By Marianne Mauti
Life After College....
"Now that I am done with college, where do I go from here?" That is the question that every 'College Graduate' will eventually be asking themselves. The answer may not be as simple as it uses to be. An article recently published in Reuters confirmed a growing fear that jobs will be even more elusive for recent college graduates.
The problems facing graduates are further compounded because more students graduate with massive amounts of debt due to spiraling costs for higher education. About 70 percent of U.S. students who graduated in 2012 had student loan debt,with the average borrower owing $29,400, up from $26,000 the previous year.
If you are one of the many graduates finally leaving your educational days behind you and suddenly finding yourself having to navigate a complex job market with a lot of school loan debt , today's article takes a look at what transitioning into the 'real world' involves. We offer some sound career advice from CEO's, veteran professionals and business owners. We take a look at what employers are going to be looking for when deciding whether or not to hire you. And finally I share some practical advice for a successful life after college.
What can make it even more confusing is that with all of the new technology, there are so many more options, opportunities and directions your degree can take you in. While it is smart for you to have a good working relationship with your school advisor and attend the career days and job seminars, at the end of the day it is up to you to make it happen! No one is at the exit door of the auditorium, waiting to hand you a job!!!! That is why it is extremely important that you understand what employers are 'not looking at' and what they are 'looking for' when hiring new employees.
What Employers Are Not Looking At
A lot of things have changed in the last several decades,especially the "way" that employers hire and "what" they look for when they are hiring. Here are two things that you may think would factor heavily into any job consideration, but in reality they do not:
YOUR ALMA MATER…... When looking for a good college to attend, many parents seek out top-tier schools hoping that their name and reputation will make a difference in their post-college career. Unfortunately for those of you who spent a ton of money on a top-tier college, your Alma Mater just isn't that important to employers. While that may have been true at one time, it isn't anymore. In a recent article for the Wall Street Journal, writer Blue Carreon said, "In today's job market, it all comes down to the individual. Having a degree from a prestigious school does not guarantee a job or a certain starting salary or any promise of some sort of expected lifetime earnings. "He went on to report, "There are studies about how top-tier college graduates tend to earn more than their peers, but there are also studies that dispel the notion that these schools give anyone a statistically significant advantage in the marketplace. Many reports indicate that if a student is bright and driven, it doesn't matter which college he or she attends, but what they make of that college experience, engaging professors, using the opportunity to work in a lab, write for a newspaper, explore extracurricular activities, and so forth. Employers are impressed by how people perform in any given situation and by the reputation individuals build for themselves."
YOUR GPA… Your GPA is just not as important as your other qualifications are. While it may bring you great personal satisfaction and award you some tuition benefits it won't be a deal maker or a deal breaker when competing in today's job market. Despite what professors, advisors and parents may say or think, the grades you make throughout your four years in college have very little to do with the level of success you are capable of achieving in your career. Employers care far more about your experiences, both professional and personal, and the qualities you can bring to the table. It will ultimately be your passion and work ethic that drive you forward, not the numbers on the transcript.
What Employers Are Looking For
When you leave the hallowed doors of your college campus there are things that you are going to need to know and begin to prepare in order to score that first interview. Understanding how to present yourself in the best possible light, to stand out from the rest of the job hunting pack, can and will make a huge difference on whether you get the job or not. Remember you will be competing with thousands of others for the best positions, so it is important to know what employers want to see. Here are the top 4 things that they are looking for:
1. GOOD RESUME… In an informative article by Joan Bersoza entitled,"The Importance of Writing a Good Resume," probably one of the most important things you need to do in your college 'afterlife' is build a good resume. This doesn't happen overnight and it sometimes requires you to take on jobs that aren't necessarily your dream come true or even a preference, but these job choices can say a lot to perspective 'dream job' employers about who you are and what you would bring to the job that no one else would.
