Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 206
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4758-3893-0 • Hardback • August 2018 • $38.00 • (£30.00)
978-1-4758-3895-4 • eBook • August 2018 • $36.00 • (£30.00)
Chris Palmer is a professor, speaker, author, and wildlife film producer who has spearheaded the production of more than 300 hours of original programming for prime-time television and the giant screen IMAX industry. He founded the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University School of Communication in 2005, a year after joining AU’s full-time faculty as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence. He regularly gives speeches and workshops on a variety of topics, including how to radically improve one’s success and productivity, how to give effective presentations, how to network effectively, how to raise money, and how to motivate and engage students.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Reflect on Your Life
Chapter 1. Launch the Transition to Life after College
Chapter 2. Align Your Actions with Your Values
Chapter 3. Develop Your Personal Mission StatementPart II: Land a Job
Chapter 4. Organize Your Job Search
Chapter 5. Create Your Skill List
Chapter 6. Be Super Employable
Chapter 7. Spruce Up Your Online Presence
Chapter 8. Ace Your Interviews
Chapter 9. Avoid the Worst Job Search Mistakes
Chapter 10. Think Outside the Box
Part III: Maximize Your Productivity
Chapter 11. Manage Your Time Well
Chapter 12. Make Your To-Do List Work for You
Chapter 13. Use E-mail Effectively and Efficiently
Chapter 14. Manage and Reduce Stress
Chapter 15. Increase Your Vitality
Chapter 16. Boost Your Productivity Even More
Part IV: Hone Your On-the-Job Skills
Chapter 17. Be an Effective Leader
Chapter 18. Run Meetings Adeptly
Chapter 19. Become a Powerful Speaker
Chapter 20. Use Stories Effectively
Chapter 21. Moderate Panels Successfully
Chapter 22: Be a Good Listener
Part V: Embody Professionalism
Chapter 23. Foster Civility and Courtesy in the Workplace
Chapter 24. Show Gratitude
Chapter 25. Demonstrate the Qualities of a Pro
Chapter 26. Make Punctuality a Priority
Chapter 27. Manage Workplace Conflicts the Right Way
Chapter 28. Overcome Bad Performance Reviews
Chapter 29. Turn Criticism into Opportunity
Part VI: Forge Meaningful Connections
Chapter 30. Have Your Elevator Speech Ready
Chapter 31. Build Relationships through Networking
Chapter 32. Make a Winning First Impression
Chapter 33. Send a Thank You Note
Chapter 34. Raise Money Successfully
Chapter 35. Capitalize on Crowdfunding
Part VII: Mold Yourself into a Successful Person
Chapter 36. Adopt the Habits of Successful People
Chapter 37. Don’t Waste Time on ...
Chapter 38. Eliminate These Bad Habits
Chapter 39. Make Weekends Count
Chapter 40. Overcome Obstacles
Afterword
Appendix A: Examples of Personal Mission Statements
Appendix B: Fifty Tips for Success: A Quick Roadmap to Achieving Your Goals
Appendix C: Examples of Cover Letters
About the Author
I remember the panic that gripped me my senior year of college when I realized I had to find a job that would start my adult life. The complexities of the modern economy have made that search even more frightening, but Chris Palmer’s Now What, Grad? is a wonderful confidence booster. The book takes readers by the hand and guides them step-by-step through the most difficult parts of that transition. I love the emphasis on thinking first about what you really want and identifying those happy parts of your life that already hold clues to what you should be doing. Get out a note pad as you read the book and by the end you will have a to-do list that will get you up every morning, ready to move forward.
— Jay Mathews, Washington Post columnist
To learn more about Chris Palmer please check out his websites:
www.ChrisPalmerOnline.com
www.EnvironmentalFilm.orgFor Quick Tips on Being Successful Check Out:
- How to Manage Your Email: https://youtu.be/bkCTwj_UpFg
- The Habits of Successful People: https://youtu.be/YH2Bu7kDYNA
- How to Increase Your Productivity: https://youtu.be/O_yQQw9mOkg
- How to Be a Leader: https://youtu.be/9q8s4LHpHfw
- How to Find a Job: https://youtu.be/T6KSYqQrOM0
- How to Give an Effective Talk: https://youtu.be/iWKeII_nn6M
- How to Give an Elevator Speech: https://youtu.be/Ptb1MMqijhc
Now What, Grad?
