We spoke with two university career experts about what students should be doing to get ready for their job search.

Joseph Barrientos, associate director for Seattle University's Career Development Center:

Five years later, after a succession of temporary jobs, she finally landed a dream job as a patient services coordinator at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

"It's an opportunity to work with people in a top-flight organization," says Stiefvater, 56. She credits her working retirement and volunteer work with helping her network into a post-retirement job that "makes me feel productive" and cushions family retirement finances.

Stiefvater is in good company in the ranks of the "un-retired": A recent AARP survey reports that 80 percent of baby boomers plan to work at least part-time in retirement after ending their careers.

Efforts are under way in Washington and corporate America to pave the way for phased retirement arrangements, given the unprecedented graying of the nation's workforce as 76 million boomers born between 1946 and 1964 march on.

What is career planning?

How should I choose a career?

What hazards should I be aware of in career planning?

When should I consider changing my career?

What is career management?

How should I choose a career field?

How do I get my foot in the door of a career field?

How do I determine where I want my career to go?

Beginner's Guide to Management

How can I advance my career?

How do I benefit from advancing my career?

Do all jobs allow for career advancement?

How is advancing your career different from career development?

What is Networking?

Why is Networking so important?

How do I build Networking relationships?

What do I do at a Networking event?

How can I incorporate Networking into my daily routing?

• Children: Children do get angry as you may have noticed when they have temper tantrums. This could lead to them getting punished or worse could result in health-related issues later. There are ways to curb this in children.
• Parents: Parents have the most difficult time in dealing with anger because they have to take punishment from all sides. They have to deal with the kids, problems in the home, their irate husbands, and a host of other issues. This in time does cause them to get angry. There are ways around this however.
• Adults: Adults are listed separately from parents on purpose because this category will focus on single adults who do not have any children. Whether they have kids or not, adults are faced with situations in their everyday lives that test their patients. Unfortunately, these situations go beyond that to force the adult into fits of anger. This in turn could lead to such health complications as high blood pressure and heart attack.

Everything in this person's life can be affected. This includes his/her job, personal life, and health. What would happen if you got angry? No you won't change into the Incredible Hulk, but you could go into a rage of some sort. Your body can change both physiologically and biologically. Your heart rate increases and your blood pressure rises, as do your hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.

People express anger by being aggressive. Anger is really just a natural response mechanism to when threatened in some way. It forces our feelings to surface in such a way that we take the defensive mode. Anger is a natural reaction and is necessary for our survival. However, anger does have its drawbacks. If we let it get out of control, we can do harm to others. People have used three methods to try to control anger:

• Suppression: When someone uses suppression, he/she takes hold of anger, stops thinking about what caused it, and focuses on the positive. By doing this the person aims to inhibit the anger.
• Conversion: At this time the person tries to convert the anger into some kind of constructive behavior. This idea is with the hopes the anger won't cause any harm.
• Redirection: This is when the anger is redirected into some type of meaningful activity where the person gets some type of benefit out if it instead of going into destructive mode. The only problem with this is the anger is not released. This could eventually cause the anger to turn inward on the person. This in turn can cause hypertension, high blood pressure, or worse depression. Further any type of anger that is unexpressed can create other type of problems. It could lead to passive-aggressive behavior where the person gets back at people indirectly without a reason for it, or telling them why it happened, instead of confronting them directly. Or the personality of the individual could turn cynical and hostile.

Examples of people who haven't controlled their anger are people who constantly put others down, criticize others and everything, and make discouraging remarks about anything.

• Relaxation: There are many types of relaxation tools available you can try. Such exercises include deep breathing and relaxing imagery. You can meditate and visual anger dissipating. This can help calm you down without suppressing your anger. Practice the below techniques daily and see if they can help. Here are some techniques you can try that may help:
o Breathe deeply from your diaphragm so you can relax. The best way to do this is to picture yourself breathing from your stomach.
o Slowly repeat the word "relax" several times. Repeat this to yourself and you breathe.
o While mediating visualize some kind of scene where you are calm and collected. You are totally at peace with yourself.
o You can also try yoga exercises that can relax your muscles and help to make you feel calmer.
• Cognitive Restructuring: The best way to describe this is by the way you think. If you've ever been around angry people, you will notice they curse or swear. The problem with getting angry is your thinking can get warped to a point that it becomes distorted. At this time the person starts thinking and behaving irrationally. If you notice these symptoms happening to you, try your best to replace these thoughts with more upbeat thoughts that are rational. Avoid using the words "never" or "always." If at all possible, try to put into your subconscious mind the idea that getting angry doesn't solve the problem. It will only make you feel worse.
• Communicate Better: If you ever been around an angry person you know they tend to jump to or act on conclusions that may be wrong. That's because they react to the first thing said instead of thinking through the situation. To avoid this slow down and don't react to the first response. Don't say the first idea that comes into your mind and listen very carefully to what the other person is saying before you react so you get a clear understanding of what is said. You can get defensive if being criticized, but whatever you do, don't fight back. Instead of defending yourself immediately, listen to what is said and the message being related. Ask questions to draw out the person. But don't let your anger get involved.
• Counseling: If you find your anger is getting out of control you may need counseling. There are trained psychologists or counselors who are experienced in anger management. See one out for help. Don't feel embarrassed if you have to go this route. Many people do this. Or, perhaps you rather just take assertiveness training. There are many classes on assertiveness training that can help you curb your anger. Either way, don't be afraid to get the help you need so you can deal with your anger before it harms you.

