About Career Blog

Tips & Tricks for Recent College Grads

So, you graduated in May and are still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. Certainly, every situation is different. However, the number one most common problem for recent grads is that they do not know what to do with their degree. The following tricks and tips are intended to ease the pain of finding a new job…especially in this economy.

  • Make smart career choices. Do your homework on the jobs you are considering. Some industries are growing. Others are shrinking. Do online research. Talk with people such as alumni, parents, professors, and your college career office. Use these sources to help you understand as much as possible about your future career.
  • Be creative. There are, after all, other ways to search for a job besides the Internet. Even though search engines can help you find jobs in the comfort of your own home, it’s not the only alternative available to you. The number one way to find a job is to get out of your house and network. Talk to as many people as possible – ideally those in your field.
  • Do not box yourself into only working for a huge, international company. These large firms receive tons of resumes each day and yours could easily get lost in the maze of paperwork. Consider applying for positions at smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees. This strategy might at least get your foot in the door for an interview.
  • Proofread! Resumes with mistakes are absolutely unacceptable – and 99% of the time they end up in the “circular file.”
  • Make sure your resume reaches the right person. If possible, avoid sending your resume to a general human resource addresses. Instead, find out the name of the hiring manager and send your resume directly to her.
  • Be prepared for that all-important interview. Research the company. Learn as much as you can about the competition. Expect and prepare for all questions. Mind your manners. And, bring extra resumes.
  • Be choosy. Even though your main objective is to find a job, you must ultimately choose the position that’s best for you. Carefully weigh your career goals and how the position you’re considering can help you attain them. If you determine that the job will help you gain the experience that you need to move to the top, then go for it.

Above all, be patient. There is a lot of competition out there, and not nearly as many good jobs as there used to be. But with some perseverance and hard work, you’ll eventually land on your feet. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 8/28/2009 09:49:00 AM
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Standing Out from the Crowd

I've always been good at standing out from the crowd whether it was my numerous tattoos or artfully colored hair. However, as I proceed knee-deep into this journey of post-grad job searching, I'm curious... How do you stand out from the hundreds (if not, thousands) of other job searching folks? Better yet, how do you do it tactfully?

MSN Careers writer and author of "They Don't Teach Corporate in College," Alexandra Levit, offers 5 Ways for '09 Grads to Stand Out in the Job Market.

1. Hunt down the unadvertised jobs
2. Make your résumé pop
3. Customize all communication
4. Have a professional online persona
5. Do pre-interview intelligence

Seemingly reasonable... I started with #1. and did what I know best... research! I started with College Grad's recently announced 2009 Top Entry Level Employers list that includes companies of all sizes and industries and its projected number of entry level hires. Then, I cross analyzed the list with who was on Twitter.

Following these companies on Twitter has given me the inside scoop on who's hiring as well as allowing for me to initiate a relationship without having to wait for someone to get back to me. Knowing that these companies are receptive to hiring entry level workers and having a leg-up with real time communication is giving me the "stand-out-ability" that I've been searching for... minus the pink hair!

What are you doing to stand out?

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Posted by Melissa on 5/13/2009 11:45:00 AM
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Cinderella Syndrome: Why Career Success is not a Fairytale.


Many students making the transition from college-life to the real world have contracted a serious condition called “Cinderella Syndrome,” also commonly referred to as “princess syndrome.” Careerealism defines this fictitious disease as a sense of entitlement when it comes to achieving career success.

Cinderella Syndrome can lead people to believe its “unfair” as to why they have not been hired for a particular job, rather than understanding that someone may have been better suited for the position. This entitlement can also lead college students to believe that after graduating the right job will fall into their laps or better yet, that a company will actively recruit them directly out of school. Ring- Ring! Reality is calling…

Today’s job market is a fiercely competitive place and sitting back on the assumption that the right job will find you is not a strategy for career success! Career success is not a fairytale, it’s out there and it can happen to you! But the only real way to achieve it is through hard work and perseverance. You must actively take steps to achieve your goals, rather than waiting around for your fairy godmother to wave her magic wand.

Start by setting realistic goals for yourself. Give yourself a daily dose of success by creating attainable of goals of progress. You are never going to become CEO of a Fortune 500 company overnight; however you can start by taking a course in Management. By conquering small steps, you’ll give yourself a boost of confidence each time making progress towards taming the employment beast and becoming closer to achieving your goals.

Network, network, network! Many times in today’s workforce, it’s not what you know that separates you from the crowd… its who you know! If you’re currently interning or temping, make the most of your opportunities. Go beyond what your employer asks of you, and show your co-workers what you are made of! Be fearless in showing how much enthusiasm you have for your work. The connections you make with your colleagues could potentially lead to job offers, letters of recommendation or just some stellar professional advice.

And remember, being positive can be the ultimate determining factor in your success. So smile on… and you might happen to catch yourself a Prince Charming while working your way towards career success! Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 1/23/2009 11:50:00 AM
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Internet Success - Turning a Matter of Chance Into a Matter of Time

   The rise of the Internet as a major entertainment medium has opened new horizons of opportunity for up-and-coming creative professionals. The good news is that it's easier now than ever before to distribute your work and make a name for yourself. The bad news is that you're competing with tens of millions of other people with the same goals and the same resources available to them. What to do? 

   If you want to stand out from the crowd, you first have to know where the crowd is. Many current Internet success stories got their start showcasing their work on free sites such as Youtube and Blogspot. If it worked for them, it may work for you. Uploading your stuff to most major hosts is quick and easy, so it can't hurt to give it a shot. For this reason, social media sites are by far the most popular means of online publishing. 

   Of course, creative individuals are seldom content to take the road most travelled. There are limitless other, less frequently explored ways to get your feet in the door; building your own site, web-based advertising on other sites, and posting on online message boards for creative professionals are just a few. That's the beauty of the Internet - it offers you the freedom to express yourself and generate interest in what you're doing in whichever way best suits your goals. Making it big is always a matter of chance, but if you know how the work the Web, it could just be a matter of time.   

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Posted by Brian on 12/02/2008 05:00:00 PM
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