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Graduation is fast approaching and you need to find a job. Or you’re still in school and want to secure an internship for the summer. What should be your first step? Create a resume? Work on your cover letter? Conduct research? Start networking? The answer is yes, and no. Kimberley Cornwell, Associate Director of the Medill School’s Career Services, weighs in:

I would submit that before you put fingers to the keyboard or pick up the phone, your first step should be to do a bit of introspective work. Ask yourself the following questions: What skills and strengths do I possess? What are my weaknesses? (We prefer the term “opportunity for development.”) What type of work do I want to do? Where do I want to live? What should be my back up plan in the event I don’t land my “dream” job? The answers to these questions will be the genesis of your job search strategy, the springboard from which to write your resume, cover letters, and begin any networking conversation.

All too often job seekers, especially young graduates, minimize effectiveness in their job search by being too broad and unfocused. Stating “I will do anything” to a prospective employer doesn’t signal flexibility. Rather it leaves the hiring editor or news director wondering what “anything” means. Recruiters, editors and news directors understand the high costs of bringing a new employee on board. They have experienced the consequences of a bad hire, endured a new employee that wasn’t as flexible as they had portrayed themselves or had expectations that couldn’t/wouldn’t be met.

Know your story. List your strengths and your short and long term goals. Spend time identifying the types of publications or organizations for which you’d like to work. If you’re on the broadcast track, think about a realistic market size where you can begin your career. Knowing your strengths will help you create a resume that focuses on your achievements and skills. Conducting this type of self assessment will ensure that you can engage in a networking conversation and project a clear understanding of the type of work you’re looking for. (And show the professional how he or she can help.) With this knowledge of self you can overcome nervousness in any interview because you will know the answer to the most standard (and difficult-to-answer) interview question: “So, tell me about yourself."