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This is a guest post by Lindsey Harper Mac, who specializes in writing about career building and professional development.

With unemployment still in the high single digits, being picky about your first job can seem impractical. However, there are certain job qualities you should lean toward when searching for potential positions. Even if you have been out of work for an extended period of time, it might still be in your best interest to hold out for a job that exhibits the following characteristics, rather than settle for one with no positive prospects. As a young professional, your time is highly valuable and should be used toward gaining professional experience rather than wasted in an unpromising position. To ensure a more fruitful job search, consider the following four areas in your first job.

1. Opportunities to Work with Different People

One of the most valuable lessons you will learn on the job will come from your interaction with professionals in various departments of your work. Having the opportunity to work with people in senior management positions and professionals in technology, sales, finance and other departments can help you (more…)

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Hi Jeff,

Thank God I found your website!

My name is Chris. I am 24 and from Poland but I studied in London and I have traveled to the US a lot. For the past 2 months I have been hunting for an entry-level marketing position at a small to medium-sized company (either in England or the US).

After sending out HUNDREDS of emails, resumes, cover letters, and connecting with dozens of professionals on LinkedIn, I think I am stuck.

I would love to hear your advice on what my next move should be here.

Best regards,

Chris

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Hey Chris!

Thanks for reaching out to me! The position you’re in is very similar to nearly every recent college graduate. My wife actually has a Master’s in marketing and tried to pursue getting entry-level positions right out of school but (more…)

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Here’s the goal: create a career that is more exciting to you than anything else you have ever created. Note that a career is a creation, not something you find or something someone else offers you. Your career is also your main source of contribution and it is your opportunity to create real, lasting value. If you don’t have a long-term career goal, now is the time to begin brainstorming. Write down ideas that inspire you, scare you, and energize you like nothing else. The sweet spot, the gem, your ideal career, will encompass your greatest skills and passions, while simultaneously overlapping with what other people want. Let me explain.

Meaning AND Money

Zig Ziglar is famous for saying, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” If you pursue a career that you love, but no one else cares about it, you will be a phenomenal (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of Danielle Page (flickr)

Why do you go to work? On the surface this is an easy question to answer. Most would say they work to earn money, to support their drinking habit, or to pursue a passion on the weekends. But really, why do you do what you do every day?

I recently stumbled upon a strategy that I found to be very helpful in digging up the true reason all of us make the choices we do. Starting with why will lay a stronger foundation than almost anything else.

“If you don’t have a strong enough why, the how will never be revealed to you.”

- Viktor Frankl, holocaust survivor and author of Man’s Search for Meaning

The 10 Whys Strategy

Start with why, then ask it again 9 more times. You could (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of ralph and jenny (flickr)

It’s time to make something happen. After graduating college the tendency is to get a random job and hope for the best. Really? I think you can do better.

Let’s take a minute and consider two things: 1) what graduation means to you and, more importantly, 2) why so many people think getting a job is the most logical next step.

Graduation = New Job? . . . . No

First, graduation from college is an enormous accomplishment in formal education. However, graduation is not a free pass into the business world. A college degree is just (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of joshuahoffmanphoto (flickr)

What you do every day matters. How you earn a living may be your greatest potential for success, fulfillment, and your ultimate legacy.

If you think your career is simply a way to pay the bills, you may be missing out on so much more that a career can be. I grew up with the impression that I should go to college in order to become an employee, earn a paycheck, and save for retirement. The problem I see is that a secure retirement is not the ultimate goal of my life. I have no formal plans of retirement.

What I do have is a series of goals that align with my ability to contribute as much as possible to the rest of the world. I have plans to earn a lot of money in order to (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of Pink Sherbet Photography (flickr)

In a world of constant connectivity and insatiable appetites for information, you’d assume that getting noticed should be easier than ever.  So why do you feel a strong desire for validation and why aren’t you getting noticed more often?  Lusting over validation is very common; whether it’s healthy or not is up for grabs.  Getting validated doesn’t happen nearly as often.  Assuming you’re overall objective is to get noticed, the primary method to do so is by violating expectations.  This means doing something that others won’t see coming.  You’ll have to be different, weird, and completely willing to take risks.  The best part is that once you fully master the ability to surprise and inspire others, you can apply that skill set to many aspects of your life.   (more…)

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Today I have included a promotional video for an innovative new business that has recently been opened up for everyone to use.  WebbChange was started by one of my close childhood friends, Travis Russell, who has created a new way to place value on what you find online.

