Entry Level Employment

Yes - we are a retained/executive search firm.   Yes - we work on positions that typically require at least 10 years of experience.  Yes - we get hired when there are challenges (usually multiple) to finding the person needed to fill a key position.  No one has ever called us with an easy opening, long timeframe and huge fee. This past week I have started to receive calls from parents that I know.  They are trying to help their soon-to-graduate (OR recently-graduated) children get a job.  Adding to this recent theme, I will be the keynote speaker at this year's TCHRA 2011 Student Conference entitled Paving Your Path To Success.  (Parents - pass this link along to your children!)

Let's start with basic advice . . . . . think in terms of a grade for your effort AND result.

I am sure that you want to go for an 'A' as you embark on a search.  (Parents - don't you want your child to get an 'A' in this area?  Think financial independence!)

• Act motivated - I understand that a parent is likely to make the initial call to introduce the concept/see if it is okay for their child to make a call.  No problem, BUT - then the next step is up to the job seeker.  Students - get on the phone (or at least send an e-mail) right away.  Waiting days (or in some cases - weeks) makes me wonder how motivated you are.  Projecting this forward, will you be a motivated employee?
• Practice - networking calls, writing cover e-mails and resumes, and interviewing are all new behaviors.  No one expects you to be perfect the first time, but "you never get a second chance to make a first impression."  (Thank you for the quote - it is from my 8th grade English Teacher - told to me on the first day of class; that story is for another time.)  Practice with friends, relatives, the career services office, etc.  Important calls should be scripted.
• Resumes - volumes have been written on this topic.  In a nutshell, it is a sales document.  It is your advertisement (think of a product on a shelf - the packaging has to tell the story/get you to want to try the product).
• Career Services - college campuses have varying forms of assistance available.  You as the student will likely have to seek this out (unless they are a business major at a major university).  The services are free for the taking - you just have to take the initiative.
• Networking - at the end of the day, the most successful job search technique comes down to networking.  Think strategically - who is willing to both take your call (friendly) and provide referrals and ideas (helpful)?  Call these people first - after you have practiced your script, of course.

What do employers look for?

According to the Association of Colleges and Universities (www.aacu.org), employers are looking for the following: