That is a huge accomplishment and you should take a moment to celebrate this milestone. But, it you are like most grads you only get about 15 seconds to enjoy the achievement before the chorus of “GET A JOB!” starts ringing in your ears.
Members of the Class of 2011 face one of the toughest job markets in history. With that said, it is important to know there ARE jobs to be had. The people who are going to get them are the people who know how to conduct an effective job search and are willing to put in the work to get them!!
By following the steps listed below, you will be well on your way to securing the job you want. These pages provide guidance to assist you in evaluating your transferable skills, drafting resumes and cover letter, identifying opportunities, perfecting your networking skills and preparing for interviews as well as useful job search resources. | Give your Graduate the perfect Gift | 
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To get yourself started, decide how much time and effort you are willing to devote to your search. Maintaining a steady and consistent effort throughout your search will be one of the most important elements in determining your success. A "start and stop" approach almost always leads you back to square one at each juncture. Working in bursts of activity will ensure disappointment. It is important to pace yourself. Recognize that their will be peaks and valleys in the process. There will be days with a great deal of activity and positive feedback and there will be days when you feel like you will never work again. Those are the days it is important to find a way to reenergize and motivate yourself. Spend time with friends and family; tackle a long overdue project, volunteer your services, whatever you need to do to remind yourself of your gifts, talents and competencies! And remember, this is a temporary situation.
Regardless of how many hours you have allocated to the process, work out a schedule and make a personal commitment to stick to it. During those reserved hours, your job search must be your primary focus. This is the time committed to self-assessment exercises, making job related phone calls, conducting library/internet research, etc. Do not allow yourself to be interrupted by running errands, baby sitting, etc. By adhering to a schedule, you will reduce the insecurity most job seekers feel because you will be in control. You will also be able to chart your progress.
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