Notes From The Edge - Military Times Edge

If you’re preparing to graduate from college and embark on your civilian job search, the time to start looking for employment is now.

According to a 2007 Graduating Student Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who began their job search early were rewarded for their efforts with job offers firmly in hand in advance of graduation.

Getting an early start is all the more important when you consider this sobering fact: Another recent NACE survey “the Job Outlook 2009 Spring Update” found that, as the economy has continued to suffer its downturn, employers expect to hire 22 percent fewer new graduates from the Class of 2009 than they hired from the Class of 2008.

Fortunately, your time in uniform continues to be a draw for would-be employers, who are looking to hire people with the leadership skills and strong work ethic that has become synonymous with military experience.

Last year, I wrote an article about the job-search process for service members leaving uniform and entering the civilian work force, but the advice offered by military hiring experts has relevance for service-members-turned-students as well.

James Madison University also has a very comprehensive job and internship search process section on its site. Chances are, your own school has a pretty cool job search section on its Web site as well.

Tags: Job search