The Four Biggest Challenges Facing New Grads (Part II)

September 12, 2009

This is part two of a two part post on the biggest challenges facing new graduates. It deals with ways to overcome the obstacles set out in Part I.

It’s one thing to be aware of the challenges that you will face as a New Grad looking for an Entry Level Job. However, you also need to know how to get past these challenges if you want to land a great position.

That being said, here is some of my advice:

Lack of Experience: There are three great ways to battle the lack of experience issue. First, volunteer. While it can often be difficult to land a job on your own without experience, there are certainly many local organizations which would appreciate capable volunteers. This will help you gain experience without having to find a job. Second, focus your resume and interview on the skills that you have developed (though school, volunteering, and extra-curriculars). Third, be enthusiastic (but not over the top). You may lack specific experience, but you can make up for it in other ways.

Debt and Dwindling Resources: While this is more of a personal finance issue, try to ensure you cut any discretionary spending as soon as you are out of school (or during school…the earlier the better). If possible, move back in with family when you graduate. Or, if that isn’t possible, find a roommate and cheap accommodations until you find a job. Do everything you can to conserve cash.

Sense of Entitlement: This is a tough one. The only advice I can give is to be humble and be ready to put in your time. Having a sense of entitlement is a big turn-off for anyone who has had to “pay their dues”. You need to respect their feelings or you might find yourself being held back by your colleagues.

Poor Job Market: Unfortunately, it’s a bad job market all around. You need to ensure that you go the extra mile to get noticed (follow-ups, thank you notes, networking, etc.). In this case, the luck comes to those who are willing to work the hardest.

Landing an Entry Level Job can be extremely difficult and time consuming. However, with enough effort, plenty of patience, and a positive attitude, you will succeed.

Recent Articles

Will a Disability Hinder Me in the Job Search?

February 6, 2012 | Posted By: David Thomas | Category: Marketing Yourself

Finding a job in today’s challenging job market and struggling economy can be quite a chore. Now imagine the issues that a disability can potentially bring to one’s job search. In the event you have a disability and are wondering how your job hunt will unfold, rest assured that there are federal, state and local [...]

My Career in Business Administration

February 6, 2012 | Posted By: JustJobs | Category: Fit

This is a true story as told to LatPro.com. Read on to see the ups and downs you can expect in the position as a contracted employee, what it takes to land the job, what you can expect to earn and more. I’m a contract administrator for a major nuclear power plant that’s under [...]

What to Do When You Haven’t Done a Lot

February 6, 2012 | Posted By: Jesse Langley | Category: Tips

After completing your bachelor’s degree you may be ready to head out into the job market and get started on your career, but these days that might not be the best option. With so many qualified people out of work, a standard college education may not be enough to convince employers to choose you over [...]

Controlling Your Interview

February 6, 2012 | Posted By: YP Edge | Category: Preparation

Aaron McDaniel (aka “Mr. Business”) is the author of the Young Professional’s Edge blog (YP Edge). He is a corporate director, entrepreneur, public speaker, community volunteer and avid world traveler. Aaron has experience in sales, customer care, marketing, operations, strategy and business development and has managed over 110 different direct reports and organizations as large [...]

What You Can Learn in an MBA Program

January 26, 2012 | Posted By: Jesse Langley | Category: Grad School

If you’re thinking about going back to school, enrolling in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is a great way to prepare yourself with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be successful in the exciting and competitive industry of business. To truly determine whether this program is suited for you, it’s important to [...]