Job Hunter Newsletter
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The Special Project Technique

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Contents

Job Search Video

"What to Do After Submitting Your Resume"

It's difficult to overemphasize the importance of being proactive in all stages of your job search. You should almost never just sit and wait for something to happen. This is especially true during the resume stage. Even though you've made your resume available to the correct people you still neet to follow up. Find out how by watching our one-minute-video tip:

www.CollegeGrad.com/job-search-videos/what-to-do-after-submitting-your-resume.shtml

CollegeGrad.com features more than 60 job tips in one minute video format. Review them all at:

www.CollegeGrad.com/job-search-videos

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 Special Project Technique"

Another excellent technique for filling in the gaps in the Experience section of your resume is the Special Project Technique. It works especially well if you can dovetail in a large project for one of your classes with a company that specifically interests you.

Choose a project that not only will fulfill the requirements of a class project assignment, but will also serve as a real-life simulation of work in the field. If there are no special projects on your class docket, you might try asking one of your professors to use this as a substitute for your final or as extra credit. Or you might seek approval of the Department Chair to make this an Independent Study project (often worth one to three credit hours). Choose the company you have your strongest interest in and then contact the company to gather as much basic information as possible. You have an open door for researching the company that no other student has access because you are studying the company as a special project.

"I am in the process of completing a special project for my _____ class and have chosen your company to research. Could you please provide me with fifteen minutes to ask some questions and obtain some information?"

It's a natural entry into almost any company. Your academic approach to the company will usually have the information flowing forth from otherwise tight-lipped employees. In the process of gathering company information, you will also gather names and titles of key individuals in the organization. Because you are likely the only college student to be using the company specifically as the focus for a special project, you will put yourself in good standing for any job openings that might occur. You already have the inside track.

The net result is that you have killed three birds with one stone: you have met your academic needs via the project, you have greatly improved your resume (and your ability to talk about "real-world" experience), and you have gained access to a company that interests you. It's win-win-win in all three areas!

A recent grad used this technique in his Senior Financial Management class and did a case study on the role of an investment banking firm in the recently completed merger of one of its clients. He developed an entire case study from what he felt would be the client's perspective in the merger, including an exploration of all potential concerns. Then he developed answers for each one of these concerns from the perspective of the investment banking firm. As it turned out, his uncanny knack for research scored a direct hit with the firm, and eventually they offered him a job after graduation in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group.

Next newsletter: "The Shadowing Technique"

Contents

Education Center

"Why Doctoral Degrees Add Up"

It's no big secret that doctoral degrees open career doors that remain firmly locked for those with master's degrees or lower. Some professions require them, while others reward them handsomely with tremendous advancement potential, job flexibility, and, of course, more money. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, doctoral degree holders earn nearly $28,000 more each year than those with master's degrees alone, and nearly $40,000 more than those with bachelor's degrees. Lifetime earnings can exceed $3.4 million, making the initial time and money you invest worthwhile.

Browse Top Doctoral Degree Programs:

www.CollegeGrad.com/schools/doctoral.shtml

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!

Contents

Job Search Links:

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 is being continually updated at CollegeGrad.com. So the most current version of the book is actually the online, free version.

Disclaimer: please note that all of the links were active as of the newsletter publication, but some may become inactive over time.


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