Featured Article
Job Search and Career Counseling for Recent College Grads
by Elise Prezant, Career Counselor
Congratulations! You successfully graduated from college and have your shiny new degree. You’ve written every thank you note for your graduation gifts. You are all ready to start working and begin a new chapter in your life. Unfortunately, the economy and job market may not be ready for you.
You are one of the 1.25 million college students graduating this year with a bachelor's degree. 80.3% or 1 million of you, however, did not have a job upon graduation. As part of the “boomerang” generation, 20% of you will be forced to move back home, much to you and probably your parent’s dismay.
Is this a reason for concern? Absolutely. Is this a reason to bury your head in the sand for several years until the economy turns around? Definitely not!
College degrees still provide a measure of job security. Even as the national unemployment rate hovers around 10%, unemployment for college-educated workers has remained at a relatively low rate of 4.3%. So, although your timing may not be optimal, you accomplished something very important and your hard work will eventually pay off.
So now what? The reality is that if you want to compete on a level playing field with older, more experienced workers, you need to act like one. In order to be viewed by potential employers as a responsible, mature young adult you need to act, speak, and dress like one—every time you walk out the door.
Jeff, a recent college graduate, came in to meet with the JFS Career Counselor several weeks ago. He was wearing an old t-shirt, baggy jeans and looked like he had just rolled out of bed even though it was 2:00 in the afternoon. Jeff made it known that he had come in at the urging of his mother and initially was not very open to the Career Counselor’s feedback. Despite having little practical work experience, Jeff was primarily conducting his job search on-line and could not understand why his resume was not generating much of a response from employers. His frustration at only getting calls regarding jobs he felt were below his ability or education was apparent.
What Jeff did not understand, is that job searching is a multi-level process. It is not just about finding “appropriate” jobs and applying for them. In fact, this is one of the last steps in the process. In almost all instances, most people find their jobs through people they know — not through the internet, certainly not through classified ads. Therefore, the very first step starts the minute you walk out your front door. Every time you are out in public, you have the potential to meet someone who may be in a position to help you. This includes your on-line presence, as well — clean it up. Your appearance and attitude must be positive and portray you as someone worthy of guidance, assistance, and hopefully job leads, or you may be searching for a very long time.
In the fall, JFS is planning on offering a job search program for recent college graduates. To learn more about this program or to meet with the Career Counselor to discuss other steps in conducting an effective job search, contact Elise Prezant, Career Counselor at Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, 908-725-7799 or eprezant@JewishFamilySvc.org.
JFS of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties is committed to serving the needs of the community and provides a continuum of programs and services. Licensed clinical social workers provide individual, couple and family. Geriatric assessment for counseling and friendly home visits for home bound elderly is available; The Family Mentor Program recruits, trains and matches volunteers with vulnerable young families, as well as with elderly persons for friendly, supportive, in-home visits; Families with children with special needs are assisted through parent groups and through the Family Mentor Program. Career Counseling helps individuals in many aspects of their job search. All information is confidential. Many programs are at no cost, on a sliding fee scale as well as through third party insurance. If you are interested in learning more about JFS programs, please contact us at (908)725-7799 or visit our website: www.JewishFamilySvc.org. Jewish Family Service of SHW, Inc. 150-A West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876.
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