by ResumeEdge.com
- The Net's Premier Resume Writing and Editing Service
Now that
you've determined your interests and skills, it's time to do some heavy-duty
research. (Don't lose sight of the fact that your ability to do efficient,
productive research in your quest for employment is the direct result of the
skills you gained in your liberal arts degree!) Figure out what job
descriptions match your skills and passions. Determine your long-term and
short-term career goals. The Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Dictionary
of Occupational Titles, as well as many other job search books can be quite
helpful. Don't forget to look into jobs in the non-profit sector.
To get
you started, here's a sampling of the broad scope of positions liberal arts
majors often occupy. Note that for some professions, you'll need to get an
advanced degree:
| Journalist |
Manager
(in retail, food service, hotels, etc.) |
| Research
Assistant |
Editor |
| Social
Worker |
Urban
Planner |
| Investment
Banker |
Translator |
| Entrepreneur |
Human
Resources Hiring Manager |
| Teacher |
Technical
Writer |
| Counselor/Therapist |
Copy
Editor |
| Paralegal |
Event
Planner |
| Press
Secretary |
Librarian |
| Actor |
Political
Campaign Manager |
| Lay-out
Designer |
Interior
Designer |
| Publisher |
Detective |
| Agent |
Management
Consultant |
The next
step is reconciling your self-assessment and research with the job market. You
may not find a perfect match, but with some creativity you should at least be
able to find a job that will put you on the right track or help you gain the
skills you will need to achieve your long-term goal.
Since
you've targeted some potential employers, it's time to market yourself. When
you put together your cover letter and resume, tailor them to the company's
mission. Think about how the skills you learned in that Shakespeare class
apply to your chosen line of work. For example, in journalism, the fact you
crafted an excellent academic research paper on animal imagery in Taming of
the Shrew translates to an ability to write and report a story. In management
consulting, your class presentation about madness in Hamlet translates to
upper-level presentation and organization skills.
Also, in
marketing yourself to employers, use language appropriate to the field in
which the company works. It's important to come across as someone with a
vision for your future as well as specific, immediate ambitions. Convey an
understanding of the broad goals of the company as well as specific ideas of
how you will contribute and better the company.
Remember
that while your first job probably won't match your long-term career goal, it
is a stepping stone, the first step on a path toward your dreams.