You Have a Degree but No Career Path

For most students, graduation is the finish line in a never ending marathon. Although many -- if not most -- students can't wait to cross that finish line, some schoolgoers are content to slow their pace ... to a crawl. If you're a soon-to-be graduate who doesn't know what you want to do for a living, job hunting becomes a daunting task.

As intimidating as the situation may be, you're not the only person who has a diploma in one hand and a stack of unaddressed résumés in the other.

Put your job search in perspective
The best way to kick-start your job search is to remember that you're not looking for a job to last you until you retire. You want a job that suits your talents, gives you an opportunity to develop your skills and offers the chance to grow with the company or at least make important connections in the industry.

"Candidates looking for a job have to start somewhere," says Donna Flagg, president of the Krysalis Group, a business and management consulting firm. "I think the most important thing is not to try to decide on what long-term career is best because it's too daunting. However, it's not hard to think about places, jobs or things that make you happy or that interest you. Start there and back into employers that may offer such an environment."

Brainstorm
Your first step should get your brain working, according to Simma Lieberman, a performance improvement consultant and coach.

"Make a list of jobs, careers and topic areas that have interested you. Don't censor yourself or think of reasons why you shouldn't list them," she suggests. Then start researching. 

Your transcript isn't a bad place to look. After all, you probably have a visceral reaction to certain classes, or at least grades to guide you. High marks in business classes and a searing pain in your side from science courses are good hints. 

Also, browse your social and professional networks for people in the industries that interest you and ask them any questions you have. Try to find experts in these fields who would be willing to have a brief informational interview with you. Even former professors can provide helpful industry information or point you in the right direction.

"After your interviews and research, list the pros and cons, skills and experience needed to be successful, and determine what careers or jobs match your interests, needs and wants," Lieberman suggests.

Throughout this process, remember that you shouldn't close off any avenues without good reason. Everyone starts their professional career somewhere, so don't rule yourself out for not being qualified if you think you can do the job. 

Experience, or the lack thereof
Make no mistake: Experience matters. Not just the experience you have, but also the experience you're willing to gain, says AnneMarie Segaric, author of "Step Into the Right Career: 107 Tips to Change Your Life While Still Paying the Bills."

"Realize that it's often unreasonable to expect to know exactly what you want without the experience of working in different jobs in the first place. This will take the pressure off of you from having to know what you want to take action," she says. "Instead, taking action on different opportunities will help you hone in what you like and don't like." 

If you have worked for two years or just have an internship under your belt, you should already have some idea of what you're good at and what you don't like. Understanding what jobs are bad fits can lead you to jobs that are good fits.

The process
Once you've got the right mindset to find a job, you still have to go through the process of applying and interviewing, just like all other job candidates, many who have known what they wanted to do since they first uttered the words "director of human resources" while still wearing diapers. So when you walk in to an interview, you might not be 100 percent certain you want the job, but don't let the hiring manager know.

Tina Hamilton, president and CEO of HR company hireVision Group, offers some tips for job seekers still trying to find their direction.

· Look for jobs that align with your education.
While you don't want to limit yourself too much during the job hunt, don't apply for a job as an investment banker if you're about to complete a bachelor's in studio art.

· Use your cover letter to illustrate your qualifications.
As with any job hunt, help the hiring manager see why you're a good fit for the position. Don't make them work too hard.

· Don't indicate your lack of direction.
If you admit to the hiring manager you're just trying this job on for size, you're telling him or her that you might not stick around for too long and you raise doubts about your qualifications.

· Don't ask the hiring manager, "What position do you think I should be applying for?"
"These are not career counselors," Hamilton cautions. "If you are turned away for a job you may ask if there is another area in the organization that the interviewer feels might be a better fit for you.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.