Info

New Grad

According to a recent survey by Job Outlook, for the third year now there is a positive increase in hiring fresh college graduates for 2006.  Business owners plan on hiring more from the class of 2005-06 than they did from the 2004-05 class as well as offering higher compensation and benefits for the new hires.

In the annual survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nine out of ten companies describe the new job market as good, very good, and excellent.  Public accounting and consulting firms narrated the brightest prospect for the future graduates, while engineering and construction firms supported the idea by saying they'll also be hiring.

There is a growing demand for new graduates in the job market as a result of the also growing products and services they offer and to keep up with the retiring HR staff.  

Who are in demand?

•    Mechanical engineering
•    Electrical engineering
•    Accounting
•    Business administration/ management
•    Economics/finance
•    Computer science
•    Information sciences and systems
•    Marketing/marketing management
•    Computer engineering
•    Chemical engineering

Mechanical engineering graduates topped the list and eyeing on them are aerospace, automotive, mechanical equipment manufacturers.  They also plan on hiring graduates with Ph.D.s in science and computer related courses.

Banking, transportation, financial, and insurance services are seeking Economics/Finance graduates.  The food and beverage processing companies, merchandisers, and financial services will need more Business Administration/Management degree holders.  One-third of business owners plan on hiring associate graduates categorized into three: technology, engineering and business related degrees.  Insurance and engineering/surveying companies appear the most in need of 2 year course graduates for they bear a productive kind of technical knowledge which does not require more training.  They belong to the hands-on work force who developed a good work ethic which is sadly observed by employers as missing in previous amateur graduates.

During the survey, only 23.5%, (mainly manufacturers) respondents planned on hiring international graduates in 2006.  

What qualities should a new graduate possess?

•    Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
•    Must be honest and has a high regard with integrity
•    Can easily relate to others
•    Maintain strong work ethic
•    Can work well with others –TEAMWORK
•    Analytical skills
•    Must be self motivated and initiative
•    Adaptability to change
•    Updated computer skills
•    Observant to details

The standards of companies’ ideal candidates are often higher than the last year’s.  It is important that new graduates show good G.P.A.s as full time jobs come with good benefits coming from good revenues.  Salary, should not be the sole consideration when looking for a job, benefits are part of it.

Here are some of the lists of benefits:

•    Life and Medical/Dental insurance
•    Retirement plans
•    Annual and semi-annual increase
•    Employee counseling program
•    Dress code
•    Paid trainings
•    Bonus and commissions
•    Family benefits
•    Flexi-time
•    Performance updates
•    Vacation and sick leaves
•    On-site fitness and recreational facilities
•    Day care center
•    Company car/service

The best places to seek competitive employers can be on campus job fairs, during on-the-job-trainings, student organizations and clubs, Internet search job search engines, etc.  What’s important is that you target the right employers.  Don’t let an opportunity pass, get in the interview to know more about their career offers and don’t forget to research about the company.  You must be able to discuss your career objectives and compose a list of relevant and creative questions you can ask yourself.

Job Search

Job search engines use state-of-the-art technology to assist people in their job quest.  Here you could enter all the relevant information to reduce the lists of sought after jobs to get more accurate results.

Because new jobs are being added daily or even hours after, the tendency to see the results you had yesterday may be different from what you see today.  This is where job search engines come in handy.

After some trial and error there are a few job search engines that could yield better results.  They allow searchers to see major job sites, companies and even its associations by entering a keyword and location.  Results can be seen in different ways, it could be in a browser list and some sent thru e-mail.  

SimplyHired.com, America's Job Bank, Jobster, and Indeed.com are just a few of the search engines that can give you more accurate results.  These sites include over 500 job listings with job boards, prime newspapers, and numerous companies with career pages.  

Indeed.com even has an advance search option that could be used to search company names, positions, and even the distance for commuters.

America's Job Bank let's you enter the job category you would like to search, then you can enter either the city or the zip code and state you would like to find the job and it gives the list of job openings.  If you're lucky, you can even get the quoted salary from each of the companies you're eyeing on.  

