Some experts say the recession is nearly over. But the national unemployment rate is still at 9.8 percent. With so many people out there looking for jobs, you need to think about what will give you the edge after college.
Employers do care about appearances regardless of discrimination laws. The way to stand out from the pack and get hired has less to do with beauty pageant looks and more with what your résumé says and how you present yourself. There are ways to get around this unfair hiring practice.
This campus has a multitude of resources for students ready to go into the job market. Go to the Magic Closet and pull out a conservative suit to wear to your interview. It costs nothing and was set up especially to help women in need of business attire. Remember to mimic the style of clothing of employees at the place you are applying. The Magic Closet is on the lower level of the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. Call 486-0904 or 486-0903 for more information.
But nice clothes won’t be enough to seal the deal. Next, head over to career services in the counseling center on the first floor of Moody Learning Center. Staff there will be able to direct students on where and how to apply for the job they want. The resources there are practically unlimited. Keep going until you get the job.
Still nervous about going after the job you want? Try going to the Peer Educators in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center and talk with the student advisers about your anxiety. They can help ease nerves and provide a place to vent in case the interviews don’t go as planned. All conversation is confidential. Their number is 486-1448.
Don’t forget to get to know a couple of your professors or visit one that you respected in previous semesters. Make an appointment to talk about your job preferences and concerns. Have them look over your résumé and ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Most faculty members will jump at the chance to help a student succeed after college. How do you think they made it in their field of interest? They went after their goals and used all the resources available to them.
No one will hold your hand during this monumental task in life. But this college gets you pretty far with its immense amount of opportunities. Your job is to have the tenacity it takes to get that job.
As John Quiñones said Oct. 21 on campus: Don’t listen to what anyone tells you. He was discouraged because of his Hispanic accent, but his bilingual skills got him hired at ABC. He’s still there, has earned the respect of his peers and serves as a source of inspiration for others to follow their own dreams.
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