Blog Post: Five things to do before 2008

In a week or two, the media will be awash in stories about New Year’s resolutions and activities to pursue to create a happy, healthy and abundant 2008. But 2007 isn’t over yet! And there are several things you can do TODAY to move your career search forward. Here are five ways to ramp up your job search before the end of the year.

1. Update your resume. The end of the year is a great time to review your accomplishments and add relevant skills or projects to your resume. Once you’ve spiffed it up, post it to the Sun Devil Career Network, powered by Jobing.com. You’ll be able to apply online for jobs posted at the portal, many of which are posted exclusively to this site! 

2.  Make your January networking appointments now. Many professionals are booked through the holidays, but may be open to meeting with you in early January. Scheduling networking meetings several weeks out shows consideration for your contact’s time.

Looking for experts in your field? Visit our Career Advisor Network page and review the Sun Devils (alums and staff) who have agreed to participate. While you’re there, post your own advisor’s profile so you can pass your expertise on to others as well! 

3. Research companies represented at upcoming job fairs. Surprise your contacts at job fairs by coming with focused, relevant questions about the company’s product line, direction or hiring needs. Whether or not the representative can answer your question right there, you will distinguish yourself as proactive and interested in what you can do for the company (not just the other way around). 

4. Check into online programs for completing your degree. Having an advanced degree is often the key to advancing in your career field, and ASU has several options for busy adults. ASU Online offers a long list of degrees that can be taken mostly or entirely online, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program, a bachelor’s degree completion program for those who have completed at least 60 credit hours of college-level coursework. 

5. Expand your range of contacts by volunteering. Volunteer opportunities can recharge your vocational batteries, introduce you to other community-minded members who share your interests, and help you beef up your resume with new skills.

In Sun Devil country, the Volunteer Friends of EIGHT help ASU’s PBS television affiliate by answering phones during pledge drives, conducting interviews for the station’s Cronkite-EIGHT monthly opinion poll and many, many other projects. You can also check out other volunteer opportunities by visiting the ASU in the Community Web site, which lists more than 1,100 outreach projects being conducted by ASU entities.