A good resume is your 'identification card'. It shows your prospective employer your unique qualifications. 99% of all companies require a resume. Most HR personnel will weed out hundreds, maybe thousands of resumes until they decide on half a dozen to seriously consider for an interview. It is really important to learn how to write a good resume or hire someone with experience to do it for you. The difference between a good resume and a mediocre one is clarity, simplicity and quality of information. Flowery resumes with little information about your actual experience in the field you are wanting to go in to does little to get your foot in the door. A good resume begins with basic information, continues with education and then job experience. They don't recommend you list hobbies (unless they would give you an advantage for a particular type of job). Finally, a good resume is one that grabs their attention and gives them a good first impression of you on paper so they will be interested to meet the person behind the paper! The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) job outlook survey reports that the top 5 personal qualities (that come from experience as seen in a full resume) which employers seek are:
EXPERIENCE… It is important to understand what an employer is looking for as you build your resume over time. Very few graduates leave college with all the skills an upper tier job at a major corporation requires. Learning the politic's of a job takes time and experience.Cary Curtis, (MD and founder of "Give A Grad A Go,") had this to say about work experience, "When you are looking for a job, employers won't necessarily place so much value on "who" you have worked with, but rather on "what" you can do with your skills and how quickly you pick new things up.
Working for a company even temporarily will give potential employers the chance to see you in action and may lead to a permanent role if the opportunity arises. "Work experience placements help you build up your resume and make valuable contacts in an industry where you want to work. Having internships also demonstrates that you are eager to learn and are self-motivated, which are in-demand qualities in junior employee's," added Sachin Shah, (International Director of, simplyhires.co.uk.) Having experience will build confidence and can make you more employable. Learn from those around you, listen and watch those who are in the roles you aspire to and you will be far ahead of others!
CHARACTER… Whether you are looking for a job for the first time or a promotion, character counts! Employers place a very huge importance on an individuals ethical strength because your ethical standards can effect company profits. Having character and integrity fosters a culture of compliance within an organization and enhances it's reputation as a good and ethical company. Unethical employees risk more than just their own job. The bad behavior of just one employee can trigger consequences that endure long after he or she has been fired. Because a workplace is a network of people who must rely on and trust each other, it is important that you project good character and integrity when you begin your career. Trustworthy employees who treat others with fairness and respect, who pull their own weight and pitch in to help meet deadlines are going to be valued and perceived as one who exhibit integrity and character. Character is also important when working with customers, vendors and other outsides who come in contact with a company's employees.
An individual who purposefully lives every aspect of his life with integrity exudes a sense of confidence and self-assurance where ever he goes. When you are guided by a strong moral compass you will exemplify leadership skills and stand out among your peers. This will telegraph your potential to all those who interview you.
If you are one of the many graduates finally leaving your educational days behind you and suddenly finding yourself having to navigate a complex job market with a lot of school loan debt , today's article takes a look at what transitioning into the 'real world' involves. We offer some sound career advice from CEO's, veteran professionals and business owners. We take a look at what employers are going to be looking for when deciding whether or not to hire you. And finally I share some practical advice for a successful life after college.
So Where Do Go From Here?
Exiting College and the 'College Life" is one of the most difficult transitions a young adult will face. Suddenly you go from being a full-time student to becoming a former student, who is expected to understand how to suddenly become self sufficient! The difficulty is, all you have ever been from the time you were in pre-school is a student (why I advocate taking a few years off after high school to get some life experience.) So how do you make the transition from class schedules, school dorms, and homework to finding a job, taking control of your life, finding a place to live, paying your bills, cooking your own food and paying for it all without going into more debt? What do I do now that everyone expects me to get 'serious' about my life and future?What can make it even more confusing is that with all of the new technology, there are so many more options, opportunities and directions your degree can take you in. While it is smart for you to have a good working relationship with your school advisor and attend the career days and job seminars, at the end of the day it is up to you to make it happen! No one is at the exit door of the auditorium, waiting to hand you a job!!!! That is why it is extremely important that you understand what employers are 'not looking at' and what they are 'looking for' when hiring new employees.
