Usually this time of year I think back to my graduation from college. It was a whirl of exams, student teacher evaluations and parties. Those four years of preparing for my future passed by in a flash. The next thing I knew I was creating my resume and sending it to every elementary school I could think of.
Times have changed but the hopes and dreams of new college graduates haven’t. What can a recent college graduate do if he or she doesn't have a lot of work experience? Here are some thoughts...
Many times recent graduates focus on grades or internships and discount any other activities or former jobs. While experience and grades are important, an area that few consider is their "transferable job skills". When preparing a resume or for an interview, college students should also highlight the skills, knowledge or behaviors that they developed as a member of a team, group, volunteer organization or from a summer or part-time job. Considering the tasks involved in any of these activities may reveal any number of leadership, teamwork, communication, project management, or organization skills; all highly valued in today’s workplace and highly transferable.
For example, I assisted a recent graduate develop a resume that was focused on an entry level marketing position. While he had a short term internship as a marketing/communication professional, he never realized that as a summer camp counselor he had also developed a number of critical skills that could be transferred to a business career. As a counselor he was responsible for organizing a flag football team for thirty campers. In this role he ordered equipment, budgeted, planned, scheduled, advertised and counseled his team. By including these skills, along with his specific accomplishments related to them on his resume, he was granted an interview and subsequently received a job offer.
Take a good look at your skill set, especially your transferable skills. These will help get you in the job market.
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