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IN THIS ISSUE:

-Job Search Tip of the Week - "The Freelancer Technique"
-Help Spread The Word!
-Job Search Links
-Free Job Search Book
-Sponsor: Free Career Analysis

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Contents

- Job Search Tip of the Week, by Brian Krueger, author of "College Grad Job Hunter," the #1 book for entry level job search:

"The Freelancer Technique"

Similar to The Puppy Dog Close, The Freelancer Technique works especially well in those fields where freelancing (independent contracting) is commonplace. A recent college grad used this technique very successfully in the advertising field. He put together a full portfolio of services he could provide to local advertising firms, including freelance writing, design, and voice talent. He then contacted all the area advertising agencies, said he had some materials to forward to them, and asked if they would give him the name of the owner or creative director of the agency. They all did, and his first goal was achieved: he had the names of the target contacts. He then wrote letters to those individuals, introducing himself as a freelancer. He followed up these letters a week later with a phone call and virtually every person took his call! Several set up appointments to talk about potentially working with him on a freelance contract basis. These appointments (interviews?) allowed him to show his work portfolio and open the door when future needs would arise. He then followed up with a thank you note.

Result? In less than two weeks, he had gone from being a total unknown in the ad business to perhaps the best-known freelancer in the area. He came up with several freelance contracts, and eventually landed a job with one of the agencies he freelanced for as an account executive and chief copywriter.

Why does this approach work? Because most companies will only talk about "employment" when they have a current, active need. If he had sent out his material as a solicitation for employment, he likely would have gotten no response. But most companies are very willing to talk to freelancers regardless of their current needs.

The Freelancer Technique works well in all fields where independent contractors are commonplace, such as the creative fields (Advertising, Publishing, Writing, Arts), technical fields (Programming, Engineering), and specialty fields (Accounting, Legal, Medical). The side benefit is that the pay is usually quite good (anywhere from 25% to 100% higher than the average wage for similar in-house work), although you are on your own in the perks category.

It usually costs very little to establish yourself as a freelancer (other than a basic work portfolio and an outline of your services) and it often opens doors that would otherwise be shut. And it sure beats flipping burgers at McDonald's!

Next newsletter: "More Post-Graduation Techniques"

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Contents

- Help Spread The Word!

Do you know of someone who can benefit from the information in this newsletter? Simply forward this e-mail to them and tell them to subscribe at http://www.CollegeGrad.com/newsletter. Thanks for spreading the good word!

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Contents

Job Search Links:

• Searching job postings:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/jobs
• Setting up a job alert:
  http://jobs.CollegeGrad.com/JS/Form/SearchForm.asp?alert=y
• Post your resume:
  http://jobs.CollegeGrad.com/JS/Form/SignUpForm.asp
• Update your posted resume:
  http://jobs.CollegeGrad.com/JS/Form/LoginForm.asp
• Creating your resume:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/resumes
• Quickstart resume templates:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/resumes/quickstart
• Creating your cover letter:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/coverletters
• Career information/exploration:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/careers
• Employer research:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/employers
• Top Entry Level Employers:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/topemployers
• Interviewing techniques:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/intv
• Salary info--how much are you worth?
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/salaries
• Job offer negotiation:
  http://www.CollegeGrad.com/offer

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Contents

- Job Search Book Online

There are at least two other entry level Web sites that offer books on job searching, proclaming that they will tell you everything you need to know about entry level job search.

However, there is a very important point about these books they don't mention up front: they cost money.

At CollegeGrad.com, we give you two things they don't:

1. The #1 entry level job search book ("College Grad Job Hunter").
2. It's free.

It's that simple. So don't buy the hype. Read the real information you need for FREE:

http://www.CollegeGrad.com/book

Don't ever pay for books or reports or resources of lower quality when you can access the very best quality information for free.

P.S. Yes, you can buy "College Grad Job Hunter" in hardcopy format as well at Amazon.com for $15 (actually, 30% off that price), but the online version is better. Why? Because the version at Amazon.com (the 2003 edition) is being continually updated at CollegeGrad.com. So the most current version of the book is actually the online, free version.

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Contents

- Sponsor: Free Career Analysis

Searching for the right career? Get a FREE Career Analysis using the MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential). This career analysis will show you the top 11-20 jobs with your greatest potential for success, including 5 free job matches:

http://www.CollegeGrad.com/careers/freecareeranalysis.shtml

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