The economy is surely making everyone worried about being able to sustain their current or desired lifestyles and the security of their jobs.  The rising unemployment, a stalemate economy, and increasing costs for nearly everything are enough to push us over the edge.  For recent or soon-to-be graduates it is the fear of even getting a job at all, or to wait it out by going on to graduate school for when the economy may resurge. 

Many college grads are finding that six months to even three years after graduating they are still living at home or have moved back home and could not find a desired position for which they originally thought a college degree would get them.  Not to mention, these same individuals have school loans to pay off and do not see any means of being able to fully support themselves in an apartment of their own.  On top of this, they are forced to compete in a stingy job market that is becoming more and more flooded with degreed graduates in the very same position.  So what many end asking themselves is, “What is/was the point?” 

Before the point is established, listed below are several myths floating around concerning what your life will be like nowadays after graduating college and what to expect during the dreaded job search…

10 Myths About Life After College

1. You’ll go through a quarterlife crisis.
2. You won’t find a job.
3. You’ll be depressed.
4. You never afford an apartment.
5. You’ll get a job you hate.
6. You’ll lose touch with your friends.
7. You won’t use your degree.
8. You’ll have to move home.
9. You won’t be able to pay off your loans.
10. You’ll be eating ramen noodles.

http://www.gradspot.com/Lifestyle/Cooking+and+Drinking/10+Myths+About+Life+After+College

14 Myths and Misconceptions About Job-Hunting

1: Registering at Several Internet Job Boards Will Result in Multiple Job Offers
TRUTH:   One of the most prevalent misconceptions in job-hunting is that job-hunting on the Web will result in employers lining up to interview you. While job-hunting on the Web should be one component of a job search for most job-seekers, it should not be viewed as having any higher success rates than applying to help-wanted ads in the newspaper or trade magazines.

2: Want Ads and Other Job Postings Represent the Majority of Jobs Available
TRUTH:  At the very most — and some say this number is too high — only about 15-20% of all available jobs are ever publicly advertised in any medium. The vast majority of job openings are part of the “hidden” or “closed” job market. And the higher the position and salary, the less likely the position will be advertised at all. How can job-seekers discover these jobs? Networking is by far the most effective job search tool you can use.

3: Job-Seekers Who Change Jobs Often are Frowned Upon by Employers
TRUTH:  Ever since the great “downsizing” and “rightsizing” of companies during the 1980s and 1990s, employers have recognized that there rarely is any logical progression — or corporate ladder — within any one company anymore. To get ahead and gain new skill sets, job-seekers often need to make multiple moves. Avoid really short stints — under a year — but otherwise don’t be too concerned with moving around. And if you are concerned, focus on your transferable skills with a functional rather than chronological resume.

4: A Cover Letter is Not as Important as Other Job-Hunting Materials
TRUTH:  Every time you apply for a job, you should send a cover letter written specifically for the position and company you are applying to. The only exception to this rule is when the employer explicitly states that it does not want a cover letter. A cover letter, also known as a letter of introduction or letter of application, must be an integral part of your job-search strategy. A resume is useless to an employer if s/he doesn’t know what kind of job you are seeking. A cover letter tells the employer exactly what job you are seeking — and how you are uniquely qualified for that position.

5: A Resume Must Show a Logical Progression of Jobs and Increased Responsibility
TRUTH:  The most important part of a resume is showing that you have the skills, education (or training), and experience that the employer seeks. Most employers will spend less than 20 seconds reviewing your resume, which means you need to focus on the key components of your resume that will result in getting a job interview.

6: As Long as You’re Sending out Cover Letters and Resumes, You’ll Get Interviews
TRUTH:  Maybe in the tightest of job markets, or maybe if you are only applying to specific positions for which you are perfectly qualified, will this kind of passive job-search strategy produce any job interviews. Job-seekers must be proactive in your job search. You must follow-up every job lead. Call employers and request an interview. If you are under-qualified for a position or changing careers, request an interview anyway. You may not be qualified for that specific position, but the employer may have other openings (or know of other openings).

