Comments on: 5 big mistakes new grads make

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:56:48 +0000

Hi Annie,

I stumbled across your article and have referenced it and linked to it our blog: After Grad Avenues (aftergradavenues.com). Your advice was great!

By: matt, philly, pa

matt, philly, pa — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:40:48 +0000

I am a Drexel University Undergrad, and as some of you may know they have a terrific Co-op education program that integrates PAID Internships into our curriculum. I am currently working at my 3rd internship at a mid-sized engineering firm. My GPA isn’t anything to be dazzled by but I feel my college education is getting a jump start because I’ve already had 3 FULL-TIME jobs while in college. In my honest opinion Climbing the coporate ladder is done through networking and EXPERIENCE, which I cannot stress enough. So, bottom line employers will throw a lot out the window I feel, when prior experience is involved.

By: Gabriel, Las Vegas, NV

Gabriel, Las Vegas, NV — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:50:01 +0000

I am a recent graduate and am looking for a full time sales position. Recently I have found that many of the companies on Monster and CareerBuilder have a bad reputation in the industry. I just want to be contacted by a real company that is looking for a very motivated and competent individual that is ready to take on the world. My goals are extremely high for myself and I want to work for a company that is upstanding and offers growth. What would be my best plan of attack?

By: Keith, East Lansing, MI

Keith, East Lansing, MI — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:06:18 +0000

I am a college senior who has had multiple internships with Fortune 100 companies and I have read a lot of postings from people who I would assume are in the latter stages of their careers and are now seeing young faces and getting frustrated. To them all I can say is:
1.) Remember what it was like on your first day. Nerves occasionally take over for better or worse.
2.) If you are a parent, teach your child this stuff!! Yes they can learn it the hard way, but is that really necessary?

By: Evan L, Tucson, AZ

Evan L, Tucson, AZ — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:56:22 +0000

I’ve been looking for an entry level job in Engineering for 2 years now. I do everything correctly when it comes to resumes and cover letters. The result, very little from anyone. I even heard a couple months ago that doing perfectly on a job interview was a bad thing. I’m disillusioned by the entire process and think complete idiots get offers while I get nothing. Companies don’t want highly talented people who are creative, objective, ethical and use good judgment. They wants drones with zero ethics and will do the company’s bidding without question.

By: Lilia Agri, San Diego, CA

Lilia Agri, San Diego, CA — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 01:23:42 +0000

Jennifer and Rich–you’re both right. Completing a four-year degree is horrifically difficult and it’s a total waste of time. I’m a Berkeley graduate, got completely burnt out, and now no one will hire me. I’ve been looking for job for three months while I watch non-college grads scooping up jobs I would give a limb for.

By: A.P, San Diego, CA

A.P, San Diego, CA — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:45:29 +0000

Dressing professionally, not chewing gum, not being late, and bringing extra resumes are things that have been taught since the beginning of time. Since when did putting your best foot forward become “foolish”.

By: Rich, Bradenton, FL.

Rich, Bradenton, FL. — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:40:17 +0000

Jennifer you are wrong. Completing 4 a college program is very difficult. It takes a drive to stick with it, especially for the working adults.
My guess is that the new person who you make more money than now will easily lap you within 2 years and then you will have a new supervisor.

By: Jennifer, Chicago IL

Jennifer, Chicago IL — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:22:06 +0000

I say keep doing what you are doing.
I didn’t go to college and it hasn’t done me any harm. I’m earning 20% more than my predecessor in my current job, she was a grad with years of experience in the local area that I’ve only just moved to. Oh yes and she was older than me too. My non-graduate status actually helps me stand out amongst all the idiots who think they are basically entitled to a corner office and an expense account because they spent the last four years getting drunk, instead of learning how to read and write.

By: Jim Lamoreaux, Sylvania, OH

Jim Lamoreaux, Sylvania, OH — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:10:12 +0000

Please read and reread your e-mails. Check your spelling. Don’t use there for their or are for our. I notice errors like that and eliminate those candidates.

By: K, Huntington Beach, CA

K, Huntington Beach, CA — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:06:03 +0000

I believe society needs to keep there nose out of everyone’s personal business. With the exception of criminal records, and even that needs to be looked at closely. If it’s a misdemeaner (prank gone bad), and they learned from their mistakes becoming a more responsible adult. It shouldn’t be held against them.

As for me, I speak my mind, live my personal life the way I see fit, and work harder AND faster than most I know. If someone does Google me, and doesn’t like what they see it’s their loss. My personal life has no bearing on my work life and ethic. Too many people assume that incorrectly, and it’s a VERY “old” way of thinking.

All that said, I get a lot of work. I Freelance. I refuse to be stifled by Corporate America’s “image” idealogy. They’re old, pretentious, and backward thinking.

Look at the UK, their average work week is 37 hours. 5 weeks vacation is the norm for 1st year employees (we get that after 10 years of slavery). Plus sick days, holidays, etc.

America is working their horse to death, and thankfully Gen Yers have seen it’s NOT worth it.

STAND STRONG Gen Yers! I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Just make sure you have your own retirement investments/accounts in place as you bounce around.

By: Jon, Denver CO

Jon, Denver CO — Fri, 25 May 2007 01:39:09 +0000

As far as I am concerned, it’s a two way street. They should make a list of how employer’s should conduct an interview and treat the fresh meat in the work force. Some of these pet peeves are nothing but that; somebody thinking so much of their position to make a decision that they get carried away with it. Some students actually do have options, and they have those options because other employers know they are valuable. It’s something to keep in mind. Sure those chewing gum, being unprofessional etc are foolish, but some of these complaints are a little more personal than professional.

