College Wasn't A Waste of Time

"So, college was a waste of time and money! ?? 11 job interviews this past month since I’ve graduated and I can tell you that even after three places called me and assured me to “ignore the rejection emails because there are several positions open and you’re one of our top candidates, we’re still checking references” I’ve not gotten a job! Can’t get a job without experience, can’t get experience without a job!"

A recent grad wrote on Facebook this week. This was my reply.

Don’t be discouraged college wasn’t useless you just don't know how to use the skills you learned yet to reach your goals. College doesn't really teach job search skills, shoot nobody really teaches us how to find a job, turn that job into a career and start saving for after your career unless your parents are financial consultants most of these things we all had to learn on our own and often times the hard way.

But you did learn important skills you are using now and will continue to learn and develop well into the future, like your determination. Do you realize every interview you are going on is making you a better interviewer! People pay good money for that type of practice. You want to give up but that same tenacity that won't let you is what got you through college in the first place. That's a learned skill not everyone possesses. Which is why many people fall short of reaching their goals.

I experienced something very similar having graduated right after 911, let's just say unemployment was high and there weren't many companies looking to change that. So I had to make finding a job my job and I treated it as such. How many resumes and interviews are you sending and going on per week? Do you have a goal in mind that you would like to hit and how are you tracking your progress and success? Additional skills you'll probably need in any job you attain anyway, why not use them now? Unfortunately with a great talent base, you are up against an increased and highly talented pool of candidates. What are you doing to stand out from the crowd?

Truth is college is over but class is still in session and you’re just not done with the learning process because college doesn’t teach you everything you need to know. While you’re looking and have been for awhile try starting your own business or volunteering somewhere as well that way you can provide real-world examples of what you’ve learned and how you’re using your skills. That’s what employers want to talk about in interviews not just how great college was.

If you were involved in programs and activities in college you can use those examples as well, they don't have to be actual job experiences, either way you need to know how to answer the question "Tell me a time when?" and "Give me an example of", with actual examples of a success story. The better you become at telling these stories the better candidate you become, therefore use your interviews as practice so they become second nature. At this point, you pretty much know all the questions that might be asked. Practice in the mirror. Once you view this process through more positive eyes the sooner you’ll start to see different results.

Best of luck!