7: Lowering Your Salary Demands Will Make You a More Attractive Job Candidate
TRUTH:  Job-seekers should never lower reasonable salary demands because doing so will just make you appear desperate for the job — and will likely result in your not getting the job offer. And even if you got the offer and accepted it, you would most likely never be happy in your job or with your employer because you would feel you were cheated out of the salary you deserved. As long as your salary demands are within acceptable range for the job you’re seeking as well as the industry and location of the employer, stick to them. And never be the first to bring up salary; let the employer raise the issue.

8: If You Can’t Schedule Job Interviews Between 9 am and 5 pm You’re Out of Luck
TRUTH:  While it’s certainly true that a majority of job interviews are conducted during traditional business hours, employers will certainly find time during “off-hours” to interview desirable job-seekers. And it’s often better to interview during these times because there are fewer distractions.

9: The Most Qualified Job-Seekers Get the Best Jobs
TRUTH:  Probably the biggest misconception about interviewing, it is not always the best qualified person who gets the job, but the job-seeker with the best mix of qualifications, interviewing skills, and rapport with his or her interviewer(s). So, don’t be too cocky if you feel you are the most qualified person for the job – and don’t be too discouraged if you don’t feel you exactly match up with the job. If you get a job interview, it’s because the employer thinks there is a strong enough match of your skills, education, and experience to do the job — and at the interview, you need to prove why you are the best person to fill the job.

10: Headhunters and Executive Recruiters Have Your Best Interests at Heart
TRUTH:  Headhunters and executive recruiters get paid by the companies that hire them to fill their open positions, so where exactly is their loyalty? With their client companies, of course. Recruiters will not market job-seekers to companies; instead, they try to fit job-seekers into well-defined positions with the companies that employ their services.

11: Changing Careers is Nearly Impossible
TRUTH:  As the workplace continues to change and evolve, more and more people will change careers in their lifetimes — and many will change careers multiple times. As long as you have a plan and do your best to stick with it, you should be able to switch careers. That said, switching careers is not easy. It takes much effort to switch careers and may involve getting more education (or training), getting experience in the new career field, and focusing on how the skills you currently possess transfer to the new career field.

12: Job-Seekers Should Not Have to Sell Themselves to Employers
TRUTH:  For better or worse, job-hunting is all about marketing yourself to employers — which often means using some key selling skills to close the deal and get the job offer. You are the product, and you need to show the employer why you are the best product for the job. In today’s job-hunting environment, the most successful job-seekers are those who understand the value of marketing and apply to themselves those principles that companies have used for years to successfully sell their products.

13: If You’re Over 50, You Will Have a Hard Time Finding a Job
TRUTH:  The baby boomers are completely redefining the meaning of age and older works, and thus older workers should theoretically have a lot fewer problems finding new jobs than in the past. The critical issues are whether you have the skills, education, and experience that the employer seeks — and whether all those are current. You also have to have the proper attitude — that you are a team player, not a seasoned professional who knows all the answers and is unwilling to change. And, of course, if you are employed in an industry that focuses more on youth, then it may still be harder for you to find a new job.

14: When Times are Tough, Take the First Job Offer You Get
TRUTH:  Job-hunting is streaky.  Should you take the first job offer that comes along? Only if you are sure that the job and the compensation represent the right career move. If not, a better offer will come along — and as long as you are not about to lose your house or suffer other financial or emotional consequences, you should hold out for the job offer that best fits the direction you want to move in

Valuable Tips for Post-Graduates in Today’s Economy…

– Take a resume/interview workshop. Know how to shake hands and look someone in the eye.

– Obtain an internship or work for a nonprofit. Have as much hands-on experience outside of school as possible.

– Be willing to relocate.

