratory * Farm/Field Other:-

The location I'd like to have is

* Work at home * Short commute * Long commute

Social interaction:

* Work alone * Light contact with others * Moderate contact with others * High contact with others

Career Potential:

* Advancement possible within organization * Advancement possible by moving to another organization * Higher salary/advancement possible within position * More responsibility possible within position * Greater power and influence possible within organization Other:-

This information should be included in your career action plan. Your plan will include your short-term and long-term career goals and strategies for reaching them. Remember to do the following:

* Research companies and review various periodicals written about your career interests.

* Check your academic performance and log your work experience. Review your honors, awards, college activities, and extra-curricular activities. You'll start to see your profile develop.

* Use your college career planning and placement office. The office will assist you in finding out about companies, jobs, and resources. It can also help you with information on summer jobs and internship possibilities. Check with the placement office to learn the upcoming campus interview schedule and which employers will be recruiting.

RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS

An effective resume goes a long way toward helping you land a job. Your resume has three purposes:

* To tell the employer what you have to offer: experience, education, and skills

* To help you secure your interviews

* To help market the product--YOU

Look at your personal profile and develop your unique background, academic history, and work history into a resume format that will impress the employer. Your resume should be directed toward your specific career objective and offer information that supports this objective. Look at your resume as a "capabilities profile" helping move you into future employment, rather than simply a historical document reflecting your past or background. A good resume should affirm your positive qualities, attributes, skills, characteristics, and accomplishments within a context of what the market--the employer--is buying. This positioning will be the groundwork for building self-confidence and helping you have a clear focus during your personal contacts and interviews with the employer.