First Job Center

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Your first job can establish your career path and set your future career trajectory. The following tips, strategies and exercises are to help you make one of the most important decisions of your life, and land your first job in the occupation you desire. They are arranged in a logical sequence instead of alphabetical order.

Self-Assessment
The right career matches your qualities, interests, and skills. Avoid the trap of applying for the most lucrative job, only to find out later that you can't stand it. These self-assessment exercises will help you to target your options.

Determining Your Skills
Liberal arts majors often have difficulty determining which skills they have and how they will translate to a good first job. Don't despair. You did learn something at college.

Researching Jobs
Now that you've determined your interests and skills, it's time to do some heavy-duty occupation and job research.

Finding a Job
With persistence and patience, these job-search strategies will help you land your first job in the occupation you desire.

Research the Company
Do your homework on the industry and the company before you accept your first job offer. Answer these questions to help you accept or reject your first job offer with confidence.

Planning Your Career
A successful career is built by setting and seeking short-term and long-term goals. Learn how to plan your rise up the corporate ladder from day one on your first job.

Adjusting to a New Job
Though exciting, starting a first job isn't easy. These tips will help you to anticipate the challenges ahead, and make your transition from college to the "real world" much smoother.

Search for Jobs
Start here with entry-level job banks to research job descriptions, search for your first job, or post your resume online for recruiters and employers to search. See also Job Search in the left navigation menu.

First Job Books
Help for finding, landing and succeeding at your first job after college or trade school, and surviving on your own. Includes info about landing internships.

Internship Books
Internships help you to gain real-world experience and discover what you want to do in your career. These discounted books from Amazon.com help you find, land and succeed at internship programs.

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