As a General Rule, the Most Successful People in Life

CAREER EXPLORATION Career Information

"As a general rule, the most successful people in life are those who have the best information."

-BENJAMIN DISRAELI ______

CAREER RESEARCH

"To assist in the career decision-making process, you should be alert to the most relevant labor market information available. The availability of resources has grown tremendously in the last twenty years." -VERNON ZUNKER

"Too many people try to make a career decision without first having the information they need." -HECKLINGER & BLACK

"Information is power. If you know the facts, you can prevent catastrophes or save time and money. If you have the right information, you can be in the right place doing the right thing at the right time. If you have good contacts, you can help others who are in positions to help you." -ANNE BOE & BETTIE YOUNGS

"The more research you do, the more you will be convinced that you have many more options than you previously thought. Sitting at home mailing out letters won't get it. Sitting in your current job wishing someone would rescue you by telling you about a great job just right for you may happen. And it may not. Thousands of people have successfully discovered career direction and have found jobs through the process of research and information interviewing." -MARTHA STOODLEY

"You need to find out as much as possible about a career before you prepare to enter it." -HECKLINGER & BLACK

"Information is power. Without factual information about careers and the job market, you are without power, flying in a sandstorm." -JOYCE LAIN KENNEDY

GATHERING INFORMATION It is very important that you thoroughly investigate your career options. Effectively investigating or researching a particular career involves gathering as much relevant data as possible. The best sources of viable information related to careers are printed material, people in the field, your own firsthand personal experience, and the internet. By using the resources you have available to you to research and explore your career options, you can enter the job market well prepared. Moreover, you will develop a great sense of confidence and focus that will empower you as you venture forward in pursuit of your career. To be successful in your serious career exploration activities, become proficient in the use of all of the most comprehensive research tools available to you... the library... the internet... information interviews... job shadowing. Be a tireless investigator. Gather as much information and data as you can.

PRINTED MATERIAL A wide range of books and other printed material are available addressing such topics as career choice, the job market, and information on specific careers. This kind of published information is generally accessible through school and public libraries, career resource centers, company reports, corporate literature, industrial directories, chambers of commerce, employee handbooks, professional organizations, and government agencies. Be sure the information you are gathering through printed sources is accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive.

INTERNET RESOURCES Whether one is researching a company or gathering topical data, an increasing amount of information is available electronically through the use of an on-line computer. Many researchers find it very convenient to "surf" the Internet or the World Wide Web for needed information. Many companies maintain websites which offer a wealth of detailed information about their organizations. Similarly, schools, colleges, agencies, and non- profit organizations provide extensive information to researchers who visit their websites. Through various "search engines," a computer user can access specific information very quickly by entering key words, titles, or topics.

PEOPLE IN THE FIELD Identify key players or prominent figures in your particular field of interest. You may meet these people through career fairs, conventions, conferences, professional meetings, or your teachers, counselors and advisors. One of the best ways to find out about a career is to talk with people who are actually working in that career. This can be accomplished through any number of methods by which you can meet and interact with professionals in your field, including information interviewing, job shadowing, or mentorships.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Perhaps the best way to learn what a career is actually like is to personally experience it firsthand. You can obtain this experience or exposure to a particular career through a variety of relatively risk-free arrangements... Get a part-time job in your field of interest. Do volunteer work in your field of interest. Explore the possibility of a cooperative education program or an internship in your field of interest. Take a course related to your field of interest. Or consider "job shadowing," an arrangement whereby you ask to spend a day or two on the job with someone in your field of interest. CHECKLIST Whether you are gathering information through an information interview, through observation from job shadowing, from a book or other publication, or by means of a computer, there are certain questions you'll likely need to have answered....

