What Every College Student Should Know About Job-Hunting

It is no surprise that the job market today is more competitive that ever before. Certainly, the current economic state of our country is a factor. There is also the fact that there are hundreds of Web sites dedicated to the job search process. It is not far-fetched to say that a company now receives hundreds of online applications and resumes for one entry-level position.

Whether you are just entering college and figuring out what classes to take or you have just graduated with honors and ready to take on the world, there is one thing that you need to know about looking for a job. The best-qualified people do not necessarily get the best jobs. The best jobs generally go to the best job hunters. It is important to remember this because it will take persistence, dedication and effort to outshine the others who have more experience than you do.

Apply More, Apply Often

Because of the stiff competition, it is up to you to try to find every possible opportunity for employment. This will mean applying to more companies, and not letting any situation pass without figuring out a way to get your foot-in-the-door. Getting one job offer can prove to be challenging, so it will become a numbers game. The ideal would be to have more than one offer from which to choose.

The bottom line here is that if you are serious about your job search AND your career, you will have to go above-and-beyond to apply to as many companies as you can. You cannot expect that landing the "perfect job" is going to be easy. You cannot allow yourself to get discouraged either. Taking the first job offer could become your worst nightmare!

This process will also be a bit like an anthropological study. You will have to keep good "field notes," in order to see patterns. You may find that you must apply to 50 or 75 companies to get one or two responses of any kind. Know your ratio. You will have to apply to many more to be able to have YOUR pick of positions, once you start getting offers of employment.

But What About the Competition?

Let's face it, if you can get into and stay enrolled in college, you are likely to be able to qualify for an entry-level job. But as with any jobseeker, it is up to you to demonstrate to the potential employer why you are the one they need. Don't wait until you have your degree to start this process. The time to start your job search is NOW!

Start researching companies, understanding the job market, practicing your interviewing skills, and continually honing your resume and other documents. Learn to be an expert networker. These things are what will put you in the forefront of the other jobseekers out there. If you are a freshman or sophomore and start doing these things now, you'll be nearly expert by the time you graduate! If you are a junior or senior, it's not too late to start!

What Else Should I Do?

That's a great question! Find the resources that are made available to you and don't hesitate to use them.

Your college placement or employment office is a good place to start. Most universities and colleges have counselors who specialize in helping students find internships-unpaid and paid-and opportunities for employment, often with companies who recruit through the institutions. Talk to the counselor and find out if you can get a list of the companies coming to your campus and then research the company, take a look at the jobs they offer, and start preparing.

Go to the campus library and see what resources are available to you-books on how to write resumes, job hunting strategies, etc. One of my all-time favorites is "What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard N. Bolles. Make sure you get a current year so that you have all the latest Web resources listed.

As long as we're talking the Web, the Internet is a great way for you to research articles, job descriptions, market trends and labor statistics, as well as finding internship and employment opportunities. Check out the company websites for those you are interested in pursuing. Research, research, research! As savvy as your generation is with computers and the World Wide Web, you could teach me a thing or two!

There are also sites which offer sample templates for no charge for you to use-resumes, cover letters, reference sheets, thank you letters, acceptance of offer letters, and so many more.

Register for a professional social networking site, such as LinkedIn. Make sure that your other associations on the Net are not something that could come back to bite you later. Though we all want to have fun when we are in college, those party pictures and pet names you have up on MySpace could be a problem later when a potential employer does a search for you and finds a picture of you passed out naked in the bathtub.

Many schools also have an Alumni Office or registry. Many people are willing to connect with others from their alma maters, and it becomes a great opportunity to network. Talk to your professors about your field of interest and ask about those students who have gone before you. Find out what they are doing, where they are working, and ask for an introduction!

Attend career expos, job fairs, and jobseeker information gatherings that your campus might sponsor. Get as much out of these as you can. These are perfect opportunities for you to learn the art of "schmooze," also known as networking. Better to make mistakes in a setting like this than the time when you are going to a one-on-one interview. When it comes time for you to interview with recruiters at the job fairs that open to the public, you will have the experience and savvy that could put you ahead of your competition.

You may wish to consider joining a professional organization or other organization which will assist you in putting you into contact with those already working in your field. This is a good way to find mentors. You can often find those who will allow you to come to a meeting as a guest. You may find someone willing to consider an internship with their company.

Other organizations, such as Toastmasters International, give you an opportunity to hone your communication skills. These types of groups also are a way to network outside of your industry, which can give you a broader perspective of what may be available to you.

A Final Thought...

Though you may have less experience in the job market than many others who are looking for work, if you are willing to put in the effort to learn how to effectively network and sell what you have to offer, you will put yourself in situations that will help to jumpstart your career. Remember, it's not what you know, it's who you know!