Important Letter to Students About Job Market

November 2009

An Open Letter to the Class of 2010,

You have heard plenty of “doom and gloom” regarding the economy in recent months.  If you are graduating this May and contemplating a job search, the economic state of our nation, no doubt, has you deeply concerned about the job prospects following graduation.  That said, there are steps you can take to better position yourself when competing in the current job market.  One of the first steps is connecting with the resources at your UCM Career Services.

Since we saw signs that the economy was weakening this fall, the Office of Career Services has been working overtime, developing strategies to help you find a job in this increasingly challenging economic climate. If you have been looking for a full-time position for a while, or if you have just begun your job search, now is the time to make sure you put your job campaign into a higher gear, assess your strategy, and think about additional career options.

A large number of employers continue to recruit UCM students through resume referrals, job postings and the Online Career Fair. We want to assure you that we are exploring every possibility, employing every strategy, and utilizing every resource in the search for opportunities for UCM students.

Tips for being competitive in this job market. . . The job market has fewer opportunities and is more competitive than ever, but remember, you only need to find “one” job. Keep in mind that your job search skills need to be as polished and as targeted as possible. Your resume must be well-written, your interview skills need to be practiced and honed, and you have to be aware of the best and most effective ways of approaching employers. As always, our staff is available to help you every step of the way. We know from experience that utilizing a number of resources and having a well-defined job-search strategy can make a huge difference in a tight job market. To better utilize our services and programs, we recommend that you take advantage of the services listed below:

• Make an appointment with your Career Development Coordinator to create a career action plan.
• Utilize the Resume Walk-in hours from 4-5 p.m. every weekday to perfect your resume and cover letter.
• Schedule a Mock Interview; you want to make sure that you are presenting yourself effectively in this job market.
• Upload a current resume to the Central Career Network and search for jobs several times each week.
• Utilize other job web sites and identify ones that may be specific to your field(s) of interest through the “What Can I do With a Major in” section of our website.  You can get additional recommendations from your Career Development Coordinator.
• Research and target employers with areas that match your skills and interests, whether they have a job listed or not. Sometimes jobs are created for a candidate who is a perfect fit for the organization, and that could be you. Contact them and follow up.
• Visit employer web sites and search their specific job listings.
• Network, both online and in person, with family, friends, former employers, professional organizations, UCM Alumni, and the University community. Utilize on-line professional networking sites to increase your contacts, including linkedin.com.
• Broaden your search to consider a variety of industries where you can put your skills to good use.
• Attend regional and local career fairs and events sponsored by different organizations, including the Career Services Office.
• Keep your energy level up and do not get discouraged. If you need additional support, talk with a friend or family member, a Career Services staff member, or another professional with whom you feel comfortable.  

And, to take some of the mystery out of the process, understand that a successful job search revolves around just two considerations:

1. Qualifications — you're already a step ahead given the quality of your educational experiences at UCM; and
2. Being able to effectively communicate your unique value and potential to prospective employers.

Bottom line…… it isn’t necessarily the best qualified candidate who gets the job, but rather, the individual who knows the most about how to get hired.

The Office of Career Services is here for you, and we are committed to partnering with you until you find a great job!  We look forward to seeing you in the office and we wish you luck in your job search.

Sincerely,

Teresa Alewel
Director of Career Services