Bagging the Job

Ah, February. The month of romance. The jitters, awkward conversation, waiting for phone calls, the gut-wrenching linger of discovering how it all unfolds. . . Oh wait. That's not love. That's job hunting!

As graduation approaches, you've no doubt begun to wonder how that major of yours is going to translate into a meaningful career (or at least a paycheck). You also know by now that the keys to securing a job are networking, creating an enticing resume, and delivering an irresistible interview.

Really, job hunting is a lot like sending a valentine. When you seal your polished resume in a crisp white envelope and pop it in the mailbox, isn't your intent to woo a prospective employer? The goal is to spark an interest and, hopefully, make a match! Read on for some tried-and-true job-hunting tips. (They work for sending Valentine's Day greetings, too!)

1.	Carefully consider the message you want to convey. Tailor your resume and cover letter to win over the organization in which you're interested. Acknowledge the organization's needs and explain why you are the best person to fill them. Be expressive, confident and clear.
2.	Remember that presentation counts. Review your resume and correct any grammatical errors. Ask others to look it over, too. Use clean lines, high quality paper, and easy-to-read fonts. Keep your audience in mind throughout the entire process. Depending on your industry of choice, you may wish to consider developing a web portfolio in addition to your traditional resume.
3.	When you've arranged a time to meet with your prospective employer, be prepared! Plan how you will answer common questions and have some questions of your own ready, too. Be charming, but avoid coming on too strong. Spruce yourself up and dress for the success you deserve.
4.	Always thank your interviewer for his or her time, whether you're interested in pursuing the job further or not. You never know where that new connection may lead.

We can all remember having Valentine's Day parties in grade school. You know, the ones where you created a "mailbox" out of a bag with your name on it, surrounded by pink and red heart stickers? We gingerly placed Garfield and Snoopy cards inside each other's bags and agonized about how the prefabricated message written above Charlie Brown's head might be interpreted by the girl sitting next to us.

The process is just as elementary now. If we take a fraction of the energy we dedicated to valentines back then and put it toward our search for the correct career match now, imagine the possibilities! A great new job match could be in the bag.

Want to create a memorable resume that gets results? Click here for the answers to some frequently asked questions. Then, carve some time from your busy schedule to meet with a professional at your college's career counseling center and discuss your needs. They're there to help!