Definition of the occupation? Description of work activities? Typical work day? Duties, responsibilities, skills? Typical job titles and specialties? Work settings? Working conditions? Training and educational requirements? Preparations? Experience? Personal qualifications? Salary and benefits? Earning potential? Other rewards? Satisfactions? Values? Career mobility and advancement? Security? People factors? Supervisors? Co-Workers? Customers? Liabilities and limitations? Projections? Employment outlook? Trends? Special problems? Where employed?

CAREER DIRECTORIES Listed below are the directories, handbooks and guides most commonly used by individuals in need of accurate job market information.

Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), published by the US Department of Labor Guide for Occupational Exploration (GOE), published as a supplement to the DOT Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), published by the US Department of Labor Peterson Guides Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations Thomas Register of American Manufacturers Hoover's Handbooks Dun & Bradstreet's Industrial Guides Moody's Manual Series US Industry & Trade Outlook

CAREER BOOKS What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters & Career-Changers by Richard Bolles The Three Boxes of Life: An Introduction to Life/Work Planning by Richard Bolles How to Find the Work You Love by Laurence Boldt Zen and the Art of Making a Living by Laurence Boldt Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow by Marsha Sinetar Getting the Job You Really Want by J. Michael Farr The Very Quick Job Search by J. Michael Farr The Fool Proof Job Search by Donald Asher Resumes Don’t Get Jobs: The Realities & Myths of Job Hunting by Bob Weinstein Jobs with a Future by Martin Yate Knock ‘Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Seeker’s Handbook by Martin Yate Guerrilla Tactics in the Job Market by Tom Jackson Welcome to the Real World by Stacy Kravetz Jobsmarts for Twenty-Somethings by Bradley Richardson The Hunt: Complete Book to Effective Job Finding by Tom Washington Interview Power: Selling Yourself Face to Face by Tom Washington The New Perfect Resume by Tom Jackson & Ellen Jackson High Impact Resumes & Letters by Ronald Krannich & Caryl Krannich Manassas Liberal Arts Power: What It Is and How to Sell It on Your Resume by Burton Jay Nadler Interview for Success: Practical Guide to Increasing Interviews, Offers, & Salaries by Krannich & Krannich Change Your Job, Change Your Life: High Impact Strategies for Finding Great Jobs by Ronald Krannich The Complete Job Interview Handbook by John Marcus Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed by Anthony Medley How You Really Get Hired: The Inside Story from a College Recruiter by John LeFevre Information Interviewing: How to Tap Your Hidden Job Market by Martha Stoodley

INTERNET A wealth of relevant information is also available electronically through your personal computer and the Internet (or World Wide Web). Many companies, organizations, and agencies maintain websites and "homepage" locations that are a good source of information. Generally, the Internet is a convenient and timely source of a wide range of information on a variety of topics. Using website addresses or key reference words, a user can access numerous locations and related "links" on the Internet that provide career-oriented information.

LIBRARIES Public and school libraries are a valuable source of up-to-date information. Virtually every community has a library in close proximity. A well maintained library provides access to numerous collections of books, periodicals, and files that are helpful to the career researcher. "Be a library regular. Become comfortable in libraries and career centers. The information you need is there, mountains of it. Even if the data you're hunting aren't immediately available, you probably can uncover the organizations or individuals to contact for publications or answers." -JOYCE LAIN KENNEDY / Career Book

CAREER CENTERS "Your career center can be a valuable—and sometimes fun—place to visit. So what can a trip to a career center do for you? How can a career counselor or adviser help you? There’s more than you might think. Are you uncertain about what major to pursue or have you already chosen a major but aren’t sure where it can take you? Career counselors are trained to administer a variety of standardized tests that can help you pinpoint careers that suit your interests, values, and personality type. Career counselors and advisers can meet with you one-on-one to discuss your plans and help you find a focus. They can also introduce you to a wealth of resources at the career services office. Are you hoping to meet lots of employers at once? Most career services offices sponsor at least one career fair a year. Staff members can also point you to other career fairs and employment conferences nearby. Most career centers keep plenty of information about employers handy for students to peruse. This can include company brochures, annual reports, news articles, and listings in guides. Many also maintain collections of reference books periodicals, newspapers, and employment newsletters that contain information on occupational exploration, emerging occupations, salaries, undergraduate and graduate schools, resume writing, interviewing, and more. Career centers often sponsor sessions in which students can meet representatives of one or more companies and learn what they have to offer. Sometimes these representatives are alumni, and can relate how their experiences at a college or university translate into their current career. Recruiters from a variety of companies, agencies, and even the federal government often spend a day or several days on campus interviewing students." -CAREER PLANIT / From a Resource Mining Article