Q&A Sheet
Q: Who will benefit from this book?
A: The book is designed to help college seniors right after graduation. But it can be equally helpful to anyone hoping to find a job, improve career performance, improve work-life balance, or simply lead a more productive life.
Q: Will I be able to identify the chapters most important to me?
A: Yes, the book is written in five distinct parts: Reflect on Your Life, Land a Job, Maximize Your Productivity, Communicate Effectively, and Make Meaningful Connections. You can easily find the sections most relevant for you.
Q: How will this book help me get a job?
A: “Part II: Land a Job” is dedicated to helping you find strong job opportunities. Although no book can guarantee a job, following the guidance in the book can lead you toward finding a position that’s fulfilling for you.
Q: I’ve decided to attend graduate school. Will this book still help me?
A: Definitely. Skills in networking, public speaking, leadership, time management, and communication--all covered in the book-- directly enhance success in graduate school life.
Q: Should I read this book before or after I finish college?
A: Either. Reading the book before you graduate will enable you to hit the ground running in pursuing your career, but the book contains tips that can benefit you years after graduation.
Q: I’m the parent of a recent college graduate. Will this book help me to help my child in pursuing future endeavors?
A: Parents certainly will find the book informative and will pick up tips to give their children on how to succeed after college.
Q: How relevant is the book for today’s graduates?
A: The ideas and guidelines in the book are timeless. In addition, the book contains firsthand accounts from recent college graduates and young professionals on their experiences, trials, and successes.
Q: After finding a job, will this book teach me how to keep it? Or, better yet, excel in it?
A: Absolutely. “Part IV: Communicate Effectively” addresses professional behavior and discusses communication, leadership, and performance standards that are important for success in the workplace.
Q: Is it critical that I find a job right after graduation?
A: No. There are no rules for when you have to apply for your first full-time job. Productive use of your time after college graduation can provide experiences that will enrich your job applications. Internships, volunteer work, and graduate school can be good alternatives to diving straight into a full-time job. Life experience and technical skills gained in these endeavors can be beneficial when you do enter a professional industry as a full-time employee. The book discusses alternatives to immediate, full-time employment and how to gain the most value from these experiences.
Q: I’m nervous about networking. Does the book provide tips on how to network successfully?
A: The book covers networking skills and preparation methods that can help allay nervousness about the networking process. Although networking may be a challenge, the relationships that result can be invaluable for professional advancement. Read more about networking in chapter 24, “Build Relationships through Networking.”
Q: What makes or breaks an interview?
A: Preparation is key. This means doing your research to know exactly the responsibilities of the job you are applying for, and how those responsibilities fit into the organization’s goals. In addition, make sure to dress appropriately for the work environment. Showing up underdressed or overdressed does not give a positive first impression.
Q:What is the most important thing to remember when trying to land a job?
A: Show your passion! Even if you are highly qualified, an interviewer probably isn’t going to give you the job if you seem disinterested or passive. Employers are far more likely to hire candidates who show that they are informed about the company and the position, who demonstrate their passion for the work, and who convey their excitement about supporting the mission and purpose of the organization.
Q: Help! I’m embarking on a job search and don’t know where to start!
A: The first thing to do is get organized. Develop a personal mission statement, articulating what matters most to you as you go forward in life. Devise a list of specific short-term and long-term job and career goals based on that mission statement. Now, write out your plan of attack to achieve these goals in your search for the right job— including whom you will contact, what websites you’ll visit, and all the networking events you’ll attend.
Q: What traits make an effective leader?
A: Effective leaders take action; they stay focused on their vision and goals; they are willing to say no; they are extraordinarily reliable, trustworthy, and hard-working; they plan ahead; they listen; and they are dedicated to self-improvement.