Career Handbook
7th Edition

Career Handbook

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Where Are You in Your Job Search?

This checklist is designed to help you see if you are "on-target" in your job search and give you ideas about things to do. For each statement place a checkmark in the box if it is "true." Press "Submit" to see your results. Incorporate into your job search the items you didn't check.

A. What You Know About Yourself and Your Preferences

  1. I can clearly state my career goals.
  2. I can explain why I chose my major.
  3. I can describe my three greatest strengths and give examples to support each.
  4. I can describe a weakness and explain how I have, or am actively working to, overcome it.
  5. I can name my favorite work activities.
  6. I can name my favorite non-work activities.
  7. I can list at least five of my job-related skills and abilities.
  8. For each of my most important job-related experiences, I can list five things I did.
  9. For each of my most important job-related experiences, I can list five things I learned.
  10. For each of my most important job-related experiences, I can list several contributions I made or things I accomplished.
  11. I have considered geographical preferences and limitations.
  12. I have realistically determined my expenses and the salary range for the positions I am considering.

B. What You Know About Employers

  1. I have researched at least three fields of employment.
  2. I can name at least ten employers who might hire a person with my background.
  3. I can name at least ten position titles for which I might apply.
  4. I know four or five resources to help me find the answers to questions 12, 13, and 14 above.
  5. I can name at least four sources of information about potential employers in a particular geographical area.
  6. In the past month, I have talked to at least three people who are employed in a field of my interest with the purpose of learning more about what they do.
  7. I have filed applications with at least five employers in the past two weeks.

C. Your Job-Seeking Contacts With Employers

  1. I use more than just advertised job vacancy listings for job leads.
  2. I have prepared a resume with which I am satisfied.
  3. I have asked many people including employers for feedback on my resume.
  4. When I apply to an employer, I address my letter to a specific person.
  5. I am familiar with the organizational structure, services, programs, and products of the employers to whom I am applying.
  6. I know the questions employers are likely to ask in interviews.
  7. I can clearly state why I am interested in working for each employer to whom I am applying.
  8. I have used handouts and services offered by Career Services to prepare for interviews.
  9. I have used my written answers to common interview questions to prepare for interviews.
  10. I have used role playing in front of a mirror and/ or into a tape recorder to prepare for interviews.
  11. I have used role playing with a friend or other person to prepare for interviews.

DID YOU KNOW?

Almost all of the services provided by Career Services are available to UMD students and alumni free of charge.

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