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Bob Roth -- Employers love candidates who are prepared and have demonstrated their capabilities throughout the college years. Here's how to get a headstart on what employers want, need, and expect of the candidates they will hire.

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If you and your family are working extra jobs, spending your personal savings and taking out loans to cover your college costs, you do not want to get to the senior year only to find out that you didn't do the things that your target employers want, need and expect of the candidates they will hire.

Choose a career direction wisely

The most successful students select a career direction that matches up well with their areas of strong interest, natural talents, positive experiences and one that is likely to motivate them to succeed.

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul." -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Select a target

Everyone does better when they have a clear target. Wise students target the jobs that fit their needs, interests and natural abilities. Jobs that fit their personal capabilities will give them the best chance for employment success.

Learn how to search for employment

Students should consider visiting the Career Services Office and reading articles and books such as: A Successful Senior Year Job Search Begins In The Freshman Year. The information that is gathered can be incorporated into their own job search plans. When students fail to obtain and learn this information, important steps will be missed.

Do some research

Students will also need to find out which employers offer positions that fit their interests and capabilities, then make a long list. The best candidates learn what those employers need, want and expect of applicants. With that information, they can develop an effective plan of action.

Create a plan with steps that lead to your target

There are literally more than a hundred things that students can do to get prepared for their senior year job search. Savvy students do their research and develop a detailed plan for each semester of college. They know that the competition is stiff for the most desirable jobs with the best employers.

Carry out the plan

This is the most important step. During each semester of college, students should be performing, participating and preparing for their senior year job search. A good plan, carried out to the best of a student's ability, is the best way to gain the attention of the employers with the best jobs.

Work toward the goal each day

As they move through college, students should do something to get prepared for their job search each and every day. They can do some research or speak with campus recruiters, employers, networking contacts, search firms and job banks, etc. This is the kind of information that successful job hunters gather and verify before they need it.

Conduct a comprehensive employment search

As students enter their senior year, they should begin their search for employment. This is the time to use all of the information, tools and resources that they have developed in earlier years.

When students are confident that they have done everything possible to get prepared for their senior year job search, that confidence and preparation will show. Employers love the candidates who are prepared and have demonstrated their capabilities throughout the college years.

Source: Ezinearticles

Bob Roth, a former campus recruiter, is the author of five books: A Successful Senior Year Job Search Begins In The Freshman Year; The College Student's Companion; College Success: Advice for Parents of High School and College Students; The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job, and The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College. Known as The "College & Career Success" Coach, Bob writes articles for College Career Services Offices, Campus Newspapers, Parent Associations and Employment Web Sites. Visit his site at The4Realities.com.

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The views and opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect those of College Central Network, Inc. or its affiliates. Reference to any company, organization, product, or service does not constitute endorsement by College Central Network, Inc., its affiliates or associated companies. The information provided is not intended to replace the advice or guidance of your legal, financial, or medical professional.