What does the job market hold for the Class of 2008? Find out at your Missouri State University Career Center

 

BETHLEHEM, PA—What does the job market hold for the Class of 2008?

In general, the job market for the college Class of 2008 looks good.

"Employers have told us that they are very positive about their hiring plans for this year’s graduates, and they report that they're seeing more competition for the best new graduates," says Andrea Koncz, employment information manager for the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which tracks job market trends for new grads.

"We’re seeing a greater range of opportunities opening up for new college graduates," Koncz says.

In spite of the positive outlook, Koncz cautions against sitting back and waiting for a job. "Students need to be proactive in the job search; they can start by going to their campus career center for guidance and resources.

“College students should not expect employers to hire ‘just anyone’ to fill a job,” cautions Koncz. “Employers are looking for candidates who have the right mix of skills and experience for the job; in a good job market, that can be tougher to find.”

Here are four actions you can take to increase your chances of getting a job offer:

• Use the resources available to you through the Missouri State University Career Center: Start your job search here. You'll find a variety of career and job-search related resources already collected for you, and you'll have access to expert advance or guidance. Among the services your career center provides are the following: career counseling; advice on selecting a major and exploring careers; job shadowing; tips on researching employers; assistance with resumes, job-search correspondence, curricula vitae, networking, job search, and the graduate school application process; internship information; and practice interviews.

• Research employers and their opportunities: This may be the single biggest secret to job-search success! Research can give you a direction for your job search; it will provide you with solid information you can use in crafting your resume and interviewing; it demonstrates to employers that you are interested in their opportunities and organizations; and it will help you figure out which organizations will be the best match for you. Surprisingly, many job seekers skimp on research or skip this important step completely. Employers say they can tell when a student hasn't bothered to investigate their organizations. Given the many resources available to today's job seeker—including corporate web sites—employers think there is no excuse for failing to conduct research.

• Network: You'll gain an edge by building a network that can help you learn about organizations and their opportunities. Your network contacts may help you get your resume into the right hands or your foot in the door. In fact, many employers reward their current employees for referring candidates. And, your network can help you throughout your career.

• Get relevant work experience. Employers place a lot of emphasis on relevant work experience gained through full- or part-time employment, or volunteer work because they show that you can flourish in a work environment. Internships and co-ops are especially valuable because the work you do and the environment in which you do it often relates to the position you’re seeking. Another way to demonstrate valued skills and qualities is to become active in student organizations. Among the groups you join should be one or more that is relevant to your major.

You can get additional advice on how to conduct an effective job search and connect with potential employers at Missouri State University Career Center, Carrington 309/Glass 103; 836-5636..

In addition, Missouri State University Career Center now has copies of the Job Choices magazine available to help you plan and implement your job-search strategy. Published annually, Job Choices provides job-search advice and information about employers interested in new college graduates.

In the latest issue of Job Choices, you'll find information on the job market for the class of 2007 (including what employers say you can do to make yourself a more attractive candidate), resume and interview advice, tips on completing online applications, and more.

The Job Choices magazines are available in three editions:

• Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students highlights career opportunities with employers in the nontechnical fields, including accounting, insurance, retail, finance, and more, and provides career planning and job-search advice for students pursuing degrees in the nontechnical disciplines.

• Job Choices for Science, Engineering, & Technology Students highlights career opportunities with employers in the technical fields, including engineering, science, computer science, and healthcare, and features career planning and job-search information tailored to the student pursuing a degree in a technical field.

• Job Choices: Diversity Edition highlights career opportunities with employers in a variety of industries and fields, features career planning and job-search information, and addresses issues relevant to students of color.

Plus, you can use the Job Choices magazines to identify employers interested in new college graduates. Open your copy of Job Choices and narrow your job search by using the "Opportunities by Employer" index, and target a specific organization. Or, target a specific occupation with the help of the "Opportunities by Occupation" index. Looking for opportunities in a specific part of the country? Scan the "Opportunities by Location" index, where employers are listed by country, state, and city. Find out about the culture, history, and work of companies by surfing your way to employer web sites with the "Employer Web Site" index.

Visit your Missouri State University Career Center today and pick up your copy of Job Choices.