Giving Yourself an Employment Headstart
- Author Steve Volman
- Published August 31, 2010
- Word count 540
Without proper preparation, that can be a terrifying prospect. Luckily, positioning oneself to find employment after graduation is much easier than most people realize. The simple trick is to spend time in college gaining the necessary student work experience to make one into the best candidate for the desired position.
Quite possibly the easiest way to manufacture work experience is through charity work since just about every possible career path has an affiliated charity. Since just about every charity accepts volunteer work, gaining work experience for one’s resume is relatively easy. The problem with volunteer work positions, though, is that because many are easy to get, some employers will discount them. To maximize one’s "bang for the buck," one should be able to clearly describe how the volunteer work assisted in the development of skills or knowledge that would be directly applicable to an employer’s needs. Those who look at working on youth projects should be sure that their desired area of employment will require skills in working with youth. If not, that time could likely be better spent elsewhere.
Many students will attempt to gain work experience through unpaid internship placements. These can be great ways to add experience at prestigious companies to one’s resume. In many cases, the actual experience gained will not be particularly valuable, but proof that one can get in the door at top companies will definitely make a resume more impressive to potential employers.
Sometimes the best way to gain work experience is through summer jobs. First of all, employers will likely look askance at any applicant who "wastes" a summer. Second of all, many of these jobs will give specific and useful experience. For example, the skills used to cross sell a pair of socks at The Gap are similar to the skills used to cross sell a CRM software package to a business intelligence user. Finally, these positions indicate that a student both needs and is willing to work at an actual job. Due to the relative wealth of the Baby Boom Generation, there is a perception that many college graduates do not feel the need to work in a traditional fashion. A history of holding down "real" jobs will help to alleviate this perception.
Students should ensure that their experience is relevant to the position sought. A number of applicants contact hiring managers saying that they have had a life-long interest in the field in which the desired position lies. Unless one actually has experience the field, the claim will ring quite hollow and can lead to immediate disqualification from the interview process.
Finally, many positions look for those who can be out-of-the box. Entrepreneurial experience is extremely attractive to a number of employers who want employees that can go beyond just a simple job description. For those who include this on their resume, it is important, though, to be prepared to discuss why the business was shut down and what lessons were learned.
All of the above techniques will work to enrich one’s resume. Even better, they will all enrich one’s college years by adding a great deal of meaningful real world experience. This process, then, is truly a win-win for today's college students.
Steve Volman: writer, thinker and general muser. Interests include social regeneration, youth work, volunteering and having a positive impact on society as well as football and the odd spot of golf. Any feedback on my articles is more than welcome. For more information on volunteering visit http://www.vinspired.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Acura MDX and Honda Pilot: Which one will you choose?
- How to Save Money Every Day With Promo Codes
- Fresh Paint for a Fast Sale: Here's Why You Should Paint Before Listing
- The Invisible Impact of Missing Teeth: Why Replacing Them Matters
- Detecting Dental Beauty: 5 Core Traits of a Beautiful Smile
- Timeless Toothcare: Dental Hygiene Tips for Seniors
- Saving Old Smiles: How In-House Dental Discount Plans Help Seniors
- Too Much of a Good Thing? Signs You’re Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
- Why a Root Canal Might Be the Best News for Your Tooth
- What is DuckDuckGo?
- The Role of Lighting Stores in Brampton: Shaping Spaces for the Future
- The Role of Commercial Cleaning Services in Auckland: A Comprehensive Guide
- Exploring the World of Chauffeur Service: Benefits, Challenges, and Best Practices
- Nerds and Geeks: They still live on!
- IQ Tests: History, Uses, and Choosing a Reliable Resource
- 8 Great Ways To Teach Kids About Oral Hygiene
- App Development as a Catalyst for Business Growth
- Costs of arranging a Mortgage in Spain
- TikTok and Instagram: Ways you will grow and learn.
- Mustang GT: Ford Motor Company is a Rising Force!
- 10 Ways to Transform Production Scheduling in Business Central
- Elevating Your Home with Bold Decor and Vintage Carved Doors
- The Ultimate Skin Care Guide for Every Weather
- Do I Need Insurance When I Rent a Boat?
- Casino Bonuses: How to Maximize Your Rewards and Enhance Your Gameplay
- Was Joseph Stalin a good or bad leader of the Soviet Union?
- Top 5 Slots with the Highest RTP: A Winning Guarantee or a Myth?
- The Thrill of the Hunt Discovering the World of Location-Based Entertainment
- How Much Is the Hermès Cleaning Fee?
- Does Hermès Offer Free Repairs?