If you think the tests stop once you have your degree, think again.

But one test that’s becoming more common in the job application process often has nothing to do with what you’ve learned in college.

It’s the personality test, which companies are using to help determine job seekers’ behavior and work style.

The Wall Street Journal reports that: “More than 80% of midsize and large companies use personality and ability assessments for entry and midlevel positions as either pre-employment or new-employee orientation tools.” The stat is from Development Dimensions International, a global human-resources consultancy. You’ll find the tests in industries such as health care, technology, finance, operations, and retail, the WSJ reports.

These assessments have been widely used in retail positions but are quickly spreading to other industries, including finance, technology, health care and operations.

If you’re taking one as a job applicant (Msnbc.com reports that this is happening even before the initial email or phone interview, when folks apply for a job online), the results could help a company determine your chance of succeeding or failing in a certain job. While this is a company decision, when you’re searching for a major, it may be worthwhile to take a personality test (even common ones like those by Myers-Briggs) to make sure you have the personality to be in a particular industry.

But some groups are concerned that the tests could discriminate against mentally disabled job candidates. CVS, for example, agreed to remove statements that candidates were required to respond to, including “You change from happy to sad without any reason” 
and “There’s no use having close friends; they always let you down,” after the Rhode Island ACLU filed a complaint with the state Commission for Human Rights.

Yes, you need to know the subject and how to do the job, but the use of personality tests show that it’s not just the degree that makes a job candidate.

-Lori Johnston

Every summer, my TV is constantly tuned into Wimbledon, where with every serve, volley, and amazing backhand, I am amazed by how important the medical staff is to the players battling to win the championship.

Some matches are paused as players seek help of trainers to diagnose problems and give them the medical help they need to make it through each game, set and match.

In defending champion Rafael Nadal’s match Monday, he called for a trainer, who taped his left foot and give him cream to help with the pain, and then he went on to beat Juan Martín del Potro to make it to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Nadal got an MRI exam on his foot to determine the severity of the injury, a procedure that requires the expertise of a radiology technologist.

There’s not only the physical strain when playing tennis, but mental strain in often evident when playing solo or communicating with a partner. Even viewers can feel mentally and emotional exhausted after seeing favorites such as the Williams sisters and Andy Roddick lose or watching intense matches. Sports psychologists can be beneficial to players, whether they’re at the height of their career or not living up to expectations, or just needing to control their outbursts (remember Serena Williams’ profanity-filled tirade against a lineswoman at the 2009 U.S. Open?).

Other professionals, such as chiropractors, massage therapists and physiotherapists, also can make up a tennis players’ entourage or be used by players at tournaments. Of course, it’s not just for tennis but all other sports, where the medical profession is a key behind-the-scenes member of the team.

As you’re considering job choices, realize how choosing the health care industry is not only leading to jobs in hospitals and doctors offices but in active settings where immediate attention often is needed. For tennis players at Wimbledon, the medical assistance can be a factor in dominating opponents in this summertime Grand Slam event.

-Lori Johnston

It sounds like an absurd proposition, doesn’t it? After all, conventional wisdom suggests that getting fired is one of the worst things that can happen in your career. But Jim Camp, negotiation coach and author of “No: The Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home,” says the opposite is true – getting fired can actually work to your advantage.

The secret is, well… don’t keep it a secret. Employers don’t want to hire someone who’s got something to hide. That’s not to say you should use the interview as an opportunity to air your dirty laundry, but you can maintain control of your own information and the process by which you reveal it.

Instead of trying to avoid the issue, says Camp, make sure you’re the one who puts it out there. Be assertive, and show that you’re not afraid of a challenge and that you can navigate your way through a potentially uncomfortable situation. “Be honest, direct, and authentic,” he advises.

To do this, you first have to deal with your own negative emotions. If you walk into an interview feeling incompetent, uncomfortable, or in any way “less than,” your interviewers will catch the vibe quick. All the confident buzzwords in the world will fall flat if your nonverbal communication reveals that you don’t believe them yourself. You’ve got to “be comfortable in your own skin,” says Camp.

There’s a scene in the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” that I think illustrates the point perfectly. On the morning of his interview for a competitive internship at Dean Witter, Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) is in jail for unpaid parking tickets. He makes it to the interview in time, but he’s still dressed in the undershirt and paint-splattered jeans he was wearing when he got arrested the night before. He has no chance to get cleaned up, but he manages to take control of the situation in his interview:

I’ve been sitting out there for the last half hour trying to come up with a story that would explain my being here dressed like this. And I wanted to come up with a story that would demonstrate qualities that I’m sure you all admire here, like earnestness or diligence or team-playing, something. And I couldn’t think of anything. So the truth is I was arrested for failure to pay parking tickets… and I ran all the way here from the police station.

