Job Search Advice for College Grads

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As the Founder of Crossroads Career Network, Brian Ray is an expert at helping people through the decisive moments in their careers. The MoneyLife radio program with Chuck Bentley has been inundated by listeners wanting career advice because of the current recession. Below you’ll find highlights from the June 5, 2009 MoneyLife career podcast.

Job Search Advice for College Grads MoneyLife Radio Career Podcast
The Class of 2009 is facing the toughest job market in a long time:

• Fewer than 1 out of 5 has found a job; just a couple of years ago 1 out of 2 had found jobs by this time after graduating.
• Employers will be hiring 22% less this year than last year
• More people are looking for fewer jobs
• Some industries are in serious decline like manufacturing
• Some have taken a recent hit like financial services

Brian says these occupations that are doing well in a number of industries:

• Engineering
• Computer science
• Accounting
• Majors related to math and science

Industries That are Hiring
Here are some industries that are doing well right now and hiring new college graduates:

• Government
• Military
• Transportation
• Energy, Utilities

Starting salaries are less this year than in the past few years, while jobs requiring certification pay higher.

• Unemployment right now is significantly higher for people without a college degree
• College degree is still valuable
• More education you have usually means the better vocation you’ll have

Most college graduates are just beginning to look for a job. The change from college to working full-time is big; most people need an adjustment period. It’s okay to take time to figure things out, but you need to be intentional and purposeful, not just an escape.

College graduates can struggle with career direction. They can benefit from career assessments, such as Career Direct®. It’s not unusual to go through several jobs in the first five years. Crossroads Career Network’s Explorer Program can also be helpful.

College graduates this year are very comfortable with electronic communication and social media. These are important to getting jobs because those hiring also use social media. It’s “high tech for high touch.”

Online Branding Tips
College graduates should be careful how they present themselves online:

• Shift from a social presentation of yourself to a professional presentation that recruiters will see
• Remove anything from Facebook that might be offensive or look unprofessional
• Very important for new college graduates to have good networking skills
• Develop a 10-15 second verbal presentation of yourself, your message
• Be comfortable using the phone
• Join and use your school’s alumni association to network
• Networking means talking to everyone
• Get the names of two more people you can talk to from each person you do talk to
• Goal is to connect with people who can help you get the job, the ones hiring

Interview Tips
When you get an interview with someone who is hiring:

• Pray
• Prep, do your homework on the interviewer and company
• Perform
• Praise, thank God for the opportunity, send a thank you note to the interviewer

Resume Tips
How you present yourself in your resume is critical. Resumes:

• Are the written presentation of yourself on 1-2 pages
• Demonstrate what you have achieved during school, extracurricular activities, work experience, even part-time work
• Have a master resume, document with all your education and work information
• Pull from it to create a resume for a specific job you want to apply for