Career Options Magazine

Employer Tips

Students looking for summer jobs and new grads hoping to start their careers are talking about how the recent economic downturn has made it harder for them to find work. But things aren’t as bad as they seem: the Laurier Career Development Centre surveyed 48 employers from a variety of industries and found that most organizations did not change their recruiting strategies during the downturn. No matter how many new recruits they are seeking, employers want to hire individuals who have excellent qualifications and can make a positive contribution within their organization. The difference is that the job market is now more competitive, so job seekers must clearly distinguish themselves from other applicants. To help students in their job search, the Laurier Career Development Centre survey asked employers this question: “If you could give a student a piece of career advice during this economic downturn, what would it be?” Their responses offered a number of strategies to find work in a struggling economy, but most of them are useful in any economic climate.

Here are some key areas of advice from employers who responded to the survey:

• If the company did not pursue your candidacy, ask what you can improve and then work on it.
• Offer, if necessary, to work for free for a short period of time to “prove” your worth. This is a different message than most employers hear and will cause the candidate to stand out.
• Practise interviewing. Many students clearly have not done so, and do not come across as confident, polished and well-spoken. Those who have practised leave a lasting good impression.
• Prepare when you go to an interview. I find that applicants may research the company they are interviewing, but they have a limited understanding of the role.
• Really think about what your key success factor is. What makes you stand out above the rest? Compile a list of your experiences that showcase this key success factor.
• Be creative. Get them excited by your capability and make them want to pull you in, versus you trying to push your way in.
• Know your target, and tailor your resume and cover letter to that target.
• Build your resume in all areas (skills development, relevant work experiences, extracurricular involvement and student club leadership) to stand out from the pack.
• Be professional, be respectful of an employer’s time, keep hunting—the right position will happen. Be cautious with social media and how you represent yourself.
• Don’t give up, and focus on what you can offer—not what you expect to get.

CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS

Asking questions will help you learn what employers are seeking. For example, knowing what will catch an employer’s eye on a resume and what a company expects of its employees will allow you to take steps to become the ideal candidate. Volunteering and getting involved in student clubs are great ways to build relevant skills.

PRACTISE AND PREPARE

Employers representing industries that focus on marketing, accounting, finance, insurance, information technology (IT) and retail have a strong message they want to send. That message is to practise and prepare.

Researching the organization is a key part of preparing for the interview, but you also want to show that you have a depth of understanding of the industry and of the position. Go beyond reviewing the organization’s website: talk to employees and research relevant professional associations, labour market trends and industry-based information.

Although gathering information and deciding on relevant examples from your past experiences is important, it takes practice to make the transition from thought to verbal communication happen easily.

Coming to the interview prepared and practised will show the employer that you are genuinely interested, can take initiative and are organized.

STAND OUT AND KNOW WHAT YOU OFFER

Are you able to communicate what you bring to an organization and why you should be hired? Employers get applications from many qualified candidates. What can you do to make sure you stand out?

Ask yourself what you can do to achieve this goal. For example, you could join groups or associations to start building a network; establish a strong social media presence through blogs, where your expertise becomes visible; or create an online resume.

CREATE A GREAT Resume AND COVER LETTER

Resumes and cover letters are a key part of that first step in marketing your skills to an employer. Create a targeted resume and cover letter highlighting information that is meaningful to the specific employer and that says clearly what you can contribute in the workplace.

BE FLEXIBLE AND DON’T GIVE UP

As a job seeker in an economic downturn, you must focus your efforts on developing effective job search tools and strategies. Understand what sets you apart as a candidate, learn how to market your skills, build and maintain your networks, and stay committed to achieving your goals.

Here is one last comment from an employer that sums up the current environment well:

“The advice I would give now is no different from what I would have given a few years back. Know your target, tailor your resume and cover letter to that target, network or volunteer to get the inside track, and don’t give up.” CO

Susan Malcolm is a Career Consultant at the Laurier Career Development Centre, Wilfrid Laurier University.