CCM - County College of Morris

Graduating in a Competitive Job Market

Plan Ahead: 

• A degree does not guarantee you a job, it qualifies you to apply.  Look at your classmates as your competition in the job market.  Pay attention to your specific strengths and what makes you competitive. 
• Internships answer the “How am I supposed to get experience if no one will hire me?” question. 
• Leadership is important, but go for quality rather than quantity.  Recruiters will be more impressed if you have a significant role in one or two organizations rather than a long list of insignificant memberships.
• Related work experience is ideal, but any work experience is better than no work experience.  A demonstrated work ethic or positive reference from a past employer can be important.
• Throughout school, put aside items such as writing samples, design samples, projects, awards, evaluations, etc., for future reference.  You may need to pull together a portfolio on short notice. 
• Get recommendations from professors while they still remember you.
• Recruiters are using the web to learn about you.  Your personal and professional lives are not as separate as you think.  Review your FaceBook page.  Google yourself to see what a prospective employer might find and clean up what you can.  
• Develop a profile on a professional networking site like LinkedIn before you graduate. 

The Search and Application Process:

• Be flexible in your search in terms of geographic area, size of the company, etc.  Remember, you don’t have to remain at this job for the rest of your life.  
• If you can’t find your “perfect” job immediately, consider looking for one that might provide the experience you need to get that perfect job down the road.
• Utilize all available resources (want ads, company websites, job boards, networking, career centers, etc.)
• Don’t wait.  You may want to postpone vacation plans.  The “best” jobs will go quickly.
• An employer will use a variety of methods to quickly “weed out” candidates.  A resume or cover letter with grammatical errors or an incomplete application are just two examples.
• Follow the employer's instructions exactly.  If the employer says "no phone calls" in the job ad, don’t call.
• A resume needs to offer something significant and specific to the employer’s needs - not be a life history.  Consider it your first opportunity to get a competitive edge.  If you want it read, make it readable. 

The Interview:

• Prepare.  Research the employer and news about your field so that you can add to discussions during an interview. 
• Practice.  Find out how you come across in an interview.  You can get hired even if you are not the best qualified on paper. 
• Even if the company culture is casual, the interview may not be.  Present a professional image.  Demonstrate how well you can represent the company.
• Be prepared to give specific examples of anything you have indicated on your resume.
• If you choose not to appear for an interview, call and cancel.  It’s a small world within industries; you don’t know who the recruiter you just stood up, might know.
• Don’t forget the thank-you note.
   

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