Class of 2013, Are You Ready to Work?

Abigail Brosnan Staff Writer

With commencement on May 10, LIU Post’s 2013 graduating class is getting ready to enter the workforce.

Jason Cascone, director of Career Development at the Office of Career Services, provided a checklist in order to help students with their job search after graduation:

1) You should start your job search preparation now. Cascone suggests editing your resume, learning how to write cover letters, building an interviewing strategy, and understanding the industry or industries you would like to enter. He also encourages you to understand the job search process and resources as soon as possible.

2) Think broadly about what you might want your first job to be. There are available jobs, but there are also a lot of people vying for those jobs. This makes getting interviews and getting hired very difficult. The more options you give yourself, the more options you might have.

3) Network online and in person. “Clean up” your Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts, develop a LinkedIn account for professional networking and join and participate in relevant groups. Don’t be afraid to approach family members and friends for potential job leads.

4) Stay positive and have thick skin during the job search process. It can take weeks to get hired. You may not hear from potential employers for a while. The lack of communication or lack of interviews doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t land the job. However, before you send out your resume, send it to Career Services for a critique through the Optimal Resume system.

5) Treat your job search like a full-time job. Stay committed to finding a job until you land one.

6) Remember that your first job shouldn’t (and will most likely not) be your only job. When you find your entry-level job, breathe a sigh of relief, but don’t become complacent. Start preparing for your next move, either look- ing towards a future promotion or to a different company, especially if your current job is not your ideal employment. You need to be your own advocate and actively adapt to the job market and potential opportunities to achieve your career goals.

Graduating senior Sara Nami, an Art Therapy major, shared her feelings about graduating; “It’s a bittersweet feeling – I don’t want to finish, but I’m excited for what is yet to come,” she said. “My plans are either to find a job hopefully as a recreational/activities thera- pist and/or come back to LIU Post for the Art Therapy graduate program.”

However, for some students, graduating seems almost unreal. “Due to my busy schedule with student teaching and my job at the Writing Center, it doesn’t feel like I am even leaving; the fact that graduation is coming up seems surreal,” said Rosemarie Scalfani, an English Education major. “Thinking about the job search ahead of me once I’m graduated terrifies me; I have no idea where I am going to end up. I am starting grad school in the fall at Hofstra, but that’s the only plan that I have right now.”

If you’re having trouble with your resume or preparing for interviews, stop by the Career Services Office in Kumble Hall for more assistance. You’ll find counselors ready to help you with every aspect of your job hunt. Good Luck!