Preface Connect to Your Career is more than a text about how to get a job it is a technology-driven 21st century reflec- tion of how adults find and cultivate careers. Finding a job you enjoy is a long process, one that is outlined in this text. To facilitate your understanding of the job-search process, we designed Connect to Your Career with one over- riding goal in mind: to help you understand how to use technology, such as social media, job-search websites, and digital devices, to connect to a career. Technology will be an essential part of your career search, so it is important to know how to leverage it to help you find a career. Upon completing this book, you will able to: • Identify your skills, talents, and career strengths to develop a career plan. • Practice job-specific and employability skills required by employers. • Learn how to brand yourself as a professional in the workplace. • Build, protect, and maintain a professional online presence that will lead to employment. • Develop professional networks to assist you in the job-search process. • Learn how to protect your identity and personal information while searching and applying for jobs online. • Create résumés that highlight your strengths and present you as a qualified job applicant. • Create cover letters that convince employers to grant you interviews. • Apply for jobs online and in-person and manage the job-search process. • Prepare for various types of job interviews, including virtual interviews. • Understand how to behave professionally while participating in a job interview. • Use post-interview techniques to help keep the job-search process in perspective. • Develop an understanding of what employers expect so you can be successful at your new job. • Learn what it means to be a professional and connect to your career. Your new career will come first from planning and then acting. Appreciate the time that it takes to secure your future employment and enjoy the journey of creating new professional connections, sharing your insights on social media, and gathering professional followers. It is time for you to Connect to Your Career! About the Authors Suzann Connell is Lead Faculty/Area Chair, Communications and English, for the Department of Humanities at the University of Phoenix. She teaches both face-to-face and online courses. Her curricula include career- development techniques, professional communication, writing, media writing, podcasting, and blog writ- ing. Additionally, Suzann is a freelance instructional designer with a diverse career. She uses the principles compiled and written in this text for each new career move. Suzann holds her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her master degree in Instructional Technology from Pepperdine University. Her PhD is in the field of nutrition counseling. Julie Jaehne has been an adjunct faculty member for 21 years at the University of Houston in the College of Education. Via distance learning, she has taught instructional technology courses and teacher certification courses. Julie also has extensive experience with the use of technology with kindergarten through 12th grade instruction. She is a published author of multiple computer application textbooks and tutorials. In addition, Julie is a Career Education consultant and adviser for community workplace initiatives. Julie holds a bachelor degree in business administration from Baylor University and a master degree in education with a concentra- tion in occupational education from the University of Houston. Elisabeth Sykes has been the Coordinator of and Professor in the Career Pathways Program for the Depart- ment of Liberal Studies at Mohawk College for five years. Her curricula include career-development tech- niques for neuro-diverse students. She is an experienced course developer, leading over a dozen politics- and career-focused courses. Elisabeth holds her undergraduate degree from McMaster University and her master degree in History from the University of Western Ontario. iii