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Employment: Graduation is an exciting time in the lives of students. After years in the classroom preparing for life after school, graduation marks a time when students are finally ready to enter the “real world” and land their first professional job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics advises that earning a college degree can greatly improve a person’s chance of landing a job. The more education a person receives, the lower his or her prospects of being unemployed become. The BLS said that, as of 2014, individuals with a bachelor’s degree could earn on average $1,101 per week, compared to $668 for persons with high school diplomas. Those with bachelor’s degrees had a 3.5 percent unemployment rate compared to 6 percent for those with only high school diplomas. The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that roughly two million students earn bachelor’s degrees each year. Many others will go on to earn master’s or doctorates before entering the workforce. As the economy continues to improve, job prospects follow suit. According to a job outlook from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers had plans to hire 8.3 percent more new college graduates in 2015 than in 2014. The growth of businesses and the rising rate of retiring Baby Boomers has spurred employment prospects. Landing a job post-graduation requires diligence on the part of new grads, and the following are a handful of ways to make those pursuits more successful. • Hit the ground running. It’s tempting for recent grads to take the summer off and have a lax approach to job hunting after all of the hard work they put into their education. But recent grads can get a head start on their competition by beginning their searches immediately after earning their degrees. Create a list of a few target companies you have your eye on, and then tap into your network to find a contact at each company and reach out to that contact directly. • Focus on a career path. Prospective employers prefer that applicants have some certainty regarding the types of jobs they are looking for. Take a career assessment test or work with a career counselor to narrow down the fields and positions that speak to you. Avoid the “I’m willing to do or learn anything” approach to job applications. Employers may see that as desperation. • Don’t rely entirely on the Internet. Oftentimes, landing a good job requires reaching out to people in person. In a MonsterCollege survey, 78 percent of job-seekers said networking was a factor in their job searches. Standing out from the crowd may involve physically standing out. Attend conferences or speeches from people who work at the companies you’re investigating. Don’t be afraid to shake some hands and introduce yourself to others. • Think about what you can offer to prospective employers. Narrow down your specific skills and customize your résumés or cover letters to the specific talents you can offer each potential employer. Use examples that illustrate these skills from past school courses, volunteerism or part-time jobs. Your “quirks,” like being the most punctual person in your group of friends, may turn out to be the skill an employer admires the most. Consider developing a career portfolio that highlights your past achievements.
The next step after graduation
• Do your homework before an interview or networking opportunity. Always be prepared before an interview or when meeting with someone you are soliciting for job help. Research the company and know its background so you have an idea of how the company runs. Keep a list of questions at the ready. A knowledge of the company can help you stand out from other applicants. The next step for many after graduation is to find a job that fits with graduates’ career goals.
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Checklist for Writing an
INTERVIEW THANK YOU LETTER Write the letter(s) ASAP Send separate thank-you letter to each interviewer Address interviewers by name Keep it brief Remind interviewers of your strengths/ enthusiasm for the role and the company Also, remind interviewers of who you are! Thank the interviewers for their time Conduct a spelling/grammar check before sending
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things to look for
in a new
Change plays a big role as people ring in a new year. At the dawn of a new year, some people resolve to live healthier in the months ahead while others might make financial resolutions in an attempt to improve their bottom lines. The decision to change jobs is another popular resolution at the dawn of a new year. Professionals change jobs for various reasons. But regardless of what’s behind a career change, many people can benefit by looking for things in a new job that can make them happy both professionally and personally. • SALARY: Of course everyone would love to earn more money when changing jobs, but there is more to changing jobs than just improving your bottom line. As you begin your job search, consider how much you currently earn and if that allows you to live a life you love. If so, don’t overemphasize finding a new job that pays considerably more than your currently earn. On the flip side, young professionals who want to start a family in the years ahead should consider the costs associated with such a decision and how the salaries they earn at their next jobs may affect what they want down the road. • WORK/LIFE BALANCE: Before beginning your search for a new job, think about why you want to switch careers or companies. Long hours often leads to burnout. If you’re looking for a new job because you’re burned out, try to find a job that affords you a better work/life
job
balance. A study from the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen found that, with the curious exception of people who work more than 55 hours per week, stress rises accordingly with the numbers of hours worked each week. Keep that in mind if your goal is to find a job that affords you a better work/life balance. • SATISFACTION: When attempting to achieve a better work/life balance, it can be easy to overlook satisfaction at work in exchange for more time at home. But studies have shown that feeling satisfied by what you do can have a profound impact on your overall happiness. It’s possible to find an engaging career that still affords you time away from work, and such a career can ultimately pave the way toward a happier life. • COMMUTE: Bending over backwards simply to get to work and then get home from work can have an incredibly negative impact on your life. A study from the Office of National Statistics in the United Kingdom found that commuters, especially those who spend between 60 and 90 minutes commuting to work, have lower life satisfaction and lower levels of happiness compared to people who don’t commute. Before accepting a job offer, estimate your commute time to and from the new office and try to determine the impact of that commute on your quality of life. Many people aspire to find a new job at the dawn of a new year. Job seekers should consider a host of factors before switching jobs to make sure they make the best decisions.
