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Excerpts

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What a Job Can Do for You

• Establish Your Job Goals
• What Am I Willing to Do for a Job?

Chapter 2: Know Your Market

• Today's Job Market
• Where to Start Looking
  The Internet -- Classified Ads -- Employment Agencies -- Temp Agencies -- School Career Centers -- Career One-Stop -- Job Fairs -- Help Wanted Signs -- Networking -- The Yellow Pages
• What Employers Want
  What Does This Job Mean? -- What Skills Do I Need? -- Good Qualities For Any Job
• Do Some Research

Chapter 3: Know Your Skills

• Your Skills
• Your Strengths and Weaknesses
• Your Likes and Dislikes
• You Have More Skills Than You Think
  Language
• Getting Additional Training/Education
  College -- Trade School/Vocational School -- Community Education -- Internships
• The Next Step

Chapter 4: Prepare Your Résumé

• Choose Your Résumé Format
• Chronological Résumés -- Functional Résumés -- Combination Résumés
• Tips Before You Begin
• Writing Your Résumé
  Contact Information -- Objective -- Career Summaries and Qualifications Summaries -- Work History -- Work History Concerns -- Key Skills -- Education/Training -- Other RÉsumÉ Additions To Consider
• A Word About Credit Reports

Chapter 5 The Cover Letter, Recommendation Letters, and Phone Calls

• Cover Letters What a Cover Letter Can Do for You -- Cover Letter Dos -- Cover Letter Don'ts -- What Cover Letters Should Look Like
• References
• Letters of Recommendation
• Following Up with Phone Calls
• Keep a Log

Chapter 6: Prepare for the Interview

• The Basics
  Be On Time -- Don't Get Lost -- Make Contingency Plans -- Dress The Part -- The Nose Knows
• Mentally Prepare
  Research -- Practice Interview Questions -- Legal And Illegal Interview Questions -- Be Calm
• What to Bring
• A Good First Impression
• Interview Tests
• Follow Up with a Note

Chapter 7: Securing Your Victory

• Questions to Ask The Salary -- A Dollar Figure -- How Much Do You Want to Be Paid? -- Negotiate for Benefits -- Not Accepting a Job -- Health and Dental Insurance -- Retirement Benefits -- Paid Personal Days, Sick Days, Vacation Days, and Holidays -- Day Care Assistance -- Performance Reviews and Raises -- How Often Will I Be Paid? -- What Are All Your Benefits Worth?
• Your First Day on the Job Tax Paperwork -- Working In The United States -- Direct Deposit -- Life Insurance Benefits -- Health Insurance Benefits -- Retirement Benefits

• Enjoy Your Success

Appendix A: List of Common Action Words to Use in Résumés and Cover Letters

Appendix D: Direct Deposit Form