Table of Contents
Introduction xi
How to Get the Most Out of this Book xix
1 Get Started 1
1 Start Wherever You Are
2 Know the Numbers
3 Avoid the Biggest Mistake in Career Prep and Job Hunting
4 Embrace Your Stereotype
5 Overcome Your Stereotype
6 Get Organized
7 Don't Ignore the Obvious
8 Subscribe to a Daily News Source
9 Set Yourself Up for Success
10 Use Your Helicopter
2 Stop Being a Student and Start Being a Professional 29
11 Upgrade to Grown-up Contact Methods
12 E-mail Like a Professional
13 Get Carded
14 Clean Up Your Internet Image
15 Shine Online
16 Become an Industry Expert
3 Figure Out What You Want…and What You Don't 49
17 Start a Really Big List
18 Get Rid of the "Shoulds"
19 Don't Be Caught "Hitchhiking": Assess Yourself
20 Explore a Passion
21 Put Money into Perspective
22 Declare a Take Yourself to Work Day: Job Shadow
23 Tweet
24 Consider a Coach
25 Hero Worship
26 Seek a Mentor
27 Relax-A Job Is Not a Soul Mate
4 Talk. Listen. Repeat, (i.e., Network) 89
28 Talk. Listen. Repeat.
29 Be Able to Introduce Yourself
30 Network with Your Neighbors
31 Set Up Informational Interviews
32 Make the Most of Informational Interviews
33 Become an Active Alum … Even Before You Graduate
34 Associate
35 Connect with Diversity
36 Work Some New Rooms
37 Make Every Networking Event a Success
38 Nix These Networking Event No-Nos
39 Be the First to Follow Up
40 Keep in Touch
5 Gain Real World Experience 137
41 Be a Leader
42 Be a Joiner
43 Intern … Early and Often
44 Practice the Eight Essentials of Internship Achievement
45 Temp
46 Volunteer
47 Skip South Beach
48 Be Superstrategic About Part-Time Work
49 Put Out Your Own Shingle
50 GOTV
51 Go Global
52 Fail
6 Give Yourself an Edge 182
53 Minor in Something Majorly Helpful
54 Keep Learning
55 Become BRIC Savvy
56 Be a Winner
57 Take a Physical Challenge
58 Present
59 Perform Five Minutes of Stand-Up
60 Have a Hobby
61 Blog
62 Open Your Mouth and Say "Om"
7 Market Yourself on Paper and Online 209
63 Make Over Your Résumé
64 Put Your Resume Through the Wringer
65 Craft Impressive Cover Letters
66 Create a Brag Book
67 Become Professional Friends with Facebook
8 Find Opportunities 233
68 Follow Every Rainbow
69 Take Candy from Strangers
70 Start Small
71 Look Up the Best
72 Consider You.gov
73 Work to Change the World
74 Tackle a Project
75 Look Online
76 Think "And," Not "Or"
9 Overprepare for Interviews 263
77 Conduct Company Research
78 Know Your Value
79 Figure In Work-Life Fit
80 Buy a Dark Suit
81 Take Your Elbows Off the Table
82 Mock Interview
83 Never, Ever, Ever Arrive Late to a Job Interview
84 Be Nice to Receptionists
85 Go with the Flow
86 Be Available
87 Persist (Without Being a Pest)
10 Before You Head Off into the Real World … 306
88 Ask for Help When You Need It
89 Become a Lifelong Expert on Finding Your Own Bliss
90 Don't Curb Your Enthusiasm
Resources 311
Author's Note 323
Acknowledgments 325
