When starting your job search, it is critical that you match your potential job options with your qualifications.  The reason why many students fail to find jobs is not because they are poor candidates, but because they only apply for particular jobs they are not qualified for.  This lesson is hard to learn and easy to forget.  Recently, a colleague who had taught communication at the high school level decided to leave teaching and pursue a career in journalism.  After successfully setting up a meeting with a human resources specialist at a large metropolitan newspaper, his hopes were quelled when he was informed that although he had a very successful teaching career, his experiences did not qualify him for a reporting position at a major newspaper.  The lesson to be learned?  Pick the right job for you.  The following strategies are designed to make your job search more productive:

• Be honest in your self assessment.  The self assessment is your primary tool for matching specific jobs to your qualifications.  If you are not honest with yourself, you may spend valuable time and resources pursuing positions you are not qualified for.   This doesn't mean that you should aim low or not apply for your dream job, but you should also use your self assessment to target specific positions appropriate for your background.
• Use a variety of sources to research your career field and specific positions of interest.  Looking through newspaper advertisements, want ads, trade publications, the internet, and materials compiled by your campus career services office are good starting points.  Your advisor or other faculty members may also be invaluable resources for finding out where to look.  By doing this research, you will have an idea about appropriate positions, starting salary ranges, and other information important for making decisions in your search.
• Have multiple people review your materials.  If you have a copy of the applicant profile (or, for this assignment you will create one for yourself), let several people review the profile and then assess your cover letter and resume.  After reviewing your materials, ask them if they have suggestions for improving the material and if they see any typos or mistakes.