What Employers Are Not Looking At
YOUR ALMA MATER…... When looking for a good college to attend, many parents seek out top-tier schools hoping that their name and reputation will make a difference in their post-college career. Unfortunately for those of you who spent a ton of money on a top-tier college, your Alma Mater just isn't that important to employers. While that may have been true at one time, it isn't anymore. In a recent article for the Wall Street Journal, writer Blue Carreon said, "In today's job market, it all comes down to the individual. Having a degree from a prestigious school does not guarantee a job or a certain starting salary or any promise of some sort of expected lifetime earnings. "He went on to report, "There are studies about how top-tier college graduates tend to earn more than their peers, but there are also studies that dispel the notion that these schools give anyone a statistically significant advantage in the marketplace. Many reports indicate that if a student is bright and driven, it doesn't matter which college he or she attends, but what they make of that college experience, engaging professors, using the opportunity to work in a lab, write for a newspaper, explore extracurricular activities, and so forth. Employers are impressed by how people perform in any given situation and by the reputation individuals build for themselves."
YOUR GPA… Your GPA is just not as important as your other qualifications are. While it may bring you great personal satisfaction and award you some tuition benefits it won't be a deal maker or a deal breaker when competing in today's job market. Despite what professors, advisors and parents may say or think, the grades you make throughout your four years in college have very little to do with the level of success you are capable of achieving in your career. Employers care far more about your experiences, both professional and personal, and the qualities you can bring to the table. It will ultimately be your passion and work ethic that drive you forward, not the numbers on the transcript.
What Employers Are Looking For
When you leave the hallowed doors of your college campus there are things that you are going to need to know and begin to prepare in order to score that first interview. Understanding how to present yourself in the best possible light, to stand out from the rest of the job hunting pack, can and will make a huge difference on whether you get the job or not. Remember you will be competing with thousands of others for the best positions, so it is important to know what employers want to see. Here are the top 4 things that they are looking for:
1. GOOD RESUME… In an informative article by Joan Bersoza entitled,"The Importance of Writing a Good Resume," probably one of the most important things you need to do in your college 'afterlife' is build a good resume. This doesn't happen overnight and it sometimes requires you to take on jobs that aren't necessarily your dream come true or even a preference, but these job choices can say a lot to perspective 'dream job' employers about who you are and what you would bring to the job that no one else would.
A good resume is your 'identification card'. It shows your prospective employer your unique qualifications. 99% of all companies require a resume. Most HR personnel will weed out hundreds, maybe thousands of resumes until they decide on half a dozen to seriously consider for an interview. It is really important to learn how to write a good resume or hire someone with experience to do it for you. The difference between a good resume and a mediocre one is clarity, simplicity and quality of information. Flowery resumes with little information about your actual experience in the field you are wanting to go in to does little to get your foot in the door. A good resume begins with basic information, continues with education and then job experience. They don't recommend you list hobbies (unless they would give you an advantage for a particular type of job). Finally, a good resume is one that grabs their attention and gives them a good first impression of you on paper so they will be interested to meet the person behind the paper! The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) job outlook survey reports that the top 5 personal qualities (that come from experience as seen in a full resume) which employers seek are:
- Ability to work in a team
- Verbal communication skills
- Ability to make decisions and problem solve
- Ability to obtain and process information
- Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
WORK ETHIC… One of the most important things an employer is interested in is your work ethic. Any graduate that can project a good work ethic and a willingness to be retrained to fit into the prospective company, will have a far greater advantage over the others. A strong work ethic is one that encompasses a positive and productive approach to work. Because it can be involved and individualistic, it is important that you carefully consider your philosophy and be able to articulate it when it arises. In order to best answer questions about your work ethic, you must first have a thorough understanding of how you personally relate to work. Since college graduates are perceived as having a weak work ethic, we have compiled a few suggestions for you. Consider the following:
- Attitude: How do you approach occupational responsibilities. If you have a strong work ethic you will have a positive and willing attitude when it comes to effort in your job.