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Simple Ways to Fight the
new job jitters By Sara McCord for themuse.com
Starting a new job is incredibly exciting (translation: incredibly nerve-wracking). Figuring out the ins and outs of your job description is only the tip of the iceberg—organizational culture, new personalities, and an unfamiliar office mean you’re constantly learning new things. And while the adjustment period feels new and different for everyone, some of us struggle with feeling downright overwhelmed. If this sounds like you (and you have the bitten fingernails to prove it), we’ve gathered four ways to conquer your nerves and take these new experiences in stride.
WAKE UP EARLIER Ever notice how your hands clench the steering wheel when you have five minutes left for the last 15 of your commute? Know that sinking feeling when you miss your train and have to wait for the next one all too well? When you cut your commute too close and are rushing, you begin your day flustered and worried. But you can make all (OK, most) of that angst disappear—all you need to do is leave earlier. Set your alarm 30 minutes early (in case you need to hit snooze once or twice) and aim to get to work at least 10 minutes early every day. Make it your goal to have your coat hung up and coffee in hand pre-9 AM. You’ll eliminate all of those useless jitters, and start your day with a positive baseline. (Bonus: supervisors always tos omnipresent or nowhere to be seen?), bring like the early birds.) in a few office supplies that make you feel good, like the Paris notepad your BFF gave you or a SET UP YOUR WORKSPACE pen with your alma mater’s name. When you move into a new apartment, it doesn’t feel like your own until your boxes are unpacked and it feels “like home.” While you SCHEDULE A LUNCH can’t (and, frankly, shouldn’t) personalize your If it’s fitting in with a new group that’s the office to the same degree, you should apply the root of your jitters, remember that everyone has same principle: You’ll feel more settled once ev- to eat, and ask your colleagues to grab lunch. You’ll feel much more comfortable when you erything is geared up. So set up your email signature and record get to know a few people a bit better. A simyour outgoing voicemail message on your first ple, “Hey, have any favorite lunch places around day. It will feel good to see your name next to here? Want to join me to grab a bite?” works your new title every time you click “Compose,” perfectly. it’ll have you prepared to communicate with the Ask them questions about their job, but also outside world, and it’ll get you familiar with any feel free to use this time to talk about things that aren’t work-related—are they sports fanatics? new technology. And, don’t forget about your desk. While you Are they originally from this area? You’ll bond may want to take time to observe how personal- over lunch and have a conversation starter next ized your colleague’s desks are (are family pho- time you’re all in the break room or want to ask
someone how staff meetings usually go.
WORK ON YOUR SELF-TALK It seems obvious—but too many of us talk down to ourselves, which in turn makes us feel bad and ramps up our nerves. If you find yourself getting frustrated, remember that you’re bound to face some roadblocks during this time, and give yourself a little pep talk (just, well, not out loud). You’ll feel better and your new colleagues will see you as someone who is calm under pressure. Finally, remember that you’re going to do a great job—that’s why they hired you! Getting over your nerves is a skill that takes practice, but staying calm and positive will make you feel better about your new job and help you in the future as well. Like when you’re adjusting to a new promotion!
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Advice for a
successful career change Individuals change jobs for many reasons, including greater professional satisfaction, money or a change of location. The financial experts at The Balance say that people change jobs more frequently than many people may think, noting today’s average worker changes jobs 12 times during his or her career. It is not uncommon for workers to change careers several times in a lifetime. The notion that the job a person starts out in directly after graduation is the one that he or she will have for the rest of his or her life — or at the very least, several years — is no longer the norm. Many younger workers migrate between jobs for greater compensation and fulfillment. Older workers, too, are faced with career stagnation. A survey from the University of Phoenix School of Business found 59 percent of working adults say they’re interested in taking the leap of a midlife career change. Once the idea for a career change has been planted in a person’s mind, he or she may be anxious to jump right in. However, career coaches and other experts say that it is better to take the transition slowly and confirm that changing careers is truly the path to take. Finding the right time for the transition is equally important. These steps can help professionals as they decide if the time is right to change careers. • Research the job market. Look into the industries for the field you are considering. Is it the right time for success in this field? Industries tend to ebb and flow. Do not leave a job only to find the next career has few, if any, openings. Job growth projections are available through
resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. • Assess your likes and dislikes. Another area of consideration is what you like to do. Leaving a job may be based around finding a career that caters to your interests. Make a list of the types of careers you find appealing. To get help, take a career assessment quiz online. • Don’t choose a career based on salary alone. Monster.com says that being financially strategic when choosing a new career is important, but shouldn’t be the only factor. Your personal values, experience and other factors such as family should weigh heavily into your decision as well. • Use your network. The notion that “it’s not what you know, but who you know” has some truth to it. Successful job-seekers continually expand their professional contacts. This is achieved by going to informational interviews, attending trade association meetings and reviewing trade publications. Target people who work at the companies where you see yourself, so you can get the inside track about job openings. • Get new skills. Learn which skills you have that are transferrable to a new career and which ones you may need to acquire. Take a course or two or sign up for training seminars. Don’t immediately assume you need to return to school before investigating other, less costly avenues. Changing jobs and careers takes effort, but the results can be worth it in the long run.
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