Employment Tips for Graduates

If you are set to graduate or even if graduation day is a distant speck on the horizon, don't ever lose sight of the fact that college graduates have a lot to offer prospective employers. The career you want IS out there. And you can have it provided you work towards that dream job in a systematic way:

Set Goals for yourself: If you haven't done so already, take the time to determine your career goals. Sounds silly I know, but many graduates are so keen on "graduating" that they lose sight on what to do once they're out of school! Setting goals is not the easiest of tasks. That's why a trained professional - like a guidance counselor -- is such a valuable resource. According to allbusiness.com, you should have at least two or three "functional" career goals. That is -- specific fields of interest, job titles and industry sectors that you can key in on. Thinking about where you want to work is important as well.

Utilize all resources: As a recent or soon-to-be college graduate, don't leave any stone unturned! Classified ads, the internet, local career service specialists and job-search firms all have their place in the prospective job search. Never pass up an opportunity to send a cover letter and resume. Check out job boards at your old school and keep the library in your daily or weekly agenda as it offers many free services from job searchers as well.

Talk to friends, family and faculty: Even though there are a lot of resources available to job-seekers, experts say the best method for finding a job is still networking. Maintain contacts with colleagues and instructors and stay active in professional organizations -- which lead me to my next point:

Stay Active and Aware: Don't vegetate from lack of work! Getting involved with professional organizations keeps you up-to-date on trends and industry. Plus it provides an opportunity to network. Volunteering can also be worth its weight in gold, as these experiences can take the place of or supplement work experience on your resume.

Keep on Learning: Additional courses that build on your job knowledge is always an added plus to employers - as it shows you are motivated to keep learning. And don't underestimate the value of internships, apprenticeships and temporary positions - they can all act as a springboard to a great career.

Update your resume: There's nothing worse than submitting an outdated resume to a prospective employer. As a new college graduate, your resume history may be limited to begin with, so make sure what you have is up-to-date. According to quintcareers.com, if you send out a resume while still in college, send potential employers an updated version after you graduate as well. At the very least, let your employer know when you are scheduled to graduate. And as long as we're talking about resumes, you can't argue with the advice of collegejournal.com which points out that there's no excuse for generically starting cover letters with "Dear Hiring Manager" or, worse yet, "Dear Sir." Experts say that between the Internet, telephone and voicemail, a prospective candidate should be able to narrow down who they are sending a cover letter and resume to.

You know, as I look back on this list, it just dawned on me that there are many similarities between someone looking for their FIRST job and someone looking for a NEW job because the individual was laid off or fired. Whatever the situation, the guidelines mapped out above can be of help. College graduates DO have a lot to offer prospective employers. But that new career isn't going to just plop in your lap. You have to work and plan for it!