Job search tips
February 16, 2012
There is no time like the present for college students who are graduating this semester to begin their job search.
A recent study conducted by Georgetown University's Center for Education and the Workforce found that the unemployment rate for recent bachelor's degree graduates stands at about 8.9 percent.
Yes, the job market may be a bit difficult, but the fact that you have a college degree will likely help you land a better paying job than if you didn't have the educational background.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that individuals with a bachelor's degree make more money on average than those without one. The government agency reports that, in 2010, workers with a degree made $1,038 per week. That's $271 more than those with an associate degree and $412 more than high school grads.
One of the first steps for anyone looking for a job is to prepare a resume. The career center at your college can help with advice to make yours stand out from the rest. Others choose to hire a professional resume writer. Whichever route you choose to go, don't be discouraged that the process may take a while, with several revisions and re-writes involved.
Experts say that the tough job market needs to approached differently, especially by recent graduates who may not have a lot of prior work experience.
Career counselors often advise job hunters to expand their search beyond the one position they originally thought they qualify for. Do some research and make a list of all the different industries or positions someone with your background could excel in.
"The major doesn't necessarily equal their career," Katharine Brooks, director of the career center for the Liberal Arts college at the University of Texas at Austin, told the Wall Street Journal. "They really need to focus on the value of what they've learned and be able to articulate that to an employer."
Use all of the resources available to you to find open positions - the internet, the career center at your school or in your community, social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as recommendations or referrals from friends or professors. Attending career fairs may also prove helpful.
Accept every interview request you receive - even if you are not especially excited about the job. After all, you'll get better with each meeting and will be better prepared for when the job of your dreams comes along.
Don't get discouraged throughout the job-finding process. Remember that getting a degree is a major accomplishment in itself and will likely be viewed as such by potential employers.
Luckily, grants for parents, scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships and other financial aid made it possible for you to get to this point!