Disclaimer: I never promote other sites or products unless I use them myself or fully believe that they will add value to your life.  I am not a paid endorser of WebbChange.  I am promoting this site because I genuinely believe you should check it out (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of eye of einstein (flickr)

(This article is also featured as a guest post on AlieDavis.com)

Your career is your occupation, the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money.  In a nutshell, it will take up a lot of your time.  So which occupation will you choose and, more importantly, how will you make it happen?  Take a look at the list below and picture yourself living out your dream career.  Literally envision walking in the shoes of the future successful YOU.  Try it.  Then decide what actions you will take to make that ridiculous fantasy a true reality.

1. Begin with the End in Mind

Your career goal is not your next job; it is your life’s purpose.  Think long-term.  Unfortunately, many of us get caught up in the moment and (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of Rita Willaert (flickr)

I’ve worked in sales since the day I finished college. Every job I’ve had included sales of some form and nearly every company was terrible at it.  I sold Verizon business phone lines door-to-door, computers and iPods at Apple, debt at Citibank, food at various restaurants, foam shoes at Crocs, job candidates at High-Tech, and I’m preparing to sell my book on this site in the near future.  If you couldn’t already tell, I have had more jobs than the average 25 year-old.  Call me a job-hopper if you want but the experiences have been very enlightening, especially when it comes to sales tactics.  If you currently work in sales or are even considering it, take a look at the list below before you head out on your next sales call.  (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of puamelia (flickr)

Now that I’ve got your attention, let me explain why I really do want you to get silly wasted, or the equivalent in other means if you choose.  If your college experience was anything like mine it probably consisted of excessive amounts of cheap beer, late nights, few trips to the gym, and many impulsive decisions that you later regretted when the pictures where posted on Facebook.  As much fun as this lifestyle can be, it doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the intense demands of employers, spouses, or even parents.  Accomplishing your goals during life after college can seem daunting, especially if you’re thrown out on your own without a guide.  I’ve listed some of the most important actions you need to take as you head out into the real world.  Even if you’ve been graduated for years, these action steps can be a good check-up to see how you’ve been doing.

When I graduated college and moved to Boston, I had accomplished nine out of these ten steps within the first few months.  I’m not offering this advice because it sounds like a good idea.  I’m talking about this stuff because I did these things and they work.  If you’ve been struggling with finding your passion (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of JS's (flickr)

Getting fired was one of the scariest things I could imagine when I entered the job market fresh out of college.  I feared having to explain to a future employer why I sucked at my last job so badly that a security guard had to throw me off their property.  I feared having to fill out an application and check the box that asks if you’ve ever been fired or asked to resign, and then having to list the reason.  I thought getting fired would somehow put me on a public “Do-Not-Hire” list and I’d be banned from employment forever.  I imagined only being able to work as a janitor or simply giving up with no possibility of a future.  Scary stuff.  (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of Brandon Godfrey (flickr)

I’m poking my head out of hibernation to write this blog post.  Back in December I suspended my blogging to work on my book, which is chugging along.  I’ll give you a quick update.  First, writing a book is about as difficult as any other enormous goal, it’s always harder than you originally hoped.  I have, however, converted my sole proprietorship into an LLC.  I also recently opened my first business bank account and setup my account with the company that will help me self-publish the book.  Additionally, I’ve written the first 3 chapters and outlined the remaining chapters.  It’s a challenge to write a book while maintaining a full-time job, a personal life, and training for another marathon, but somehow it’s all coming together.  Patience is truly a virtue, and I haven’t mastered it yet.  (more…)

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In the spirit of setting big goals for 2010, I wanted to discuss this topic because I can’t stop thinking about it.  Could I actually guarantee that I will accomplish the commitments I have set for myself?  Assuming that I can, how will I make them a reality?  This has been bugging me because I have a lot on my agenda right now.  I have the feeling that I have overbooked myself and have bitten off more than I can chew.  So, I have prioritized my personal and professional goals and now I’ll be making cuts.  I have realized that in order to accomplish the goals I care the most about, I have to sacrifice the goals that are of least importance in my life right now.  (more…)

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Photo Courtesy of Elvire.R. (flickr)

(This is a guest post from Heather R. Huhman of Come Recommended)

No matter what industry you plan on entering upon graduation, networking with professionals and your peers is pivotal. More often than not, you will make giant leaps in your career thanks to the relationships you’ve made along the way.  For many students, the necessity of networking can go overlooked but if approached correctly can produce several benefits.

• Improve your communication skills. Building relationships out of thin air is nearly impossible. Networking will help you to get to know people on a more substantial level beyond what appears on their nametag or online profile. (more…)