Recent Grads: Having an open mind pays off!

This week I have been meeting with recent graduates who are looking for a job, and the main piece of advice I am giving them is to have an open mind.  I tell them to explore as many opportunities as they can - and so should you - whether on your college's internal database of jobs or on an Internet job board.  Don't just look at a job title and assume that you know what the job entails - you really need to read the entire job description. When I have students do this in my office, they are usually pleasantly surprised by the variety and scope of available job prospects, and their eyes are opened to new possibilities.

If you can't find a permanent, full-time position, be open to the possibility of doing an internship or a temporary position because you never know where it can lead. One of my students took this approach, and things are really working out for her.  Recently, she was offered a fantastic position in her dream industry where she would be working on a variety of interesting projects and managing people.  The problem was that it was only temporary and didn't pay as well as she would have liked. She decided to take the position anyway as it was a great way to gain experience in her field and to build her resume. Well, it turns out she absolutely loves her job and is thriving there.  She is eager to learn new things, help solve problems and work extra hours, if necessary.  All of this hasn't gone unnoticed by her supervisors. After a few short weeks, they have been so impressed with her that they are training her in web design and constantly giving her interesting new projects.  To top it all off, they have been paying her for the additional hours she works and are now discussing the possibility of keeping her on full time!

So the moral of this story is easy to see.  You just never know what can develop when you approach each and every opportunity presented to you with an open mind and a positive attitude!

4 Tips for the Unemployed Recent College Grad

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College Seniors: It's not too late to find a job!

One of the seniors I have been working with emailed me yesterday to tell me that she had gotten four interviews since I last saw her and...count 'em...three job offers!  She ended up accepting a terrific position at a very well known company in the Boston area.

Was she gloating?  Absolutely not!  This particular student had been feeling discouraged about her job search so continued to see me for biweekly "pep talks."  And they paid off for her.  The key to her success was that, despite feeling discouraged, she remained positive, proactive and persistent in he job search.  She didn't give up.  And neither should you.

If you're feeling discouraged about your job search, you should definitely seek the assistance of a careeer counselor at your school's careeer center.  They can keep you motivated in your job search and help you strategize ways you hadn't thought of to find a job.

Some seniors think that if they haven't found a job by graduation then they're doomed to moving back home or going back to a previous job in their home town.  Please don't succumb to this defeatist attitude!  There are many, many good jobs still available.  Many graduates find great jobs after graduation, and you could very well be one of them.  In fact, when colleges report employment statistics to Business Week, they do so six months after graduation knowing that it can take that long to find a job.  So what are you waiting for?  Go and visit your college's careeer center today. Most college career centers are open all summer long and are just waiting for you to come in.