Wow! Have you ever seen four years go by so quickly? It seems like only yesterday we
were trying to figure out what to major in. Now what? School is over and it is time to
start the career you’ve worked so hard for. Well, just like we did in the past, ISM is
here to help.
Reference Letters
Before you leave college and head off to look for a job, stop in and ask your favorite
professor or your advisor a simple question or two. “Would you be willing to write a letter
of recommendation for me?” Also, “Would it be all right if I put you down as a reference to
attach with my résumé?” Make sure you give them enough time to write the letter, and use it
to stand out from other résumés the employer you’re looking at has on hand. Remember you
can also get references from internships and volunteer experiences.
The Job Hunt
Searching for a job after graduation is not as simple as handing out some résumés and waiting by
your phone. There are a number of approaches and many companies have a specific format to follow.
Being flexible and persistent are the keys to landing the job you want. If you see a job listing
and there is a specific set of instructions on how to apply, make sure you follow them. When you
have completed your application don’t forget to do some follow-up to make sure that the correct
person received your résumé.
Popular Career Search Sites
Popular career search sites like Monster and CareerBuilder are useful tools when posting your résumé
and looking for a career. When posting a résumé and searching for a job online remember to be careful
just like you would when posting anything online.
Always remember if you have a question about anything on this site, feel free to drop
us a note at outreach@ismloans.org and
we’ll be happy to answer or elaborate on an item that is confusing or unclear.