College Grads -5-


Career Advice:

A wealth of knowledge, lifelong friendships, school loans and the ability to do your own laundry without ruining your favorite shirt - these are all things you will have when you graduate from college. Hopefully, an internship will be included on your list, too. If you enter the working world without prior experience, you may find it difficult to land your first job. An internship will help you apply what you've learned in school to the workplace, as well as help you explore various fields and industries before you make the big leap.
Long before you don the cap and gown, you should be searching for opportunities to gain familiarity with your chosen career path. Many websites offer listings of internships, including CareerBuilder.com (link) and internshipprograms.com (link), with opportunities throughout the country and abroad.

Be resourceful in your search. Visit your school's career center and talk to a counselor. This may seem obvious, but many students never take the time to check out the opportunities in their own backyard! If you're heading home for semester breaks or during the summer, take a look at the companies in your hometown. Your parents' friends are likely to be good resources for you and even act as a reference. Check in with former teachers and coaches, too.

Explore opportunities with industry leaders. Most internships are arranged by the individual departments that need assistance or, in a larger company, through the human resources department. Start early in the year to see when internships begin (they often coincide with college terms) and when the company will begin taking and reviewing applications. Being the first application on the internship coordinator's desk shows you've got spunk and if your area of study or interests matches their need, you're likely to be the first one they call.
Don't forget to look to trade associations and non-profit organizations. While they may not offer the highest paying positions, you may find that there is less competition and a lot more opportunity to do real work. Non-profit organizations contain in many of the same entities as for-profit companies, including accounting, research, communications, marketing and human resources. And since most not-for-profit organizations have limited staff, you may be given real projects to develop and manage.

Even if you spend most of your summer intern days making copies and being the office gopher, you can learn and grow from your experience. If your internship lacks structure, talk to your supervisor to see if there is a small project you could do to test out something you've learned in class. For example, if you are working toward a degree in public relations, ask for the chance to write a press release or contribute an article to a newsletter. Ask department members to allow you to shadow them for a day to see what their real jobs entail. Then offer to help them out on a task you've observed them do. Take time to learn new computer skills, try out new software, read trade journals, and review press clippings. Take notes and listen attentively during meetings. Set up lunch dates to meet with staff members to learn more about their jobs; prepare a list of questions, learn about how they advanced in their careers, and ask to see samples of their work.

If you demonstrate a strong work ethic, show a high level of enthusiasm and interest, and perform well on your assignments the company may ask you to come back once you've graduated. If there isn't a position for you, your internship will still provide benefits in your post-collegiate life. Your supervisors can serve as references for you. Keep in touch with your fellow staff members - this is your first step into networking. Finally, remember to include this experience on your resume.


REF: Careers Builder.com

We are not Terrorists
No words for killing Emblems & Symbols of NATIONS

OH Heaven… God bless Sheikh Ahmed Yassin..

Amen..Amen..Amen

College Grads -4-


Career Advice:

Finding your first job can be a double-edged sword. Employers don't want to hire you due to your lack of experience, but you can't gain experience without a job. At times, it seems like there are no opportunities for individuals looking for entering the working world. But don't give up, many companies hire recent college grads with no experience. Getting your first job takes a great deal of effort and persistence, as well as knowing how to best present yourself to a potential employer.

The first step to take if you are looking for a job right out of college is deciding what industry you would like to break into and researching the needed skills. You can do this by reading about the field in trade publications and corporate websites, talking to career counselors, or simply asking someone in the field to meet you for an informational interview - ask them which skills are valued, how they started their career, and if they have any advice for you.

Once you have pinpointed the qualifications that are essential to your chosen career path, you can think back through your own personal history to figure out where you have picked up those skills. There are several creative ways to figure out how to tout your value on a resume.

Emphasize your education. Relevant coursework can be extremely applicable. For example, someone interested in a writing position but who does not have an in-depth portfolio can focus instead on writing-intensive and editing classes taken in college. Use "A" papers (clean versions without a professor's remarks) or published pieces in the campus newspaper or literary magazine as examples of your work. And, think back about projects and presentations you have completed - these skills, like public speaking and group collaboration, are extremely valuable to an employer. What about computer software you know how to use? Chances are you have paid good money for your education. This is the time to put it to work for you.
Don't forget about your part-time jobs. Often, job seekers just entering the workplace neglect to mention their part-time experience, thinking these positions are irrelevant to their desired field. However, many employers understand that working part time, particularly when attending school, is a major time commitment and responsibility. Many companies look for candidates who have some kind of part-time experience. Retail experience, in particular, is desirable, as candidates who have worked in retail have had the opportunity to develop customer service, time management and problem solving skills.

