Whether you are a first–year student coming to college or a senior job searching in this tight job market, chances are that you may be feeling challenged by this changing economy. You may be concerned about your education and where it can take you. Nationally, more jobs were eliminated in January 2009 than in any year since 1974. Almost 2.6 million people have been out of work for more than six months, the largest number of long-term unemployed since 1983. The unemployment rate in Ohio is at its highest level (almost 10 percent) since 1992. Most people have seen retirement accounts and other investments decline in value by 40 percent or more.
Although the economic news seems discouraging, the following ideas, along with a positive attitude, could assist you while in college and/or if ready to transition to the world of work.
Be Proactive: Being proactive about your career and the decisions you make through your college experience can pay off, if you also factor in what you are really interested in and are capable of offering to yourself, an employer, and larger community. Visit Career Services and/or take Edu Paes 270.02 to learn more about how to make decisions, understand OSU majors and minors, how to job search, write résumés, cover letters, and interview as well as how to apply to graduate and professional schools. These are skills that you can learn, the earlier the better. If you think that responding to job ads will get you a job, you certainly need to understand that there are multiple job search strategies and that you need to be using all of them, particularly in this changing economy.
Engage in Early Experiences: Your ability to engage in early experiences will be critical to develop the skills needed to join the job market. Because internships may be limited in your field, do not underestimate the power of volunteering for a company and/or even job shadowing. Involvement in extracurricular activities is also a viable way not only to stay connected to OSU, but also to develop transferable skills that employers really value. For example, you can develop leadership, budget, teamwork and even organizational skills while joining a student organization, a service learning program, or participating in civic engagement activities.
Learn how to Network: This is not about who you know but rather who knows you. It is well known that almost 70 percent of the jobs are the result of a network. Don’t be afraid of joining a student and/or professional organizations. Get to know your faculty and staff starting day one and attend and participate in departmental meetings. (They also become your future letters of recommendation.) Learn how to conduct informational interviews and make cold calls to employers. For those who are transitioning out, cities have young professionals groups that provide recent college graduates with opportunities to socially and professionally network. You can search for the groups on the Internet, call the career services office at your local college, or check with the local Chamber of Commerce.
Be Aware of How You Use Facebook, My–Space, Blogs, and E-mail: Check your information and what others have to say about you. Consider making your profile private and be careful about what you put in your front page. You can also benefit from using online social networks—in proper fashion. Set up your page to make a positive impression on potential employers. A Facebook page, for example, can be an extension of your résumé and provide insight into your personality, work ethic, and interests. You also may use these sites to network with potential employers or gain information about an employer prior to an interview. Consider joining LinkedIn, which is a professional network where you can include your professional or academic information, resume, samples, portfolios, and certifications.
Know How to Job Search: If you are a first–year student and think you do not need to be thinking about skills, such as learning how to approach and talk to employers, how to make the most of job fairs, how to network, how to respond to ads, and how to prepare yourself in writing and for the interviewing process, these are all critical skills that need to be acquired. It may be too late to learn how to write a résumé the quarter you are graduating.
Know Where to Look for Jobs: For those who are job searching, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you may want to consider moving to an industry where some jobs are more in demand. These areas are healthcare, education, law, energy, government, and public work. For example, if applying for finance jobs, you may want to consider applying for finance jobs in the healthcare or educational settings. Similarly, if relocating is something that you have been considering, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Idaho and West Virginia are among the states with the lowest unemployment rates.
Explore Part-time Jobs and Other Options: The ideal situation after graduation is finding full-time employment. But today’s job market doesn’t present as many ideal situations. A part-time position avoids an employment gap on your résumé and helps pay the bills. In addition, working the evening shift keeps your days open for job searching, networking meetings, and job interviews. Consider joining Corps, resorts, and summer camp opportunities as seasonal prospects as well. Finding a job is a full-time job. Develop a plan and stick with it. The job isn’t going to find you. Know you’ll have days that are more productive than others. The key is to keep searching.
Use Temporary and Employment Agencies: Companies use employment agencies to complete the initial screening of applicants for a job opening. Companies may use employees sent from temp agencies to determine if a person is capable of doing the job on a permanent basis. If you consider using a temp agency, do your homework. Avoid any agencies that charge fees. Additionally, know that if you take a job through an employment agency, you technically work for the agency and not the company. It means: No benefits.
Learn how to Manage your Finances and Take Care of Yourself: In this economic time it could be stressful to be a college student. However, you need to know that this crisis is temporary. Thinking about how to manage your finances, pay for school, and how to secure future employment could be challenging. You may be feeling overwhelmed and perhaps may be experiencing thoughts about skipping classes, exhaustion, or loss of appetite. The Wellness Center can teach you how to manage your finances and Career Connection can assist you with managing your stress regarding career, employment decisions, and concerns related to lay-offs, and life after college in general.
Visit Career Connection and your College Career Services Office: Whether it’s your first time visiting the office or you’re a repeat visitor, your campus career services office is a great resource to assist with your major and career exploration as well as your internships and job search process. For more information about career services at OSU visit www.careers.osu.edu |
