December graduates are stepping into a hostile economy. National figures released Tuesday show unemployment increases in 4 of Arkansas' 6 metro areas in November of 2008 compared to the previous year. But there are some things gradates can do to make it easier to find jobs.
John Wilson graduated from UALR with an engineering degree in December to find a market flooded with laid off workers and a shortage of jobs. "Trying to get in there with no experience at all for the first time worker, it's hard to actually find a job," says Wilson.
Fortunately, Wilson did an internship with Southwest Power Pool and his employee badge proves the value of that experience. He started a new job with that same company Tuesday.
Michael Yang with UALR says if you didn't intern don't lose hope. But realize it's tough to find your dream job in a down economy. "It takes patience and you may have to take something that's different from what you studied in college," Yang told us.
When it comes to your resume experts say in order to set yourself apart focus on your accomplishments in a job, not just your responsibilities. "If it's in sales, did you exceed your quarterly sales quota? If you did put that in your resume because you want to quantify and qualify your experience," he said.
Include community involvement and computer and technical skills too. Once you have the job interview, it's important to make sure you memorize the job duties and description so you can sell yourself the best possible way to your potential employer based on your own experience. Yang said you have to ask yourself, "Do I have comparable skills or what I call transferable skills that can connect to what the employer is looking for?"
And don't forget to network to find out about job possibilities. That can mean alumni associations, community groups and old college professors.
Many of John Wilson's friends are still looking for work and he hopes government stimulus plans and bailouts bring a more fruitful 2009. "I believe the economy will boost itself back up and there will be a turnaround," he said.