With his can-do attitude and direct approach, Gardner helps the interviewers get past his ridiculous appearance, and he gets the job. What could have been a deal breaker became an opportunity to shine in spite of obstacles.

In your next job interview, the way you handle a prior termination (or any obstacle) will speak volumes about your ability to communicate effectively and to turn a negative into a positive – skills that every organization needs.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Donning that cap and gown soon? Here’s another reason to smile: Your chance of getting hired is greater than those who earned their degrees last year.

The good news comes from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, whose recent survey found that employers plan to hire 21 percent more recent college graduates this year than they did in spring 2010. That’s up from a 13.5 percent increase in college hiring that employers said back in August they expected.

Maybe you’re seeing more recruiters on campus, a sign of hiring activity. And if you get an offer, it might be more than your friends were being offered last year. Pay is rising, with the average salary for all 2011 graduates at $50,462, up 5.9 percent from last year, according to NACE’s Spring 2011 Salary Survey.

Engineering majors are going to have a better chance of finding a high-paying job upon graduation. The National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Spring 2011 Salary Survey reported that the 10 top-paid majors for the class of 2011 were:

Chemical engineering
Average salary offer: $66,886

Computer science
Average salary offer: $63,017

Mechanical engineering
Average salary offer: $60,739

Electrical/electronics & communications engineering
Average salary offer: $60,646

Computer engineering
Average salary offer: $60,112

Industrial/manufacturing engineering
Average salary offer: $58,549

Systems engineering
Average salary offer: $57,497

Engineering technology
Average salary offer: $57,176

Information sciences & systems
Average salary offer: $56,868

Business systems networking/telecommunications
Average salary offer: $56,808

Now that you’ve gotten the encouraging news, do something about it! Pursue jobs and network with potential employees knowing that many are on the lookout for well-educated workers to help their companies grow.

-Lori Johnston

A student I know who is applying for summer internships recently mentioned that she is writing a variety of cover letters to send to potential employers. I was so proud that she recognized a cover letter is essential when introducing yourself to prospective employers and that she needed to send more than a quick e-mail to the companies.

The cover letter is one of the three important letters you need to know how to write for career success. The others are the thank you note and the rejection follow-up letter. Here are some key things to know…

Cover letter

Use a brief but interesting cover letter to sell yourself as a valuable asset to the company.

You don’t want to regurgitate your resume; the cover letter should serve as an introduction to your resume.

Let the employer know what type of job you are interested in, and why you think you would be their best hire. You’ll also want your cover letter also to reflect your personality and work ethic.

Check out Virginia Tech’s Career Services’ division for sample cover letters and other tips. There’s also a paragraph-by-paragraph synopsis of what you need to include in a cover letter on the state of Michigan’s website.

But remember – you have to be accurate. You must spell the company’s name right and the contact’s name correctly. Any spelling errors or poor grammar will reflect poorly on you and impact your ability to land the job.

Thank you letter

Getting a job is all about relationships, and the thank you letter helps show your continued interest in the job and move forward your relationship with a potential employer.

A survey by Northwestern University notes that less than 15 percent of job seekers follow up with thank you letters. So taking the time to write these notes could really help you stand out! Northwestern’s tips include:

• Send the letter within 24 hours

• Mention something discussed during the interview (it helps remind the person who you are, especially in the case of open positions with multiple candidates)

• Briefly reiterate qualifications and skills that could be vital to the position

• Use e-mail to send the letter, but pop a hardcopy in the mail, too

Rejection follow-up letter

If you get rejected for a job, the last thing you want to do is to keep in touch with that company. But if you put aside your pride and write a follow-up letter – not to vent, but to thank them for considering you for the job – it could make a lasting impression that could lead to a job in the future.

One example of a rejection follow-up letter does a perfect job of not seeming bitter about losing out on the job, but keeping the door open to apply for other openings. Monster.com says that “following up can send a powerful message about your resiliency as a professional and your heartfelt interest in the company.”

These three letters are essential to launching a successful job search now and in the future. So start writing!

-Lori Johnston

If you spent any part of 2010 pounding the Internet pavement, you know that jobs are hard to come by. But things are looking up. According to CareerBuilder’s annual job forecast, 13 percent of employers expect to hire part-time employees this year, and 24 percent plan to hire full-time, permanent employees. And the largest growth is projected for temps and contractors – 34 percent of employers reported that they will hire contract or temporary workers in 2011.

It’s really not surprising that temp jobs are on the rise, given the uncertain economy and a desire on the part of employers to save money on payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, insurance, and benefits. But being a temp or contractor confers benefits for you, too – even if they’re not medical.

Become a Temp
If you want to become a temp, you’ll need to head down to a local staffing agency and pass tests that evaluate your software skills and typing speed. Once that’s done, you can usually get a job in a matter of days. If your computer skills are up to snuff and you’re not picky about assignments, you could even have a job in a matter of hours.

