                          GETTING  STARTED

Your job search is a multi-faceted operation.  You will need to make
plans, develop materials, research companies, write correspondence,
make phone calls, hold meetings and interviews, and keep records.
Your success will have a direct bearing on how well you administer
this process.  The following will provide assistance in effective
organization.

1.  Set up a work area in a quiet part of your home.

2.  Buy needed stationary and envelopes, folders, labels, a
    looseleaf binder and dividers, and a pocket calendar.  Print 10
    copies of the "Weekly Calendar", from the Print section.

3.  Have a typewriter or word processing program available for
    correspondence with employers and job search contacts.

4.  Have a telephone as close to your work area as possible.

5.  Purchase an answering machine to take messages from prospective
    employers when you are not available.

6.  Use the "Starter Contact List" form to start your informal
    links.

7.  Use the "Weekly Calendar" form to plan your search.

8.  Set up a system to maintain all correspondence, literature, and
    notes.

A good plan defines:

1.) What you must do
2.) How you must do it
3.) When you will do it to get what you want.

Plans break large tasks into manageable, prioritized steps.  The
real key is not how you organize your plans, but that you organize
them.  The time you put into planning your job search campaign will
show in your progress and success.

Set weekly goals for yourself.  Weekly goals help keep you on course
and will encourage you as you accomplish your goals.  Set high
standards for yourself, but keep them realistic.

Enter your job search goals on the "Getting Started" form:
(The Getting Started form is printed in the Print section.)

   Number of Letters per week:  Example: 40
     (Inquiry, Cover, Thank You)

   Number of Telephone Calls per week:  Example: 40
     (Completed Calls)

   Number of Interviews per week:  Example: 5
      (Both informational and employer)



For the next step, select "Understanding the real job market?" from
the submenu.
