Advice for Students By Susan Malcolm
from Employers in Today’s Economy
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tudents 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.
employer TIPS » Here are some key areas of advice from employers who responded to the survey: 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 14
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If the company did not pursue your candidacy, ask what you can improve and then work on it.
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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.
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