John P. Doyle - College to Career Journal: 101 Thought-Provoking Ways to Help You Land the Job of Your Dreams

Copyright 2014 by John P. Doyle.
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any forms or any means, without the prior permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be directed to permissions@indiebooksintl.com, or mailed to Permissions, Indie Books International, 2424 Vista Way, Suite 316, Oceanside, CA 92054.

Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering legal or other professional services through this book. If expert assistance is required, the services of an appropriate professionals should be sought. The publisher and the author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information in this publication.

ISBN: 1941870023
ISBN 13: 9781941870020
eISBN : 9781941870068
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014952545

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Dedication

There are thousands of college graduates entering the job market every year. The world we live in is fast-paced, competitive, and social media rich. Information is one click away from us all to retrieve answers that would have taken hours or days in years past. All of the latest technology has impacted how we see the world today.

Grads are in Generation Y or commonly referred to as millenials, having grown up in this age of technology. They are attached to tablets, smart phones, computer games and the like, which puts these young men and women in a precarious position. The inability to effectively communicate face-to-face and handle social situations has been a growing concern.

I dedicate this book to all the young men and women needing direction in building their brand to land the job of their dreams. And to my children, Johnny and Natalya, who are about to start their college journey, my hope is I made an impact in your life to appreciate my love, guidance, and support. Your education is a gift and never to be taken for granted.

John P. Doyle

Acknowledgements

My father, John J. Doyle, was a young man when he passed away in 1967. He left behind Mom, my sister Donna, my brother Mike, and me. We were very young when he was taken from us. Dad was a family man with a kind soul and a zest for life. Many that knew him say I have his character and personality. I thank him for everything he taught me. He has been watching from above, guiding me to know right from wrong. I am sure he is proud of what I have accomplished, and more importantly, proud of my mother, Dorothy Doyle OConnor who was left to raise our young family. Mom taught me to be strong, never to give up and get through rough times. I remember her telling me repeatedly, You are John Doyle, and you can do anything when you put your mind to it. This has resonated with me throughout my life. Mom taught me to be confident and secure with myself. I am forever thankful for everything she did, making the best of a life-changing situation.

Aunt Marlene and Uncle Mike, thank you for being there for our family, helping Mom raise my sister, my brother and me. Uncle Mike, rest in peace. You were always there for me in the absence of Dad.

To my lovely wife, Natalie, you have been my best friend and supporter and always encouraged me to share my knowledge. You are strong-willed, intelligent and comforting. Colonel, you are my soul mate and I love you dearly.

To my children, Johnny and Natalya, my life became complete when you came to this country as young children. You are the future and represent what my book represents. Your future is extremely bright, and I love the both of you more than you know.

To Russ Riendeau from East Wing Search Group, who suggested I write a book, thank you for the advice.

To Henry DeVries, my publisher and editor, thank you for taking my project and making my dream a reality. Your encouragement and ideas are appreciated.

To all my former colleagues I have enjoyed working for and with over the years:

Jim Critchfield, thank you for taking a chance hiring me as a young kid in 1982. You taught me how to be a great sales executive and manager, and we had fun all the while.

Martin Rogman, thank you for holding me accountable and pushing my skills to the limit. It certainly was a life lesson under your leadership.

Jim Butts, Brad Clark, Nikki DeYoung, Tom Kotopka, Eric Butt, Tim Joyce, Pete Lombardo, Bill Austin, and many other managers over the years, our time together was special. The fun stories and memories will last a lifetime.

Finally, to other colleagues that made my job easier, thank you. Dave Niemeyer, Nick Gillespie, Helen Sweet, Brian Puzey, Tim Cook, Keith Davison, Todd Ferguson, Denise Senior, Mary Campbell, and too many others to mention, your success was my success and I am grateful for our time together.

Introduction How to Use This Book

Congratulations, youve completed your college journey. Now what do you do? How do you turn your degree into a career? This guide has the information you need to get started on the journey from college to career.

Securing a job is a job in itself, and one that many of us are not prepared properly for upon leaving our college or university. Job hunting and interviewing are specialized skills that can be likened to muscles that need to be developed and toned over time. This journal is designed to help you build your career-searching muscles through a series of exercises and thought provoking questions. It is designed as an open book test, providing you the necessary skills and confidence to feel more comfortable and certain of your career ahead.

What youll get from this guide:

What to include in your resume and cover letter

How to prepare for an interview

How to answer behavioral interview questions

Over forty sample interview questions

How to build your network

You can begin to use the journal anytime during your college career, but no later than the start of your junior year. Your answers can be written on each page. Upon completion, you will be amazed when you see all the answers to the test. Your career search will become smoother, building your confidence and making you feel more comfortable and certain of what lies ahead. Put some time into each section and think about your answers. The more preparation you put in now will increase your brand and more importantly, earning potential.

We wish you the best of luck in your career search.

Your journey begins now!

Resume Preparation

Resumes are the roadmap of the past eight years of your life and need to be written to tell your life story. Unfortunately, your recent relative work experiences cannot tell the interviewer your story regarding the successes and impact you will make in their company. However, involvement in clubs, organizations, sports, and philanthropic causes are a solid indication to the hiring manager of the type of person you are. Companies hiring entry-level positions look for all of these activities that define your character and brand. Therefore, it is critical when preparing your resume to emphasize all your accomplishments in these areas.