So you or someone you know went to college; maintained good grades, landed a good internship (or two), lost count of how many networking events you’ve attended and met people, but, you’re still having problems landing a good job in your field of study -sounds all too familiar? Well according to “Trading Economics” the current U.S. unemployment rate is 8.8, so finding a good job will be a full-time challenge. I was told by several professionals to start job hunting at least six months prior to graduation, which turned out to be good advice. Below are four factor’s I believe determines your marketability in the job market:
Relevant Work Experience – Does your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) match the job you are applying for? How many months or years of relevant work experience do you have? How can YOU benefit the company or agency? The shortage of good jobs has resulted to employers looking for people with prior relevant work experience. So, while you’re in college it’s very important to network with companies and agencies relevant to your major; job shadow, get an internship with them, and don’t be afraid to ask for help in the right direction. -I’ve found that often times they will gladly assist you-
Education – Are you seeking a job that requires a Certification, 4-year degree, Master’s, or Doctrine’s degree? How knowledgeable are you in the job you’re applying for? Receiving a higher education will likely allow you to advance at some point in your career resulting to higher income. Seeking and obtaining a higher education proves a person’s level of motivation, interest, and desire to be a professional.
Personality – Does your Facebook or MySpace profile consists of you holding up alcohol bottles? Are you a convicted felon? According to The Society of Human Resource Management, 35% of jobs also screen for bad credit scores, which links to irresponsibility -from the employer’s perspective. The bottom line is employers will stereotype you some way or another, however how you present yourself before the interview, is just as important during, and after the interview.
Resumé – Your resume is where YOU shine on paper. A resumé is a descriptive summary showing you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill the job duties employers and human resources have requested. Your resumé should have no grammatical errors, and adjust slightly to match each job that you apply for. Lastly, I will say it helps to use the same key words employers list in their job description, overview, and responsibilities. -No need to re-invent the wheel- For more information on resumé and cover letters, click here.
YOUNG N EDUCATED 
I agree with everything you have said! I also think it’s important to get involved with organizations relevant to the field you want. When I was thinking about going into HR, i joined the local chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management. It exposes you to people (hopefully possible mentors) in your field, has opportunities to learn more about the field, & looks good on the resume. Also I would add looking for jobs in a non-conventional way. Do informational interviews to get your foot in the door, offer to help a local small business or community organization for free, or start a website/blog to market yourself and gain credibility in your field. Great Post!
Thanks for the reply, I agree with informational interviews, mentoring, along with a blog or online profile such as LinkedIn to better market ourselves. Nowadays, there are plenty of options thanks to technological advancements over the past 5years to connect to employers. Again, Thanks.