While the outlook for new college grads is as grim as for all job-seekers, there is
hope for those willing to put in the effort.
In a column in The New York Times,
All Is Not Lost for the Class of 2009
Eilene Zimmerman interviews some of our favorite career experts -- Lindsey Pollak and Steven Rothberg --
seeking tips for new college grads who find a recruiting and employment landscape unlike anything
we have seen for decades.
The advice boils down to these issues:
A comprehensive job-search strategy is essential in this market.
Finding a job is going to take a lot more effort than you ever imagined.
Use multiple sources, including niche job sites and your college's career service office, for job leads.
Be prepared to be flexible in the type of job you seek.
Consider taking a job for which you are overqualified if you need to survive -- but don't stop job-hunting
for a career-type job.
Some advice missing from the column. First, use ALL avenues for job leads, including on-campus,
local, and virtual career fairs... and most notably missing from the piece -- use and expand your
network of contacts to help uncover job leads -- and not just the easy online variety, such as
Facebook or LinkedIn... you need to connect with people offline (and in-person).
Furthermore, according to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE),
among the skills, attributes, and qualities employers prize most are communication skills,
a strong work ethic, ability to work in a team, and initiative. Employers also emphasize
leadership experience. Asked to compare two otherwise equally qualified candidates, employers
chose the one who had held a leadership position over the candidate who simply participated
in extracurricular activities. Employers also expressed a preference for candidates with
relevant work experience.
Finally, the proof that college grads can find positions if they work at it as they would an
actual job, we offer the story of our QuintCareers.com intern, Erin, who put in hours and hours
tracking down jobs leads and then attacking each one with such vigor that she impressed every
employer she spoke with. She also spent hours on each resume and interview preparation.
She now has a job offer in hand -- with a month to go before graduation.
Uncovering job leads is the name of the game in finding your ideal job. Learn more in our
article, 10 Ways to Develop Job Leads.
