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Real Grads. Real Advice. Real Stories. Real World
Most Important Piece of Advice for Soon-to-be Grads
Quintessential Careers conducts ongoing research into the job-search experience of new college graduates as they enter "The Real World." Go to the Real World Home Page.
We asked our survey respondents: If there were just one piece of advice you could share with students who will soon graduate and enter the job market, what would it be? Their answers covered a wide range, but all of the nuggets of advice come from real-world experience.
"Take your schooling and responsibilities seriously because that is what a future employer is going to judge you by. You might be able to 'get by' in school, but in the 'real world, that doesn't cut it if you want to succeed."
-- Margaret Goodwin, management grad"Always have a smile on your face no matter how difficult it becomes."
-- Anonymous"Be confident, outgoing, aggressive, keep an open mind to jobs. (e.g., I was dead set on getting a PR job and ended up in sales, which I love!)."
-- Ali von Staudach, communication studies grad"Be persistent and work hard."
-- TV production grad"My advice would be: 1. Create a list of things you think you want to do. 2. Research those things to investigate whether they are really something you want to do. 3. Try to obtain an internship to get yourself experience in the field. 4. Make valuable contacts that can guide you through your career and obtain that first position."
-- Anonymous"Try to put away at least $100 a month into a savings account."
-- Anne Johnson, economics grad"Go to your career services office. Have them check your resume. Get advice. Go to mock interviews. Focus on your grades. Research corporations or your desired career path."
-- Anonymous"Start early. It's a tough economy, and you need to be prepared for a potentially grueling job search. Get your resume ready. Network -- call around to family and friends. Just start working on those activities early. Graduation will sneak up on you faster than you might think. Keep perspective; don't expect to start as a vice president. Get your foot in the door and make a name of yourself through hard work."
-- Bryan Stoehs, communication studies grad"Don't wait to start the job search. Embrace everything you can while you're still in school, because you will definitely miss it."
-- political philosophy grad"Set realistic career goals and know what you need to reach them; find a job or a company that you really enjoy; don't focus too much on salary at the beginning. ...if you impress people, your stock WILL rise."
-- Charles L. Sano, sports administration grad"Make sure you keep your life balanced in all aspects of what may be important to you, family, religion, work, etc... Work so that you may live ... do not live so that you can work."
-- finance grad"Always be willing to learn new things. Remember, you don't always have to have the answers. Just know where to go to get them. Be willing to ask for help."
-- human resource management grad"Grad school isn't for everyone, and you really shouldn't go unless it's absolutely what you want to do."
-- biology grad"I'd recommend a good internship, especially one that may turn into a full-time position after graduation. Be prepared to work your way up in a company. You will gain valuable experience for your future. Be creative and ambitious. Don't expect things to be given to you; earning them will be a lot more valuable."
-- marketing bachelors and MBA grad"Enjoy school. Work is work."
-- math grad"My best advice would be, not to expect to land your dream job directly out of school. I highly suggest getting a master's degree to put you above the competition. I'm going back to school this fall because the job market is so competitive and flooded with recent grads. A bachelor's degree no longer carries the weight it used to, so if you haven't got the experience, go back to school."
-- Anonymous"It is more important to find a job that you like than to accept a job just for the purpose of getting a job or for a good salary. If you have the opportunity, take the time to figure out what type of industry you would like to work in and the type of job you would like to do."
-- Nick Bertoni, management grad"Research career opportunities in your field of study before choosing your major!"
-- Anonymous"Create a good resume NOW. Don't wait until you graduate. If you need help, seek it out, and be willing to pay up to $200 for a quality resume; it's worth it if you can afford it. Also, begin applying for jobs NOW. Don't wait until after you graduate. The longer you wait, the more competition you'll face from other recent grads."
-- philosophy and religion grad"Work as if you are in the position of your dream job, not the position that you currently have."
-- business-school grad"Decide what you're passionate about and try to find a job that will help you live out your dreams."