• Do you deserve it: The number one question would be if you deserve a raise? Your boss may look at you and ask that question. What would you say to him? How would you reply? Your answer could determine whether you get the raise or not.
• Have a strategy: Any time when you consider something that involves the boss, you better have a strategy before you even see him. This is important for you because if you walk in without one, you won't know how to handle situations that may arise.
• Know when to request the raise: This is not too hard a rule to know. You have to look at your calendar to see when your yearly review is coming. Are you near it for your raise or have you past it and didn't get anything. Or perhaps you are past it but you feel you still deserve more. These are thoughts you need to consider ahead of time.
• Read your boss: The first thing you should do before you approach your boss is find out what his personality and his business style is. If you know these factors it can help you to gear your speech or presentation toward him in a certain way that is more pleasing to him.
• Avoid mistakes: Whatever you do, don't say you need the money. Instead, show him you are worth it by the contributions you made to the company. Also, don't be unreasonable, immature, or even unprofessional. Instead, respect him as the boss and compromise over the raise. Another thing to avoid is asking to be paid the same as your co-worker who may sit next to you. He will think you are being to nosy and not working hard enough.
• Ask for the raise: After you have taken everything into consideration and you feel you deserve it, go for it. Be diplomatic but aggressive and see what happens.

• Do you deserve it: Before you walk into the door of your boss you have to be prepared and in the right frame of mind. You have to show confidence when dealing with your boss. If you back off or act like a wimp you won't be taken seriously. If you know you deserve a raise, stand up for yourself and let your boss know it. It would be a good idea to develop a list of everything you did for the company and for your boss. Back up your words with cold hard facts. Show him the evidence. Let him see how you improved the company's bottom line, or how you managed your department, or whatever duties you were given to do. The bottom line here is to show him how you contributed to the company and how you went above and beyond the call of duty for him.
• Have a strategy: Here you need to do research and preparation. Find out what the standard salary for your position. Also think about what objections the boss may make, and how to deliver your presentation to your boss without backing down. Any time when you consider something that involves the boss, you better have a strategy before you even see him. This is important for you because if you walk in without one, you won't know how to handle situations that may arise. If you boss should provide any objections to why you can't have a raise, oppose those objections with facts showing how he can do it. Maybe he can offer some alternative like stocks, bonds, or any revenue you made for the company, if you are the salesman. If your boss absolutely refuses you a raise, request to see his superior and take your case higher up. If he declines the request, you know where you stand. At this point in time you may need to move on to another company that will consider frequent raises.
• Know when to request the raise: Here you will need to consider how close you are to your annual review. If your review is several months past, you may want to hit your boss with the request. Here you can talk about your past performance and compensation. Depending on how your boss operates, he may request it by email or in person. Also look at your company's financial reports. This will determine whether or not the company has the extra cash to provide you with a raise or not.
• Read your boss: The first thing you should do before you approach your boss is find out what his personality and his business style is. If you know these factors it can help you to gear your speech or presentation toward him in a certain way that is more pleasing to him.
• Avoid mistakes: Whatever you do, don't say you need the money. Instead, show him you are worth it by the contributions you made to the company. Also, don't be unreasonable, immature, or even unprofessional. Instead, respect him as the boss and compromise over the raise. Another thing to avoid is asking to be paid the same as your co-worker who may sit next to you. He will think you are being to nosy and not working hard enough.
• Ask for the raise: The morning before you go for your appointment, make sure you are cleaned and neat. Brush your teeth and be well-groomed. Also be prepared if your conversation does not go your way. Prepare objections before hand so you can rebuke them. Make sure you have your accomplishments with you so your boss can see them. Also, let your boss present the offer first. If you like it, thank him with a handshake and leave. If the amount is too low, suggest what the average worker is making in the field. Hopefully he will see it your way. After you have taken everything into consideration and you feel you deserve it, go for it. Be diplomatic but aggressive and see what happens.

• The going rate: If you really want a raise, find out what the going rate is for someone in your position, doing exactly what it is you are doing. You will need to do some research, but the time will be worth it.
• Ask around: Ask others in your department what they make. Most often those you ask will not tell you outright what they make, but may give you a range to look at. If you have a friend in payroll this would work very well in your favor.
• Bonuses and stock options: Perhaps when you are discussing a raise with your boss, he may instead offer bonuses and/or stock options to you. If this is right for you, go for it. If not, look into other alternatives. Ask to sleep on it and talk to him again.

Interested in becoming the guide for this category? Send an email to jennifer at beginnersguide.com to request more information.