I have been consulting with graduating seniors at Monmouth College about how to best search for a job. At the same time I have a few friends that I would call “underemployed”. Finding that first job is usually the most difficult search you will ever undertake, but it is also unfortunate when someone with great skills cannot find a place where she would be valued and compensated well. This topic hits close to home since I was in a job search myself.

I recently accepted a new position in academia as the Dean of Business for Jacksonville University’s Davis School of Business (pictured below) http://dcob.ju.edu/ so the experience of searching for a job is fresh in my mind.

My success in helping others is based on the following 14 principles:

1. Invite contacts and friends to help you. Your network of references, friends, recruiters, and confidants are your most valuable asset.

2. Gain credibility with your current classmates or colleagues so that you will be seen as someone that your employer and faculty mentors would “hate to see go”.

3. In interviews, be prepared to tell stories of the challenges and lessons you learned that prepared you for the position you want. Show them you have had an increasing amount of responsibility and have been promoted.

4. Don’t plan to leave a job until you determine there is no way to move up or you have spent at least three years trying to make a difference.

5. Get the most/best education you can possibly afford and document the experiences on the job with an electronic portfolio. Lead with your education if you are new to the industry or lead with your experience when you have many successful years under your belt.

6. Return phone calls and emails promptly, but don’t be afraid to say no thank you.

7. Tell the company representative or recruiter what is important to you and ask for feedback on your initial letter of interest.

8. Ask anyone connected with the target organization for help and feedback in effectively competing for the position.

9. Study the target company and its key players, especially those that will decide the winning candidate. Be friendly and outgoing without appearing “fake”. Remember names of those you meet.

10. Listen more than you talk.

11. Don’t expect web sites like The Ladders, Green Ivy, Monster, or Career Builder to be much help. The industry specific verticals and word of mouth are likely to be the best leads.

12. Edit and refine your LinkedIn profile and be circumspect in your Facebook postings about the ups and downs in the job search. Ask for advice from the people who have the job you want.

13. Be patient. Don’t leave the day job until you have something solid lined up. Don’t burn bridges while giving notice.

14. Learn from Tim Tibow–be humble when accepting compliments and praise. Thank your teammates, mentor, and colleagues for helping you be successful