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College to Career: Your Guide to Starting Out

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For my first blog post and podcast for MyPath, I wanted to address the biggest career issue facing college students and recent grads today: getting a job in the worst recession in decades.

 

While I wish I could offer some secret playbook that I've been saving for a bad economy, the reality is that you have to use the same job search strategies you've always used to find a job. However, you have to use them in a way that is smarter, faster and better than you've ever done before.

 

  • Being smarter means being more strategic about where you look for job opportunities and what kinds of opportunities you seek. Be sure to cast the widest net possible and think broadly about where you can work and where you'll come across job postings.

 

  • Being faster means jumping at opportunities when they arise. Return all phone calls and emails promptly, show up early to job fairs and networking events and apply immediately when you find a job posting that suits your skills and experience.

 

  • Being better means avoiding common job seeker mistakes. Proofread all documents and email messages, make sure your contact methods are 100 percent professional and check any online profiles for inappropriate content.

 

For more tips on being smarter, faster and better, listen to my recent podcast.

 

Next week I'll be back with more tips for making a successful transition from college to career!


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Nov 13, 2009 6:56 AM Khrt W Khrt W    says:

In my opinion, this is completely useless information for a college student.

 

"show up early to job fairs and networking events and apply immediately when you find a job posting that suits your skills and experience." only works if you show up 2 HRS early before the line gets too long and only if you can show how your ZERO years of ZERO experience are better than the 10 YEARS of experience of the laid off 30 something in line with you.

 

My advice as someone who started his career during the first Persian Gulf War ( and a similar economic downturn)?  Start a business.
Nov 17, 2009 3:35 PM Lindsey Pollak Lindsey Pollak    says in response to Khrt W:

@KhrtW - Thank you for sharing your opinion. Entrepreneurship, consulting, freelancing and other alternatives to full-time employment are definitely growing in popularity due to the Recession. Everybody's path and situation are different, so it's important to share all strategies.

 

Lindsey

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