Are you getting ready to graduate from college or considering a career change? Do you need a little help in getting started?Use Your Career Office
If you are a college student or graduate the first step is to visit, call or email your institution's Career Office. The staff will be eager to help you through every step of the job search process. This will include deciding what you want to do, writing a resume and cover letter, and then finding the perfect job. Most career offices will afford you with personal career advising, job and internship listings, employment programs, career resources and other services available for both students and alumni. If you're not affiliated with a college or university you may find similar help offered by your state's Department of Labor.

Top Employers for Grads
As noted, the first step in the actual job search process is to discover what is you want to do. It's interesting to note that the top hundred employers projected to hire this year's graduating seniors, as surveyed by The Black Collegian, include The New England Center for Children and Eckerd Youth Alternatives in addition to the companies like Price Waterhouse Coopers, Accenture and Microsoft, you would expect to see on the list. The Peace Corps is still recruiting volunteers, well past their traditional hiring deadline and other international organizations like Hess Language School are still seeking candidates interested in spending some time abroad. There are plenty of online resources, like Vault.com and Wetfeet.com where you can researchindustries and companies. Be sure to consider all the options that even remotely interest you.

Start a Job Search
The next step is to get going on a job search. According to a recent survey conducted by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) employers predict indicates that hiring of college graduates in 2004-5 will increase by 13.1rom last year. Employers canvassed in the survey stated they will be seeking candidates from a variety of majors including liberal arts in additional to the more technical academic majors. They will be looking for people with interpersonal communication skills and leadership potential. Employers will also be focusing on candidates with the ability to work and excel in a team-focused environment.

Top Entry Level Job Sites
For college students about to enter the workforce there are a variety of jobs sites dedicated to entry level positions, of which, MonsterTrak is the largest and most visited college-targeted site on the internet. Services include jobs, resume posting, a job search guide and career contact network. You'll need a password from your alma mater to access the site. In addition, there are variety of other sites with internships, job listings and career resources for those just launching a career.

Starting a New Career
Remember, too, that it is never too late to begin a new career. Many students will take a year or so off after college before looking for a "real" job. There are plenty of stay-at-home moms who wait to enter the workforce until their kids are grown. And don't forget mid-life career changers and retirees who start a second or third career in their later years!