Temp jobs typically range from one-day assignments to those lasting four months or longer if you get in good with the company. If you like meeting new people and traveling to different offices regularly, temping could be a perfect fit.

The Beauty of Temping
Temping is a great way to make cash quick while you’re looking for another job, but don’t burn bridges in the meantime. Do a good job, and the company will ask for you again. Do a bad job, and once your temp agency gets wind of it, it may not send any more work your way.

Plus, as a temp, you can get an inside perspective on the organization and see for yourself if it’s a place you want to work full time. The powers-that-be are watching, and they could decide to keep you on as a full-fledged employee. And even if the company isn’t one where you see yourself long-term, keep your networking hat on. You can still use the experience to garner good references or even leads for a job at another company.

Temp vs. Contractor
Neither temps nor contractors are employees of the company, but there is a difference between the two. Independent contractors (like freelance writers, for example) are hired by a company to do a specific job or project. Contractors are 1099 workers, which means they’re responsible to get their own insurance and pay their own taxes. (But don’t think contractors can skip out on paying Uncle Sam – the company that hired them reports the amount paid to the IRS, so there’s no getting one over on the man.)

Temporary workers, on the other hand, are W2 employees of a staffing agency. The temp agency acts as the contractor, covering temps’ liability insurance and workers’ comp, and withholding taxes.

When you become a temp, you can get your foot in the door of a decent organization, make some fast cash, and buy yourself time while you figure out what you want to do long-term. What have you got to lose?

-Robyn Tellefsen

If you’re looking for a new career, or want to see if you made a good choice with the career field you’re in, a great place to look is U.S. News and World Report’s list of the 50 Best Careers. The annual report provides job outlook data and advice on landing a job in these career fields.

Just think, that’s a whopping 50 career fields where people are hiring, and where career education will prepare you to excel! Here are five of those fun and fast-growing jobs where career education is essential:

1. Film and video editor: Check into training from film schools to learn the skills and degrees to snag work as a film and video editor. The magazine reports that jobs are expected to grow by 3,000 between 2008 and 2018, but “only the most skilled, persistent, and adept at using technology will land salaried positions or attract enough work to freelance full time.” Many make more than $50,000, and there’s also some jobs in the six figures.

2. Commercial pilot: Soar into a successful career as a commercial pilot with training from a professional flight school. The magazine reports that a 19 percent growth is expected in commercial pilot jobs from 2008 to 2018. The duties can range from flying people and cargo from place to place, or dusting crops, or working in rescue situations, or test flying planes, the magazine says. It cites government data showing the median 2009 income for commercial pilots was $65,840.

2. Dental hygienist: One of the many health care-related jobs on U.S. News’ list of 50 best career is dental hygienist. It reports that there are an estimated 30 accredited dental hygiene programs, many of which grant associate’s degrees for dental hygienists. Graduating from an accredited dental hygienist school will help you earn your license to practice, too. There’s plenty of focus in career education on dental hygienists because of the demand for professionals. Job growth is expected to jump from 174,000 in 2008 to 237,000 jobs, the magazine reports, citing government data. Median annual earnings are about $67,000, the magazine says.

4. Radiologic technologist: Learn how to take X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans and important tests like a mammography from radiology technology schools, and you’ll be on the track to landing an in-demand career. The magazine reports that there will be a 17 percent increase in radiology technician and radiologic technician jobs from 2008 to 2018, and the median 2009 salary was $53,240 while top paid professionals earn more than $75,000. You’ll find programs offered by colleges and universities, and vocational and technical schools with associate degrees as well as the opportunity to earn your bachelor’s or master’s degrees for career advancement.

5. Biomedical engineer: The biomedical engineer job will have the most job growth of any jobs (wow!) over the next decade, the magazine reports. It cites government data projecting a 72 percent growth in jobs from 2008 to 2018. It’s no surprise, really, since there have been and people want more advances in the field of health care. So as a biomedical engineer, you can have a role in coming up with the technology, equipment and devices so we can live healthier and longer lives. The jobs pay well, with $78,860 in 2009 median annual wages, according to the magazine’s data. Accredited biomedical engineering colleges offer undergraduate degrees and also the opportunity for graduate degrees.

These and other careers on the list might have you thinking about new opportunities that could be professionally and financially rewarding!

We all know that getting a job can be more about who you know than what you know, and in the digital world it’s becoming easier to get to know the people who are in-the-know. You know?

Back in the day, scoring a decent business contact meant climbing the phone tree, attending countless meet-and-greets, or dusting off career information books that (hopefully) listed the latest company contacts. Now, recent college grads can save themselves the hassle by making connections via LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, which boasts more than 80 million members representing 200 countries and executives from every Fortune 500 company.

