higel

Most people have experienced in some way the challenges of our current economy, including new college graduates who are competing with seasoned professionals for positions. Students and alumni often ask me, “How do I distinguish myself in this job market?” As a Career Development Specialist and former Human Resources Professional, my experience brings a unique perspective; I understand the employers’ side of the table and relate to the needs of students and alumni. If you are currently in the job search process, here are some suggestions to assist you.

1. Know yourself.

Too often people say to me, “Will you help me find a job? I’ll take anything”. We know this to be untrue; would you take any opportunity selling Sunday papers on the corner? Many students and alumni in transition are unclear about what they are interested in and would like to do. As a perspective candidate, you need to know what type of position/career you are interested in along with a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences that you bring to the table. You cannot rely on the recruiter or anyone else to do this for you. If you do not have a firm grasp on this, you will quickly eliminate yourself as a viable candidate during the interview process.

2. Resume and Interviewing.

Your resume is a written marketing tool so you want to ensure it is free of grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors; I have seen this too often and it is an easy way to eliminate yourself from consideration. Avoid using resume templates as anything other than a guide. This is your opportunity to be creative and put your personality on paper. I have reviewed hundreds of template resumes and it gets boring quickly; typically one page resumes are best suited for students, new grads and young professionals, while seasoned professionals can increase to two pages. Ultimately, your resume is a great primer for interview preparation. The compilation of data and information about your employment, volunteer and other experiences can bring forth a great deal of information. Information such as accomplishments may be utilized in your cover letters and as examples during your interviews. It is difficult to recall specifics if you haven’t thought about them in months or years. Proper preparation is essential for success.

3. Verbal Business Card.

Every job seeker needs a 30 second sound bite. This is very useful for business networking events, the ubiquitous "tell me about yourself" questions and for the first paragraph of your cover letters. Creating your ‘pitch’ will be much easier if you can check off number 1 on this list. Preparing your resume and practicing your interview skills will also assist you with this.

4. Network. Network. Network.

This is often communicated and people understand the concept; however, many are unsure on how to execute. First and foremost, ensure that your family, friends, neighbors, friends of friends, etc., know that you are looking for a position and the type of position you are interested in. Once again, if you do not have a firm grasp on knowing yourself, it makes it impossible for others to assist you. Other resources to utilize are virtual networks such as LinkedIn. The internet is wonderful but be cautious of providing too much information. Familiarize yourself with the professional associations related to your profession along with the local Chambers of Commerce. These organizations offer a variety of opportunities for professionals to connect with each other. One area that people overlook is there volunteer work. Many organizations are offering outlets for volunteers to network with each other.

To find more career resources check out the USFSP Career Center website at www.stpete.usf.edu/career. Additional resources for USF Alumni Association Members are available at http://usfalumni.net

Barbra Higel, M.A.

Career Development Specialist