How to Use This Text The Connect to Your Career text and accompanying digital resources will help you begin a successful career-search process. The text presents proven strategies that use tech- nology as a tool to find the career that is the correct fit for you. You will be guided through the steps of planning your career, establishing your online presence, protecting your online identity, and networking in the 21st century. Integrated in this technology- centric approach are traditional résumés, as well as nontraditional résumés, that are sure to capture the eye of an employer. As you make your way through the chapters, try to relate each topic to how it applies to you. By following these suggestions, you can make the most of your career prepara- tion experience. • Read the outcomes listed in the chapter opener. Each outcome is tied directly to the headings within the content. In addition, they are repeated in the chapter summary and applied in the end-of-chapter activities. The connection of outcomes throughout the content helps you focus and apply important information as you read each chapter. • Pay attention to the illustrations. Each illustration is strategically created to highlight important information. By studying these, you will extend your learning and improve retention and application of the content. • Learn how to brand yourself as a professional in the workplace. Develop a personal brand statement, as well as a 30-second elevator speech. By doing so, you will succinctly create a snapshot of who you are as a job candidate. This exercise will help you prepare as you interview, as well as network, with individuals who can help you land a job. • Begin the process of creating a personal career portfolio. Career Portfolio activities in each chapter provide guidance to create a portfolio for use when exploring career opportunities. This process requires reflection on your accomplishments and skill sets. Completing this activity will help you build confidence and identify who you are as a potential employee. It will also give you a head start on the career-search process. • Write your résumé. The résumé is one of the most important documents you will create in your job-search journey. You will have opportunities to begin the process as you progress through the second half of the text. Ongoing revisions will lead to a document suitable for submission with a job application on completion of the course. • Note the Connect to Your Career boxes placed strategically at the end of major sections of content. A total of 54 activities provide practical, realistic, and interactive exercises that enable you to apply the concepts that you learn to your own job-search experience. Digital versions of these activity files are available on the Online Learning Suite. • Complete the end-of-chapter activities. By doing so, you will be able to self-assess your learning. This self-reflection is important to helping you determine who you are as a potential employee. x