Career Advice for Job Seekers
How 2013 College Students Are Scoring Interviews Better Than 2012 Grads
William Frierson
Natalie Bracco
The idea that today’s college graduates are facing an impossible battle when it comes to finding a job is largely exaggerated. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2013 graduates have better prospects of getting a job than their 2012 counterparts. While it’s true that high unemployment has made things more challenging for all job seekers, there are actually several ways that 2013 college grads are able to distinguish themselves and ace the application process.
They’re Confident of Their Abilities
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Though there’s a fine line between confident and cocky, recent college grads are typically more assured than older applicants. They’re exuberant, dauntless, and ready to take on the world. The nagging doubts and worries that can plague a job seeker who recently lost a job and has a family to support don’t drag down the fresh new grad. Thus, confidence leads to more interviews.
Tech Skills are Fresh
The world of technology is changing constantly. Most jobs have at least some computer-related tasks—whether they involve using the newest version of Microsoft Office or actively programming security systems. Recent college graduates are up-to-date on all the latest developments and programs so there’s no need for employers to train them on how to use and leverage tech tools.
They Offer a Clean Slate
Many recruiters prefer to hire graduates fresh out of college because they know they’ll get a nice clean slate. There aren’t any bad habits that may carry over from past employment, and the new hire is usually anxious to assimilate to the proper corporate culture.
On-Campus Resources Offer Assistance
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While campus resources are openly available to any alumni, it’s recent graduates who are most likely to actually use them. From online job boards to on-campus job fairs, there are lots of opportunities for a college senior to use his or her college connections to score an interview.
Campus Connections Make Networking Easier
Everyone knows that who you know is just as important as what you know. College has lots of opportunities for networking that are harder to come by later in life. Graduates who have made the effort to get to know others in their field through internships, participation in clubs, and membership in professional organizations will have a distinct benefit when it comes to looking for a job.
They Have Fresh, Updated Resumes
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Even the best-prepared job seekers usually have a formula that they follow for their resumes. It’s common knowledge that the most successful applicants tailor their resumes to the job in question. However, for a recent grad this may mean starting literally from the ground up while a more seasoned job seeker may just tweak the application here and there.
They Have Time, Energy, and Enthusiasm in Their Favor
Later in life, looking for a job could mean a major financial setback. These job seekers may have to squeeze their hunt in between parenting duties and other obligations. Fresh out of college, graduates are often without any ties to a mortgage, family, or other responsibility. They have extreme flexibility and an encouraging enthusiasm that are invaluable on the job hunt.
Although according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current unemployment rate is unchanged at 7.8 percent, college grads are still ideally placed to score great job opportunities in the coming years because of their ability to distinguish themselves from their 2012 counterparts.
Natalie Bracco is a freelance writer who contributes on education and technology. She believes if you need added incentives to focus on SAT Prep now, just think of the opportunities that a college education will earn you later on.
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