- Feelings: How you feel about work effects your performance and greatly contributes to overall work ethic. It can either make you feel purposeful and satisfied or stressed and obligated.
- Belief: This pertains to the role you give your job in life. Does it build character, is it central to to a well balanced life? If you believe it is nothing more than a necessity that must be tolerated your work ethic will suffer.
It is also important to be able to express situations you have been in that can exemplify the work ethic you say you possess. When it comes down to it, interviewers are looking to hire someone who has a positive attitude, knows how to be a team player, takes initiative, is adaptable enough to do a multitude of tasks, is good with time management and is dedicated to continual learning!
EXPERIENCE… It is important to understand what an employer is looking for as you build your resume over time. Very few graduates leave college with all the skills an upper tier job at a major corporation requires. Learning the politic's of a job takes time and experience.Cary Curtis, (MD and founder of "Give A Grad A Go,") had this to say about work experience, "When you are looking for a job, employers won't necessarily place so much value on "who" you have worked with, but rather on "what" you can do with your skills and how quickly you pick new things up.
Working for a company even temporarily will give potential employers the chance to see you in action and may lead to a permanent role if the opportunity arises. "Work experience placements help you build up your resume and make valuable contacts in an industry where you want to work. Having internships also demonstrates that you are eager to learn and are self-motivated, which are in-demand qualities in junior employee's," added Sachin Shah, (International Director of, simplyhires.co.uk.) Having experience will build confidence and can make you more employable. Learn from those around you, listen and watch those who are in the roles you aspire to and you will be far ahead of others!
CHARACTER… Whether you are looking for a job for the first time or a promotion, character counts! Employers place a very huge importance on an individuals ethical strength because your ethical standards can effect company profits. Having character and integrity fosters a culture of compliance within an organization and enhances it's reputation as a good and ethical company. Unethical employees risk more than just their own job. The bad behavior of just one employee can trigger consequences that endure long after he or she has been fired. Because a workplace is a network of people who must rely on and trust each other, it is important that you project good character and integrity when you begin your career. Trustworthy employees who treat others with fairness and respect, who pull their own weight and pitch in to help meet deadlines are going to be valued and perceived as one who exhibit integrity and character. Character is also important when working with customers, vendors and other outsides who come in contact with a company's employees.
The most successful professionals and business owners of our time have built their personal brand and name by consistently exhibiting strong character regardless of the situation at hand. They let right thinking, right decisions, and right actions serve as their guide. If you have to manipulate the truth or compromise your values to gain an advantage, the advantage is not worth the perceived gain. Any advantage gained in deceit will surely come at a try high cost….the loss of your character. If you want to be successful in the workplace and in life, character counts!
Some Career Advice From the Experts
Statistics have shown the average person will change careers at least 4 times and less than 50 percent of all college graduates will ever work in the field of their college major and degree. Part of the reason for this is that most graduates enter the work force with little or no understanding of what to really expect, or the many options and obstacles that lie ahead. If you are going to navigate your path successfully, having the right perspective when starting out on this journey is extremely important! While doing research for today's article, I found some common threads of advice from professionals, whose careers (past or present) include CEO's, corporate managers, business owners and entry level professionals, that will help you to start out on your path with a healthy and productive perspective. Here is some of the best advice you will ever get!
CAREERS DON'T HAPPEN THEY ARE MADE… Career's by definition are something you undertake for a significant period of your life, with the promise of opportunity, progress and promotion. It will take real commitment, direction and an enormous amount of work on your part. Many graduating seniors mistakenly believe that all they have to do is go to school, then when finished, go to a few school sponsored career days and they will find a job waiting for them when they leave college. If you are waiting for someone else to just hand you a job, you are going to be waiting for a long time. Until you are ready to take charge of and 'own' your career, you won't have one. Owning your career takes discipline and commitment. Finding your full time career needs to become your full-time job. If you take control , then you do not become a victim of the job market! If you don't take charge, it won't happen. Your career will be what you decide to make it!
