Working World

If you are new to the workforce or simply changing careers, chances are you will be applying for an entry-level position. These jobs are a necessity for the business community because they fill a need for untrained employees, and workers use these positions as an occupational starting point. Entry-level jobs generally pay lower than positions that require experience, but the right one can propel your career in a new direction. With careful planning and research, you can land the perfect position.

Define Your Interest

This is probably the most important step you’ll take to find the entry-level job of your dreams. An entry-level position should somehow relate to your education and future career goals. Oftentimes job seekers are in such a rush to gain employment that they apply for any job that comes along. These workers may spend years in a career that doesn’t correspond with their education, and that they have no interest in. A good entry-level job doesn’t have to be an exact industry match, but it should include some transferable aspects that will help you land a more specific job in a desired industry later on. On the flip side, if you find a job in a desired industry but it is not your dream job, you will gain some valuable experience.

Prospecting!

Although a large majority of advertised entry-level jobs are in the food or retail industry, it is possible to find one in your chosen industry if you do some research and target your efforts. Most corporate entry-level positions adhere to a predetermined college or university educational requirement, and only those qualified need apply. If you meet this requirement, your best plan of attack is to “prospect” organizations in your industry of choice. You may also discover an array of secondary industries that hire workers with similar education and training as yours.

A great place to begin your search is your local Craigslist page. Craigslist is being used more and more as a way for local employers to get the word out that they need help, and a lot of times it’s the only place they post an ad. You can narrow your search to a specific area if transportation is a problem; or you can narrow it to part-time or freelance work if you’re just wanting to get a feel for the job without diving into a full-time commitment.

Another way to search locally is to go to Google Maps and search within your city for a specific kind of company. That way you can learn which ones are in your area without having to track down a phone book. Once you’ve compiled a list, see if they have a website. If they do, there’s a good chance they also have a jobs or employment link with opportunities that are not advertised elsewhere.

A third option is searching the standard job sites: CareerBuilder.com and Monster, and WorkingWorld.com are some examples. Besides being able to do your standard search, oftentimes these sites let you create a profile, allowing you to post your resume for potential employers to see when they go fishing for new hires.

Once you have completed your preliminary research, you are ready to make contact.

Making Contact

If you discover an entry-level job opening on a company’s website, immediately send off a tailored cover letter and resume outlining your relevant education and any job experience. (Check out “Stand Out For the Job and Create an Exceptional Cover Letter” on WorkingWorld.com for some detailed tips.) Be sure to effectively convey your desire to obtain an entry-level job in the organization and the industry, and that you would welcome the opportunity to be interviewed for any positions available.

If there aren’t any advertised positions, tailor your cover letter to reflect your willingness to consider any suitable job that may become available. It is always a good idea to follow up with a short letter or phone call within a few weeks. Although your resume will most likely be kept on file, continue to monitor the company’s website for any new developments or job postings. Resubmit your resume periodically or as needed to respond to a posting.

Evaluating the Offer

If your efforts result in a job offer, evaluate the offer and ensure that it meets with your long-term career goals. How will this position help you along your journey up the corporate ladder? Is there opportunity for advancement? Does the organization promote from within and offer on-the-job paid training? Will the job open doors for you at other companies?

Future Benefits

A lot of the time, the benefits of an entry-level job are not apparent. Securing work with a prominent or noteworthy organization can result in further job offers for you. Also consider that there can be rewards associated with an up-and-coming organization that is on the cutting edge of new industry trends. To determine who’s who, read the industry trade journals and get familiar with the key organizations and their team players.

Parting Ways

Only you can decide when an entry-level position has worn out its usefulness. If promotions and advancements are not forthcoming due to economic factors or unforeseen circumstances, consider a job change. If you have occupied your entry-level position for more than two years and don’t foresee a job promotion soon, perhaps it is time to look elsewhere. For your troubles, you have gained some valuable industry training and experience in your chosen profession that you can transfer to a more lucrative job opportunity.   

Sidebar

An Alternative Approach: Volunteer Toward a Career

If you’re not quite ready to tackle the post-college “real world,” or if you’re considering a new career, why not branch out and use your education, skills and experience for the greater good? Opportunities abound in other countries for those with an open mind and an adventurer’s spirit.

If money isn’t an issue, consider joining a volunteer program where you can teach English, help with community awareness programs or build sustainable housing, all while getting the gift of experiencing another culture.

For those wanting to do some good without breaking the bank, many nonprofit organizations have staff positions in other countries, usually dealing with office work, fundraising or building programs in a certain city or town. However, these positions are usually long term and require a fair amount of previous experience, so you’d have to be ready to give up American soil for awhile.

Below are some organizations to help start your search. They have a variety of opportunities; some are long term, some are short term, and some have a little bit of both.

You can also use a search engine to find programs with a more narrow focus, and for which you might be especially qualified based on your job experience.

Habitat for Humanity
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Global Volunteers
Volunteer Abroad
Peace Corps
Visions in Action

Christine Cristiano is a freelance writer living in Ontario, Canada.

1 COMMENTS

• George

  it's a great website for all job seeker and the right place for new career.

  Feb 07, 2010