| Even though we are in a recession; the war for talent | | | | your potential employer. What will you do in your new |
| still exists. Now more than ever employers are looking | | | | job that will fill the employer's needs? What have you |
| even more closely for individuals who can "contribute | | | | learned in college, internships, part time jobs, volunteer |
| to the organizations bottom line." Very simply, | | | | work or life experiences that will enable you to apply |
| employers are looking for candidates who have the | | | | and take advantage of opportunities in their |
| right degree and skill-sets necessary for success in | | | | organization? |
| the position they are trying to fill. This may appear to | | | | Most college graduates are "theory smart." They |
| be an obvious statement; but, many college graduates | | | | know what the book says and have proven their |
| don't take this basic message to heart. The completion | | | | ability to pass curriculum requirements, the big question |
| of a degree does not guarantee a job. Employers | | | | the employer is concerned about is "can you apply in |
| want to know what you will do for them. | | | | the real world what you have learned." Can you write |
| The 2008 survey conducted by indicated that 44% of | | | | a report which clearly communicates and has impact? |
| the responding employers ranked the graduates major | | | | Can you effectively communicate within a team |
| as the top priority, interviewing skills placed second, a | | | | setting to help bring a project to a successful |
| graduates internship and experience ranked third, and | | | | conclusion? Do you have a "get it done in a cost |
| 10% of respondents cited the college the student | | | | effective manner" attitude? Being able to demonstrate |
| graduated from came in fourth as a priority in their | | | | how you will apply the theory you have learned in |
| hiring consideration process.According to the National | | | | school to real situations in the workplace, will give you |
| Association of Colleges and Businesses 2009 job | | | | a leg up on the competition. |
| survey, the top 5 personal qualities/skills employers | | | | Third, can you demonstrate leadership skills in the |
| seek, are: communication skills (verbal and written), a | | | | workplace? Leadership shows a willingness to take an |
| strong work ethic, teamwork skills (works well with | | | | active interest in something or someone to the next |
| others), initiative and analytical skills in that order. | | | | level. As a college graduate, most often you will quickly |
| The above is useful information to consider when | | | | be expected to take on the responsibility of a |
| preparing to look for a job; however, to compete most | | | | leadership role in your career. This can be in the form |
| effectively, candidates need to know more, and do | | | | of project management or a team leadership role. If |
| more, with the information so they can set themselves | | | | you are a leader verses a follower, and can provide |
| apart from others in today's competitive job market. | | | | leadership examples, employers will be more likely to |
| And...in addition to the above, there are other important | | | | hire you. Your leadership abilities are also a good |
| considerations organizations look for when considering | | | | indication to the hiring organization that you are a |
| candidates for a position. | | | | self-starter and a take charge person. |
| When you get by the obvious, right major, relevant skill | | | | The over-riding message expressed by employers in |
| set and the ability to interview and possibly the | | | | all segments of the for-profit and non-profit |
| completion of a well directed internship, the "attitude" of | | | | organizations is this... Employers are looking for people |
| the candidate becomes one of the major factors in | | | | who can do the job. Employers want people who |
| the hiring process. In fact, the majority of employers in | | | | have the necessary academic, technical and |
| good organizations have adopted the mantra "hire | | | | interpersonal skills and competencies required for the |
| attitude, train skill." They have come to realize over | | | | position for which they are being considered. One last |
| time that smart people can learn new skills, but | | | | quality hiring employers like to see is the knowledge |
| individuals with a poor attitude most often cannot be | | | | the applicant has of their organization. Research the |
| change, nor does the organization want to invest the | | | | company as deeply as possible so you demonstrate in |
| time, money and effort to change a person's attitude. | | | | your resume, cover letter and interview your |
| The message about a great attitude is not being | | | | knowledge of their operation. The extent of your |
| imparted strongly to very many graduates. One of the | | | | "company knowledge" will enable you to ask pointed |
| major keys to employment is a great, genuine and | | | | and clear questions and demonstrate your sincere |
| positive attitude! | | | | interest in their organization. If you take a serious |
| Secondly, your demonstrated work ethic is critical to | | | | interest in them, they might just return the same to you. |