By: Jon, Bloomington, Il

Jon, Bloomington, Il — Mon, 21 May 2007 06:33:31 +0000

One of my friends lied about his GPA on his resume / in the interviews, and got a job he wouldn’t have unless he lied. Don’t they do background checks on grades or what?

By: AH, Washington D.C

AH, Washington D.C — Sun, 20 May 2007 12:19:30 +0000

Alright, I agree with all the comments left on this site. Ask Annie has always been a good resource. One thing I believe that a interviewee should never be without is an answer to this question….”What do you know about our company and what specifically would you like to do with your skills here” Too often, when I recruit canadiates, our company just seems to be just another company on the list. If you are interviewing for high caliber positions, you better believe that you are not going to get hired unless you have an unprecedentant passion for working at my company…otherwise, I’ll just hire the next guy.

By: Austin M, Burlington, VT

Austin M, Burlington, VT — Sun, 20 May 2007 07:17:31 +0000

I must say that I am astonished at some of the antics the new interviewees are pulling. I can not picture myself ever being so clueless! It was great to read through all of your responses, learned a little and laughed a little. I would say the most informative bits I took from everyone were the actual questions asked during interviews.

To also touch base on another topic that was brought up. Cocky ivy league grads. I do not attend an ivy league institution but, I am a student at a private business school and often see the, “you owe me” mentality from the wealthier of the students, a bit frustrating to say the least. I can see where the impatience with the attitude could come to fruition quickly.

I would love to talk more with anyone willing to help a future grad (senior this fall) with resume tips or career guidance in the e-Business Management field. I am very passionate about business, investing, and coming up with new ways to improve business. A bit unclear about what jobs are out there related to my degree (melding technology with business) and what position I should look for. One that would afford me the opportunity to fine tune my ideas with others and implement them into a real world application.

I can be contacted at [ajmoran at gmail dot com]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 20 May 2007 01:24:17 +0000

Great comments… let me add a few of my own. NEVER tell a prospective employer that your long-term goal is to work for another company (or move to another career field). Salary research is absolutely a MUST… just becuase starting salaries are one amount in one city doesn’t mean they are the same accross the country. I’ve seen deserving folks ask for (and get) a fraction of what they could have made becuase they didn’t do their homework. Same holds true for asking the moon (and then hoping they can negotiate down). If you have a BA in history and no experience and ask for $85k to start… the interview is over at that point.

And for crying out loud….proof read your resume. I had one resume where the individual stated that they had been awarded the “Army Accomadation Medal”

By: Mike R., South Bend, IN

Mike R., South Bend, IN — Sat, 19 May 2007 21:59:15 +0000

I am amazed at the arrogance of some of these employers complaining about the behavior of young twenty-somethings. At one point, everyone that is in a position to hire young people was young and trying to get a break. I am sure that stupidity and ignorance is rampant amongst young graduates, but the fact is, stupidity and ignorance is rampant everywhere. The posts so far suggest that employers are irritated that young grads just want any job and fail to show specific interest in their particular company. Well here’s a clue: with the costs of education absolutely skyrocketing (count on at least a 5% increase every year), it makes perfect sense why young graduates want just any job. After all, what is the difference if Job #1 requires you to slave for 80 hours a week at low pay, whereas Job #2 does the same exact thing? If I were an employer, I would rather have a candidate who was honest and said I want to work for this company because I need a job and I’m willing to work in this industry, rather than a candidate that delivered some hackneyed response about how this particular company is so special… blah blah blah. The fact is, most companies are not special. Young graduates have very little to choose from, and it would be nice if some of these employers that are taking time to not so much offer advice but rather to chastise young graduates, realize that maybe THEY are not so special.

By: Alison T, Salt Lake City, UT

Alison T, Salt Lake City, UT — Fri, 18 May 2007 16:27:16 +0000

To the person who thought that an employer googling an employee wouldn’t come up with dirt b/c no one posts stuff with their own names OR you wouldn’t know their screen names… let’s put it this way – why take chances? If your real name is in your MySpace page ANYWHERE, it can come up in Google. Screen names be damned! I found a picture of an ex boyfriend and his first wife from 22 years ago that has been posted in the last year, through googling his name. Just google yourself, plus your state or city or school or field (eg John Doe marketing). Make sure of what employers will see if they do the same.

I second the notion of cleaning up the email address. Nasty nasty nasty. I have an email strictly for job hunting, and so should everyone else, since on hotmail and yahoo etc. they are FREE.

Lastly, please oh please, READ your emails and ANSWER your phones (or check your voice mail) DAILY. Being in the job market and not returning emails or phone calls within 24 hours is wrong. You deserve to work “beneath yourself” if you don’t respond within 24 hours as a courtesy, even if you don’t want the job.

By: Leann, Gd Jct Colo

Leann, Gd Jct Colo — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:17:40 +0000

To: Unemployed in St Louis,
You have 3 misspelled words in your comment. This may be one reason you are having a hard time getting a job. Have someone proof your resume and job application. It may help.

By: Leann, Gd Jct. Colo.

Leann, Gd Jct. Colo. — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:13:11 +0000

You may have the degree but there is no room for “cocky” behavior even in requesting an application. Dress to match the work environment you are walking into. “Yes sir” and “yes mam” will take you farther than you might think.