Getting from College

to Career
Your Essential Guide to Succeeding
in the Real World, Revised Edition
Lindsey Pollak
©2007, 2012 Lindsey Pollak
Adapted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-06-206927-6
Estimated reading time of summary: 7 minutes

Key Takeaways
• The best way to find a good job is by actively getting out into the world, researching opportunities,
meeting people, and behaving professionally.
• Most jobs are won via networking, so never waste an opportunity to meet others and make new
connections. Be an active listener and be beneficial to the other person.
• Take every opportunity to gain relevant, real-world experience, whether it’s from internships, temp
jobs, or volunteer work. Employers look for experience above any other criteria.
• Learn how to write an effective, unique cover letter and a résumé with a clear objective.
• Brush up on interview skills by practicing with a friend or colleague. During an interview, be on time,
be courteous, and be prepared.

Overview
In the revised edition of Getting from College to Career, Lindsey Pollak provides 90 tips designed to
help young people land the perfect job and become successful and happy in their careers. Her career
advice addresses everything from what to do (and not do) on social media to how to dress for an inter-
view. Pollak relates her own experiences and includes interviews with dozens of professionals.

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Getting from College to Career Lindsey Pollak

Get Started
Anyone is capable of finding a great job and building a future. While it’s best to start early, there’s no
such thing as starting “too late.” The goal is to maximize advantages and minimize obstacles.

Most graduates over the past few years didn’t find a job until between three and nine months of search-
ing. Therefore, it’s important to actively plan. You must be willing to ask anyone for advice and treat
post-college career planning as if it were another class. To become and remain organized:

• Keep a calendar and spreadsheet to track job applications and related information.
• Develop a filing system that works best for you.
• Keep track of contacts.
Many students fail to use the powerful resource of their on-campus career center. Avoid making this
mistake, as career centers can provide many advantages to those who are serious about finding a job
right out of school. Similarly, be willing to ask family members for help, but beware of relatives who
“helicopter” and try to get too involved.

Stop Being a Student and Start Being a Professional

The professional world requires people with professional skills and habits. You’ll need to a build a
personal brand, both online and in person, that demonstrate a great fit for a work environment. For
example, use professional-sounding voicemail messages and email addresses. When sending an email:

• Avoid acronyms and emojis.

• Always fill out the subject line.
• Use proper capitalization and punctuation.
• Ensure the signature line includes your contact details.
• Proofread everything before sending.
Carefully cull personal photos or information on the Internet, as employers often perform searches
when considering candidates. Tighten security settings on social media profiles and remove any ques-
tionable content.

Another useful tactic is establishing a positive online presence. Create a strong LinkedIn profile and link
to it on your email signature.

Figure Out What You Want…and What You Don’t

The most difficult part of the career search process for most young people is determining what they
really want to do for the rest of their lives. You can avoid becoming paralyzed by indecision by taking
action. Become informed and educated on the industries you might be interested in by reading every-
thing you can about them. Use Twitter to follow key people in various career fields.

During a job search, focus on possibilities rather than specifics job titles. Too many people believe they
should automatically take the highest-paying job or only look for jobs related to their majors. Be willing
to pursue clear passions rather than making only “safe” choices so you won’t regret your choices later in
life.

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Getting from College to Career Lindsey Pollak

Job shadowing is an excellent way to learn about a possible career. When shadowing someone, be cour-
teous and attentive, and above all, professional.

Some job seekers may consider hiring a career coach. Coaches can help assess your skills and talents
and suggest possible career paths. They can help you establish priorities and challenge their clients to
think big.

Talk. Listen. Repeat.

Networking is about being able to build and maintain relationships of any kind: personal, professional,
online, or in person. A strong network will help you start and build a career, so continue cultivating
contacts and become comfortable meeting and conversing with new people. Networking is a lifelong
activity, not one that you engage in only when needed.

Practice making a good, memorable introduction, relaying your skills while also remaining humble.
Follow up with any contacts your family, friends, or educators may offer. Consider asking these new
contacts for informational interviews, for which you should be prepared and professional, as well as
thankful for people’s time.

Another networking source is your college’s alumni association. Consider becoming involved even
before you graduate. Social networking sites and young professionals groups can also be helpful. Attend
conferences or networking events, but be sure to actively participate. Finally, when developing and
maintaining a network, stay in touch with your connections and determine how you might help them.

Gain Real-World Experience

Hiring managers look for experience, but many students are confused about how to gain any. Intern-
ships are an excellent way to build experience. As an intern, you’ll be able to build up your résumé,
professionalism, contacts, and industry knowledge. Draw on college and online listings to find available
internship opportunities, as well as professors and any other connections.

Volunteering is also an excellent way to build experience. It can help you create networks and improve
leadership skills. Consider an “alternative spring break” to become involved in community service work.

Part-time jobs can be more than just a way to make some extra money. If possible, make them part of
your ongoing career path. You might start a side business; this entrepreneurship, or “sidepreneurship,” is
a fantastic way to build a large set of useful skills, fast.