-- Shannon Patterson, marketing grad"Your job is not the most important thing in life. Being without a job will prove that to you. Remember to have a balance between personal life and your work. If they are not balanced, you will not be happy! Chances are if you are not happy with one side, the other will suffer equally."
-- Anonymous business-school grad"Grade-point averages do NOT put you a step ahead of other job candidates. Experience does! Also, expect to make about half of your ideal salary!!"
-- marketing grad"It is a tough job market out there. Exhaust all the resources that you have available to you -- the Internet, your professors, the career services office, and utilize a headhunter. They have a lot of inside leads to big companies."
-- marketing grad"The most important thing employers look for is experience."
-- Anonymous"Don't necessarily take the first job you are offered, but realize that most people have to take a job that is less than ideal to get their careers headed in the right direction. Have a realistic idea of what you are worth; most people do not land a job paying $60,000 right away."
-- Jerra Fortner, finance grad"Start looking WAY ahead of graduation and use every single contact you have."
-- Anonymous"Start the job-hunt EARLY EARLY EARLY!!!! Learn about as many jobs in as many different areas that you can that might even come close to interesting you because it seems that these are the jobs you tend to start out in."
-- J.P. Politano, management grad"I so sound like my parents here -- but it is so true -- live like you are still a student and save your pennies. Put yourself on a budget."
-- general-business grad"Don't wait. Start looking for a job before it is to late. Be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. Nobody is guaranteed a job. You have to go and make yourself seen and heard. A job depends on you, and the success of your life is in your hands."
-- Anonymous"Relax and have fun. You have the rest of your life to work and only [limited time] to be an undergraduate student. Do not worry about your first job because most likely it will not be your last. Try to find a workplace that will provide the skills necessary to build your desired career. College is the best time of your life, don't let it pass you by."
-- Anonymous business-school grad"Keep your cool. Stay focused. Remain flexible. Drink heavily (just kidding.)"
-- David LaRocque, human resources management grad"Have a pretty clear picture of what you want to do. Research what the job market has to offer in order to makes preparations while you are in college. It is more effective to research and work toward something than to do a bunch of work not knowing if it will apply to anything. Take your classes very seriously from the start and try to find ways to apply what you are learning as a means of reinforcement. This way you will be better prepared once you are on the job."
-- Anonymous"Make sure you develop some form of secondary skill you can fall back on. This may be a certificate program that identifies you with a certain trade, or perhaps a hobby in which you are EXTREMELY knowledgeable and proficient that has marketability. If you will be receiving a B.A. instead of a B.S. or engineering degree, make sure you can acquire your teaching certificate along with your degree. Otherwise, stay in school that extra year and get it!"
-- history grad"Seek out employers/careers and interview with as many possible companies as possible. Scoring high in an interview secures you a job, which may lead to a very successful career."
-- business-administration grad"Know as much about the employer as possible. That will give you an indication of what kind of questions they will ask."
-- Anonymous"Be honest and be yourself [in interviews]. Ridding yourself of any annoying habits (i.e., hair or pen twirling) is key. Be able to pick up a conversation and keep the interviewer interested. Smile, make eye contact, and give a firm handshake! Best advice -- if you can ask the interviewer more questions than they ask you, it takes a tremendous amount of pressure off you."
-- international business grad"First impressions are very critical. Never discuss salary unless it is brought up by the potential employer. Think before you speak! Research the company if at all possible and make a positive comment about the company during the interview. If you cannot think of anything, tell them how much you would enjoy working in the specific area (e.g., finance, human resources, banking, etc.). Always have one or two questions for the interviewer (e.g., about the product the company manufacturers, is there room for advancement, what are future plans of the company, etc.). Never show up late. Smile, smile, smile -- letting them know you are glad for the opportunity. Be cordial but not too friendly (showing professionalism). The one mistake I have made in the past is restless hands. I have ALWAYS noticed that the interviewer sees what I do with my hands. Keep them in your lap and don't twiddle your thumbs! If an interviewer does not show you around the office, ask if you can see where you would be working. You can sense the atmosphere and you will be able to tell if employees are generally happy. If you really want the job, send them an e-mail (if they give your their e-mail) or drop them a short-but-sweet letter thanking them for the time to see you and your interest in the position. Also, always have a fresh resume on you just in case you are asked for it. Most resumes are either e-mailed or faxed. You do not want them to struggle for information and ask questions that should be quite clear on your resume. And last, but not least, always bring your references with you. If they ask, you've got it with you! It also shows them you ARE interested!"
