This is an excellent technique for planning out the initial stages of your career and focusing your job search toward areas of positive change. Do a survey of the job postings from at least two or three major job sites (including CollegeGrad.com). Print out all the job postings for positions you might want to have at some point in the future. Take it all the way up the line to VP and President, if that is your mission. Then, on three separate pieces of paper, accumulate the following information from these ads:

Page #1: List all of the job responsibilities, duties, tasks and functions.

Page #2: List all of the experience, skills and knowledge required.

Page #3: List all the keywords or industry buzzwords.

In analyzing the information, note where you are now in relation to where you want to be in the future. Take note of any and all gaps, both present and future. Then checkmark all the gaps that you can change before you enter the entry job market and lay out detailed plans for making those changes. If there are buzzwords you are not familiar with, make sure you find out what they mean. Keep your gap analysis information for future reference and update it as your career progresses.

Work on closing the gap as much as possible between your academic career and the entry level career that you are seeking. As the gaps are reduced or eliminated, the decision becomes easier. For you and the employer.

Then continue to identify and close the future gaps as you progress in your career.

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