IT'S NOT ABOUT ENTITLEMENT… Most college graduates mistakenly believe they are going to graduate and immediately start working for a company making 60 to 70 thousand dollars a year. While there are always exceptions, that is not the rule! Because we have fostered an attitude of entitlement in our current college culture, many graduates simply refuse to even apply for great entry level positions. That kind of attitude will never get you on the right career path and is considered extremely negative by employers! For those that choose to go ahead and begin on that route anyway, they suggest that if you haven't found the job you were hoping for within four months of graduating, its time to begin applying for whatever entry level job you can find. Being able to put something on your resume, gaining some knowledge and experience is an important step into the workplace and should not be ignored just because you feel you are qualified for something better or higher paying. Taking an entry level position tells your employer that no job is beneath you and you are willing to work hard to show them you are qualified to do more. The truth is , after gaining some experience, it shouldn't take you long to climb the company ladder! If you find it isn't what you really like doing, the experience gained will look good on your resume and will be seen in a favorable light in future interviews! We all have to start somewhere,and for most of you that will not be at the top!
Here is a reality check to go along with their advice: The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) projects that 1,606,000 students with a Bachelor's degree will graduate this year. (Their will be a lot of competition for jobs!) They added that about 260,000 people who had a college degree made at or below the federal minimum wage of 7.25 per hour last year. Remember a minimum wage job is better than no job and it could lead to a good management position that requires a degree. You may not want to stay there forever but it will look good on your resume!
CAREERS DON'T HAPPEN THEY ARE MADE… Career's by definition are something you undertake for a significant period of your life, with the promise of opportunity, progress and promotion. It will take real commitment, direction and an enormous amount of work on your part. Many graduating seniors mistakenly believe that all they have to do is go to school, then when finished, go to a few school sponsored career days and they will find a job waiting for them when they leave college. If you are waiting for someone else to just hand you a job, you are going to be waiting for a long time. Until you are ready to take charge of and 'own' your career, you won't have one. Owning your career takes discipline and commitment. Finding your full time career needs to become your full-time job. If you take control , then you do not become a victim of the job market! If you don't take charge, it won't happen. Your career will be what you decide to make it!
IT'S NOT ABOUT ENTITLEMENT… Most college graduates mistakenly believe they are going to graduate and immediately start working for a company making 60 to 70 thousand dollars a year. While there are always exceptions, that is not the rule! Because we have fostered an attitude of entitlement in our current college culture, many graduates simply refuse to even apply for great entry level positions. That kind of attitude will never get you on the right career path and is considered extremely negative by employers! For those that choose to go ahead and begin on that route anyway, they suggest that if you haven't found the job you were hoping for within four months of graduating, its time to begin applying for whatever entry level job you can find. Being able to put something on your resume, gaining some knowledge and experience is an important step into the workplace and should not be ignored just because you feel you are qualified for something better or higher paying. Taking an entry level position tells your employer that no job is beneath you and you are willing to work hard to show them you are qualified to do more. The truth is , after gaining some experience, it shouldn't take you long to climb the company ladder! If you find it isn't what you really like doing, the experience gained will look good on your resume and will be seen in a favorable light in future interviews! We all have to start somewhere,and for most of you that will not be at the top!
Here is a reality check to go along with their advice: The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) projects that 1,606,000 students with a Bachelor's degree will graduate this year. (Their will be a lot of competition for jobs!) They added that about 260,000 people who had a college degree made at or below the federal minimum wage of 7.25 per hour last year. Remember a minimum wage job is better than no job and it could lead to a good management position that requires a degree. You may not want to stay there forever but it will look good on your resume!
