Comments on: Get a great job after graduation

By: Jim - Columbia, South Carolina

Jim - Columbia, South Carolina — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:56:11 +0000

Be confident, not cocky. Make sure that the employer feels that you can perform any tasks given to you and then some. Dress professionally and a traditional look and good grooming will go a long way. Ensure that your degree is in something very practical that has fewer applicants than jobs exist. Mine is in engineering, and has served me extremely well. Good luck..

By: Annie

Annie — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:47:34 +0000

Ha! George, funny you (and Henry) should mention trades training, including apprenticeships — there is actually a shortage of people with technical skills, and these are jobs that can’t be shipped to India. The guy who fixes your car now has to have advanced computer skills, and he will always have a job, because you aren’t sending your car to Mumbai for repairs. And anyone who has paid a plumber, carpenter, or electrician lately knows these folks make a good living. Again, can’t be “outsourced”, either. So when did working with one’s hands become infra dig, and who says absolutely everyone belongs in college? I’m going to write a column about this in a week or two, but in the meantime would welcome any comments!

By: George, Houston, TX

George, Houston, TX — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:36:20 +0000

I think Henry’s comment reffered to the fact a degree in English, history, philosopy, or underwater basket weaving does not mean a ticket into the upper middle class, like it did when only 10% or so when to college. If you spent 30K or 50K in loans to get it, even worse.

The Ivy League degree will almost always open the doors needed. The rest of the folks really need to analyze what they are doing in college, what job the degree will get them (assuming it is not just for enlightenment), and what the impacts are for the next 40 years. In many cases, trade schools or apprenticeships would be the way to go, not the Journalism degree from U of Miz.

Or just buy a overpriced house without reading any paperwork, and wait for Mr. Obama and Ms. Pelosi to gift money on you.

By: Annie

Annie — Sat, 30 May 2009 10:30:53 +0000

Dino, you have a point: I saw a survey of chief financial officers recently that said *97%* thought it was either “important” or “very important” for entry-level hires to have some work experience in finance/accounting (not “just” a degree). The survey didn’t compare data from previous years, but I bet 97% is a lot higher than 5 years ago. In any case, accounting is a good field (there is hiring going on), but try to get some experience while you’re getting your master’s — maybe by signing on with a temp agency, or even if you have to do it for free, by volunteering at a nonprofit. You’ll be glad you did!

By: Dino Placide, Denver Colorado

Dino Placide, Denver Colorado — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:02:30 +0000

I think getting a job these days is ten times harder than it was five years ago. It’s like we went from “having a college degree is all you need” to “a college degree is not enough, we need work experience”. I graduated in December of 2007 with a business administration degree, right when the market crashed. Since then, I have been job hunting. I have had offers but companies are not willing to pay what they used to.

I decided to go back to school to get a master in accounting in order to be more specific as far as career goals. I am polishing my skills and I am confident that I will find a job pretty soon.

By: Annie

Annie — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:45:37 +0000

Henry, I have to disagree with the notion that leaders come only from Ivy League schools. If I’m not mistaken, Warren Buffett graduated from the University of Nebraska — and many, many other business leaders did not attend Ivy League schools. Well, Bill Gates did go to Harvard… but he dropped out.

By: Jason S. Palo Alto, Ca.

Jason S. Palo Alto, Ca. — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:59:49 +0000

“While there will always be room for grooming future leaders from Ivy League schools, the average college graduate would be better off with technical school training.”
–Henry B.

Henry, what are you saying? You poo-pooed a non-Ivy League degree and offered no resolution–you simply identified the problem (one of the first things you would have learned as a manager is to offer solutions when identifying problems).

So, what are new grads (like myself) supposed to do with a run-of-the-mill state U. degree? (University of Missouri–school of Journalism)

Go back to trade school?

Offer a solution please.

By: Henry B., Chicago, IL

Henry B., Chicago, IL — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:11:16 +0000

As a hiring manager for a Fortune 100 company, my initial comment is that most college degrees are worthless. The actual practical knowledge gained on most college campuses is non-existent. When economic times are robust, companies may be willing to invest in turning a communication’s major into a productive employee. Today, however, companies are seeking specific skills. While there will always be room for grooming future leaders from Ivy League schools, the average college graduate would be better off with technical school training.

