It’s almost May. Time for a break between classes or, for the lucky few, time to walk and get the diploma and enter the real world-getting a 9 – 5 job or enrolling in graduate school. Piece of cake.
Except it’s not. Getting into graduate school or finding that first job can be terrible. Luckily we have Career and Community Learning (CCL) in the basement of Founders Hall to help us get through those crucial first steps of entry into the world after Guilford College.
I ventured there one morning to see what was available and left with a handful of brochures: “How to Use the Internet in Your Job Search,” “Alternative Options for Life after Graduation,” “How to Develop a Job Search Campaign,” and “Life After Guilford … Making the Transition,” among others.
It’s a scary prospect, being completely on your own for the first time. Everyone is determined to succeed. Odds are you’ll be fine, especially if you follow tips from the brochures and Irene Harrington, Director of Career Development and Internships.Do your research, and start early
One of the single most important things you can do in your job search is research. Research the field and know the different aspects of it, research the companies you’re applying to and how their values fit with your own, and research the current climate in your field of interest. The last aspect is especially important to those who plan on going to graduate school within five years of receiving an undergraduate degree.
“When applicants demonstrate that, even as students, they paid attention to current research and were involved in the field professionally, it shows a level of commitment that enhances their applications,” Harrington said. “He or she will probably be a valuable addition to the institution.”
Likewise, knowledge of a company’s mission statement and of the entry-level position you’re applying for will help you be informed during the interview process. You’ll have a good idea of what is expected of you and what is a reasonable salary.
Many companies begin filling positions in the early fall, so it pays to begin your job hunt at the same time. Most professionals say that it takes about six months to find a job, depending on the field. Certain fields, such as teaching and nursing, are always hiring.

Know your skills
The whole purpose of a resume is to display your skills to a potential employer at a single glance.
While many students may feel they have no marketable skills, this is usually not the case. By obtaining an undergraduate degree from a liberal arts college like Guilford, students develop valuable skills in communication, critical analysis, and teamwork, as well as independent thinking abilities.
A visit to the CCL will help you further assess your skills, as well as your interests and what jobs or careers you might be best suited to. They will also help you put together the all-powerful resume, displaying your marketable skills at their best. For help in creating or polishing a resume, contact Jen Ognosky in the CCL at 316-2187 to schedule an appointment with one of the counselors.
Once you know your skills, you should also know when you’ve used them. It’s great to say you have presentation skills, but if an interviewer asks how you’ve made use of them, you should be able to show specific examples to prove you have the skill somewhere besides on paper.

Network
“The single most important thing to do in a job search is network,” Harrington said. “You have friends, and they have friends, parents, connections that can help move you closer to your dream job. Networking enables you to be in the right place at the right time.”
The CCL is a good place to make connections as well. They maintain contact with alumni, and one of the best references you can get is from someone who shares your alma mater. What’s important to remember when you take advantage of networking is that your connections put themselves on the line by giving you a reference, and if you don’t do well on the job, it reflects badly on them.
While it may feel like taking advantage of your friends, remember that by the time you read of a job opening in the classified section, someone who has been networking may already have their foot in the door.

Make a plan, and stick to it
“Job searching is a job itself,” Harrington said. “You should do a little work at this job every day, be it reviewing your resume or making a follow-up phone call.”
With this in mind, you should have a plan of attack. Know your primary fields of interest, and set a goal that’s attainable. You shouldn’t expect to land the perfect job your first time out.
Start using a planner to keep track of business cards and appointments.
Know your intentions, but leave yourself options. If you think you might eventually want to go to graduate school, you should take the GREs your last year of college – the scores are valid for five years after the date of the test. Many employers also encourage employees to obtain higher education, and many graduate schools offer flexible course hours.
With a little foresight and hard work, and a lot of commitment, finding a first job that won’t drive you crazy is very possible and even probable. And it’ll make that transition to life after Guilford that much easier.