Job searching tips for college graduates
After graduating from college Jon Brock he planned on working in marketing. When I was a freshman, six or seven internships or job opportunities from alumni came through e-mail a day. That year more than 90 percent of graduating seniors found full-time employment,” said Brock.
In 2009, alumni-generated postings, along with most of the job market, dried up. Now, only 10 percent of Brock’s class graduate with full-time employment.
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Wanting to work in his field, he stepped up his job search efforts. He treaded his job search as a full-time job in itself, using all his connections, trying to be more creative. He’s searching for jobs through college alumni, his parents’ connections, specialized job boards and volunteer work.
“You have to do everything to stand out because the odds of a regular cover letter getting noticed are slim and none. I sent some companies a list of the Top 10 reasons why they should hire me, and got some response,” said Brock.
According to Randy Hain, managing partner and shareholder of Bell Oaks, an executive search firm, because of the recession the market is flooded by experienced applicants and businesses have the luxury of only choosing the best.
“To compete, new graduates need to learn to flex,” said Hain. This is his advice to college grads:
- Use the right communication and social media tools. LinkedIn and e-mail, not Facebook, are the preferred tools of Gen X and Boomer professionals.
- Ask your parents for a different kind of help. Go to them for networking assistance, asking for referrals to senior executives they know through work, church or professional organizations.
- Do your homework. Before an interview, do extensive research on the company and the hiring manager using LinkedIn and Google to find talking points and things you might have in common.
- Tap into your school’s alumni group, an underused and highly effective source for leads.
- Try a more creative approach to internships. Grads can get a foot in the door by offering to help companies solve a current problem through an unpaid internship.
