Oh Snap!...finally graduated from college and have no idea where/how to get a job.  Pretty lame, but the media says it is a dismal job market out there- the worst job market for new grads in the last 50 years or something like that.  I just don't know what companies want, so I don't know how to sell myself.  Any advice for a B.S., Engineering degree?

Eager Cal State Poly Grad

 

 

 Dear Eager,

Step one...look beyond the media.  Or remind yourself that 90% of people ARE employed. Your generation...Generation Y... is the first truly global generation.  You guys make up a third of the world's population.  Since  you are connected by advancing technology, new grads around the world have a similar sense of what the future holds.The trick is to take a look at what companies need and want.

 

Here are inside tips on what today's employers look for. This list comes directly from the mouths of hiring managers, so listen up! Communication skills are noted as the top recruiting consideration.  Next on the list is interpersonal skills - teamwork is the norm, so you have to be able to relate and interact with company representatives and clients.

 

Flexibility will make you much more attractive to any employer. Are you willing to work nontraditional hours, move from one role to another, relocate, travel? The less rigidity you show, the more you will shine. Next come character and integrity. An employer wants a sense that you are honest, have a strong value system and can be trusted. You know what needs to be done and you do it right, on time, and without reminders or supervision.

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Be prepared to communicate examples of your skills and the ways you can contribute to an organization. Remember--you are selling your ability to help them reach their goals. This strategy will lead you to your perfect position. Once you land it, remember that the one thing that separates successful people from those who are not is their willingness to work very, very hard!

 

   

Dear Camille,

I'm enthusiastically interested in transitioning into human resources from financial analysis. Although I have taken all the necessary steps the HR experts have advised (HR Certificate program, HR volunteer work, HR association membership and volunteering at events, networking, etc.)I'm still finding it extremely challenging to get my foot in the door. Anything more that you can get suggest to increase my chances of success?

HR Professional Hopeful

 

 

Hello HR Hopeful,

First of all, congratulations on deciding what you want to do to make a change and taking proactive steps to reach your goal.  You have passed about ten major milestones...like that you weren't satisfied working in financial analysis and getting all the way to where you are now.  Take a moment to pat yourself on the back!

 

I have held over 40 paid positions, so I could tell you a few things about career transition.  It's all about focus and knowing exactly what you want to do. Next, you build the structure under the "dream".

 

I'm not psychic, but I definitely see an HR comp and benefits job in your near future.  Why?  Because quite simply, you have built the basic foundation needed to get there.  Here are a couple more ideas to build on your current activities...

 

1.    Build a list of your qualifications and the top 50 companies you are interested in researching/possibly working for.

 

2.    Identify your top ten HR contacts at hiring manager level built through all the work you have noted in your inquiry above.  Set up a coffee, lunch, cocktail, dinner, phone appointment...whatever. 

 

3.    Share the #1 with #2 above and ask for advice, information and referrals.

 

4.    Hone in on researching the companies in #1.  Add other companies that you learn about and removing any companies that your research proves NOT to be appropriate to your perfect job.

 

5.    Write down your absolute perfect work scenario.  Be as specific as you can be at this point in your discovery process.  Write down every detail about the kind of people you are working with,  the hours, what the culture is like, the commute, the type of product/service, the reputation of the company, what your role is, what the physical work environment looks like...yada, yada, yada.

 

6.    Spend five minutes every day focusing on #5 in a positive way...as if you are now in that scenario.

 

7.    Don't ever give up, don't ever give up, don't ever give up.  "Never, ever, ever, ever, give up".

 

OK, that is actually Winston Churchill's quote, but I gotta agree. Stick to the above plan and you'll have those new business cards in hand before you know it.

 

Dear Camille,
I am so sick of having to move from company to company. Every time I get settled in, there is a new manager, a new owner or another layoff.  What can I do about this?
-Tired of being Resilient in Oceanside

Dear Tired,
Whoa, I too am becoming weary just thinking of all those changes you are going through.  Wouldn't it be great to have the proverbial magic want and just wave it wildly to create your perfect situation?

Well, it ain't gonna happen.  I am here to tell you that change is here to stay and companies just don't offer us the security they did back in the time of  that 50's/60's TV show Leave it to Beaver. 

Your answer?  Get rolling on a plan and no matter what happens, look for the WIIFM (what's in it for me?) every time you are faced with another change.  Take my word for it...it beats being passive plus you end up in a much better place in the long marathon called the world of work.