Learning to Fish in the Twenty-First Century

About the Book

As a corporate trainer of undergraduates and MBAs, this is a must-read. Learning to Fish will be the go-to guide for all undergraduates for years to come, as the book transmits a proven process to secure a first career step …
—Barry Frohlinger, president, Barry M. Frohlinger Associates, Inc.

Donna Chlopak’s knowledge and wealth of experience in teaching, research, and business have led to this comprehensive and unique guide on managing the career journey …
—Lei Lei, PhD, dean, Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick, Rutgers University

If a great tennis player challenged you to a match, what would you do? You’d study the game, learn its rules, practice, and make sure you had the right equipment to succeed—and you’d go into it knowing that winning would be tough.

Landing the right job can be just as challenging: without planning, training, practice, and networking, you don’t stand much of a chance to win a job that offers a bright future.

In this guidebook to securing the job of your choice, you’ll learn how to
• determine what jobs are a good match for you,
• write cover letters that hiring managers notice,
• tailor a résumé to the position you’re seeking to fill, and
• make a great first impression on job interviews.

If you’re serious about winning the game, you need to prepare—and it starts with equipping yourself with the insights and strategies in Learning to Fish in the Twenty-First Century.

About the Author

Dr. Chlopak, a PhD industrial/organizational psychologist from Ohio State University, has more than thirty years of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, consultant, and manager working with the largest corporations in the world, including Citibank, AT&T, and the Gallup Organization. She has also taught both graduate (MBA) and undergraduate business students at Rutgers, Stevens Institute of Technology, Baruch College (CUNY), Montclair State, Seton Hall, and Kean. These have provided her with important insights and experiences in the conduct of today’s labor market. These insights are the foundation of what is necessary to compete and land successful jobs today, leading to rewarding careers. Since the economic downturn in 2009, she has worked with numerous adults in their quest to find suitable starting positions or in redefining themselves to land their next professional job. Her passion is helping individuals to identify, find, and secure placements that are engaging and supportive of career goals. She and her husband of forty-two years live in New Jersey and have succeeded in raising three professional daughters and now also enjoy two granddaughters. Dr. Chlopak and her husband are each continuing in their business careers while they mentor and provide guidance to students and colleagues in their career efforts.