Too bad universities don't hand out career positions with those expensive diplomas! Today's recent graduates are dismayed to learn that record layoffs across the economic landscape are leaving available positions few and far between. But here are some nitty-gritty truths shared by the community at Careers Catalyst for graduate jobs and summer internships in an employer's job market. You are cheaper to employ than an older, experienced, laid-off worker. Therefore, you need to make sure you market yourself as the deal that you are! Recent university graduates are highly appealing because they are more likely to relocate, won’t participate in pension plans and typically accept the low end of the salary range. Now is not the time to quibble over small benefits issues, such as number of vacation days or flex-time, or engage in a salary war. Instead, you should let your interviewer know you are interested in the work first and foremost, and can compromise on anything the employer needs. Stop exclusively waiting tables. The most popular J-O-B during the crazy university years is waiting tables. The money is great, the hours are super flexible, and there's little real responsibility. Unfortunately, these awesome “And how would like that cooked?” skills do not translate well when you are looking for an entry-level position for your major. If you really need the money, wait tables on the weekends or evening shifts only. In the meantime, take any kind of job that is more closely related to your field of study, even if it's a very low paying position. Even a job in a more professional setting will make the transition much easier to get somewhere you want to work. Volunteer if you can't find a job. If you absolutely cannot find a job in your major field of study, find a place that you can volunteer at in the ball park. While this is fairly easy for those with social science degrees, it can be tougher for anyone with a highly technical degree. Even seriously pursuing a hobby, such as model aircraft building for engineering students, or being a contributing member to a computing user group for computer science graduates is better on a resume than nothing. It's important you show you have kept up your skills and interest in the field. Participation with many volunteer or hobby organizations also lead to great networking opportunities. Get your resume into the pool. Major Human Resource offices keep pools of resumes for up to 6 months in case a position opens up. Employers are pinching pennies too, and not paying advertising costs for an open position is worth it when they possess a qualified candidate in the filing cabinet. For resume pools, you should submit a two-page resume if you can fill it with qualified information. A cover letter highlighting the types of positions you are looking for and how compromising you can be on salary, relocation, or travel time will probably move your resume right on top of the pile. For every Goliath, there is a David. Make a list of larger companies you would die to work for. Now, list all of their competitors. Go for a position in the second list. There are certain companies every graduate applies to-- the Googles, the major government agencies, the Wall Street Journals. By applying at smaller competitors who don't have the advertising budgets of the giants, you are far more likely to find an opening. Looking for local companies in similar sectors will yield even more lesser-known vacancies, and there will be less competition from highly-qualified candidates. There is no reason to get gimmicky with your resume or job search, and that often backfires. Remember you are the one desperate for a job, the company is not desperate to hire you. Savvy graduates will be smart in their employment search, and go beyond the normal university job fairs and big name companies. Additionally, there are right ways and wrong ways to kill the time until your dream job. Do anything you can to beef up your resume with skills employers are looking for. Even if it means taking a low-paying position for six months, or a free position to do it. Finally, remember you are a recent university graduate and the best bargain out there for any employer with an open entry-level position! Nick Peplow is passionate about competency & numerical questions and application deadlines
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Too bad universities don't hand out career positions with those expensive diplomas! Today's recent graduates are dismayed to learn that record layoffs across the economic landscape are leaving available positions few and far between. But here are some nitty-gritty truths shared by the community at Careers Catalyst for graduate jobs and summer internships in an employer's job market.
Nick Peplow is author of this article on industrial internship placements. Find more information about work experience here.
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