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Researching
Jobs
by
ResumeEdge.com
- The Net's Premier Resume Writing and Editing Service
Now
that you've determined your interests and skills, it's time to do some
heavy-duty research. (Don't lose sight of the fact that your ability to
do efficient, productive research in your quest for employment is the direct
result of the skills you gained in your liberal arts degree!) Figure out
what job descriptions match your skills and passions. Determine your long-term
and short-term career goals. The Occupational Outlook Handbook and the
Dictionary of Occupational Titles, as well as many other job search books
can be quite helpful. Don't forget to look into jobs in the non-profit
sector.
To
get you started, here's a sampling of the broad scope of positions liberal
arts majors often occupy. Note that for some professions, you'll need to
get an advanced degree:
| Journalist |
Manager
(in retail, food service, hotels, etc.) |
| Research
Assistant |
Editor |
| Social
Worker |
Urban
Planner |
| Investment
Banker |
Translator |
| Entrepreneur |
Human
Resources Hiring Manager |
| Teacher |
Technical
Writer |
| Counselor/Therapist |
Copy
Editor |
| Paralegal |
Event
Planner |
| Press
Secretary |
Librarian |
| Actor |
Political
Campaign Manager |
| Lay-out
Designer |
Interior
Designer |
| Publisher |
Detective |
| Agent |
Management
Consultant |
The
next step is reconciling your self-assessment and research with the job
market. You may not find a perfect match, but with some creativity you
should at least be able to find a job that will put you on the right track
or help you gain the skills you will need to achieve your long-term goal.
Since
you've targeted some potential employers, it's time to market yourself.
When you put together your cover letter and resume, tailor them to the
company's mission. Think about how the skills you learned in that Shakespeare
class apply to your chosen line of work. For example, in journalism, the
fact you crafted an excellent academic research paper on animal imagery
in Taming of the Shrew translates to an ability to write and report a story.
In management consulting, your class presentation about madness in Hamlet
translates to upper-level presentation and organization skills.
Also,
in marketing yourself to employers, use language appropriate to the field
in which the company works. It's important to come across as someone with
a vision for your future as well as specific, immediate ambitions. Convey
an understanding of the broad goals of the company as well as specific
ideas of how you will contribute and better the company.
Remember
that while your first job probably won't match your long-term career goal,
it is a stepping stone, the first step on a path toward your dreams. |
