I've Graduated
- Now What? Part 3

Tip #5:

Get to know an executive recruiter in your chosen field. Unlike employment agencies, executive recruiters work most often with the high-end, top shelf companies that are on your "wish list".

You might be wondering, what's the difference between an employment agencies and executive recruiters?

Employment agencies are hired by lots of smaller, lower-tiered companies to find employees. They tend to be more focused on pleasing their clients. These are the people who search the online career boards, calling everyone. They are, also, the ones that will call you daily with jobs that you are either not qualified for or interested in pursuing.

Executive recruiters are hired by fewer high-end, top shelf companies. We're selective about which candidates we work with, as well as which companies with whom we work. We don't represent just anyone, nor do we search for just any company.

We take the time to get to know our candidates up front. Since we routinely work with the same clients, we usually know the companies pretty well. So, while we may only call once every couple of weeks, you can guarantee that it is something that we believe would be a good fit for everyone.

Recruiters will give you career advice, revise your resume, help sharpen your interview skills, and show you how to best sell yourself. We do all of this for FREE. A good recruiter is paid by the client. There should NEVER be a charge to you, the candidate.

All we ask is that you be upfront and honest with us. If you are working with other recruiters, tell us. It's not unusual and we would much rather hear about it from you instead of from a client.

Tip #6:

Network. Network. Network. Become a member of professional societies related to your industry. Join young professional clubs. Be an active alumnus at your alma mater. Whatever it takes. Just go out and meet other professionals.

Also, join online network groups such as LinkedIn.com. It's free and a great way to connect with others. For those not familiar with LinkedIn, it encourages you to connect with your trusted contacts - which become your first degree contacts.

Then, the people your first degree contacts know become your second degree contacts. And the people they know become your third degree contacts.

In my personal case, I have 1,544 first degree contacts, which provide me with 470,500+ second degree contacts, and allow me access to 4,403,400+ third degree contacts worldwide.

It's pretty cool to see who everyone knows, and allows you access to individuals you might not otherwise know. And these people may just be the key to starting your career.

While these are not the only ways to start your career search, they are the ways that, in my professional opinion, are the best. It's been proven that 80% of people start or advance their careers through "personal contact," be it networking with friends or researching and contacting companies directly or using recruiters.

So, to sum things up:

1. Find out who your parents know who can help you start your career
2. Read and make lists of names of people who could help you, then contact them
3. Research companies you highly respect and start making contacts
4. Don't post your resume online - you most likely will not get the type of offers you want and deserve
5. Work with respected recruiters, they can and will help you get your search started
6. Network 24/7