Whether finding your first job, looking for a new career or interviewing for a step up, these pages are designed to give you the most concise information you need to develop your job hunting and interviewing skills.
Click on the links below in order, to get the most out of the material.

What can I offer an employer?         

Review your skills, talents, and interests.  In this review consider all your experiences, not only those of high school or college.  Remember your summer jobs, hobbies, etc.  What are your strengths?  Weaknesses?  Did you particularly enjoy any specific course or courses that may have resulted in specialized talents? What have you done in your life that would serve as an indication that you are an ambitious person?

What kind of position do I want?

Consider office or business size, location, and type of business.  Review and use the results of your talents and interests.  Do you like people?  If not, a receptionist or sales position may not be for you.  If you love to type, a starting job in a typing pool with advancement potential might be acceptable.  In your own mind, establish what you are after.  Remember, when you are asked by someone, "What kind of position are you after?"  "ANYTHING" is not an acceptable answer.  Have a realistic job objective in mind.

When searching for a job, consider the following:

1.    A larger city will have much more demand for new employees.

2.    The larger the city, the better the pay.

3.    The experience of living in a large city can be most rewarding–a broadening personal experience.

There are many fine positions in the Jamestown area and in the areas that many JBC students come from.  They are, of course, more limited in number than those found in larger metropolitan areas.  The smaller the town, the more thorough your job search must be.

Don't look for work in an area that will require you to have an automobile if you won't have one.  It can be a mark against you later if you have taken a position you have trouble getting to each day.

The size of a business can be an important consideration when one is looking for work.  If you lack confidence, a very small office where you will work alone might not be the best position for you.  A larger office can provide an opportunity to learn from others, provided you get along well with people.

Where are the kinds of positions I want?

            Before you can apply for jobs, you have to know where they might be.  The phrase "where they might be" allows for some sources not usually considered.  Be innovative in considering your potential employers.

            Make sure you know the kind of work you are capable of doing.  Medical or legal training does not restrict you to those areas, nor does executive training prevent you from applying for legal positions, etc.  Accounting graduates are qualified for nearly every type of management training opportunity as are the marketing and management graduates.  Restaurants, chain stores (variety, tire, hardware), insurance, industry, and civil service should all be considered.

...This information is provided by Jamestown Business College and is the basis for their Professional EDGE (Etiquette, Dress, Goals and Ethics) career development program.

The Job Search | Written Correspondence | The Anatomy Of A Resumé | The Anatomy Of A Resumé 2 | Completing Job Application Forms | Dressing Professionally | Restaurant Etiquette | How To Keep Your Job... | Some Final Advice | Local Help Wanted Ads