– Research the companies to which you’re applying, so if you get called for an interview you know what you’re talking about.

– Get involved in campus leadership; hold a position at a campus club or organization.

– Make personal connections and take advantage of your networking system.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-04-14/news/17193616_1_job-market-graduates-college/3

There you have it.  There IS a point to it all, and what you need to do it continue to refine and expand your skill set, networks, and experience in order to make you a more relevant and competitive candidate for whatever the economy throws at you.  Do not be a victim.

Prepping for an interview after college can range from paralyzing nervousness to arrogant overconfidence in oneself.  But one thing is for sure, first impressions aren’t everything in an interview, but the only thing.

It is advised that no matter how tough and open-ended the typical interview questions may be for you particular case, there are some important steps that you should take, pre-interview, to soften the blows of natural employer intimidation and your own nervousness…

1.   Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and lower your anxiety. Spend at least three hours preparing for each interview, and know the company’s latest actions, what it does, how it does it, and who its customers are.

2.  Draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice how you will respond with these answers.  By doing this it shows the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the company and the position.

3.  Have good directions to the interview site in order to estimate the amount of time needed to get to the interview on time.   Being late is perhaps the one of the most preventable of all interview mistakes.

Below are some commonly difficult-to-answer interview questions and how best to craft your answers in a natural, not over-rehearsed way:

Why should we hire you?

This question gives you an open door to really market yourself.  Briefly go over your strengths, skills ors qualifications that you bring to the position discussed.  Try to come up with something that isn’t just “hard working and motivated.” Set yourself apart from this cliché response by expressing what unique qualities you have.

Why do you want to work here?

This question will reveal how prepared you are for the interview and how much you know the company.  Like expressed before, know the company, the industry, its customers, and its direction.  Matching your qualifications to the company’s direction or philosophy is a good strategy as well.

What are your greatest weaknesses?

Express a weakness of yours but show how you have improved upon it and turned it into strength of yours.  This shows that you are self-aware and self-correcting, showing even more initiative. 

Why did you leave your last job?

Be careful not to be too negative if in fact your last job ended that way.  Be diplomatic; find some positives to discuss along with negatives if your previous employment experience wasn’t so great. 

Describe a problem situation and how you solved it.

This question may be one of the most difficult if you’re just coming out of college and do not have much professional experience.  Effectively answering this question will review critical thinking and prioritization ability. 

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Be specific with this one, and make sure that accomplishment relates to the position you applying for.  Think of the qualities that the company is looking for and demonstrate how through achieving that accomplishment you are meeting their needs. 

What are your salary expectations?

This question may be difficult for those with little experience, so research salary ranges in your field to get an idea.  DO NOT discuss salary expectations before being offered a job unless the employer asks for this information.  Let the interviewer know that you are negotiable about salary, if asked give a range rather than a specific number. 

Tell me about yourself.

This is the broadest of all the common questions asked during an interview.  Stay relevant because the employer is trying to read your professionalism.  Choose to discuss a couple key points (i.e. career goals and professional experience) and try to stick to those points. 

Here are some other common interview questions which may pose difficulty and may need additional preparedness…

1. What is your biggest pet peeve?
2. What can you do for us that someone else can’t?
3. Why should we hire you?
4. What do you look for in a job?
5. What do you think your responsibilities should be?
6. How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to this company?
7. How long do you intend to stay with this company?
8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
9. What is your biggest failure?
10. What do you think of your previous employer?
11. What do you think you are worth?
12. Are you successful?
13. What types of individuals do you have difficulty working with?
14. Are you a team player?
15. Do you prefer to work alone or be a part of a team?
16. How did you prepare for this interview?
17. Do you feel you are over or under-qualified?
18. How has your education prepared you for your career?
19. If you had to live your life over again, what would you change
20. Describe yourself in five words.

Is a College Degree really worth less today than it was say 10, 20 or 30 years ago?  This is a common point being brought up by many recent grads and soon-to-be undergrads about the current job market and the value of higher education.  But is there any validity to this growing perception?