LinkedIn is ramping up its offerings and collaborating with PwC, one of the largest employers of new college graduates in the United States, to provide students with data-driven insight to help them build their careers. Through Career Explorer, LinkedIn’s latest beta product, college students can explore a variety of career paths based on their skills and personality, school and major, level of education, and desired industry.

Specifically, students can use LinkedIn Career Explorer to:

Learn about potential professions. Check out relevant facts, stats, and industry trends (e.g., salary info, geographic distribution, age density) about a variety of professions, jobs, and targeted companies.

Map out career paths. Get tailored career path recommendations based on the real paths of professionals with similar profiles to yours. Create and save multiple paths to your Career Explorer dashboard.

Make connections. Find potential mentors in your network who can help you advance in your recommended career paths.

Find job openings. Learn about relevant job openings and discover ways to use your network to secure or get more info about open positions.

Follow potential employers. Review profiles of top companies so you can follow them and get updates about them in your news feed.

LinkedIn and PwC are rolling out the free job-finding feature to students at 60 universities across the U.S., starting with a launch event at New York University in October. When students sign in to LinkedIn, they will see a “Career Explorer” link under the “Jobs” menu at the top of the screen. If you’re not one of the lucky ones with an immediate in, your turn is coming – Career Explorer access will be expanded to the broader LinkedIn membership in the coming months.

I’m interested to find out how this virtual tool will impact students’ and recent grads’ career and job search success. Stay tuned, and let us know what you think of the new feature.

-Robyn Tellefsen

While checking out at the grocery store the other day, I couldn’t resist eavesdropping on the conversation happening in the line next to me. You know how those grocery shopping conversations typically go – the cashier remarks on something you’re buying or informing you about a charitable cause that is accepting donations while you try to keep the kids away from the candy rack.

But this time, the mom checking out was so enthusiastic about her decision to go to college. She was explaining to the cashier that it meant so much for her to show her elementary school-age daughter that college was an important step in life.

She asked the cashier if she was in college (I live in an university town, so that question often is asked), and the cashier responded yes. The mom said that was so great and explained that her plan was to go back to school now so that when her daughter gets a little older, she can be prepared to re-enter the workforce.

This mom’s mindset could be helpful if you or any your friends express frustration with not finding a job. As children have entered kindergarten or other grades and they have more time during the day, some of my stay-at-home mom friends are looking for employment but are getting discouraged.

Like them, do you feel as if all of a sudden you’re expected to work – or realize you have the time to bring in money for the family and don’t want to waste it – but don’t know what to do? They’re finding that often the industry they previously worked in has changed so much that their old positions are outdated or they can’t find jobs match their qualifications.

Being prepared now by taking college courses while your children are still young may seem like an impossible feat because of the time involved, but that step could help you avoid from frustration that my mom friends are experiencing. And don’t forgot that pursuing a degree online can provide the flexibility you need to be the best mom you can be and a college student.

Maybe you dropped out to have a family and are trying to figure out how to go back to school. A career school could be one route if you’re interested in fields such as health care.

If you make the choice to go back to school, be proud of it. Your excitement – whether at the grocery store or on a playdate or at your child’s next school function – could encourage other parents to take a step toward being a student again, too.

-Lori Johnston

If you’re looking for slick job-hunting advice that doesn’t make you feel bad about yourself (you’re not doing enough, your resume is from 1998, no one is hiring, aaaahhhh!!!), I’m going to let you in on a little secret: There’s not much out there.

That’s why it was so refreshing to pick up Vicki Salemi’s “Big Career in the Big City: Land a Job and Get a Live in New York” (Jist Works, 2010). The author offers practical advice you haven’t read 1,000 times before; real tales of survival from the layoff trenches; and a ton of resources to get your job search in gear. The best part? She does all of this in an upbeat, encouraging tone, which helps motivate you rather than fuel your out-of-work funk.

Full disclosure: I’ve known Salemi since she wrote for our former print publication, CollegeBound Teen magazine. But because I know her, I can also tell you that she writes from experience and from the heart. After spending many years as a corporate recruiter for a huge firm, she herself became a layoff survivor, and had to reinvent and brand herself. All of her tips are those that she and other successful people profiled in the book have actually used. In other words, it works!

Among the gold nuggets of advice you’ll glean from her book include how to dress to standout (in a good way) for professional networking events, using Facebook and Twitter to increase job prospects, and there’s even sample thank-you notes for after the interview. If you’re looking for New York-specific tips, well, that’s your bonus material. Salemi touches on how to leverage the high cost of Manhattan living, dealing with big city culture shock, plus a fun quiz: “What’s Your NYC-ability?”

If you’re not on the hunt yourself, the book definitely makes a great graduation gift. Check it out.

-Dawn Papandrea