JOBTRAK.COM`S ASK THE EMPLOYERS: October 13, 1999
Move Over Dear Abby... When it Comes to College Students` Questions About Their Careers, JOBTRAK.COM`s Experts Have the Answers in this Syndicated Column
PERFECT FIT Q. How do you know when a job is the right fit for you? What are some key questions to ask? -Mara
A. Most of this actually rests on your shoulders. You must decide what is most important to you in a potential employer. For some it could be work environment, benefits, training or, of course, the almighty dollar. Definitely consider the location of the position, how much travel is expected, cost of living, benefits, room for advancement, training opportunities, etc. This list goes on and on. You will know which companies suit you and where you feel the most comfortable. My recommendation is that you do not accept a job based on salary alone, but, as I said before, you are the only person who can make the decision on what is most important to you.
-Laura Jordan Corporate Recruiter Information Management Consultants, Inc. www.imc.com
DEGREE IN HISTORY Q. What types of careers can I get with a degree in history? -Joy
A. If you are not interested in the academia world, your best bet may be marketing or sales. Although the job market is excellent right now, be prepared to take an entry-level position, non-glamorous, perhaps low-paying job, just to get a start. A history degree gives you a well-rounded, liberal arts education, however, you might not necessarily use the degree in a job. You should focus on other skills that you have, i.e., PC or technical skills, interpersonal/communication skills, analytical skills, etc. In short, be a little modest as you start your job search. Don`t settle for low-end jobs, but don`t expect to be a manager in the first job. Gain work experience and build the skills mentioned above. Michelle Mesina Campus Relations Cerner Corporation www.cerner.com
GRADUATING EARLY Q. I will be graduating early with honors in December. Do employers consider those exceptional candidates who have gone the extra mile, such as graduating early? Will it actually give me an edge on the job market? -Mary
A. This can work to your advantage, if you use it that way. Finishing early can be a demonstration of your willingness to apply yourself and accomplish the task at hand. Not only have you finished early, you did so with honors. You need to make sure you use it as a selling point. Be careful however that you do not over do it. You need to use it as one thing, among others, that makes you stand out. Be sure to use other examples from your background to show why that employer should hire you. You not only do not want to sound conceited regarding your accomplishment, you want to demonstrate a diversified experience. - Keith Walker Team Leader, Staffing Metro New York IRS www.irs.gov
Students can submit their job searching questions to: Keri Resh JOBTRAK.COM 1964 Westwood Blvd, Third Floor Los Angeles, CA 90025 [email protected] Or visit the JOBTRAK Career Forum at http://www.jobtrak.com/forum/
For other advice see the Job Search Tips at www.jobtrak.com
About JOBTRAK.COM JOBTRAK.COM is the nation`s largest job listing and resume service targeting college students and alumni and can be accessed at www.jobtrak.com. Established in 1987, JOBTRAK.COM has formed partnerships with more than 900 college and university career centers, alumni associations and MBA programs nationwide. More than 400,000 employers have utilized JOBTRAK.COM to target college students and alumni for internships, full-time and part-time employment opportunities and, in 1998, more than 440,000 job openings were posted on its site. In excess of 35,000 job-seeking students, graduates and experienced professionals accessing the JOBTRAK.COM web site daily. In both 1997 and 1998, JOBTRAK.COM placed first among student targeted websites and was the only college-related site to place among the list of most popular sites on the Internet in Student Monitor (www.studentmonitor.com) Lifestyle & Media Studies.
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Editor (Not for print): Ken Ramberg, Co-founder of JOBTRAK.COM, can provide tips on preparing for interviews, writing resumes, negotiating salaries, as well as statistics on specific location or field related information about the job market for recent college graduates, details about the employment outlook, hot jobs or salaries. To view job listings as a student or alumni or for a walk through please contact Keri Resh at the information listed below. JOBTRAK.COM posts all of it`s current press releases at www.jobtrak.com under ''About JOBTRAK'' under ''Press Releases.''
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