It is true that more students are going to college for BA degrees and Masters Degrees.  This is in term creating more degreed workers in the market, giving more workers for employers to choose from.  Not only that, but average wages for BA holders has decreased steadily over the years.  So how could you then not think that there are fewer advantages to going in debt in student loans to achieve a higher education?

The answer is that college is still the most valuable option that we have, basically.  The misunderstanding comes from the perception of supply and demand for degreed workers in the market.  The demand for college degreed workers is rising; and if the supply is meeting the demand than there will not be the perceived wage increase that most of us expect or want to see…

Wages for college grad earners will not increase because the demand and supply are for the most part meeting each other’s needs.  This is the bottom line which misunderstanding college grads must begin to understand. 

According to a recent Georgetown Center study on employment growth, 2011 is supposed to show a resuming of job growth.  By 2018, over 30 million new jobs will require college education workers (http://blog.aacu.org/index.php/2009/12/16/distractions-from-problems-facing-higher-education-and-economy/).   With this fact, even more emphasis is going to be placed on hiring degreed workers each and every year up till 2018, proving that a BA degree still holds it weight.

Furthering this point, this same report by Georgetown Center’s website stated that when the recession tapers off, a great deal more of the non-college degreed jobs that existed before will be gone.  This point, along with the fact that about 30 million new jobs are coming our way is fuel for thought for BA naysayers…

So there you have it.  The misperception by many college grads is a worthy concern on many levels, but it is just that…a misperception of the market.  As supply meets demand there doesn’t seem to be any payoff; but demand is continuing to rise.  And with the replacement of most jobs that didn’t require degrees before by new degreed jobs, demand will increase dramatically.  A higher education degree is and will be your greatest option.

This blog was inspired by another blog written by Debra Humphreys, December 16^th, 2009 titled: “More Distractions from the Real Problems Facing Higher Education and the Economy”

Name:  Saylom Saenbandith     

Address:  4381 Kellee Lane Apartment 2              

City, State: Loves Park, IL            

Zip:  61111          Phone #:  779-537-6962

Email: Saylom3@yahoo.com
College/ University: Rockford College

Degree: Bachelor of Science/ Masters of Arts

Major:  Economics/ Education

Graduation date: 2004/2008

What are your career goals?

- I would  welcome the opportunity to use my education and experience to work in a Rockford area business.   Ideally, I would like a career in a company where I can use my strong  communication and teamworking skills to help the company grow.        

What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?

- Currently I take part in an after school program to work with bilingual children. 

Where are you from originally?

- I have lived in Rockford most of my life.

What do you like about the Rockford Area?

 - What I like most about Rockford is it’s proximity to larger cities within a fairlty short drive.   

What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?

- Most people are surprised that I recently learned how to swim two years ago.  Many people that know me laugh when I mention that I recently learned how to swim.  They always assumed that since I love being active that I already knew how.

What do you do for fun?

- I love to exercise and play basketball.  I also love traveling when I get the chance. 

What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?

- I would have to agree with many young professionals from the area in that Rockford needs more opportunitites for young professionals to start a career. 

What internships have you had and what did you learn?

- I did not have an internship during my graduate course work.  However, I was a graduate assistant for Rockford College and I learned many valuable things during this time.  As a student center graduate assistant I learned how to multitask, adapt quickly to change, and developed strong leadership skills by managing five employees.

If your a student and wish to gain more experience; load your resume and search for positions based on your major or other areas of study. If your expected graduation date is fast approaching, this winter is a great time to begin seeking out employment opportunities and getting your resume out to employers.  It’s never too early to begin the job search…don’t wait till you graduate, because this current job market is scarce and competitive enough!

