College students should start early to get a foot in the job-hunting door

Q: You're going to graduate from college in June. A co-op job with a local company requires that you work there through the end of the year. You want to get your resume out to other companies, but you're not sure when to start sending it. What's the smart thing to do?

Nick's reply: I continue to be astounded that colleges and universities don't do more to teach students how to tackle job hunting. Even if your school has a career office (I'm sure it does), the fact that you're not sure how to start a job search is a sign that the career office doesn't work! You could go inquire for help, but there's lots more you can do on your own.

First, you should start your job search now. Don't wait. In fact, I counsel students to start job hunting no later than their sophomore year -- even if you don't know exactly what kind of work you want to do. It takes time to develop the contacts and relationships that lead to a good job. Because employers have a soft spot for enterprising students, it's a good idea to get out and mingle in the professional community as early in your schooling as possible. To borrow from Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the people you'll meet!" And the less sure you are about career options, the more important it is to explore as much as you can. Find events that companies send representatives to, including trade shows and seminars. Sign up and attend!

Second, you should use your co-op relationships to further develop your contacts. It's good that you have already identified companies you want to work for. Now, scour your current employer's organization for people who can introduce you to the companies you want to meet. That is, don't wait for your target companies to start on-campus recruiting or until they start running want ads for the jobs you're interested in. If you poke around diligently, you'll find either an employee or a friend of an employee, or a vendor or a customer who knows people at your target companies. Use these contacts to get introduced.

While your buddies are scanning the want ads, try the most productive job-hunting method: other people. Your third approach should be to exploit your school's alumni roster. Alumni are usually glad to advise students from their alma mater. Ask your alumni office to introduce you to recent grads who work in the field you're interested in. Alumni are a very underused resource for new grads. The chain of contacts you develop can lead you to the companies of your choice.

Job hunting takes time because it depends on forming sound relationships with people who do the work you want to do. Personal introductions are the most productive way to land a job, but it's a slow process so the sooner you start, the better. It's never too early to start job hunting, even if you don't need a job immediately. So talk to people at your current company, talk with recent grads of your school, and mingle with people who have good jobs. That's the best way to get your foot in the door now.

Copyright 2009. Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job" and the host of www.asktheheadhunter.com. He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.