First Things First
If you’re new to the job market or if you’re thinking about switching to a different line of work, you need to choose a specific occupation and understand in which department and position you want to work. Job placement along with management relationships are the top factors followed by the pay rate that determine job satisfaction. Applying for a job without naming a specific occupation will not get you a job and/or some employers will put you where they need you. That means that you’ll have a higher risk of getting stuck in a job proposed to you, a job that you do not like will end up being a dead-end job with no chance for advancement, or a job with frequent layoffs and no job security. Is that really something you want to waste your life for? Don’t let some stranger decide your future. Take charge of your life and choose your own occupation!
6 easy ways to choose an occupation
1. Start with your wish list. What kind of work have you always dreamed of doing?
2. Think about your friends and relatives. Do you know people who have the kind of jobs you’d like to have?
3. Think about the things you love to do. Do you have a hobby or a passion that you could turn into an occupation?
4. Think about your talents. Do you have a special talent, skill, or ability that could be turned into a profession?
5. Try a career test. Log onto a computer and search the internet for “career tests.” Career tests analyze your personality by asking a few dozen multiple-choice questions. Then, they match your personality to occupations you’d be good at. Give it a try. You might be surprised at what they recommend. Most tests are free, so try several different tests. Caution - use the test results only as a guide, not a rule. No test is totally accurate.
6. Visit the Career Services Department at LU. Career Services advisers will not choose a career for you, but they may Administer some special aptitude tests and help you explore some options.
Create a Simple Job-Hunting Plan
Every employer is not hiring today. You have to knock on a lot of doors to find the ones that are. Here’s a simple plan that takes only about an hour a day. Give it a try and see how many interviews you can get.
1. Make a list of every company you would like to work for. The list should include at least 40 companies. Include large, medium, and small businesses.
2. Search through your network for connections to these businesses. It’s much easier to get your foot into the door if you know someone on the inside.
3. Search the internet for contact or recruiter information for the companies you listed in step one.
4. Prepare your resume and tailor your cover letter to match each job opportunity that you plan on applying for.
5. Monday through Friday, contact five employers every day. That’s 25 employers a week, 100 a month.
Now that you have a foundation of how to look for a job, take your knowledge to the next step and apply what you have learned. LU’s Career Services department has arranged for two intensive skill building workshops and an on campus hiring event in April. On April 9th at 11:45 AM a hiring manager from Big Oakland, a coworking space specifically for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, will be giving a presentation on the company as well as interviewing applicants interested in a marketing internship. On April 15th and 25th, respectively, the Career Services department will be hosting a cover letter writing and interviewing skills workshop. Please bring your current resume and a laptop to each event. Career Services is always available via email to set up an appointment for counseling or to review your resume.
Email careerservices@lincolnuca.edu for more information or to sign up for these events.