By: Mark S. NY, NY

Mark S. NY, NY — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:47:21 +0000

In order to find your first job you need to do the usually list of job searching activities- web, NY times, job fairs, etc. but the most important activities is that you need to work your social contact lists- friends, friends of friends, relatives, friends of relatives, neighbors, alumni. I hire staff and a recomendation from someone I know and respect is more important that a sterling resume.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:46:45 +0000

psssh I offered to work for free with my engineering degree to get experience but no one took the offer. I know I will get hired eventually so it is the employer’s loss in not taking notice of me.

By: BA, Atlanta

BA, Atlanta — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:46:29 +0000

I finished undergrad in 2000. In 1999, during a university-sponsored trip to a large, midwestern bank, I started talking to the HR representative from the firm. She found my resume and nodded several times, and told me that she’d be in touch. A few months later, I hadn’t heard from her, so I called her up. She said that they had been on campus the week before, and I should’ve interviewed then. I asked her if I could send her my resume again, because I was pretty certain I was a good candidate. She agreed, and by week’s-end, I was back at the corporate office interviewing for a position. Within 2 weeks, I had an offer, which I ultimately turned down to go work for a larger bank in a bigger city.

Be appropriately aggressive. Be confident. But, be sure that you have something to show before you start showing off.

By: Annie

Annie — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:28 +0000

BM and Laura, very good advice! Thanks!

By: BM, NYC, NY

BM, NYC, NY — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:24:09 +0000

I graduated in May 2007 from Lehigh University without any job offers. Within a month I interviewed and ws offered a position at the firm I’m with now Morgan Stanley and couldn’t be happier. After discovering that my career services center on campus was about as useful as a wart, I decided to post my professionally done resume and cover letter on Monster and Career Builder. At that point I was job hunting for over 4 months with no sucess. After posting my newly updated resume, I received a call from the hiring manager at my firm. During my interview, he made a comment about my resume stating for someone with little or no experience graduating from college this is a very professional and well written resume. In this kind of job market every little bit helps and I strongly recommend the resume writing services offered on Career Builder. It was well worth the monetary investment.

By: Laura, Philadelphia

Laura, Philadelphia — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:40:54 +0000

I took a temp-to-hire job that was slightly outside of my major, but with a company I really liked in an industry that I am very passionate about. Now I am in good job within my field in the same building. Success comes from completing every task thoroughly, with enthusiasm. Work at impressing your peers as much as your managers. If others speak well of you, you’d be surprised how much it increases opportunities. So, be generous in praising others when they do well. Don’t take credit for others’ work, avoid making excuses, don’t gossip, don’t complain, and cultivate a positive attitude. When people WANT to work with you (or for you), there’s no limit to how far you can go.

By: Chris, Eagan, MN

Chris, Eagan, MN — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:36:27 +0000

As a hiring manager, I ask many questions about on the job behavior and interpersonal skills. Such as placing the applicant in situations to see how they handle negative employees and try to weed them out if they themselves are potential negative/complainers. The hardest part of management is managing bad attitudes at work. We can train you how to do the job but it’s difficult to manage your attitude/behavior at work.

By: James, Detroit MI

James, Detroit MI — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:18:25 +0000

More true than EVER!

Rules of Life

Old Rule: Success required a high school diploma.
New Rule: Success requires a college degree.
Future Rule: Success requires a grad degree?

Old Rule: Climbing the ladder meant rising up the ranks within a single company.
New Rule: Climbing the ladder means chasing opportunities with multiple employers.
Future Rule: Climbing the ladder means chasing opportunities with multiple employers in many different countries?

Old Rule: Wealth was managed on behalf of workers.
New Rule: Workers need to manage their wealth.
Future Rule: Workers need to manage their wealth VERY well?

Old Rule: Most mothers expected to stay home.
New Rule: Most mothers expect to work.
Future Rule: Most women don’t expect to have children?

Old Rule: Competition was limited.
New Rule: Competition is fierce.
Future Rule: Competition is deadly?