Give Yourself an Edge

Students should capitalize on the “extras” that might make a difference in landing a job. For example,
take courses in a variety of subjects to broaden your horizons. Choose a minor (or even a double major)
that provides additional skills, such as accounting, economics, or a foreign language. Post-graduation,
take other classes or attend educational events or seminars. Be conversant on current events and learn
about the other major and emerging economies.

One of the most overlooked (and feared) skills is public speaking, but it will help you make a strong,
positive first impression at an interview. Even speaking up in class can help you develop more comfort
and skill in this area. An interesting hobby or two can help you to connect with a hiring manager or
potential boss who shares a similar interest.

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Getting from College to Career Lindsey Pollak

Market Yourself on Paper and Online

Once you’ve attained some experience and skills, you need to know how to market them. A résumé is an
important tool in a job search. When writing a résumé:

• Provide an objective statement or summary to focus and the reader’s attention. Tailor them to the
specific type of job you’re applying for.
• Include a GPA only if it’s 3.0 or higher.
• Add anything that’s unique and also relevant.
• Resist the temptation to exaggerate or get “creative” with colorful fonts or paper.
• Try to keep the format to one page.
• Be sure to proofread for typos or other errors, and ask a friend or colleague to do so as well.
A cover letter should demonstrate that you understand the company or market. Ensure that the content
is unique to the specific job and addressed to a specific person whenever possible; your letter should
never be generic. Follow this four-paragraph format:

1. The first paragraph should serve as an introduction.

2. The second paragraph should be a clear statement of specific goals.
3. The third paragraph should convince the reader that you have the appropriate skills and qualifica-
tions.
4. The fourth and final paragraph should address next steps, such as the possibility of an interview or
phone call.
Be sure to line up people who can provide you with recommendations, such as previous employers,
volunteer coordinators, or others with whom you’ve cultivated strong professional connections.

Find Opportunities
A job opportunity can come from surprising sources, so be open to opportunities and willing to expand
your search. If you’re attending a job fair or reaching out to certain companies, do your research and
have a plan for how to approach them. Be knowledgeable, prepared, and professional, and remember
to follow up with those you interact with.

Small businesses may offer entry-level opportunities. Networking and personal contacts can help you
make a connection. Research lists of best companies to work for and learn as much as you can about
them. You might also explore working for the government, either at the federal, state, or local level.

Another way to build your experience and exposure is to take on a project for a contact. Too many people
spend most of their job-search time looking online instead of turning to personal networks, which are
responsible for most job opportunities. However, you should utilize some online sites, including profes-
sional association sites, job boards, and company career pages. Finally, don’t be afraid of having too
many opportunities—it’s an excellent problem to have.

Overprepare for Interviews

By the time you attain an interview, the networking you’ve been doing up until this point should make it
less nerve-wracking to meet with professionals in the industry. To prepare for an interview, research the
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Getting from College to Career Lindsey Pollak

company as much as possible, whether online or through contacts. Avoid asking questions that could
have easily been answered by reading the company’s website. Learn about the organization’s leaders,
read recent press releases, and become aware of recent developments.

When preparing for interview questions, practice PAR scenarios and have a few examples memorized.
PAR stands for:

• An encountered problem.
• The action taken.
• The achieved result.
Be prepared to answer questions that address gaps in your résumé. Practice making concise, positive
responses to questions and be ready to talk about weaknesses by displaying self-awareness and an
intent on self-improvement.

Arrive on time and be courteous to everyone. Be open to the unexpected, as not all interviews are alike.
Have thoughtful, engaging questions ready for the interviewer, and also ask how to follow up afterward.
Send a thank-you note by mail or email within 24 hours. Then, allow seven to ten business days to pass
before making any additional contact. You could then send a brief email to follow up. Understand the
difference between enthusiasm and desperation, and know when to let go.

You’ll need to be willing and able to negotiate a starting salary. Know what’s realistic based on the
industry, and be aware of what skills are more in demand and might therefore command more pay.
Keep nonmonetary benefits in mind as well.

While you should remain respectful at all times, don’t be afraid to say “no.” You should have a sense of
your living expenses as well as a plan for work-life balance. Not all companies are flexible, so be realistic
about possible compromises.

Before You Head Off into the Real World…

Pollak offers additional advice to heed before you venture out into the real world:

• Be willing to ask for help if needed. No one expects you to have all the answers, so when in doubt,
always speak up.
• Take time to solicit advice or feedback.
• Always work to meet new people, develop new skills, and pursue interests.
• Maintain your enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to display passion or pursue success.
• Remember that finding happiness is a lifelong process that will almost certainly change several
times, often in unexpected ways.

About the Author

Lindsey Pollak is a New York Times best-selling author and one of the world’s leading career and work-
place experts. Her books include Recalculating: Navigate Your Career Through the Changing World of
Work, The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace, and Becoming the Boss:

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Getting from College to Career Lindsey Pollak

New Rules for the Next Generation of Leaders. Pollak’s speaking audiences and consulting clients have
included more than 250 corporations, law firms, conferences and universities, and her advice and opin-
ions have appeared in such media outlets as the Today Show, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal,
CNN, and NPR. She was named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar List.

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