Keep College Info to Yourself After You Graduate

Transition From Student to Professional

If you are at least a year out of college your only reference to college should be your degree. The refrain of employers is typically what have you done lately, not what you did  you do as an undergrad. If you don’t have anything new to include on your resume that will be interpreted as you have not done anything since you graduated.  After college you want to get involved within and outside of your organization.   In addition to mastering your role within your organization you must also remember to have a  life outside of work and be sure that you have the ability to articulate share that information.

Remember to move your education section to the bottom of your resume, it should no longer be towards the top.   The idea is to emphasize the information that will make you most desirable as you are transitioning into the professional space.  At this time you are now competing with other skilled workers and constant references to your undergraduate years undermines your ability to establish yourself as a professional.  The same attributes of networking, community involvement, and preparedness that helped you secure your first professional opportunity are usually going to be just as helpful in advancing your career.

What Are You Going to Do With a History Major: Open a History Store?

History Store is Now Open

Let’s face it if you are history major you are probably not going to open a history store when you graduate, but that doesn’t mean your job search is hopeless.  College students often look for employment based on their majors overlooking the  key  component of the job search: SKILLS.  Most companies  are primarily focused on skills. It doesn’t matter your major as long as you can demonstrate your ability to perform the  essential functions of the job.  Focus less on your discipline and more on skills that you possess.   Peform a skills assessment, how do you manage data, people and things?  Do you have analytical interpersonal, and organizational abilities?  Conduct your job search using these examples as keywords and you will be surprised to see how many opportunities emerge.  Review these job descriptions and determine which are most closely aligned with what it is  that you wish to do.  Now with whatever major you choose you can spend some time developing the abilities that employers find desirable.  Be sure to showcase  these skills within your resume by doing more than stating you have these skills. Remember to provide evidence of your accomplishments and achievements within the context of how you have utilized  and developed the most desirable skill sets.  Give the reader concrete examples of your leadership, quantitative, multitasking and other abilities.

College is MORE Than Books, Beer and Sleep

Do a little of this and lots of the job search...

Sleeping until noon, weekends that begin on Fridays and the privilege of studying are among the perks of undergraduate life, yet a benefit that is often overlooked is the employers who descend on college campuses each academic year to recruit the best and brightest for their respective companies.  In fact many students ignore this access to opportunity all together.  My suggestion: DONT.  Chances are if you are enrolled at a college or University in the United States there are companies looking for you. Take advantage of their willingness to woo you.   In order to  be wooed you have to be present. Show up. This may  require that you sleep a little less, invest time into your job search and  wait until the Friday career fairs end before you begin your weekend, but the pay off in the form of  job offer or internship  is worth it  don’t you  think?

There is Still Time

Soon to be graduates, college recruiting is still in full swing. If you are a  Fall/Winter  or May 2012 graduate there is still time for you to secure a full time offer.   Dont wait until you are walking across the stage to think about the job search.  As a student you will have a great concentration of  employers who are seeking qualified candidates, unfortunately these numbers will dwindle dramatically in the  summer.  Sieze the opportunity to connect with employers by attending career fairs, information sessions and various other activities available at your school.  

For those who’ve already graduated if possible return to your school and participate in their events or connect with your school’s alumni network for opportunities.   Use  your alma mater’s career management platform to access and apply to opportunities.

 

 

Classic Looks at a Good Price

 Macy’s is having a sale.  All of  the above suits are under   200 dollars. If you look a little closer you’ll see that none of them are black. 

Women, we have it really good.  All of the above suits are under 150 dollars and not black.   Now is a great year to take advantage of the  deals of the season and acquire those pieces that will help you dress for the position that you  want.

 These items are worth the purchase. They offer a classic look that will stand the test of time and at a resonable price.  You’ll get an extra 20% off  plus free shipping if you use the promo code PERFECT.  Offer ends  December 5, 2011. 

All images  courtesy of Macy’s.com.