CAREER RESOURCE CENTERS Whether they are located in community or university settings, career resource centers, or career information libraries, have grown in importance and popularity. Generally, the facilities are centrally located and systematically organized. They provide an efficient and convenient means of storing relevant materials for research purposes. Materials are attractively displayed and easily accessible. A well-planned career resource center can become the focal point of a variety of materials, activities and services that assist the user in addressing any number of career development issues. Consider the features of a typical career center, complete with a career information library.

Service to Clientele A career center provides its clients the vital services, resources and programs they need to assist them in all stages of their career development. It provides valuable guidance with career exploration, academic major selection, decision making, goal setting, employability skills and professional preparation.

Career Counseling The professional staff helps clients to deal effectively with choices and changes related to their life and career goals. One-on-one counseling is available to help clients address their individual needs. The career counseling services that are provided are confidential, and will be handled professionally and discreetly.

Job Listings Postings of fulltime and part-time jobs are available through most career centers. Numerous employers in a variety of career fields advertise their job openings through the local career center. Employability Skills Clients can learn important survival skills for today's highly competitive job market. Attendance at career preparation workshops and seminars helps clients gain and refine the skills that are vital to the successful job hunter. Clients are offered help with resume writing, interviewing skills and job seeking strategies.

Career Events Career centers routinely sponsor various job fairs, employment conferences, and career forums to bring employers and candidates together for the purpose of exploring employment opportunities. Attendance at these events provides clients valuable networking and information gathering opportunities.

Facilities The physical facilities of a typical career center include a public reception and waiting area; private meeting rooms for interviewing, counseling, and consultation; office space for staff; and a library. Customarily, handouts, brochures, magazines, and other printed resources are available for guests, clients, and visitors.

Career Information Library The career information library, located in the career center, contains a wealth of valuable career-related materials and references. The many books, directories, catalogs, periodicals, magazines, contact lists, files, and publications available in the career information library provide important information on job markets, industries, employers, and careers. Career oriented books, representing a wide variety of relevant topics, generally comprise the bulk of the available printed materials in a career information library. Some trade publications and professional association publications might be included. Community resource guides, industrial guides, chamber of commerce guides, and other similar resources are generally available in most career information libraries. Career centers on college campuses provide extensive information about academic majors. Information about graduate school options is also available. For many, the career information library may be the first step in answering the big question, "What can I do with this degree?"

Multi-Media Career centers oftentimes provide access to computers. Clients can be helped through the use of word processing programs, resume-writing programs, database search programs, test tutorials, personality assessments, and other computer-based programs. Internet access is a popular feature. Because a wide variety of helpful career-oriented information is available on videotape and audiotape, many career centers have audio-visual equipment on hand. A video camera is oftentimes on the premises for "mock interview" purposes.

Career Testing Career testing is available for clients' self-evaluation. These career assessment instruments can assist clients in matching their personality traits and individual needs with compatible work environments. Through the interpretations provided by knowledgeable counselors, clients are able to identify their interests, skills, and values. Office Hours Convenient office hours are posted and maintained. Clients are invited to come by in person to visit the facilities and become familiar with the resources that are available. Those needing individual assistance are typically asked to call to make an appointment.

Web Site Most Career Centers maintain an internet web site as a convenient method of promoting services, posting jobs, advertising events, and disseminating relevant information. ______MICHAEL LEBEAU 2007