And to employers, the desire for the experience given by internships and the need for full-time employment for recent graduates is a great way to market your company to the next generation of the workforce.  You may also register for free on our website (www.rockfordareacareers.com) and begin posting your job/internship opportunities that are sure to get fast recognition in the Rockford Area…

All job postings and registration is absolutely FREE.  Do not wait, the Career Clearinghouse is an excellent resource for companies with young professional recruitment needs, and students/recent graduates with desires to advance their careers.  Contact richard@rockfordareacareers.com or call 815-316-4311 for additional information on registering.

Don’t wait!

Updated 11/20/09

So how do you make your employees happy and retain them at your company? The following Chicago Tribune article gives some great ideas on how attract, retain, and motivate your employees.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-mon-minding-perks-1026oct26,0,400399.column

Here are some of those ideas that are especially appealing to Gen Y workers:

•  Opportunities for advancement
• Generous vacation time
• Telecommuting options
• Flextime
• Free lunches on Fridays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Bonuses for exceeding sales projections
• Evidence of social responsibility

While many employers are cutting all of these things and more; the companies who can provide employees with some of these benefits can increase productivity and actually cut costs.  Think about the long-term impact before you cut employee benefits.

Is your company a progressive company?

This completely new Fall 2009 version includes facts and stats focusing on the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology, and was developed in partnership with The Economist.

1. 1.      Identify Significant Internship Projects

• Special Projects.  If you are like most employers, you have a long list of special projects that need to be done but don’t have the personnel to organize and implement them.  Because of the nature of academic schedules, students often look for internship opportunities that are temporary in nature, so employers find interns to be an ideal solution to this problem.  Interns can be assigned to organize research projects, plan special events, develop special promotional campaigns, or design web pages.  When developing an internship around a special project, you should identify goals, timelines, and outcomes so that everyone understands the purpose and expectations.

• On-Going Operations.  Some organizations routinely experience peak periods where additional staff is needed.  Others may operate under very limited budgets and need more help throughout the year.  Again, interns may solve these problems.  Interns may serve as facilitators for youth groups, HR support staff, PR or marketing associates, or website developers.  Remember, students are looking for internships that provide them with professional experience and the opportunity to learn.

Key to a successful internship: Provide challenging and productive work assignments.  UI students are intelligent and highly motivated; they take a great deal of pride in their work and generally perform beyond the employer’s expectation. They want to learn from real-world experience, to work with professionals in their field, and to make a meaningful contribution to your organization.  Assigning significant projects will benefit your intern and maximizes the return on your intern investment.

1. 2.      Determine the Length of the Internship

• The duration of your internship can be as flexible as is necessary to accommodate the mutual needs of both the student and the employer.
• How long will the internship last?  How much time it will take to accomplish your goals for the internship?  Generally, students are available for a semester (15 weeks) or a summer (Mid-May through Mid-August); some may consider longer internships. 
• Summer Internships.  This is the most popular time for students to participate in an internship.  Students begin looking for full-time summer internships as early as October.
• Continuing Full-Time Internships.  Full-time internships extending beyond a semester can be created if a student chooses to temporarily “stop out” from school.  In a continuing full-time internship, students assume full responsibility for stopping out.  
  • Academic credit for internships is available if pre-arranged by the student and their academic department or CAPP.
  • Students who seek these longer internships prefer a summer/fall or spring/summer internship.  These internships should coincide with the UI semester system.
  •  Continuing Part-Time Internships.  For students who are currently enrolled in classes, internships can be part-time (10-20 hours per week) for one or more semesters.  Transportation may be a concern; part-time internship generally should be within commuting distance from the UI campus.

1. 3.      Establish the Necessary Organizational Support

• Designate a mentor/supervisor.  The best supervisor is someone who is interested in teaching others, understands you organization and its operating procedures, and can develop quality work assignments for students.  Good supervisors not only help interns learn, they also help your organization learn about the intern as a potential full-time hire.
• Decide whether your intern will work in one department or several.
• Determine the type of orientation and training your intern will need.
• Provide safe working facilities.  Make available equipment, supplies, and work space necessary for the student to perform his/her duties.

