MARKET DATA, BEST PRACTICES, ADVICE

After your classes are completed and you’ve received your college accolades, the real work begins in terms of starting a lifelong career. Yet, for many new college grads, the shock of what is about to come in a job search hits hard. There are many things that you probably did not learn in school about preparing a resume, searching for work, getting interviewed, or landing your first job. In fact, you may have had a specific idea in mind about the kind of work you want to do, but now you are not so sure because there are so many new choices.

First of all, take a deep breath and remember that everybody has encountered this scenario at one time or another at the start of a career path. It’s perfectly natural to be a little confused and lack clear direction. Here are the top ten things that you probably did not learn in college and how to cope with your bright new world.

1. Your college degree does not limit you to one specific type of job.  Just because you have earned a degree in Ancient Greek History doesn’t mean you are stuck in one particular kind of job for life. Many adults find themselves in new roles that have nothing to do with their college degree studies, and that’s OK.
2. Getting an education does not guarantee you access to a job right away. With one in two college- degreed adults unemployed in the US workforce, there are many people who have found out how competitive it can be out there. Your degree is not an automatic ticket to success, it’s merely a door opener – so expect that it will take time and commitment to find a good job.
3. A resume or cover letter alone cannot help you find a job. While the traditional resume still remains one of the trusted ways to share your credentials with potential hiring managers, you cannot rely on this as the focus of your job search. Tap into social networking, community job search clubs, and referrals to get a job sooner.
4. Most of the good jobs are never advertised at all. It has been said that only about one-third of all job openings are ever posted by employers. That means there are many jobs out there that are waiting for you to find them. Increase your odds of landing a job by networking proactively and reaching out to staffing agencies.
5. A recruiter can be your best ally when it comes to landing work. Instead of trying to find a career on your own, which may be a confusing process, why not partner with a qualified recruiter at Venteon for support? Recruiters have strategic contacts and access to personal career tools you won’t get on your own.
6. Give internships a second glance while you look for a paid assignment.  Oftentimes, companies use interns while they are in hiring lags, then offer their top performing interns perm placement in great roles. Check to see what companies in your market offer internships.
7. Interviewing is not just answering a bunch of stale questions. Use interviews as a chance to find out more about the company, the work culture, and how you can best use your talents to meet the company objectives.
8. Regardless of today’s slack dress code, always present yourself professionally. When you show up for an interview or a job fair, recruiters will automatically judge you based on how you look. So, always dress in business attire to put your best foot forward.
9. Excellent career and personal references are more valuable than gold. When you apply for work, remember to have at least 3-5 professional and 2-3 personal references who will respond and provide favorable feedback to recruiters. Oftentimes, this will make or break a job decision, so choose these folks carefully.
10. Contract work can lay the foundation for a lifelong career path. There is much to be said about starting a job search by working with a contract work agency in your area, like Venteon, to place you in rewarding assignments. Many times, temporary jobs turn into full time careers, depending on if you put your heart into the work.