An AP report cites: 53.6% of recent college graduates are unemployed or underemployed. Our family understands.
2011 Psych Grad works at a home improvement company and fits the definition of under-employed: holding a job that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree. Recently promoted to customer service management, it’s perfect training for his goal to be a pastor. He took my job-search advice.
2012 Marketing Grad remains unemployed. He has somewhat listened to my advice.
For what it’s worth, I share: Careers 101, by Mom.
1. Believe: There is room in the workforce for you.
If you’re willing to learn, if you’re a hard worker, you’ll find a job. Yes, it’s a pain to job hunt. It’s exhausting, depressing and no fun. Keep the faith; do the work. Something will materialize. Count on that.
2. Your job is to get a job.
- Treat the search as a “real job”. Wake up by 7am; don’t stay up (or out!) all night. No beer until the weekend.
- Leave the house. Act like an employed person. Take your laptop to “an office”. (ie: Starbucks, the library or Barnes & Noble)
- Work part-time. People hire people who are working; you need experience and money. Apply everywhere – Home Depot, UPS, Quick Trip, restaurants. They understand they’re fortunate to hire someone of your caliber – if only for a few weeks. Temp with an agency. Volunteer. Intern. It is not beneath you. Who knows where it could lead?
3. Follow the Basics.
- Resumes & cover letters? If unsure, search Google or call professionals.
- Keep an appropriate hair cut & interview attire clean, hanging up, always.
- Track resume activity with a spreadsheet. Contact hiring managers for follow-up. You are the product. Sell yourself – it’s your job to reach out.
- Open accounts with Indeed, Monster & CareerBuilder. Apply-apply-apply.
- Use LinkedIn. Update your profile with a well-lit, professional-looking photo (No beard, t-shirt or photos with your PC/MacBook) LINK! Start with your parents. Do they have decades of experience in the work place? Trust them.
- Edit your Facebook page. We’re not in college anymore – a keg stand photo does not help employability.
- Set goals: 2-3 interviews per week – even if you do not want the job. Practice presenting yourself. Become fearless.
- Invest 4-8 hours, daily, looking for a job. This can be done on weekends and evenings. You’ll find one faster, promise.
- Nurture personal networks. Contact former employers, instructors, friends, family and neighbors.
- Attend events – Local chambers/colleges/churches offer them. It keeps you engaged and current. Sharpen those people-skills – shake hands, make eye contact. Truly, it’s not so much what you know, it’s who you know.
- Job Fairs – yes, they are depressing. Attend anyway. Observe other seekers. How can you set yourself apart? Pretend you’re a hiring manager – who catches your eye? Would you hire yourself? Why?
4. Keep the plates spinning.
Continue searching, even if you think you have something locked down. What’s the worst that can happen? You negotiate a higher salary with Company A, once they know Company B is in the game?
5. Be flexible.
Everyone begins somewhere. Don’t want to move to Texas or North Dakota? Six months in and you might be glad you took that chance. You’re young and the world is at your fingertips. Adventure while you can.
The day of doing what you want 24/7 is gone. Welcome to adulthood! Here’s my promise: making decisions for yourself is the best part about becoming an adult.
6. Dive in.
Xoxo, Mom
Next week’s course: Parenting 603