In SimplyHired.com aside from the list of jobs open, applicants are also given a short description of the job you're about to handle including the responsibilities to be met even during application.  It also includes the type of company, location and date when the job was posted.

Jobster provides the latest job postings from today up to the last 7 days wherein you can also choose the distance you prefer.  This site gives you the ability to see the list of the freshly posted jobs from a variety of sources.

How Well Are They?

These sites give listings that are relevant and timely, compared to other search engines that generate results a little longer than the others.  Some would even provide results that are far from the location picked out.

So far the best among the search engines used is the Simplyhired.Com.  It showed the job title, a link was also provided for posting, a summary of the job description, where the exact current location and where it originated.  The produced results are easy to read, non-confusing with bits and pieces more of information plus the getting around is user friendly

Job Abroad

Job hunting abroad can be both an opportunity and an adventure.  There are hurdles to overcome when searching for the right job abroad.  Let's take going to Madrid, Paris, Rome or London for example.  It's not enough to just send resumes, the idea should be "get the luggage and get on the plane."

Getting a work permit is one obstacle in Europe.  To stay there for an extended time, a residence permit is needed.  This an only be granted once a working permit has been granted.  Companies only provide non-European workers their work permits if they prove that there are no qualified European for the position.  This is tough since the European Employment Services allows different companies to recruit prospects in eighteen European Economic Area countries.  Remember that an ideal candidate is one who is able to speak the native language of a specific city other than English.

If you have your eye on Spain, a typed application letter with a resume must be prepared, including a recent photo and translated qualifications and/or copies of diplomas and other credentials.  The letter must be written in a direct formal style citing the vacancy applying for.  A must have for the closing should be "En espera de sus noticias, les saluda atentamente."

In the United Kingdom, newspapers are good sources of job openings.  Assorted prime papers offer complement of job vacancies like "The Guardian," "The Daily Telegraph," "The Times," or the "The Independent" particularize vacancies daily.  Companies are very particular regarding the reason you are applying.  Research on their product offers, location of branches/offices, etc.  There must be a reason why there is an interest to work for a specific company.

The application for jobs in Italy should also consist of a typed application letter.  This should be formal and conventional in form.  Using the Italian language is a must when explaining the intriguing reason for application.  Diplomas and other credentials including impressive list of references should be handy during the initial interview.  There are three to four expected follow-up interviews including a psychometric test.  Put emphasis on personal appearance before the interview especially how the dress as this shows the concern in getting the job being applied for.

The average job search abroad ranges between six to twelve months.  Experts consider searching for a job a full time job itself.  Attending career counseling is helpful if unsure on what to do.  There are a lot of great career resources who can give advise that best fits ones interests and passion.

More Interview Tips

The second step in getting the job is meeting the potential employer for an interview. The first step that an applicant has successfully completed was sending your application and passing the screening process of the company.

The employer got the resume through a variety of sources that can be from an ad that was posted, a referral from a friend or a headhunter, or by a person who simply submitted an application by logging on the company’s website.  

Here are a few tips that will help in having a successful interview;

•    Before going to an interview, it is best to do some research about the company one is applying to.

•    It is also best to practice with a friend or family member mock up questions that the employer will likely ask so you do not choke during the real interview.

•    When you go for an interview, it is best to always arrive 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time. This shows employers that the person is punctual and serves as a good attribute in a potential employee.

•    When meeting an employer, you should bring an extra copy of the resume and other documents that are needed if asked certain questions. A good example is architects and photographers who are professionals in the respective fields who have a portfolio of the works done which may impress the interviewer.  

•    It is always best to dress appropriately. This shows the employer sincerity on the part of the applicant applying for the job. One must have finger-nails and hair well groomed for the interview. The outfit worn should be professional.  This would mean that shoes must be used to match the outfit. If you typically wear a lot of jewelry, it is advisable to remove and tone it down for the interview.

•    When you are in front of the employer, smile and greet the interviewer with a firm (but not bone crushing) handshake  which is always a good start to get the interview moving.

•    During the course of the interview, listen very well to the questions asked. Each must be answered truthfully and confidently to be able to sell yourself to the potential employer.

•    Afterwards, the applicant should thank the recruiter for the time that was given to meet for the interview.