College, Career, Life » recession

Hiring Trends for 2010 College Graduates

collegecareerlife — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:55:22 +0000

Update: Latest hiring trends for the Class of 2010 (from MSNBC): Dim job outlook brightens for the class of 2010.

Summary:

5 % increase in hiring of 2010 graduates over 2009 graduates
most in-demand majors : accounting, business administration, computer science, engineering, and math
Survey shows only 40% of graduates have offers, compared to two-thirds of graduates in 2007

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Original Article:

College graduates faced a tough job market in 2009, but will 2010 graduates face similar challenges? Although layoffs have slowed down, unemployment is at a 26 year high and a recent survey conducted by Michigan State University’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute doesn’t offer a lot of hope to college seniors. The survey shows that hiring for 2010 graduates is predicted to decline by 2% from 2009.

According to MSU’s survey, large and medium-sized companies plan to decrease hiring, while smaller companies plan to hire more graduates. Statistics and environmental science are the most in-demand degrees, but one-third of employers would consider graduates with any degree. Regions with the most job growth are the South Central, Northwest, and Southwest.

Despite the negative survey results, many companies are thriving. A great example of growth in the technology industry is Intelius Screening Solutions, a leading provider of on-demand employment and drug screening solutions to thousands of businesses throughout North America. The company has experienced growth of 578% over the last five years and has added over 100 people to its workforce.

I spoke with Intelius Screening Solutions General Manager, Todd Owens, about hiring trends for 2010 graduates. Mr. Owens advises recent graduates to focus on growing industries such as healthcare, education, energy, and technology. He also suggests that graduates be open to relocation, since some areas are experiencing job growth. In addition, graduates should look at the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies for ideas on where to apply.

The greatest differentiator for businesses over the coming years will be customer service, says Mr. Owens. Sales, account management and customer service jobs are great choices for recent graduates with any degree. Young workers are ideal candidates for such positions because of their energy and enthusiasm. According to Mr. Owens, new graduates are a great investment for the future because they have a willingness to learn and to take on a variety of roles. He says that this is the best time to be entering the workforce because today’s young, eager, and educated graduates will be well-positioned for the next expansion.

So what should graduates do to improve their chances of finding employment? Surveys and experts indicate that graduates should focus on smaller companies. They should also be open to moving to regions where hiring is improving. Employers are looking for flexibility, so job-seekers need to demonstrate the ability to take on a variety of responsibilities. Read Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World
for more advice for life after graduation.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: advice, business, economy, employment, jobsearch, trends

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OneWire.com Surveys College Career Counselors

collegecareerlife — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:23:38 +0000

A recent survey of college career counselors conducted by OneWire.com shows current trends at career centers. Some key findings:

67% of college career counselors expect the job market to turn around sometime in 2010, while 33% think an improvement will take longer.
69% of counselors said that campus recruiting has decreased.
91% of respondents have seen an increase in alumni seeking career help.
61% said that their students were confident they’d find a job by graduation.
networking, planning ahead, and using social networks are the top recommendations counselors are giving students.

Thanks to Brian Baumley for passing along the survey information.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: career planning, college, economy, jobsearch, statistics, survey

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What Young People Should Learn from this Recession

collegecareerlife — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:52:17 +0000

Recent college graduates seem to have been dealt the worst luck of any graduates in history. It’s true that finding a job out of college will be a big challenge for most and I don’t want to minimize the burden that recent graduates are facing. However, you are lucky in that you can learn something from what many older workers are experiencing. A few things I’ve learned from this recession:

Never rely on an employer to take care of you. Of course most graduates will need to work for someone else to gain experience and pay back loans. But after you’ve gained experience, you should be prepared to work for yourself if necessary. This may mean consulting, freelancing, or starting a small business. If you do ever lose your job, you will have some money.

Be conservative with your money. Don’t buy more house than you can afford, save as much as you can, and live simply so that a layoff won’t be as devastating. When you’re working hard you feel entitled to splurge, but cutting back on some of the luxuries might not be as bad as you think.

Don’t take your job for granted. In the past, workers could count on life-time employment at a company (barring any major mistakes). Now, employees must work every day to justify their relevance. Don’t every get complacent, no matter how long you’ve worked at a company. Keep up with industry trends, take continuing education classes, and diversify your skills.

It’s easy to forget past recessions when the economy is good, but another one will occur eventually and you should be prepared. The news stories about laid-off workers are depressing, but they can serve as cautionary tales for young people that haven’t made the mistakes of older generations.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: economy, money, recession

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Advice for Recent Graduates from HowStuffWorks.com Founder Marshall Brain

collegecareerlife — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:43:44 +0000

Marshall Brain is the founder of HowStuffWorks.com, an award-winning site that provides resources on thousands of topics. Mr. Brain was kind enough to answer some questions I had about the challenges recent college graduates are facing. For more information, visit the career channel at HowStuffWorks.

1. How do recent graduates get started in a career when they have no relevant experience?

If your experience is minimal or non-existent, you face one of life’s greatest employment challenges. You need to go into your interviews with a positive attitude and demonstrate your flexibility, your social skills and your ability to get the job done even if you have to learn new skills and meet demanding deadlines.

It’s a tough economy right now, so the job market is hypercompetitive; experience is a key differentiator between candidates. It’s never too late to start building up relevant experience through intern positions, co-oping, volunteering, etc. If you have no experience, be willing to take an entry-level job in order to build experience, and then work your way up. Or be willing to work for free in a post-graduation internship.

2. How can job candidates best prepare for an interview?

There are some great books out there, and many web sites, that have tons of advice on general interviewing skills. There are books on common interview questions and how to answer them correctly. In your specific field it is likely that there are sample “stumper” questions available on web sites, as well as advice on how to deal with them. If you have “problem areas” in your resume, research how to talk your way around them and accentuate the positive. Then practice. Assume the first several interviews you do will be a little rough around the edges, so do those with companies you don’t really care about. Get used to answering the questions and smooth out your responses. Ask your friends to interview you. If it’s a possibility, go to the career center and ask for a practice interview. Practice. Then when the “big interview” falls in your lap, it will be easy(er).

3. What are the most important soft skills and technical skills for graduates to have?

Your degree should have covered the technical skills, which you should have been able to perfect with internships in your chosen field. Therefore, technical skills should be solid at this point.

“Soft skills” include things like leadership ability, communication (spoken and written), teamwork, relationship-building, work ethic, problem solving, etc. You should have been building these skills over the last four years by taking on leadership roles (which would look good on a resume), working on team-based projects and extracurricular activities (which would look good on a resume), solving real-world problems in competitions (which would look good on a resume), etc. Assuming you have done none of those things, then your next-best option is to read about these soft skills. Get books on things like leadership, communication, negotiation, team building, business ethics, etc. and become a sponge.

4. What industries should graduates focus on while job searching?

Ideally a graduate should focus on industries in his or her area of expertise. But jobs are so scarce at the moment that graduates may want to cast a wider net. Or you may want to consider working for no money if you have no experience (I.E. a post-graduation internship). There are some startups getting venture funding right now. You might look for a venture-backed company like that since it would be hiring. Some industries (e.g. Green energy) are getting a boost from federal stimulus funding. Do some research and see which companies in your area are getting funding and may be hiring. Some areas are affected less in a recession. For example, people still get sick when the economy drops. Look for recession-proof industries.

5. How can new employees make a good impression during their first jobs or internships?

Some general traits that make a good impression with employers: working harder than everyone else, meeting deadlines, exceeding expectations, making friends, helping others, being grateful, figuring out what needs doing and getting it done before being asked, understanding what is important to the bottom line and focusing on that, putting first things first, making customers ecstatic, etc.

6. Many students are going to graduate school to ride out the recession. Is this a good idea?

Graduate school is something to consider regardless of the economy. The focus should be on making the most of your time and opportunities to fill holes in your resume. Graduate school is just one proven way to strengthen your professional profile. Build your soft skills. Get intern positions. If you come out of graduate school with a stellar resume and a marketable advanced degree, you are putting yourself in a position to succeed.

7. What options do recent graduates have if they’re having trouble making payments on student loan debt?

Every lender is different, and there are many different types of student loans. So if you are having trouble making payments, you need to communicate with your lender(s) and find out what options may be available. In some cases you can arrange for deferment or forbearance. You may also be able to delay payments with graduate school, military service, AmeriCorps service, etc. Loan consolidation may also help a little. Research all options.

But you might also want to consider sucking it up and getting started with payments. Get two jobs, move in with your parents (or get a couple of roommates to drastically lower rent), ride the bus instead of getting a car, etc. Yes, it’s painful. But the sooner you start paying, the sooner you get done.

8. Any other tips for recent graduates?

You have chosen one of the toughest economies in several decades to graduate. Expect things to be harder than normal in the job search, and do what you can to avoid discouragement. Do not forget that getting rejected is a normal part of job hunting, even in a good economy.

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Post tags: advice, career planning, financial aid, interview, job search

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How to Pay for School after Losing Your Job

collegecareerlife — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:03:36 +0000

The following is a guest post from Karen Schweitzer who writes about online education for OnlineColleges.net and serves as About.com’s Business School Guide.

If you are one of the many people who are considering going back to school after losing your job, you shouldn’t let a bad economy stand in your way. There are many different ways to come up with the money you need to pay for school.

1. Community Grants and Programs. The first place to start when you need money for school is your local community. The recent downturn has prompted many local governments and community organizations to establish special programs for unemployed individuals. Some of these programs provide career education; others provide grants to cover education costs.

2. State Aid. State programs or grants may also be available for students who need financial aid. You can learn more about potential programs by contacting your state’s education department or related agencies. If aid is available, you will most likely need to apply for it using state-supplied forms. Whatever you do, be sure to follow all of the instructions and apply as soon as possible. State aid is always limited and is usually available on a first come first serve basis.

3. Federal Grants. The federal government awards billions of dollars in grants to needy students every year. The most commonly used grant is the Federal Pell Grant, which provides need-based grants to low-income students. All grants, including the Pell Grant, can be used to cover tuition costs, books costs, and other fees.

4. Scholarships. Scholarships are also an excellent way to pay for your education. Like grants and state aid, scholarship money is free money. You will not have to pay it back after graduation. Scholarships are usually awarded through commercial organizations, professional associations, and individual benefactors. You can find scholarships through the many scholarship search engines on the web. Good engines to try include Scholarships.com and FastWeb.com.

5. Government Loans. Taking out a loan to pay for your education may not seem like the ideal scenario, but the investment will eventually pay off. Research has shown that a degree can increase salary potential and competitiveness in the job market. If you decide to get a loan, be sure to look at loans that are guaranteed and subsidized by the federal government. Good examples include Stafford Loans or Perkins Loans. These loans usually have low interest rates and deferred payment options.

6. Private Loans. Taking out a private student loan may also be an option worth considering. Most banks have some sort of student loan program that can be used to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses. If you do decide to get a loan from a private bank, be sure to compare interest rates and loan terms before making a final decision. Rates and repayment options can vary from bank to bank.

7. Social Finance Companies. Traditional banks aren’t the only institutions you can turn to when you need money for school. There are companies out there who are dedicated to matching people who need money with people who have money. Commonly known as social finance companies, these organizations act as a mediator between private lenders and needy borrowers. Popular companies include Zopa, which offers low-rate loans from a non-profit member-owned credit union, and Prosper, which can help you get a personal loan from one of the company’s many partners.

8. GreenNote. Designed specifically for students, GreenNote is a unique company that offers an alternative to the traditional student loan. GreenNote doesn’t lend money directly, but it does offer a platform for students to get money from parents, friends, mentors, and strangers. Loans have low interest rates and do not require a credit check, citizenship, or a co-signer.

9. Federal Work Study Programs. Students who need money to fund their postsecondary education can also turn to the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program. The FWS provides funds to students who agree to work part-time either on-campus or off-campus. Jobs are usually community service oriented or related to your job field.

10. School Programs. A lot of colleges and universities have their own financial aid programs for needy students. To learn more about possible programs, you should contact several schools you are interested in and ask to speak to their financial aid department. The department will be able to tell you about their programs and eligibility requirements.

Guest post from Karen Schweitzer who writes about online education for OnlineColleges.net.

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Should the Recession Influence Your Choice of Career?

collegecareerlife — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:55:17 +0000

With the constant reports of layoffs and rising unemployment, will more people choose secure occupations over more prestigious or exciting ones? I graduated high school shortly after the dot-com bust and, as a result, never considered a career in information technology. High school and college students, as well as workers who have experienced layoffs, may see the value in a recession-resistant job. Government, education, and health-care jobs are already attracting applicants from other industries.

While job security is a great thing to have, choosing a career solely for the job security is not a good idea. For one, recession proof industries such as education and health-care involve working with people who need compassionate professionals that really have an interest in helping others. Second, you might have a personality or interests that aren’t suited to some of these occupations. There are many careers that will still offer job opportunities in a recession, so don’t just choose the obvious. Everyone looks to secure industries in a bad economy, but don’t let a recession scare you into a career that’s not right for you.

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The Advantages of Being a Young Job Seeker

collegecareerlife — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:05:00 +0000

News regarding the current recession can seem pretty scary, particularly to college students and recent graduates. We haven’t even gotten our foot in the door while experienced workers are being laid off left and right. However, there are a few major advantages that young candidates have in a tight job market.

The first major advantage young workers have is that we cost employers less money. When companies are trying to cut costs, candidates with lower salary expectations are a plus. Older workers already have higher salaries and have gotten accustomed to bonuses and other perks. They also cost their employers more in terms of benefits, such as health insurance.

Another big advantage for young workers is that we are more willing to travel and usually open to moving for a job. And since many of us don’t yet have spouses or children, we are usually able to work longer hours and take on more responsibilities than our older co-workers.

Finally, young workers are familiar with technology. Certainly many older workers are very tech-savvy, but today’s college graduates have been raised around computers and have probably taken several computer courses while in school. We understand that technology is constantly changing and that computer skills are essential in almost any occupation.

If you are a recent graduate, don’t be discouraged by the headlines. Just be aware it may take longer to find a job and you may need to compromise a little. Gaining experience is the focus for the first couple of years out of school, so be open to moving to where the jobs are more plentiful or working at a less prestigious organization.

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College, Career, Life » recession

Hiring Trends for 2010 College Graduates

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What Young People Should Learn from this Recession

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Advice for Recent Graduates from HowStuffWorks.com Founder Marshall Brain

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How to Pay for School after Losing Your Job

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Should the Recession Influence Your Choice of Career?

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