College graduates will face a rather tough economy, but according to a recent job outlook survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers hiring will be up this year by 5.3 percent.
Employers are slowly starting to rebuild their pool of candidates.
In order to compete in the job market, students need to develop an understanding of how to market their skills effectively. Just sending out resumes and applying for jobs online will not necessarily produce opportunities.
Having a solid job-search plan is as important for recent grads as it is for anyone looking for a job. It’s hard to stay motivated and moving ahead after weeks of little response. Job searching takes time, and in order to stay motivated, it helps to know which job-search tools are bringing the best results.
Job search effectiveness can be measured by observing where leads are coming from and adapting your search plan if needed to generate more job leads.
For students, it is especially important to practice the art of rapport building. Communication skills often are taken for granted, and the learned skill of listening can easily get lost when you are focused on finding a job.
Recently, a hiring decision-maker described an interview in which the job candidate was text messaging while responding to questions. Naturally, the candidate was not offered the job and left a negative impression with the manager.
As much as social media is changing the way information is exchanged and how employers recruit college grads, job searching still requires the face-to-face connection.
Here are some suggestions recent grads will want to incorporate into their job-search toolbox.
• Make a plan and constantly update it with new information. The areas that are producing results will give an indication of what’s working and what’s not. If sending out a hundred resumes generates two responses, that’s a sign you need to broaden your search approach.
• One resume will not fit all job applications. In order to be competitive, you need to match the resume to the job posting.
• Practice networking first with people you know, then branch out to new contacts. Keep in mind that networking really is simply giving and receiving information.
•Keep expectations in check when starting out. Compensation and titles do matter, but have an open mind about job opportunities. Consider that some jobs will help you build your skill sets. What may sound like a less than exciting offer could be a great opportunity.
• Make sure your online presence represents the professional image you want to convey to employers. Check your Facebook page, for example.
• Focus on what makes you unique to an employer.
You are just building your skill sets, but reflect on the projects you worked on at school and the leadership roles you had in clubs and other campus activities.
• Emphasize what you have done rather than what you are lacking. Employers know you are just graduating and lack experience, but it’s important to know what interested them about your background. You also want to figure out what you can do to help them meet their goals.
• Invest in interviewing attire. Having a professional image plays a huge role in creating a positive impression. Job searching is really not the time to showcase your individuality through fashion statements unless you are entering into a creative field where your unique style is valued.
• Never underestimate the power of networking. Whether you are starting out or have changed jobs several times, networking matters. It still remains the No. 1 way to access jobs and receive good information. Networking is so powerful because it enables you to tap into the hidden job market.
How did you find your first job after college?
