Navigating the Open Road: Selected Readings on Mapping Your Post-College Career

Navigating the Open Road: Selected Readings on Mapping Your Post-College Career is designed to help graduating college and university seniors seek their first full-time position. The text highlights the intricacies of the job search process and how students can position themselves for the best chance at finding their dream job.

Divided into five units, the book helps readers navigate the roadwork of their career. The first unit includes a series of articles that address why personality matters, how to assess your own personality traits, and the relationship between job success, personality, and IQ. The second unit focuses on resume development and applicant tracking systems. In the third unit, students learn the art of the cover letter, from understanding the necessary components to attaching an electronic signature to creating a communication that could result in a job interview. The fourth unit discusses technology and the job search, including information on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, mobile technology, and more. In the final unit, students learn how to promote themselves successfully and answer difficult questions during the interview process.

Providing readers with critical information on managing the job search process and improving their chances of securing a meaningful job, Navigating the Open Road is an ideal resource for graduating students.

Dr. Nancy S. Lind is the public service internship director and professor of political science at Illinois State University, where she teaches courses in government, ethics, and public policy; political science professional development; and public administration. She holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in political science and public administration from the University of Minnesota and an undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.