THERE IS NO PERFECT JOB… If all of the years leading to graduation are designed only as a preparation for entering the real world, the real world will definitely disappoint. Not because your expectations have been dashed or the world has been misrepresented but suddenly the time has come to look deep within yourself and discover what you want out of life and start to seek it. You will also find that making the transition from a college student to a career professional isn't just about what you do, it is also about how and why you do it! There is no job out there that will bring you complete fulfillment and happiness just because you are doing it, but it can bring fulfillment if you understand "why" it is important for you to do it. It can be a great job if you decide it is. It is all about "attitude." You can find fulfillment in every step along your journey if you want to! Attitude and purpose make every job perfect for the season.
BE ABLE TO DEFINE WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO YOU… Until you can define what success means to you, success will always feel like it is just out of reach. Success is defined as accomplishing something of purpose, achieving a desired aim. As you move forward in your life and career it is important that you be able to define what is really important for you to personally achieve and not what others expect. Living to fulfill others expectations will only bring a lifetime personal failure and frustration. Over time your plans and priorities will evolve and change and so will your definition of "success". Your definition of personal success needs to be re-defined as your life becomes re-defined. As you get older, life will have deeper meaning, getting married and starting a family will once again, dramatically alter your definition of success. That is good thing!
BE ABLE TO DEFINE WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO YOU… Until you can define what success means to you, success will always feel like it is just out of reach. Success is defined as accomplishing something of purpose, achieving a desired aim. As you move forward in your life and career it is important that you be able to define what is really important for you to personally achieve and not what others expect. Living to fulfill others expectations will only bring a lifetime personal failure and frustration. Over time your plans and priorities will evolve and change and so will your definition of "success". Your definition of personal success needs to be re-defined as your life becomes re-defined. As you get older, life will have deeper meaning, getting married and starting a family will once again, dramatically alter your definition of success. That is good thing!
Finally.....
There is an old and very true saying,"If you spend your life doing what you are passionate about you will never feel like you worked a day in your life." Making your passion your career may not give you the largest paycheck or take you to the top of the corporate ladder, but it could take you to a third world country and give you the opportunity to change the lives of others. This kind of work brings a fulfillment and satisfaction that money can't buy and position can't achieve! In many ways, by doing what you are passionate about, you will feel that you have fulfilled a greater, higher purpose and that is worth more than all the money in the world!
There is an old and very true saying,"If you spend your life doing what you are passionate about you will never feel like you worked a day in your life." Making your passion your career may not give you the largest paycheck or take you to the top of the corporate ladder, but it could take you to a third world country and give you the opportunity to change the lives of others. This kind of work brings a fulfillment and satisfaction that money can't buy and position can't achieve! In many ways, by doing what you are passionate about, you will feel that you have fulfilled a greater, higher purpose and that is worth more than all the money in the world!
*******************************************
FORGING YOUR FAITH
To 'Forge' something, is to mold and shape something for suitable use. We believe that our lives are constantly being shaped and molded by the hand of God for His divine purpose! This publication strives to encourage believers who are beginning this process and those who are well into it! We also believe a truly successful life is a Christ-Centered Life! We hope you will join us and become a regular reader!
Thank You and God Bless,
Marianne Mauti
Founder and CAO
'Forging Your Faith' is the online Christian publication of 'Christ the King Church' in Bellevue, Pa.
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com ***********************************************************
ARTICLE RESOURCES
ARTICLE RESOURCES
* The Bible
*Dr. George R. Beninate: Is Bishop of "Christ the King Church" in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Doctor of Theology, Biblical Apologist, conference speaker, lecturer and my spiritual father.He is also the Author of several books including,"The Age of Glory", Thank you for your relentless pursuit of truth!
* "How to Answer What is your Work Ethic," By Erin Lucy, Nicole Wilson, Joanna Papanikolaou, Tia goroth on wikihow.com
* "Work Experience While Job Hunting," www.theist.org
* A recent article for the Wall Street Journal, By Blue Carreon
* Article by Joan Bersoza,"The Importance of Writing a Good Resume"
* The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) job outlook survey.
* Cary Curtis, (MD and founder of "Give A Grad A Go,")
* Sachin Shah, (International Director of, simplyhires.co.uk.)
* The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES)
