Students and graduates should network for better career success

ST. PAUL, Minn. — College students and recent graduates face a challenging job market, but expert networking can help them secure employment, Louise M. Kursmark says in her new book, Best Resumes for College Students and New Grads.

“With the ease of online search strategies, a lot of job seekers reach no further than their computers when starting to look for jobs,” Kursmark says. “Don’t make this mistake! Instead, spend most of your time talking to people you know who can give you advice, suggestions, leads and referrals that will bring you to the notice of people who can hire you.”

Kursmark offers simple tips to make networking easy and rewarding:

• Don’t ask for a job; most people won’t be able to give you one.
• Don’t assume people won’t be able to help; people have diverse connections you can’t anticipate.
• Prepare and practice your introduction.
• Try to set up an in-person meeting whenever possible.
• Don’t expect your contacts to run your job search for you.
• Be clear about your job target and how your contacts can help you.
• Use powerful social media to extend your contact network.
• Make a great impression.
• Follow the No. 1 rule of networking: “Give to get.”
• Follow up on all leads and let your contacts know how helpful they’ve been.

“Your network can open doors for you, provide valuable inside information, connect you to your dream job or dream company, and transform your job search from online drudgery and frustration to a series of positive and helpful interactions,” Kursmark says.

Additional information can be found in Best Resumes for College Students and New Grads. The book was published in January of 2012 and is available at major bookstores, Amazon.com and jist.com.

About Louise M. Kursmark

Louise M. Kursmark is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach, and Credentialed Career Master. She founded Best Impression Career Services, Inc. and co-founded the Career Thought Leaders Consortium. In addition to Best Resumes for College Students and New Grads, Kursmark wrote 30-Minute Resume Makeover and Sales and Marketing Resumes for $100,000 Careers. She also co-wrote Cover Letter Magic, 15-Minute Cover Letter and the Expert Resumes series of books.

About JIST Publishing

JIST, America’s Career Publisher, is a division of EMC/Paradigm Publishing. As the leading publisher of job search, career and occupational information, JIST empowers today’s workforce and students to achieve long-lasting rewards in their careers.