HOW TO SPEND YOUR THANKSGIVING BREAK

10 Tips to Jumpstart your job search

For juniors and college seniors there's more to Thanksgiving break then catching up with friends, family and much needed sleep.  With so many recent college grads struggling to find employment, now is a good time to get a jumpstart by developing a job search plan.

1. Develop a compelling resume. This is likely the first impression you make with an employer. Your resume needs to tell the story of you  - your strengths, accomplishment and qualities and how you are the fit for the job and the employer. Learn how to write a very effective resume. Don't wait. Recruiting can start early into the semester.
2. Know what you want. Your first job does not determine your career or your life. Still a successful job search strategy is to try to match your skills, interests, and values with the right career or job choice for you. For example, if one of goals is to use your degree in cultural anthropology you need to know the fields this degree will be most valued.  Understand the career path - you might need to pick up a class your last semester to ensure you are qualified for positions in the field you want to pursue.
3. Start researching the companies. Do your homework. It's one of the best ways to set yourself apart from the crowd and demonstrates that you are a good fit.  You will be able to customize your résumé, answer tough questions, develop your own smart questions and show a genuine interest in the company. Being prepared breeds confidence. 
4. Build and work your network. Networking requires that you are proactive. Get the word that you are actively looking for a job.  Expand your network and join professional organizations, sign up for job search newsletters and    e-mail blasts, and participate in online discussion boards. Start with your professors.
5.  Have solid references. Before your graduate college you must secure your references.  They may or may not be contacted but you need to be certain that the reference knows he/she is on your list  and that they will provide a strong reference for you.  References help the employer fill-in information about your character, strengths etc. to determine if you are the type of employee that will fit the organization's culture. 
6. Ensure you have a professional online presence. Employers have a number of ways to check references; not all are direct contact with the references you provided. For example, they will look at your Facebook page, they will check to see if you have a LinkedIn profile, if you have a blog, what online communities you belong to.   Ask yourself - is everything out there something I would want a future employer to know about me. 
7. Join professional associations. If there's a professional organization in your field, join it and start participating in its online community and if you can local events so you can get to know people in your area of interest.   Create a LinkedIn profile, join groups in your field. Very often members of these groups will post the hidden jobs - jobs that don't make it onto job boards.
8. Participate in job fairs. Many cities, particularly large ones, host job fairs at various locations throughout the year. Most colleges and universities hold their own job fairs as well, either individually or in collaboration with other institutions. A job fair is a rare opportunity to have employers come to you, so make sure you attend whenever possible.
9. Go shopping. You need to dress the part. Make sure your cloths fit appropriately, that they are clean and pressed, your shoes are shined and that your hairstyle is appropriate.
10. Check out your college career center. Make sure your resume is in the career center database, check-in frequently to see what jobs are posted and if you are unsure where to start make an appointment with a counselor.