Three Keys to Unlocking Your Future Job Success

By Lea-Ann Morton

Assistant Director

Career Opportunities Center

University of Missouri-Rolla

 

At the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR), the Career Opportunities Center (COC) has identified three key areas that recruiters consistently seek in candidates: GPA, work experience, and activities. These key areas apply if you are seeking a summer, co-op or full-time position.

How do you obtain these three key assets in order to unlock the door to your future? Let's not kid ourselves; job opportunities don't just come knocking on the door… it takes a lot of work on your part! You have to be prepared, willing to go the extra mile and know how to present yourself. Let's take a look at these three key areas:

· GPA: A majority of the recruiters at UMR seek a GPA requirement of 2.7 and above. This, of course, fluctuates depending on the employer. Many factors other than intelligence can affect your GPA. Does your GPA show improvement each semester? If so, emphasize that. Do you carry a heavy load of classes and engage in extracurricular activities? If so, point that out as a reason for your less than stellar GPA. Do you work 20 hours a week to finance your education? Tell the recruiter.

· Work Experience: How do you obtain work experience while in school? By participating in the Cooperative Education Program or a summer internship. Employers truly value a student who has hands-on experience in their field of study and have experienced the culture and environment in which they will be working. According to NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who have one co-op or internship experience are paid 8.9 percent higher than their inexperienced counterparts when they are hired for full-time employment.

· Activities: Now, you don't have to run out and try to be the President or Vice President of an organization to have the experience that employers are seeking from this key component. Employers want to know how you interact with others, how you handle different situations, how you manage your time and prioritize class/ homework/ and activities. Activities also enhance your ability to be a well-rounded individual, your leadership skills, and show the employer that you have interests outside the classroom.

A common misconception by students is that if they are not a senior they do not need to utilize their campus career center- WRONG. You need to be aware of the programs available to you; the workshops that are hosted by your career center, how to perfect your resume, and how to use the career center's on-campus interviewing program. As a student you cannot wait until your senior year; it's too late to gain work experience and get involved in campus activities.

Remember, the student who has these three keys will be more successful in his/her job search! Good luck.

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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