The first step in any job search is to:

A) think about your interests.
B) research companies that are hiring.
C) prepare a generic resumé.
D) examine newspaper want-ads.

The first step in any job search is self-assessment to determine your interests, skills, and values. This will help you identify potential job opportunities and create a targeted job search strategy. Researching companies and preparing a resumé will come after you have a clear understanding of your own career goals and objectives. Examining newspaper want-ads is becoming increasingly outdated in today's job market and should not be the only method used for job searching.