Job Hunter Newsletter
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Best College References

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Contents

Job Search Video

"Taking Clothing Out of the Equation in the Interview"

If you like to "dress to impress" ask yourself one question: Do you want to be remembered for your abilities and qualifications or for your clothes? In an interview the answer is clear. Don't throw out your trendy outfits, just keep them in the closet for the interview. For help on what you should wear watch our one-minute-video tip:

www.CollegeGrad.com/job-search-videos/taking-clothing-out-of-the-equation-in-the-interview.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:

"Best College References"

References are often ignored until late in the job search. "I'll get to it when they ask for them, but right now I have more important things to do." Yet properly used, references can be an effective tool toward making your job search even more productive. Having them prepared in advance speeds up the final steps of the job search process. Used properly, they can also give your job search a much needed jump start at the beginning.

Following is the preferred order of sources, in the eyes of a potential employer:

  • Professional
  • Extracurricular Advisors
  • College Administrators
  • College Professors
  • Personal Professional Acquaintances

The one major exception to this is when your personal professional acquaintance is also connected with your potential employer (yes, it's called "pulling strings" and it's done all the time). Then it goes to the top of your list. Please leave off personal acquaintances (one candidate I interviewed listed his mother as a reference, saying, "Who would know me better!") and religious acquaintances (five years as an altar boy is not typically considered a measure of employee loyalty).

Ask each of your references to write a letter of recommendation. There are three reasons for this: (1) if they are not willing to be a reliable reference, they are unlikely to put forth the time necessary to write the letter of recommendation, (2) you will be able to use it as a ready-made reference to supply to potential employers, and (3) a letter of recommendation is a good way for you to prequalify those who will provide you with the best overall reference.

It is best to allow your references some latitude in developing the letter of recommendation, but for those who are clueless, ask them to follow this format:

  • How they know you and how long they have known you
  • What they think of you (professionally and/or personally)
  • Why they think you would make a great _____ (their recommendation)

This letter should always be typed on the letterhead of the company or institution.

Next newsletter: "Sample Letter of Reference"

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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