BY RACHEL BOZEK, GRADUATE, JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, it’s never too early (or too late!) to start thinking about your career. And though the job market may be tight, a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) revealed that employers plan to hire 13.5% more new grads in 2011 than they did in 2010.

Take the Long Road to Success
The best advice we can give is not to wait until you're about to graduate to begin working on your career. Even when you're just getting started in college, you can do things that will get you on the right path for landing a fantastic job down the road.

Any work experience should help you. Even if it’s not related to your career path, any job can help you increase self-confidence and explore different careers and interests, says Tatiana Burton, a health promotion specialist at Salt Lake Community College in Utah. She credits a part-time job she had at a fast food restaurant for building her leadership and people skills. “I started as a sandwich artist, and within a few months, I became an assistant manager.”

Although Hollie Evans is pursuing a degree in social work at Salt Lake Community College, she says her part-time work at a local skate shop has helped her develop leadership skills and deal with people in a way that may help her in social work. “A lot of younger kids come in, and they tell me their problems,” Evans says. “Many are happy just to get their problems off their chest.”

Where Should You Begin?
While general job-search websites (such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and indeed.com) can be great tools for you to learn what’s out there, they are by no means the only way to find openings.

Linda Flynn, the director of career services for the College of Education and Human Services at Montclair State University in New Jersey, also suggests checking out websites of individual organizations , and making sure people you know are aware that you’re looking for a job. “That means family, friends, peers, and faculty,” says Flynn. “You’d be surprised at how much people are willing to help if you ask.” She does point out, however, that it’s important to be specific and not just come across as if you’d take any job.

Matt Ishler, assistant director of career counseling and planning for career services at Penn State University in University Park, points out that following up with a new contact can prove valuable as well. “If someone comes into a classroom to speak about his or her work, and you’re interested in that type of career, introduce yourself, say thank you, and ask for contact information or a business card,” he says. “It’s worth testing the waters by following up with a brief e-mail and a few follow-up questions.”

Another good starting point for a job search is your campus’s own career center. “There are so many services available for students to take advantage of,” Flynn says. “Most colleges have career workshops and counselors who can work with students before they graduate, so they’re comfortable interviewing.”

What Do You Want to Do?
Before diving in and applying for jobs, it’s important that you think about what you want to do and learn as much as possible about the industry you’re considering. Ishler offers several ways students can test the waters of a given field. “Take advantage of any job shadowing opportunities, volunteer programs, internships, or co-ops,” he says. Also, most campus career centers, and even some individual academic departments, have access to alumni who are ready, willing, and able to speak with current students as well as recent grads about their job experiences.

Understanding the requirements of a given position early on can give you a jumpstart in getting the experience you’ll need to qualify for that type of job later. Ellen Czelada, a human resources manager at MTV Networks, recommends checking out some posted positions in your field of interest. She suggests creating a checklist based on the job descriptions you find. “Ask yourself, ‘Where can I get this experience now?’ and know why you want to be in a certain area,” she says.

Applying for a Job
Looking for full-time work really is a job of its own, so it’s important to stay organized and positive throughout the process. Keep careful track of what positions you’ve applied for and what version of your résumé and cover letter (as well as any other materials) you’ve submitted for each opening.

As you compose your résumé and cover letter, be sure to respond to specific details described in the position announcement. Think about what you’re telling your potential employer, especially when it comes to extraneous information. Flynn suggests, “If your résumé or cover letter says you’re an avid reader, and the interviewer asks you to name the last few books you read, and you’re nervous, you might not be able to think of them. So unless you can talk about something in an interview, leave it off.”

An online portfolio that you can share by including a link in an e-mail or on your résumé is a great way to showcase your talents. Vanessa Pinto, a senior at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, says, “Depending on the job, create a slideshow or clips of your work. This will show that you’ve prepared and are serious about the job.” Pinto also suggests creating a personal LinkedIn profile and points out that professors can be resources for researching jobs in your field of interest.

Many students polled by Student Health 101 said getting an interview can be one of the most difficult parts of the job search process. “You could fill out hundreds of job applications and only hear back from 10 places,” says Libby Peterson, a student at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota. “The trick is to sound upbeat and interested every time you answer the phone. Keep that energy with you through the interviews, and you’re almost guaranteed a job.”

Following Up
Whether an interview is in person or over the phone, it’s crucial that you follow up with an e-mail or letter expressing appreciation to your interviewer for giving you his or her time. Ishler says, “It’s a statement of your professionalism, and it underscores your interest.”

Regardless of your year in school or prior experience, the path to getting your career rolling will feel smoother with a little planning.

RACHEL BOZEK IS A NEW JERSEY-BASED FREELANCE WRITER AND EDITOR AND A GRADUATE OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY IN HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA.

FIND OUT MORE

Build A Résumé With Little Work Experience
You probably have more experience than you think. Review this list of points to include on your résumé:
• Field work
• Volunteering
• Research with faculty
• Relevant coursework
• Computer skills (including social media like Twitter and Facebook)
• Foreign languages
• Certifications (such as CPR)
• Part-time experience (including customer service, waiting tables, etc.)

Job Hunting Do's and Don'ts
Do...
• Keep detailed records of the information you’ve sent to various places. This is especially important if you’re applying for several jobs within a short span of time.
• Be assertive, but be sure to keep it polite. After an interview, it’s ok to ask for a timeframe of when a decision might be made.
• Stay positive.
• Spell check!

Don't...
• Mention the wrong organization in your cover letter.
• Be discouraged if you apply for a job and don’t hear back right away. Amy Harr, a junior at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, says, “As hard as it may be, if they say they are going to call you, it’s important that you sit tight and wait. However, if more time has passed than what they said to allow, it is ok to give a quick call or email.”
• Post anything on the Internet about yourself that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see or read.
• Forget that you probably have more relevant experience than you think!

Social Networking Do's and Don'ts
Do...
• Go to the company’s Facebook page and “Like” them. Ellen Czelada, a human resources manager at MTV Networks, explains, “This is a good way to educate yourself about the company and see what they have out there.”
• Check out the company’s LinkedIn profile.
• Subscribe to the company’s Twitter feed, if they have one.

Don't...
• Send a Facebook friend request to someone who will be interviewing you. Czelada points out, “You’re not going to not get the job because you didn’t friend them on Facebook.”
• Send a LinkedIn request to an individual before you’re hired. Even after you’re hired, it’s important to gauge people’s comfort level before taking a step like this.
• Have anything accessible to the public on your Facebook page or Twitter feed (or any social networking platform) that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.

Interview Tips
Review these tips before you go on your next interview:
• Check with your career center ahead of time for a list of commonly asked questions.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses.
• Practice! Linda Flynn, the director of career services for the College of Education and Human Services at Montclair State University in New Jersey, suggests participating in mock interviews at your career center and on your own. “Practice in front of a mirror or with friends,” she says. “The more you practice the more you become comfortable with yourself and your answers.”