Career Expert Voice

Students face so many challenges as they transition from school to work.

The economic downturn released a lot of credible candidates into the market.

I was recently hiring for two positions and was inundated with resumés – both over- and under-qualified.

It is a tough market out there, especially for a young graduate with a fairly light resumé.

It is a catch-22: You can’t get experience without a job and you can’t get a job without experience.

Here’s my advice for students and recent graduates:


Advertise Yourself – Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job, in case something comes up in their workplace or in case they hear of something. Be able to succinctly articulate the kind of work you are looking for and the skills you have to offer.

Find Door Openers – Ask family and friends to connect you to people in their networks. You will still have to ‘close the deal’ if an opportunity arises, but it is a huge help if the door to an opportunity is opened for you.

Be Creative – Consider how you can find and meet with specific people who you would like to work for. Find ways to get noticed such as writing an article, organizing a seminar, posting your work online, asking for information interviews, etc.

Persevere – Looking for a job can be a lot of work. Commit to spending the time and energy that is needed. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks.

Be Open-Minded – There are many jobs that may not fit your initial criteria but that could provide experience and an opportunity to develop skills. In some ways, there is no ‘wrong door’ to starting your career. All learning is valuable.


And for all the employers out there:

HIRE OUR YOUTH! Once I started getting more senior roles, I promised myself I would hire a student or new grad every year. Even if I did not have a job opening, I created one. It is amazing the things that can get done, especially with the energy and can-do attitude of a young person.

I believe strongly that as employers, we have an obligation to help build the skills and experience of our young people. They are our future and we need to mentor and inspire them to succeed.

Network, Network, Network

A friend of mine went golfing three times this week – work-related of course. Ah huh. It doesn’t hurt that she loves to golf. Golf is a great way to network, especially since you are spending several hours with your golf mates.  When I worked in a professional services firm, numerous deals were initiated or firmed up while on the golf course. I am not advocating golf as the panacea of networking; personally I would rather go to the spa for four hours. But we digress. Networking is an essential part of your career. It is about creating relationships that can be levered to create new customers, new partnerships, and new opportunities for you.

Here are a few networking tips:

Make an effort – The benefits of networking are not always obvious but it pays off if you take a proactive and organized approach. Know what you want and what you have.

Create a target list – I am just in the process of creating a target list of people and companies I want to meet with over the next few months. I am creating it based on my desired goal of seeking growth opportunities for my company. Then I will cold call away!

Try new resources – Are you on social networking sites, such as LinkedIn or Facebook? Check out other sites like Meetup, TweetUp or Eventful.

Use the summer months – Everyone tends to be more casual and relaxed. It is a great time to meet people outside for food, drinks or activities.

Networking is about building relationships. Be genuine and most of all, have fun!