MSU Alumni Association ::.. Alumni Career Services

Career Planning and Job Campaigning Toolkit
Print this toolkit; check-off each job campaign task as it is completed. To successfully locate a new job or change a career requires a well planned and flawlessly executed Job Campaign.

Steps for success in your career planning and job campaigning!

1. Get to Know Yourself: Career Planning Assistance

a. Career Assessments

b. What Can I Do With My Major?

c. What Do Employers Want?

d. Occupational Information

e. Identify 5 to 6 preferred career alternatives

f. Career Analysis Chart (.xls)

g. Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

h. Prepare Career Collage to help

i. Attend Career Development Seminars

j. Previous Questions and Answers: Ask the Expert

k. More .... Career Assessment Resouces

2. Tools for Job Hunting

a. Resume Preparation ... Business Resume Sample ...
Teacher Resume Sample ... Scannable ASCII Format ...
Curriculum Vita

b. Get a Resume Critique (Members Only)

c. Letters of Recommendation and List of References

d. Cover Letters .... Sample Cover Letter ....
Get a Cover Letter Critique

e. Schedule an Appointment with a Career Adviser, either in person or
by phone

f. Business Cards (your own!)

g. Elevator Speech

h. Employer Tracking Log (.xls)

i.   Interviewing Preparation ... Best Interviewing Questions (Used
           by Employers & for You!) ...
           Interviewing Preparation Checklist (.xls)

j. Search Spartan Business Directory for excellent networking contacts

k. Join the MSU Alumni LinkedIn Network for more Spartan contacts

l. Networking & Informational Interviewing ... Get a
Networking Script prepared. Kick off your
"Self Promotion Tour."

m. Company-Visit Interviews

n. Portfolio/ Brag Book

o. Writing Thank-You Notes

p. Set Daily Goals

q. More ... Job Hunting Resources

3. Identify Job Openings. Use All Available Resources!

a. Post Resume in MSUAA Database (Members Only)

b. MSU Seniors: Enroll in SpartanTRAK

c. Use Other Online Resume Databases

d. Prepare for Job Fairs; Go to MSU Career Fairs

e. Search Job Listings posted on the MSUAA database (Members Only)

f. Online Job Boards (other)

g. Teaching and School Administration Job Resources

h. Overseas Openings

i. Jobs at Michigan State University or for Support Staff, go to
MSU Job Applicant Page

j. Additional Sources of Job Openings (other)

k . Defeat the Procrastination Habit

l. Successful People Are NOT Afraid of Failure

m. Optional practical work experience (OPT) for international students

n. More .... Job Openings Resources

4. Use Career Mentors & MSU Alumni Network Contacts

a. MSU Alumni Club Contacts (Michigan, national, and international)

b. Search Spartan Business Directory for Career Mentors or
Spartan Network Coordinators

c. MSU Alumni Mentors (link on Career Services Network website)

d. Choosing Organizations that Are Right for You

5. Negotiate a Job Offer and Successfully Begin a New Job

a. Evaluating Job Benefits and Other Paperwork

b. Negotiating a Job Offer

c. Choosing the Right Job for You

d. Considering Multiple Job Offers (Factor Analysis Spreadsheet)

e. Graduating and Still No Job? Now What?

f. Drug Testing

g. Managing Personal Finances

h. Transition Gracefully to Your New Position

i. Responding to Job Loss!

j. Leaving a Job/ Quitting!

k. Balancing Work & Life

l. Starting Your Social Security Benefits

m. Retirement Planning

n. More .... New Job Resources

6. Graduate School Admission Procedures

Success Stories & Inspirations

Ask the Expert / Previous Questions and Answers

Career Service Partners

Preparations for Life After Graduation
Things I Wish I'd Known Before Graduation

Sponsored Events
Keep an eye on this section for upcoming events sponsored by Alumni Career Services.
Feedback
Let us know how we're doing! Also, report your placement when you find a job. Include your new job title, organization name, and city/state of new assignment.

Weblinks for everyone (New!)

"Remember: You won't get anywhere until you take action!!"

Monday through Friday, Reader's Digest CyberSmiles brings you smiles, grins and humor from the files of Reader's Digest... the best from features like "Life In These United States," "Humor In Uniform," "All In a Day's Work" and more!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Delivery, in cooperation with Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield, co-authors of the New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, brings a different inspiring story directly to your inbox six days a week.

Messages from the Masters, a new daily email features articles and quotes from the greatest Masters of Success including Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Sheila Murray Bethel, Jim Rohn, Charlie Jones and more leaders of success ideas and principles. Messages provide you with a free weekly digest, which is perfect for compiling a success diary.