April NfHC Column: The Job Market
When it comes to the economy, everyone has an opinion. A quick glance at your local paper, a scan of online headlines and even thorough analysis from your favorite weekly will reveal discrepancies. No matter where you look, opinion varies concerning the scale, span and source of our fiscal state of affairs. Regardless of the latest numbers and the spin of your news source of choice, one thing is for certain: finding a job has never been an easy task.
In the midst of an economic recovery, this is certainly still the case. While organizations like the National Association of Colleges and Employers are predicting a better job market this year, with surveyed employers saying they will hire 13.5 percent more bachelor’s degree recipients this year than last, many recent college graduates are facing competition from experienced candidates who lost their jobs during the recession.
Whether it’s tackling big questions concerning vocation or landing the first job after graduation, we know that the role Hope plays in the lives of both our students and alumni is as important now as it has ever been. In fact, identifying job opportunities for graduates was one of the most important services acknowledged in the 2010 Alumni Attitude Survey. The survey also revealed that many of the services available to students and alumni are not adequately promoted.
With this in mind, here are some tips for taking advantage of the career resources available through the Hope College Alumni Association:
- Get online and get involved. Check out the event listings at www. hope.edu/alumni for career related events.
- Don’t underestimate your network. Search by class or city in the alumni directory or join Hope’s Career Resource Network.
- Keep your resume relevant and ready. Hope has partnered with Optimal Resume to offer online resume management for all students and alumni.
- Make JobStop a stop for you. From student jobs to internships and entry-level positions, Hope posts job leads at jobstop.hope.edu. Experienced positions are coming soon!
- Embrace social media. Connect on our LinkedIn group, which now has more than 2,000 members sharing career advice, networking tips and job leads. You can learn more at www.hope.edu/alumni/career
This column was first published in News from Hope College this April. Download the entire publication in pdf format.
