JOB-HUNTING MADE EASIER FOR GRADUATES.

• Position: Brief Article

"Finding a job after I graduate? No problem. There are plenty of companies begging for graduates in my field." That's a common refrain echoing across college campuses each fall. However, according to John W. Hobart, a job search expert and the author of Hire Education: What Every College Grad Should Know About Landing That First Job, finding it is harder than you might think, even if you are looking to begin a career in engineering, computer science, or information technology. "It's true that high-technology jobs are currently plentiful. But that doesn't guarantee that you'll walk right into an interview and get the job you want.

"Of the potential candidates being interviewed for a particular opening, the one an employer will hire is the one who understands what it takes to get a job. Without an effective resume, a professional appearance, and proper communication skills, you won't make a good impression, and you certainly won't get the job you want."

For new or soon-to-be graduates to succeed in the job-search process, they should focus on several areas, especially vital interviewing skills. "It's important to be confident in an interview. Most interviewers are impressed with candidates who carry themselves well. But be careful not to come across as too confident. Don't walk into the interview expecting to just `wing it.' You need to prepare for an interview just as you do for a final exam. Focus on how you want to present yourself and what you want the interviewer to know about you. Then practice, practice, practice."

Hobart suggests...