"It's a hot market right now, and recent graduates are needed across all fields," says Keri Kraft, manager of public relations at JOBTRAK.com. Kraft maintains that those students who didn't necessarily make the Dean's List still have good opportunities ahead of them. "Because there is such a need for college graduates, even those who aren't in the top of their class are in demand." For those majoring in English, history, philosophy, or art, Kraft reassures that the employers who advertise on her site are "looking to the liberal arts fields more than ever." (Over 150,000 employers advertised on JOBTRAK in the past year.)
Among 2001 graduates, 27% don't expect to have any job offers by the time they graduate, while 30% expect to have four or more.
Source: JOBTRAK.com users poll
If you're a college graduate without a clear direction, the Internet is a great place to figure out a career course, even if you're practically clueless. "If you know what you're looking for, [the Internet] is a great place to start," says Kraft. "If not, it's a great place to learn." Ken Ramberg, co-founder of JOBTRAK.com, adds his advice to the directionless with a degree: "Look online, skim through the various opportunities available, and see what is of interest." And if your grade point average isn't impressive, take heed. A solid GPA is "not as important today as it may have been in the past," says Ramberg.
So, once you realize that you will get a job, you can take the next step: "Take what you have, and make it positive," says Kraft. For example, if you lack real work experience, highlight your resume with personal skills, such as organization, leadership, or even a flair for sociability. It also helps to demonstrate that you're trainable if you list your responsibilities for any projects you've worked on during the course of your undergraduate studies. Employers and recruiters understand that if you're in your early 20s, you probably don't have too much work experience. Don't sweat it if that's the case.
"There simply are more jobs available than graduating seniors," says Ramberg. And, since the job market is "extremely hot," according to Ramberg, "as long as [graduates] can demonstrate that they have good communication skills and the willingness to work hard, they shouldn't have any trouble finding a job in the market." Companies want applicants ready to learn, because, let's face it, college classes alone simply don't prepare you for your first job. That's why many companies are hiring recent graduates with little or no experience and taking the time to train them.
Despite the cooling off of the U.S. economy, "The unemployment rate for recent grads is virtually nonexistent," says Ramberg. "The demand [for college graduates] is as strong as it has ever been." To land that elusive first job, emphasize your trainability and your desire to learn. Focus on where you're headed rather than where you've been. Some of the tools that can help you identify the ideal careers for you include our Career Search, Career Quiz, and Internship Search. And from your favorite search engine, a search for "career," "job" and any other keyword that comes to mind will also yield a long list of sites to consider for further research. "It's not an issue of whether they can get a job," says Ramberg. Students "can literally pick and choose where they want to work. The question is, 'which job are you going to take?'"
If all else fails, consider volunteering for additional work experience (even if it's unpaid). Unpaid positions can often lead to bigger places, provided that you exhibit the aptitude for the position. Above all else, stay cool and calm. Stressing about getting the first job won't help you get it; it will only make you a nervous wreck.
