Got the Degree! Now What?

By Jacqueline Rochonchou on December 29, 2011

December brings many things to the table: Christmas, snow, family, festivities, and the release of college graduates into the world. They typically say that December is a good time to graduate because you can get to the open jobs before those who graduate in May. But what if there are no jobs to get? You can’t beat someone at a race that doesn’t exist. The stress has left many students flustered, stressed, and worse…unemployed. Many colleges seem to help with the process, but many times it just isn’t enough. Penn State has career fairs each semester and a division of their website is dedicated to finding jobs. But the truth is, there is only so much a school can assist when the companies aren’t offering anything.

A former football player at Penn State was an industrial engineering major, a good clean cut, smart, young man who has been jobless now for a year. With over SEVENTY different turndowns his ego must be destroyed. Now clearly we can all agree that he just must not be standing out enough, but if this guy came into my office someday, I would take a chance on him. But that’s providing I have a chance to give. Teaching jobs are so far and few between that I know a 29 year old who still has not gotten a contracted teaching posisiton in the seven years she has been out of school. She’s certified in just about everything under the sun at this point…and now she’s back in school taking a shot at nursing.

So what’s really going on here? Why do we all know at least one person who has been enduring unemployment for an extended period of time? These are quality people, with good degrees from decent schools.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics sent out their most recent roundup of information on December 2nd, and this is what we’re looking at: The unemployment rate is at 8.6% to put it in terms we might understand more easily-that’s 13.3 million Americans living in this country without jobs. Here’s the scary part-43% of that number is from people who have been unemployed for at least 27 weeks. Their numbers aren’t changing. If you’re facing unemployment post graduation, then at least you are not alone.

Photo by bpsusf on flickr.com

BUT! There are tools you can arm yourself with to perhaps not be unemployed:

1.) Don’t shoot too high. Know that going into the work force you’re basically starting over with your life. No matter how qualified you are, apply for an entry level spot. You’ll be more inclined to get the job, and once you’re in, you can climb that corporate level as high as you’d like. Remember your age, work experience, etc all play a part also, you’ll get promoted with experience if you’re doing a good job.

2.) Get your resume on online job sites. Monster is great, JobFox is up and coming, Career Builder, etc. This is especially helpful for people with broad degrees (engineering, business).

3.) Connect with your univeristy. Penn State has seminars for resume perfecting, mock interviews, career counselors you can meet with, etc. Don’t blow off those opportunities, take them. Your future bank account will thank you.

4.) Don’t think that this job you are applying for is the only job you will ever have. Countless people bounce around before they settle in on exactly what they want to do. Just mass send out your resume and FOLLOW UP WITH A PHONE CALL TO THE ONES YOU LIKE IF YOU ARE INTERVIEWED. With work experience under your belt, it will be easier for you to get hired later in life than it is straight out of school.

5.) If you are called for an interview PREPAREEEEEEEEEEEEEE. You know certain questions will be asked-have the answers. Have educated questions for the interviewer, inform yourself on the company. And always follow up with a thank you letter or note.

You can’t guarantee yourself  a job, but the more you show strength in the job obtaining process, the more you will show potential strength as an employee. That’s bound to eventually get noticed.

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