Job Search Prep for the College Student

One of the first steps in preparing to begin a college level job search or hunt for an internship begins with some soul-searching and preparation.  Many of the students that I work with don’t know where to begin to figure out this information and many time, they don’t feel as if they have any accomplishments to draw upon. Let’s take a look at some accomplishments as they relate to college:

School/Classes: Have you led any team class activities? What were the results? What was your role in these? Did you receive any scholarships? For what? Did you make the Dean’s List or another academic level of success? How is your grade Point Average? Is it worth listing on your resume? What major classes are relate to your major? What classes are your favorites? Why? What classes don’t you like? Why?

Jobs: What did you do? Where was this position? Did you work at this job while attending classes? Did your manager ever congratulate you for a job done well? Why? What represents success in this position? Have you reached success? Why/How?

Clubs/Sports: What did you do? Did you have a leadership role? Did activities in this club involve any fund-raising? What was the result of this?

Greek Life: What was your role in the fraternity or sorority? How many fundraising or service activities did you hold? What were the results of these? Did you attend any conventions? What role did you play in these? Why were you selected to attend these conventions?

Skills: What do you think are your strengths? Why? What technical or business related skills do you possess? What are your soft skills or “people” skills? What are some examples of these?

Other: If you were to look at your jobs, internships and activities, what are you most proud of? Why?

Your responses to these questions will help you in all parts of your job search. The next step is to write them out and them apply the pertinent ones to your career assessment interests, resume draft or interviewing responses.

Graduation Day

For the past two days we have been proudly attending the graduation ceremonies of our daughter. She has spent the past two years going to Columbia Teachers College at night. She’d work hard at being a teacher during the day then pack it in to drive down to Amsterdam and Broadway where she’d spent several hours a night learning how to be the very best reading specialist that there will ever be. She’d give 100% to the children in her classroom and 100% to her Master’s program. A few things had to give such as a social life and sleep, yet she did it and with all A’s.

At the graduation ceremonies the University President spoke of the lack of jobs for these very qualified and eager students. Our daughter is lucky because she is set employment-wise. Thousands of the other undergraduate and graduate students won’t be so lucky. Unfortunately this scene is playing out all over the country.

How can a recent graduate stand out and get noticed? Here are a few steps that may help.
1. Network: While it is critical to have a social presence through LinkedIn it is also equally important to make physical contact with people. Take advantage of your parent’s of help. They may know many contacts who can help you even if it is for informational interviews. If you were involved in a fraternity or sorority, make use of those contacts and their acquaintances. Your other friends have networking contacts as well. Make sure to return the favor with your own contacts. Don’t be afraid to let your professors or other administrators know about your job search progress as well.
As I watched my daughter interact with her professors over these past few days, I noticed a special bond between them. They let me know that she was eager, participated in the classroom discussions, she was also approachable and likable. I know that if she were looking for employment, these professors would pull whatever strings that they had to get her seen by prospective employers. Think about those types of professors or school contacts that you have made and reach out to them. (If you haven’t yet graduated, now is the time to make those meaningful, sincere connections).

2. Volunteer: Yours is the generation known for helping others. Get out there and give back and in doing so, make connections.

3. Clean up your resume: Make sure that your resume is ready when your networking contacts ask for it.

4. Make up some business cards: Find a source for reasonable yet professional cards and create a batch to have on hand.

5. Join a Young Professional Group: Many United Way organizations have a branch featuring activities and opportunities for the newly graduated. As the group says, “Getting involved in the community is a great way to build your resume, learn new skills and create important relationships, both on a business and social level.”

These five steps all lead to the same thing, networking. Funny how that works. If you just graduated, congratulations and good luck following your dream!

Tips for the College Grad

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.