Tips for job hunting in a tough market
Graduation is upon USU. Brilliant fledgling students are spreading their educated wings only to take flight into the crumbling wasteland of the job market. All is not hopeless, though. These eight tips will improve any student’s prospects at growing a nest egg.
Start at Career Services
Donna Crow, director of Career Services, said seven out of the top 10 places employer find grads to hire are coordinated through Career Services. USU offers these services freely to students, including career coaches for each college. Coaches can help hone interviewing, resume and networking skills. Crow said most importantly, coaches help students “frame the way you approach your career search so you are taking actions that create results.”
Research – Graduation doesn’t mean doing homework is over
Crow said to look at industries that are experiencing growth. While it is far and few right now, Randy Jensen, Collge of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) and Agriculture career coach, said the federal government is steadily increasing. Crow said many people at the top tier are heading for retirement, opening doors for many college grads to take their places.
Another aspect of research involves learning about the potential employer and company. Crow said it is vital to tailor documents to their needs. To learn terminology, read job descriptions and use it in resumes and interviews.
The last part of research relates to learning about yourself, Crow said, so a student can brand themselves.
Be branded with a hot iron
Often, Crow said, students are not specific enough in their documents or interviews. Identify strengths through specific examples. General bullet points are no good. A strategy to do this is to convert a resume from a traditional chronological one to a skill-based one. Sometimes a career coach needs to help a student verbalize these, Crow said. This activity makes students realize their capabilities, especially as they relate to potential employers. Also, on resumes and in interviews, show but don’t tell about skill sets. Quantify, use numbers and stats whenever possible, Crow said.
“For example,” Crow said, “If you led a team, say how many members and how often.”
Jensen said, “Show personality. Your qualifications have gotten you the interview, but now they want to see how you fit with them. Be natural.”
Be adaptable
With the tight job market, students will probably have to compromise on something, Crow said, whether it be location, hours or type of position. A first-choice job might not be feasible at this time.
Jensen said, “Look outside the box and opportunities won’t be so bleak.”
Tap your social networks
“Eighty percent of USU grads get their job through social networking,” Jensen said. “Knowing somebody who knows somebody can get you the contact.”
According to Crow, students usually neglect to look to social media and current employers and friends as potential job networks.
“You’ve been having fun with these people your whole life, now let them work for you,” Crow said.
Both Jensen and Crow recommended LinkedIn, a professional networking Web site with specific job elements all a little on the social side.
Practice makes perfect with interviewing skills
“The biggest mistake students make in interviews is actually not doing preparation that should take place beforehand. Often employers ask standard questions. If you do the research (available in career guides at Career Services) and practice, you won’t be caught off guard,” Jensen said.
According to Jensen, America’s become a casual society, but students need to remember that interviews are a formal setting.
“Don’t dress like you’re going to school. The rule is, know the organization’s dress standard, and go to the interview one step up,” Jensen said.
The biggest trend in interviewing now is behavioral questions, Jensen said. Employers describe a situation, and ask how the interviewee has dealt with something similar in the past. The theory, Jensen said, is that past performance will be an indicator of future performance.
Another mistake students often make is not asking employer questions, which they do expect. Jensen said it comes across as indifferent. Always ask questions, one being, what is the process and time for choosing a candidate so you have an idea of what to expect and when to follow up. Always write a thank-you letter immediately after the interview.
Seize the moment
Asking current employers for a project or additional exposure to skills, even if it’s not directly related to your field of study, is a great way to “pad your resume,” Crow said. “Be the person who is always looking for new skills, a life-long learner.”
Look on the bright side
While it may seem contradictory to be realistic and positive, Jensen said the job market is not dismal.
“There are jobs still out there, but it is going to take more work and time, and may take students out of their first job choice,” Jensen said. “A lot of people want a fresh look, someone young and different with ideas. Job hunting requires persistence; it’s a job in and of itself. Yesterday was yesterday. Look today.”
Crow said, “Don’t take failure personally. See it as a challenge and additional ways to build contacts, and interview skills. It’s a better way to frame it psychologically. Self-esteem issues come through in your resume and interviews.”
Career Services are open all summer for students struggling to find work. A heartening statistic, Crow said, is 90 percent of USU students looking for jobs have one within six months after graduation.
–storee.powell@aggiemail.usu.edu