It’s no secret that the job market is tough right now. Every day headlines declare that unemployment rates continue to grow—in virtually every part of the country. So what does that mean for the class of 2009?
Is the slate of available jobs going to be enough to handle the new wave joining the workforce? For those that do seek to begin their careers and not go to graduate school, the most important thing to remember is that you have to sell yourself and be sure that you are (and remain) at the top of the résumé stack.
Selling yourself should be easy, considering the social networks like Facebook and Twitter that enable us to continuously market ourselves with status updates, photos and posts. But there’s a fine line between social and professional; and some don’t know when it is appropriate to cross it and not.
If you’re going to attempt to market yourself online, be sure to do just that—don’t post or publish anything that you wouldn’t want to share with your mother. Employers and hiring managers only seek to know how you’re going to benefit their respective companies.
Part of selling your experience means having a résumé that is ready for presentation. In a recent survey by CarrerBuilder.com, the company showed that 25 percent of hiring managers receive more than 75 résumés for each position and that 42 percent receive more than 50.
The competition is tightening, and the struggle to land a job doesn’t seem to be getting any easier.
Paula Asinof, principal and founder of Yellow Brick Path, a career management coaching and consulting firm, says that good résumés “focus on the things that matter.” One must “define his or herself and not let others do it for them.”
There are misconceptions about résumés. There are right ways to approach them and wrong ways. By understanding the science behind presenting a résumé, potential workers will then be able to competitively battle with other qualified individuals for a job.
Along with résumés, portfolios are a vital part of presenting one’s self image.
“Keep it organized and make it easily accessible,” Asinof said. “Display it in a résumé addendum, in a hard copy format and in an electronic format such as a person’s Web site.”
If résumés and portfolios aren’t getting the job done, then it’s probably because people don’t understand them well enough. Graduates in 2009 must have these skills sharpened by now if they plan to start working as early as June.
An education is expensive; students also need to know how to showcase its value.
Another great tip in personal presentation is etiquette—personal, public and dining room etiquette. Simple things like knowing how to shake hands, knowing where to place your napkin on the table or knowing that the tall skinny glass is for champagne and the shorter, rounder glass is for wine will go a long way.
Just like career services are available on college campuses, so are etiquette seminars and dinners. In a recent lecture to the pre-professional program (3PR), professor Joe Brown taught the students that it’s not OK to stack your plate at a buffet and that it’s impolite to offer a woman a handshake (if you’re a man).
By honing these skills, along with sharpening the résumé and portfolio, students might have a better shot and earning a salary sooner than later.
MSN Careers advises job seekers to show confidence, to target their job search and to get primed.
Are you ready to make yourself stand out?
Grads must make themselves shine in tough job market
Published: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Updated: Thursday, May 7, 2009 13:05
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