Chapter 9

Chapter 9 consists of ideas I've been thinking more and more about over the past year or so and especially now that I am graduating in less than a month. The job search is tedious but so important to me that I couldn't help but get entranced by every section in this chapter. It is titled, "Resumes and Other Employment Materials" but contains more than just that. The first sentence in the chapter emphasizes its utmost importance. Not only does it provide in-depth instruction on how to write resumes, cover letters, acceptance and refusal letters, but it also teaches you how to prepare for job interviews and assess your skills prior to searching for a job.

Personally, the second section of chapter 9 on "Researching the Job Market" was the most interesting. Even though I should be in the "going after a job" stage at the moment, I am still constantly researching the market and looking for trends. The section says to search within a reasonable range, don't just dive in, work step by step, and start by talking to job experts, librarians, friends and family. In my opinion, I can't see how a librarian would help very much but I have definitely been talking to my family, friends, and "Google" on a regular basis about the job market. Next, they say I should consult industry-specific resources. This is ground of most of my job search activity. My major is very specific, therefore, I search for very specific jobs. Finally, they say to look for specific job posting or send out unsolicited application letters. There is a something I haven't thought of; sending out my resume and/or application letters to job opportunities in bulk. I could do so and wait to hear back from them while simultaneously pursuing jobs elsewhere.

I've also, recently, began adding profiles for myself all over job search websites like CareerBuilder.com, LinkedIn.com, and Illinois State University's eRecruiting web page.