By Loren McFalls
The Triangle, Drexel U. 

(UWire)--Now is the perfect time to take risks in the job market because of the recession, according to Lindsey Pollak, author of "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World."

Pollak was invited to speak at Drexel by Kaitlyn Ambrosiani, marketing manager for Drexel's Retail Services, to discuss her book and provide the audience with the five most important tips of the 90.

"I wanted to write the book I wish I had [owned]," Pollack said.

Her first piece of advice was to, "Avoid the biggest mistake in job-hunting and career prep."

"My best advice is to take action every single day on behalf of your career."

-Lindsey Pollak

Pollak said the worst thing a person can do is to do nothing. She said to not be afraid and to take risks because there is nothing to lose when a person is first starting out in the working world.

"My best advice is to take action every single day on behalf of your career. Small steps really add up over time and the worst mistake you can make is to become paralyzed by fear or indecision," Pollak said.

Second, it is important to "get all your ducks in a row."

Typos, incomplete applications and not following up are three major problems when trying to get a job, she said.

Pollack told the audience to start a career notebook to keep everything organized, to get business cards and to make an appointment with Career Services. Career Services can look at résumés and do mock interviews to help students prepare for job interviews.

The third piece of advice was to "become an expert researcher." Pollak said students need to become knowledgeable about careers that interest them and suggested that students subscribe to "must-read" publications in their field of interest, set up Google alerts and be up to date on their intended profession.

The fourth piece of advice was to "shine online." Because recruiters look at Facebook, students should get rid of red flags on the site such as drunken photos and other inappropriate items. Pollak also mentioned LinkedIn.com, a more professional networking Web site for students to use.

The fifth piece of advice was to "network with your neighbors."

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"It doesn't have to be this big scary capital 'N' networking thing," Pollak said.

She said students should start with the people around them: relatives, neighbors, friends and professors. Her three most important questions while networking are: "What's one specific thing I can do, is there anyone else you can introduce me to and is there anything I can do for you?"

Then there is the follow-up. Pollak said most students assume they are bothering the person they're trying to network with and end up missing out on opportunities. Professionals were in the student's position at one point and time and generally do not mind being sought out later.

Experience is another thing that really helps in the search for a job.

"Co-op programs are fantastic because they give students real world experience," Pollack said. "Experience is crucial for two reasons: it gives you a major advantage when you're job hunting after graduation over students who don't have real professional experience, and it helps you realize early on if you don't like a certain career. It's better to learn this in college before you begin a career."

Pollak began her career at Yale University by interning at a non-profit organization called the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation, where her mother had taken some classes on entrepreneurship. It was there that she became interested in career development and entrepreneurship.

"In college, I was a resident adviser in my dorm and loved helping younger students plan their academics, careers, etc.," Pollak said.

After graduate school, Pollak worked at a Web site called WorkingWoman.com. When the Web site went bankrupt in 2001, she began started working on her own developments. In 2002, Pollak launched her own business as a writer and speaker specializing in career advice for college students and recent graduates.

Students have to show they are engaged and want to be a hard worker in order to be successful in their careers, Pollak said.