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Study: Students concerned about finding a job after college
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A recent MeritAid.com study found that 64 percent of students are very concerned about finding a job after college.
“Students are following the news about the credit crunch and predicted recession and are worried whether enough quality jobs will be waiting for them after they graduate,” said Chris Long, president of MeritAid.com. “As a result, students are increasingly doing research about career fields in demand and changing their majors to fit those careers. The upside is that those in-demand fields will be creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, many of them entry-level, to handle the aging population and other global trends.”
Even in a recession, all hope is not lost for entry-level professionals. There are certainly several “tried and true” techniques to put yourself ahead of the competition. Jennifer Schramm, manager of workplace trends and forecasting at the Society for Human Resource Management, recommends the following:
1. Identify your career goals. Determine how you can leverage your strengths to help meet the business objectives of potential employers while also growing your skills and experience. Working with a recruiter may help you clarify your career objectives as well your strengths.
2. Remember the importance of networking. Who you know can sometimes be the deciding factor that gets your resume to the top of the pile for consideration. Participate in professional networking opportunities whenever possible and speak with family and friends about potential contacts they may have.
3. Create a strong résumé. With the rise of e-recruiting software programs, this may involve identifying and using key words that are a good match for the position. Along with listing experience and qualifications, emphasize successful outcomes and achievements.
4. Project a knowledgeable, professional impression. Research the companies you are applying to in order to gain a good understanding of their competitive environment. Demonstrate this awareness in your communications with the organization, such as cover letters and in interviews.
5. Communicate a strong interest in the job. Show enthusiasm for the position itself rather than a preoccupation with compensation. Remember to send thank you notes to anyone who has taken the time to meet with you about a prospective job opportunity.
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