Wanted: Employment

As a soon-to-be college grad, I have started to feel the pressure to find a steady job after I graduate. Finding a job in the “real world” has always been a nerve-racking and scary process for post-college entrepreneurs, but now it has become nearly impossible.

The nasty thing we all call the economic crisis has caused thousands of businesses to reevaluate their budgets, creating serious financial troubles, employee layoffs and hiring freezes. Last year, qualified college graduates would have had a few job offers to choose from. This year, grads are frantically trying to find companies that are hiring, but most aren’t having great luck. What was once a tough job hunt has now become almost unattainable. So what’s a grad to do?

Over the weekend I read a piece in the Tacoma News Tribune (I insist on staying connected to my home town) written by Dan Voelpel titled, “The rules of job hunting have changed.” In the article, Voelpel gives advice to job seekers by offering a few tips from Paul Anderson. Here is my spin on some of Anderson’s most important points.

--Scrap the elevator pitch.
Today, no one wants to hear about you; business people care about their company. Companies want to know how you can serve them. Grads need to change their mindset from self-serving to serving others. A great way to transform into this new mindset is to tailor your résumés and cover letters to the business you are applying to. A generic résumé mailed to a dozen companies won’t cut it anymore. Research each company and pay attention to its approach and expectations.

--Don’t hand out heaps of résumés at job fairs.
Your résumé will most likely end up in the trash can. It’s best to ask for the professional’s business card and ask how he/she prefers being contacted. In this competitive environment, it’s important for grads to make gutsy moves. Taking the initiative to send an e-mail or make a phone call shows more drive than handing out résumés to every person you see at a career fair. This small tactic will set you apart from other graduates and will increase your chances of being memorable.

--Use social networking sites.
Social networking sites are a great way to connect to fellow students and professionals in your specific area of focus. It’s great to make your online profiles available to the mass public, but be careful. Keep in mind that anyone can “Google” you and if a potential employer finds pictures from Spring Break-Cancun, you can say goodbye to that interview you were hoping for. Keep your private social networking sites password private or consider updating your profile information to reflect your professional self. If you decide to provide links to these sites on your résumé or business cards, make sure to tailor to your audience and provide useful, appropriate information. LinkedIn is a great personal networking site for college grads looking for employment. LinkedIn is now the number one online business network that allows users to post their résumés and search companies and their employees. It also allows all users to give and receive recommendations. Being active on LinkedIn can quickly help you build strong contacts with professionals who are well informed and eager to give advice.

-Amy Graham