You have probably developed desirable skills through other activities and organizations. Employers look for candidates who have been involved in community organizations, clubs or volunteer activities. For example, a candidate who played a sport has certainly developed time management skills and has learned the importance of being a team player. You may have held an officer position in a club or service organization, which demonstrates that you have leadership skills. Don't think that an experience is not worthwhile just because you didn't get paid.

One more option you may want to consider as you begin your job search is looking for a temporary position to gain real-world work experience, an internship, either paid or unpaid, or a volunteer opportunity with a company in your industry. Not only will these experiences give you more “meat” to include on your resume, they will also demonstrate that you had the initiative to go after your dreams, no matter what.

Now it is time to put your skills and qualifications into a resume that showcases your talent. You best bet is to develop a functional rather than a chronological resume. Chronological resumes focus on qualifications listed by past employers in reverse chronological order and are best suited for those with a good amount of experience. A functional resume highlights your abilities rather than your work history. In a functional resume, the main headlines you use are skills and strengths. For example, section headlines for someone looking to break into sales might be “Sales Experience,” “Customer Service Skills,” and “Problem Solving Skills.” Under each headline, list specific accomplishments and experience from past jobs.

Once you've completed this self-inventory, you'll probably surprise yourself by realizing that you really do have some solid qualities to offer. Now you are armed with the skills and experience desirable to employers and necessary for entering the job search.


Ref. : Career builder.com


...... To be Continued........

Amira

College Grads -3-


Career Advice:


Employers plan to boost hiring over last year
By DIANE SUCHETKA

If the gift you're hoping for when you graduate from college this spring is a job, you may be in luck.

Employers say they'll hire 12.7 percent more graduates in 2003-2004 than they did last year.

It's the first projected increase in three years, according to the nonprofit National Association of Colleges and Employers, which represents college career advisers and human resources employees.

In a second study, 60 percent of U.S. businesses say they plan to hire the same number or more graduates this spring than last.

That's up from 55 percent last year and 56 percent the year before, according to research by the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University.

It's good news. But not so good that graduates won't have to work to land jobs.

"Even though job growth is positive, they've got to understand it's still very competitive,"says Phil Gardner, who headed the Michigan State study. "There are a lot of well-educated people out there still looking," he said, referring to experienced workers who lost their jobs as businesses downsized in recent years.

U.S. companies will hire more students earning bachelor's degrees in business, hospitality fields, construction management and biological and physical science, according to Gardner's study. All other majors, he says, will see a slight decrease in the number of available jobs.

The association of colleges and employers found that companies are most interested in undergraduate and graduate business and engineering majors.

Locally, fields that appear most promising are health care, accounting, management, finance and the service industry, according to the career office at UNC Charlotte. But engineering and technology positions are opening up, too.

Both national studies found that internships greatly increase a student's shot at permanent employment. The average employer converts 42.5 percent of its interns to full-time, regular hires, according to the association study.

The expected hiring uptick coincides with other good economic news.

The U.S. economy is forecast to grow 4.3 percent next year -- the fastest rate since 1998 -- according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

U.S. economic growth saw its highest quarterly growth in gross domestic product -- the value of all goods and services produced in the country -- since 1984, according to a November report from the U.S. Commerce Department.

And consumer confidence jumped in November to its highest level in more than a year.

Charlotte-area colleges and businesses say the job market is already improving here.

"We're seeing a lot of businesses that are coming out of their slumber and they're hiring their interns and co-op students," says Audrey Rorrer, associate director of employer connections at UNCC.



More companies are calling to post jobs or recruit on campus in 2004, too, she says.

"There's been a definite upswing in the past three weeks," says Pat Nash, director of career services at Central Piedmont Community College.
Wachovia Corp.won't release numbers, but the bank says it's already offering jobs to more spring graduates.

"Our hiring numbers for college graduates have gone up significantly," says Wachovia spokeswoman Arati Randolph.

Charlotte employment agencies and executive search firms are seeing the same trend.

"We are, in fact, starting to see companies beginning to think about hiring," says Charlie Lucas, an executive search consultant with The McAulay Firm in Charlotte. "We're starting to see businesses operate with a greater degree of confidence."

