It's that time of year. The school year has come to a close and eager graduates are ready to tackle the world.

What advice do you have for this year's class of graduates? If you have new graduates within your team or in your household, pass along these pointers from this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.

1. Don't let the world decide your path. Sit down, and make a list and a plan of your ideal situation. Ask yourself:

  • What kind of work do you really enjoy doing?

  • If you weren't getting paid, what kind of work would you enjoy doing?

  • What activities in your past have been responsible for your success?

2. Practice informational interviewing. Before a job interview, research the company and the overall industry for which you are interviewing. At the interview, talk to the interviewer about the industry and ask questions such as:

"Where do you see this industry going in the next three to five years?"

The more questions you ask, the more you control the interview. Interviews are an opportunities to see if the company and the industry are right for you. Sometimes you will find that you don't care for either. Find out as much as you possibly can about the company before your interview so you can ask pertinent questions about the business, the industry and the people, and get more out of the initial interview.

3. Choose your boss with care. Make sure you are comfortable with your boss and like him or her. Your boss will be a bigger influence on your enjoyment and the success of your career than anyone else.

4. Ask for more responsibilities. When you finish a task at your new job, don't sit on your hands and wait for someone to give you a new task. Ask for more responsibility.

  • Your boss grows to trust that if there is a job that needs to be done, you can do it.

  • The more responsibility you ask for, the more you will be rewarded.

5. Choose something you love over money. This is the time to get to know yourself and find out what you love to do. It may be a hard thing to think about in the short run, especially if finding a job is hard, but consider this: Would you rather end up in a career that you hate or do something that you truly love for the rest of your life?

6. Your education never ends. Don't worry, this is a good thing. You will always be learning new things, reading new books and developing yourself to be the very best version of you. You will be trained in new facets of a position and gain expertise and knowledge. Be open to this change.

7. Stay positive. Always think optimistically.

Above all else, remember these two interview tips:

  • Your interview starts in the parking lot.

  • Your interview doesn't end until you leave the building.

Even if you are having trouble in the interview process, always keep a positive outlook. Preparation, experience and a positive attitude will eventually lead you to the perfect job.

Source: Brian Tracy is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement.