I thought I would give you this link. CNN did a great interview with a young college student who blogs about graduates this year and the consensus is that this may be one of THE worst years ever to graduate.
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/05/12/class-of-2009-struggles-with-tough-job-market/
Really great blog and interview!!
Apathy Abounds - At least on our Campus
I'm not sure if other Career Services professionals (or parents) are seeing what we are seeing on our college campus but I have noticed a significant level of apathy in this years graduating seniors. Many either just started their job searches or are planning to take a few months off after they graduate and then start looking for something. I have talked to several seniors who just don't have a sense of urgency about their job search. I worry that they may be waiting too long to start based on the current economy.
Although the outlook for grads has gotten better, the opportunities out there for them are nothing like the last few years have been for grads. I think the last thing I read said that the average amount of time for a job search is anywhere from 9 to 12 months. CNN highlighted the fact that many of the jobs that are available are seeing record numbers of applicants. Apparently workers with a great deal of experience who are out of work are applying for entry level positions that used to be filled mainly by recent graduates. Experienced employees who have been laid off in this recession are now willing to work for wages that traditionally only appealed to younger people. Even teens are seeing a major decrease in the number of summer positions available to them.
What all this means is that we have gone from a virtual buffet of job openings for new graduates to a dog eat dog competitive fight for available positions. Remember how we talked about millennials expecting everything when they come into the workforce (flexible schedule, higher starting salary, lots of time off, insurance, etc.)? Well, I think those days (for now) may be gone. More seasoned workers are willing to come in and work for anything and they have more experience than the recent grads. I have mentioned it before in an early blog, but I really think Millennials will need to adjust their thinking about what they feel they are "entitled" to. If others are willing to take a job for less money and have more experience, it doesn't matter how much enthusiasm and fresh ideas you bring in.
The whole situation will be interesting to watch unfold. Already our office has decided to have workshops available to recent graduates this summer to match the timeline of their job searches. The reality may very well be a scary one but it is what it is.
So what can Millennials do to help themselves? Well step one is actually starting the job search now. Make sure your resume is free from errors and has an easy to read format. Know what you should be asking for in terms of salary and benefits (be realistic about this). Learn how to interview and sell yourself to a potential employer. BRAND YOURSELF ONLINE! That means make sure your facebook, myspace, and any other website with information out there about you is professional or at the very least not damning. Remember, we know recruiters and HR people are going to online searches more frequently to look up candidates. Make sure it doesn't hurt your chances. Stay positive (most HR people can spot someone who's jaded and angry a mile away). Use your network. That means talk to people at your school, do informational interviews, get to know where professionals hang out and go meet people there, get involved in professional organizations (in your area there are probably several). Most important, be smart and don't put this off. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Finally, get some experience. Even if it means volunteering while you are looking for a job, it will still be professional experience that looks great on your resume and will help fill up gaps between graduation and your first "real" job.
If you're an employer, don't be afraid to look at Millennials as the future of your company even if they possess less experience than other more seasoned candidates. All of the negative things you have heard may be affecting your desire to hire new grads but the reality is they are your future. If they don't learn now the things they need to know in a work environment, in 5 years when the baby boomers really do retire, we'll be in a world of hurt because there really won't be enough people who are trained to take over.
Although the outlook for grads has gotten better, the opportunities out there for them are nothing like the last few years have been for grads. I think the last thing I read said that the average amount of time for a job search is anywhere from 9 to 12 months. CNN highlighted the fact that many of the jobs that are available are seeing record numbers of applicants. Apparently workers with a great deal of experience who are out of work are applying for entry level positions that used to be filled mainly by recent graduates. Experienced employees who have been laid off in this recession are now willing to work for wages that traditionally only appealed to younger people. Even teens are seeing a major decrease in the number of summer positions available to them.
What all this means is that we have gone from a virtual buffet of job openings for new graduates to a dog eat dog competitive fight for available positions. Remember how we talked about millennials expecting everything when they come into the workforce (flexible schedule, higher starting salary, lots of time off, insurance, etc.)? Well, I think those days (for now) may be gone. More seasoned workers are willing to come in and work for anything and they have more experience than the recent grads. I have mentioned it before in an early blog, but I really think Millennials will need to adjust their thinking about what they feel they are "entitled" to. If others are willing to take a job for less money and have more experience, it doesn't matter how much enthusiasm and fresh ideas you bring in.
The whole situation will be interesting to watch unfold. Already our office has decided to have workshops available to recent graduates this summer to match the timeline of their job searches. The reality may very well be a scary one but it is what it is.
So what can Millennials do to help themselves? Well step one is actually starting the job search now. Make sure your resume is free from errors and has an easy to read format. Know what you should be asking for in terms of salary and benefits (be realistic about this). Learn how to interview and sell yourself to a potential employer. BRAND YOURSELF ONLINE! That means make sure your facebook, myspace, and any other website with information out there about you is professional or at the very least not damning. Remember, we know recruiters and HR people are going to online searches more frequently to look up candidates. Make sure it doesn't hurt your chances. Stay positive (most HR people can spot someone who's jaded and angry a mile away). Use your network. That means talk to people at your school, do informational interviews, get to know where professionals hang out and go meet people there, get involved in professional organizations (in your area there are probably several). Most important, be smart and don't put this off. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Finally, get some experience. Even if it means volunteering while you are looking for a job, it will still be professional experience that looks great on your resume and will help fill up gaps between graduation and your first "real" job.
If you're an employer, don't be afraid to look at Millennials as the future of your company even if they possess less experience than other more seasoned candidates. All of the negative things you have heard may be affecting your desire to hire new grads but the reality is they are your future. If they don't learn now the things they need to know in a work environment, in 5 years when the baby boomers really do retire, we'll be in a world of hurt because there really won't be enough people who are trained to take over.
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