Barry Pronier, a partner in Sherpa, a staffing and recruiting Charlotte firm that specializes in providing finance and accounting professionals, forecasts a tight labor market in the next 10 years.

Through the economic downturn, he says, he's seen more employers bring in temporary workers so they can evaluate them before hiring them permanently.

And here's a holiday tip from the experts: Whether you're looking for an internship or permanent employment, this is the time of year to step up, not slow down, your search.

"What you need to do is take advantage of the holiday events you'll be going to, talk about what you're looking for, what your goals are," Nash says.

It's especially true as the economy works its way out of tough times, Nash says. Employers don't want to be deluged by resumes and phone calls, and depend instead on word-of-mouth to find two or three good candidates.

And then there's the holiday cheer.
"People are in a good mood, they're in a giving mood, they're willing to help out," Nash says.

"It's the perfect time to be networking."

Job Outlook for Spring Graduates

Companies will hire more students earning bachelor's degrees in business, hospitality, construction management and biological and physical science. They expect to decrease slightly their hiring of all other majors.
Employers expect to hire about the same number of MBA graduates this year as last. They've found that employees with bachelor's degrees can do some work now being handled by MBAs.
It will be harder for computer science majors to find jobs.
Employers are more likely to hire students who've completed internships. The experience, they say, makes a difference.
Federal agencies will hire more graduates but not enough to offset decreases in hiring by state and local government.
On average, starting salaries will increase by 1 to 2 percent.

SOURCE: The Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University.

...... To be Continued........

Amira

College Grads -2-


Career Advice:

Dear ResumeDoctor:I do not qualify for the job I am applying to. However, I know I can do it if I was given a chance because I fulfill most of the other criteria. So, I would like to include something like "I am teachable" on my resume. Can I do this? I am an immigrant and all I seem to do is apply for jobs I am not qualified for. I am a good worker and am teachable, so how would you address this issue?
Emilia
Whitby, Ontario


Emilia:

You can say "teachable" within your resume, but most recruiters will simply dismiss this type of verbiage in a resume as too fluffy. Recruiters work on the simple premise - they have a job requisition on their desk with certain requirements. These requirements range anywhere from possessing certain skills, experience, (often in terms of years), educational requirements and industry background, etc.

If you do not have the level of experience, the required education nor necessary skills for the position, please understand an employer will almost always choose a candidate that does. If you find your heart pulling you towards a particular firm or company that you are NOT qualified for, you have two options.

1. Keep applying, sending out hundreds of resumes and roll the dice that someone will give you a chance. In today's job market, this could be a long wait.

2. Be prepared to accept more of a junior role position. Put your ego aside. Give yourself a chance to prove to the organization you are "teachable", a hard worker and a valuable employee. This is the same advice that I give women who took time off for maternity leave. If you have been out of the work force for a significant amount of time, you cannot expect to enter the workforce necessarily at the same level you left.

Obtaining a lower-level position is better than nothing. Not only does it bring home the rent check, but it also gives you an opportunity to get your foot in the door. You'll be a stronger candidate for other positions in the company that better suit your desires and career plans. A current employee who has a good track record in an organization will usually be higher up on the candidate pile than those who have no "in" to the organization.

Also, when you are employed in this more junior role, volunteer for other assignments to prove that you are capable of taking on more aggressive assignments. However, BEWARE, make sure you do not let an employer take advantage of your generosity. There is a fine line between such.

Best of Luck in your job search,

The ResumeDoctor



So what are you waiting for? Get moving on your job search today!

Ref. : Career builder.com


...... To be Continued........:)

Amira

The last couple of years, I'd been looking for new job & experience trying to condense upon the real needs of the work market. Asking every body, every where :- "what shall I do? How I could be a professional in my career? What's meant by career? ..qualifications. skills…experience…ect. How could I build my self? The way to refine and burnish my qualifications so my self and attitude?
Now (thanks heaven) I got a job, not only that but I got the ability & chance to change it. At the same time, I'm studying.
That's why I am trying to read and know more may be my dreams come true. Or may be I could reach the Perfection & Wholeness :) may be :)

To those who are thinking in the same way. Couldn't manage to find a guide, I'd like to ask them all to join me reading these series articles:- College Grads (Ref. Career builder.com)



Career Advice:
College Grads:

• Looking for a Job When You Have Minimal Experience

• Job market looking up for spring grads

• Advice for novice job seekers

• An Internship: The Key to Finding Your First Job


...... To be Continued........ :)