Job Hunter Newsletter
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The Shadowing Technique

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Contents

Job Search Video

"What to Include in a Cover Letter"

Your cover letter shouldn't restate everything that you put in your resume, but it should highlight certain points. Make sure your cover letter is direct and concise but includes the correct information. Don't take chances by guessing about how to write one. Learn how by watching our one-minute-video tip:

www.CollegeGrad.com/job-search-videos/what-to-include-in-a-cover-letter.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 Shadowing Technique"

Even if you are not able to gain specific, referencable experience in your field, you can still access information to help you make decisions about post-graduation job planning and gain some valuable network contacts in the process. The most efficient way to do so is by the Shadowing Technique. Locate a person in your chosen field or occupation (friends, relatives, or friends of friends are best, or anyone within your personal network; or work with the Career Center or Alumni Office for additional connections) who can then connect you with someone at their company who works in your area of interest. This person will serve as your company sponsor. Please note that your sponsor does not have to be a Hiring Managerâ€in fact, it is usually better to work with someone at or just above the job level you are seeking. When you have found a sponsor, ask that person to designate a day or half day that would be a good example of work in that field. It's important to communicate that it will require no extra time from the sponsorâ€just the opportunity for you to "shadow" them while they are working. Then show up at the company dressed as you would if you were in the position. Bring a writing portfolio with you and take plenty of notes. If your sponsor is open to talking about the work they are doing, feel free to ask questions. If you are spending a full day, treat your sponsor to lunchâ€ideally in the company cafeteria, where you can get even more "touch and feel" information on the company and its people. Lunch is also an excellent time to ask the questions you have been noting throughout the morning. When the day is over, make sure you send a very personal "thank you" note to your sponsor.

By using the Shadowing Technique, you will be able to gain information firsthand from someone who is actively working in the field. By seeing the inside of the company you will get a true feel for what it is like to work there. You will learn more about the job, the company, the industry, and also will develop new network contacts.

The Shadowing Technique is greatly preferred over the acclaimed informational interviewing technique (which I usually do not recommend, unless early in your college career, for reasons that follow). Shadowing gives you a hands-on feel for the position and company, but it also requires little additional time on the part of the sponsor. The sponsor does not feel used because his or her business day is not interrupted artificially.

P.S. "Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day" is based upon this same type of shadowing. You may have done some shadowing already in your earlier years. Unfortunately, most parents take their children to work for this day only through grade school and stop at the time when it would be the most meaningful. Now it is time to extend this technique to your chosen career. If there is a day with no scheduled classes, use it productively to shadow someone in your field.

Next newsletter: "The Company Interviewing Technique"

Contents

Education Center

"Hot Industries: Science & Engineering"

From teaching to engineering, robust career opportunities always seem to await the technically or scientifically savvy. While the job market as a whole tends to fluctuate, there's no denying that there's a large societal push for newer, better, sleeker technology, not to mention biomedical breakthroughs. Areas such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering are booming, and there's always a demand for qualified science teachers and professors.

Earning advanced degrees is always a boost to your resume, but it's particularly important in science and engineering. While many entry-level jobs require only a bachelor's degree, more lucrative positions typical require master's or doctorate degrees. This is particularly true for those hoping to become managers or find their niche in research and development. While a master's degree in a field like engineering management will boost advancement opportunities at cutting-edge companies and firms, a PhD can land you a position in a prestigious laboratory or university.

Browse Top Engineering Programs:

www.CollegeGrad.com/education/science-engineering

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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