-- Anonymous"It really sets you apart from other job candidates to have a portfolio or other tangible evidence of leadership ability and success. Find creative ways to set yourself apart from the crowd in a professional way. Fully research (not just on the Internet) your desired industry and desired position so that you may speak intelligently with the interviewer."
-- Lisa Wheeler, marketing grad"Be yourself [in the interview], after all if you are hired and then act differently from how you did at your interview, you'll look like a fake."
-- wildlife and fisheries science grad"Learn how to interview well. Practice greetings/firmness of handshakes, eye contact, appropriate attitude during interviewing (when to smile, when to be businesslike, etc.). Learn standard interview questions. All very important! Buy a good, all-around interview suit. Remember first impressions. Persist in finding a job. Start early. Remember there are tens of thousands of other seniors who want jobs too. Focus. Breathe. Be confident in yourself. The recruiters and interviewers can smell fear and uncertainty."
-- Robert Ashodian, management grad"Definitely, it's about interviewing. Sometimes I felt myself frustrated right after interviews because I knew that it was my dream job in a dream company. Anyway I made so many mistakes and never was told by people interviewing me about the concrete mistakes I made. I just realized right after interview in the corridor that I made them. [Among some of my] fatal errors:
Everything was in my hands; I could have got that job. I just gave a gift to another candidate by myself.
- When I was asked if I have any questions, I just said no.
- On the question of why did not I stay with [my former employer] after a pre-graduation internship, I mentioned very low salary. However, it would have been much better if I told them, that I did not like [that industry].
- Before I left ... [the interviewer] offered me to wait a little bit, so I could go with him in his car [instead of] by the company's bus. It was very stupid from my side not [to take this] wonderful opportunity to tell more about myself to this guy in the car, but I refused.
-- Anonymous"One thing I wish I had known (or had been smart enough to realize) is to turn off your cell phone during an interview (just in case Mom decides to call to see how it's going)! Yes, happened to me, and I still ended up landing the job!"
-- international business grad"Send out as many resumes as you can. When you are looking for a job, it is your job! Spend as much time as you can making phone calls, searching the Internet and sending resumes. Most importantly, don't get frustrated. Hard work pays off!"
-- Colleen Holuk, marketing grad"Have confidence in yourself. You are well-trained to do this job. Once you have the job, don't be afraid to prove your capability. If you outshine the old-timers, that is OK."
-- education grad"Map out your plans, and if you are unhappy doing what you are doing ... seek another route, all of life is a lesson."
-- Anonymous"Get experience before you graduate and see your career path clearly before you. Stay motivated, work hard, and have fun."
-- Anonymous"Make sure that your skills are made visible by getting assigned to the right job assignments. Keep a journal of your accomplishments to add to your resume. To remain competitive, keep your skills current. Be flexible when provided job opportunities and be prepared to transfer skills into other industries when the time comes."
-- Anonymous"Never give up. That position suitable for you is out there. It may not have opened up yet."
-- applied history grad"Don't give up -- it's tough to find a job sometimes ... but you will. Also, find your own happiness ... the job may or may not do it. Your relationships may or may not do it. Find something that keeps you going and hang onto that."
-- general-business major"Find something you like to do and make it the basis for your career."
-- Anonymous"Believe in yourself, know yourself, and have confidence in yourself."
-- English grad"Do as many internships as you can. You'll learn a lot of interesting things at school, but it's nothing compared to what you'll learn working. You'll quickly realize that what you learn at school and what companies expect from a student are different."