1. 4.      Write a Position Description. Include the following:

• Brief organization description of your organization and website address
• Position title
• Skills and qualifications required/preferred
• Duties and responsibilities
• Pay rate (or indicate that it is unpaid)
• Hours per week
• Location (city, state)
• Start and end dates of the internship
• Application instructions and deadline

1. 5.      Advertise and Hire an Intern.  CAPP can help!

• Internship announcements.  Post your internship on Vandal CareerConnection (VCC), UI’s on-line job/internship database (www.capp.uidaho.edu).  Having difficulty?  Contact our Employer Relations team for help.
• On-campus interviews.  Our qualified staff will coordinate your on-campus interview schedule to maximize your visit and allow you to meet with as many candidates as possible.  To arrange your on-campus interviews, please contact our Employer Relations team. Please contact us 6-8 weeks prior to your visit to allow adequate time to promote your internship opportunity and interview date.
• Report your hire.  When you hire a UI student or alumnus, let us know!  At the end of the recruiting season, we will send you a placement survey to help us learn where our students were hired.  You can also send an e-mail to capp@uidaho.edu at any time with hiring information.

Other Important Information

Liability Concerns:

Medical Insurance:  Students are responsible for obtaining their own medical insurance in order to enroll in classes at the University of Idaho.  UI’s Student Health Services has student medical insurance available; the student may be listed on their parents’ insurance; or the student can obtain insurance through a local vender.

Workers Compensation:  If a student is paid in an employment capacity, the student should be covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation policy.  If a student is unpaid or receives a stipend, it is highly advisable for an employer to obtain a rider to its existing workers’ compensation policy to cover the intern.

Wage Issues:

While some interns are willing to work with an employer on an unpaid basis in order to gain valuable career-building experience, the pool of interested students will likely be much larger and of higher quality if you provide financial compensation for the work performed by the intern.

Intern Salaries: To calculate a fair hourly wage for your intern, first identify the entry-level starting salary for a similar position at your organization, then multiply it by a percentage to determine the intern’s salary.  This percentage varies depending on the intern’s education level and experience, and is broken down as follows:

Unpaid or Stipend Internships:  If you do not have the resources to pay an intern an hourly wage, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act and U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Trainee/Learner guidelines, if you wish to have an unpaid or stipend intern, your internship must meet these six factors:

1. The training is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school.
2. The training is for the benefit of the students.
3. The students do not displace regular employees.
4. The employer derives little immediate advantage from the activities of students.
5. The students are not entitled to a job at the end of the training period.
6. The employer and the student understand that the student is not entitled to wages.

Address:  6353 Sawgrass Drive  

City, State:  Rockford, Illinois

Zip:  61114

Phone #:  312-848-1031

Email:  maurice_west37@yahoo.com
College/ University:  The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Degree:  Master of Arts
Major:  Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Graduation date:  May 2009

What are your career goals?

My passion is organizational development; whether it is through training and development or professional coaching.  I am currently looking for a job in the Rockford area where I can utilize those skills.

What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?

I am a member of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychologist (SIOP).  I am also a mentor for Urban Future Leaders of the World (uFLOW).  In Rockford, I participated in Starlight Theater at Rock Valley College and Artist’s Ensemble.  Once I find a job I would like to get involved in IGNITE.

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Elgin, IL and moved to Rockford when I was five.

What do you like about the Rockford Area?

The passion for improvement.  The Metro Centre is looking great so far!

What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?

I played basketball in high school and college but I do not watch it.  I won’t be able to hold a conversation about the game with anyone. 

What do you do for fun?

I play the piano, drums, and alto saxophone; so in my spare time I practice.  I also stay active by working out and playing basketball.

What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?

Our downtown area.  Develop the area to attract businesses into the Rockford area.