Andrea Raykovich, a UW-Platteville alumna, graduated in December from UW-P with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Technologies with an emphasis in public relations. Like many students who graduated with her or will graduate, Raykovich was left wondering if there would be a job for her with her specific degree.

“I was so nervous because the job market sucked,” Raykovich said. “I really like my job; there is a lot of training going on, but you will get that at any job.”

Raykovich started the job hunting process early enough to have five job offers by the end of her final semester. How did she do it?

Raykovich handed out about 100 of her résumés. At the UW-P Fall 2008 Career Fair alone, Raykovich handed out 25. She attended other colleges Career Fairs, especially in towns and cities that she wanted to end up working. While there, she spent 10 minutes with each company she handed her résumé to; she interviewed each company so she could get to know the company more. Raykovich had looked up some of the companies that were of interest to her and some research on that company, like looking up what the company is looking for in an employee.

Photograph by Kate Olsen

“Companies aren’t looking for you, you are looking for them,” Raykovich said. “You have to be confidant with who you are and you have to go up to them.”

She started the job process in September 2008, even before the Career Fair. Not only did she use the Career Fair, but other mediums as well.

Networking was the most useful to Raykovich. She networked through her professors by asking to see if they knew of any job opportunities.
She also applied at past jobs she held. For two years Raykovich worked at a golf course and enjoyed the experience very much. She called the manager to set up an interview with him and asked if he had any open positions.

While online job search engines, like Monster or CareerBuilder, were too broad for Raykovich, she was able to find a job, because she started the process so early and kept communicating with so many different companies.

“I turned down the companies that were commission only; I was looking for a salary base.”

Photograph by Kate Olsen

Raykovich is now working as a credit manager for Wells Fargo, a banking, loans and investment institute, in Madison. She takes care of calling clients and follows up with them.

“I really didn’t want to go into banking but it was something available to me. When I was interviewing I knew what it was going to be [like] just because I had met everyone in the office and it was very small – so it is easier to get help and support from others in the office. The company shows a lot of leadership and each team member shows that in ways of helping each other out.”

Raykovich stressed how important it is to start the job process early, so setting up interviews with companies can be done. Starting your applicationor résumé early allows you to start applying for jobs that are interesting to you, even if they are not directly relate to your major.

With Raykovich and the Career Center’s help, the Exponent has brought you helpful tips to start the job searching process. Call the Career Center and set up an appointment to review your résumé.

“Make sure you are doing what you are suppose to because the market is so competitive,” Diana Trendt, interim director for the career center, said. “The market is still stable for college graduates.”

Part 2:
Check your map: Nine steps to getting a job after college

Step 1: Decide what your career goals are. List your skills, abilities, and what you are knowledgable in.

Step 2: Start your résumé. Follow the basic chronlogical résumé format, and then fit it to your major.

Step 3: Sell yourself in the cover letter. List what makes you different from any other candidate.

Step 4: Critque your résumé. Schedule an appointment.

Step 5: Create accounts. It’s OK to post your résumé on Web sites like CareerBuilder and Monster.

Step 6: Setting up for your interview. Find out where you need to be and when. Review the information on your résumé.

Step 7: Analyze your potential employer. Find out about the company you are interviewing for.

Step 8: Dress for success. Good hygiene is essential.

Step 9: “Thank you” letters are a nice last touch. Reinstate your strengths and thank the interviewer for their time.

Part3:
Dressing the part: A guide to dressing professionally

For Men:
A conservative, well-fitted, two piece business suit in colors like navy, gray, black or green in pinstriped or solids.

Long-sleeved and ironed dress shirts in white to off-white or pale blue.

A tie that has a small pattern, or showing a pattern and color that accentuates the companies color and coordinates with the color of your suit.

Carry a leather-like portfolio or a briefcase.

For Women:
A conservative, well-fitted, two piece business suit in colors like navy, gray, black, olive, camel or wine in pinstriped or solids.

Wear a carefully ironed blouse in white, ivory, pale blue, gray or light pink. Do not wear a tight, sheer or revealing blouse.

Neutral, non-patterned pantyhose in skin tone.

Carry either a purse or a briefcase, but not both.