Job prospects for recent grads
CareerBuilder just released the results of its annual college job forecast, and, not surprisingly, job prospects aren’t as bright for this crop of recent and soon-to-be grads.
In fact, according to the popular online job site, the percentage of employers planning to hire recent college grads is roughly half of what it was just two years ago. Only 43 percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates in 2009, down from 56 percent in 2008 and 79 percent in 2007.
I’ve already written about similarly dismal statistics from a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
If all this is enough make you seriously rethink your decision to leave the military and put your degree to use in a civilian career, don’t despair. In five years of reporting on education and career issues for transitioning service members, I’ve heard time and again the allure a job candidate’s military experience holds for employers.
It’s an edge that can benefit you greatly, if you present it correctly. To successfully sell yourself and your unique experience you’ll have to strike a careful balance between “demilitarizing” everything from your resume to your speech and even, somewhat, your demeanor (tone down the “Yes sir! No sir!”) and still managing to get across to hiring managers what it is about you and your time in uniform that makes you the perfect fit for the job.
For some helpful articles about launching a successful civilian job search, check out these stories on MSNBC.com, ResumeEdge.com, Bradley-Morris.com, and even this oldie but goodie by yours truly.