-- Anonymous"Be prepared to struggle the first three to four years. Get over the 'I have a degree' syndrome immediately. A BA degree is as about as useful as a high-school diploma these days. It only actually works if you have experience also."
-- Jo Smith, psychology grad"Start job-hunting yesterday. Also, have your resume checked by someone either in your university's career center or an experienced professional who understands the system. Even asking your network contacts in a company to critique your resume could be useful. Every company looks for something a bit different, so having an insider tell you what to focus on in that particular case cannot hurt."
-- marketing and Japanese grad"Don't wait until graduation to establish your post-college plans. Get to work at least by the summer before your senior year."
-- Anonymous"Make the decision on what you are looking for before graduating. Do not graduate until you are 100 percent confident that you are employable. Decide if you are ready for work in a field you enjoy. If not, stay in school, change your major, and try again."
-- Anonymous"Relocate. You need to move out to move up. Be prepared to start at the bottom of the ladder."
-- computer information systems grad"If you know exactly what you're interested in, then go for it with tenacity, and if you don't, give yourself as many options as you can and just try to explore something you think will help you to flush out your interests and priorities. Sometimes a job can help you figure out what you DON'T want to do, rather than what you DO want to do, and that's valuable."
-- anthropology grad"Never settle."
-- Anonymous"Believe in yourself. You have enormous potential. Do your best to unleash that potential and allow it to bear positive fruit. Have a positive attitude -- it is one of your greatest assets. The good news is that it can be developed and trained to the point that you can be successful in anything you undertake. Strive to become a leader with a heart of a servant -- that will guarantee success. Seek out positive mentors who can and will assist you in getting what you want. Then help as many others to get what they want in life -- then you will get what you want in life. Finally: never, never, never, never give up!"
-- Anonymous"Be confident and be proactive in the job-search process."
-- English education grad"Be all you can be. Work hard for what you want, but don't step on anybody. Your friends are the most important asset; don't abuse them. And be happy in your work."
-- Anonymous"See if your educational institution offers advice on finding a job after graduation."
-- Anonymous"Be sure the career you chose is right for you."
-- education grad"Sit back and observe how the company operates, how each person prefers to work. Some people like to be approached in person, others via email, others by phone. Each person works differently, and the only way you can become savvy is by taking a step back and watching."
-- broadcast news grad"Be persistent and have a passion to get your dream job. Success only comes after you have failed many times. It is the process that is valuable -- learning how to find a job is a skill that will be important for your career down the road. It is not only a one-time event."
-- Anonymous"Start looking for whatever you plan to do after school NOW!!"
-- biology grad"As far as salary negotiation goes, you have to keep a few things in mind. First, if the company is talking salary, they are interested. How much money you get is based on internal criteria the employer has. Recognize that although you have a degree, that's about all you probably have, so don't try to squeeze an extra $7-10,000 out of them. You could talk your way out of a job."
-- Bryan Stoehs, grad in communication studies"My motto is that if you don't ask, you don't get. If you get an offer, even if it is more than expected, you might as well ask for a higher salary. In my experience, most employers have room to bump a salary up, but only if the person asks."
-- business-administration grad"I chose to be severely underpaid just to get my foot in the right door, which has thankfully allowed me to work my way up and make the money I deserve (sometimes that is a sacrifice you have to be willing to make.)"
-- communications studies grad"In regard to salary negotiation, know what the going rate is before entering into anynegotiations."
-- Anonymous"Salary negotiation is so important. Do the research as well as know how much you need to survive."
-- Anonymous business-school grad"Research is a must for [salary] negotiation (not just on the Internet, but asking people in the same field and geographical location.)"
-- communication studies grad"Most companies have some kind of tuition reimbursement policy/benefit [for grad school]."
-- international business grad"I wish I had shopped around more. Different school districts pay different salaries. It is not difficult to find a teaching job. However it is difficult to secure a particular location. Finding a district in which you can be genuinely happy is another hurdle. You need to research the mission statements of the district and campuses, and decide if you can be passionate about their priorities."
-- education grad
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