The most recent college graduate hiring survey data shows that employers are looking for candidates of all majors and backgrounds. Candidates who can demonstrate flexibility and leadership are the ones who will secure the available jobs first. In addition, many jobs that we are training people for now did not exist 10 years ago.

Employers hire college graduates based on potential and GPA.

According to he National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), many employers use GPA to gauge ability but clear evidence that the candidate can succeed on the job is required. Proof of communications skills, analytical skills and a strong work ethic will give a candidate the advantage in a tight job market.

I can wait until I graduate to plan my career and look for a job.

There are approximately 1.6 million college graduates each year, the largest number seen to date. The growth in demand for college graduates has slowed considerably since 1980: the job market demand for college graduates is approximately one-third of what it was in 1980. Even graduates who plan to attend graduate school work for one or two years upon graduation.

It’s OK to grab the first job I can get. I just need experience.

Research from Columbia University suggests otherwise: college graduates who pursue jobs in their chosen field, no matter how temporary or part time the opportunity is develop the skills they will need at the onset of their careers and move ahead sooner in any economic climate.

Lack of focus. A specific career goal is the single most important component to any job search. Many people spend more time researching the purchase of a laptop than they do career options. It’s critical to be aware of what you do well, what you like to do and how this translates into a specific job. Once you know what you want and can articulate it, you will know what kind of help to ask for.
Looking for a job without a plan. What will you do today to land that job? Will you call three people? Will you attend a job fair? Research has shown that people who have written (and frequently updated) job search plans have a higher degree of success landing a job. Every day, you should wake up knowing exactly how you will spend your job search time. Plan to spend 20 hours each week on the job hunt. If you are working, that number can drop to 10 hours each week.
Writing your resume first. Without a clear goals, it’s very difficult to write a resume that highlights your experiences and demonstrates why you are the best person for the job. Once you have a job goal, we recommend that you complete a “mind dump”. This is a brainstormed list of all of your experiences: work experience, awards, internships, special projects. Take a yellow highlighter to those experiences which support your goal. That information is what should be on your resume.
Not following up. This stalls any job search. Not following up on an interview or job contact can cause you to miss out on opportunities. Even if you get rejected, it’s important to follow up. I recently worked with a client who received a rejection by email. At my suggestion, he called the recruiter back. As it turned out, he received the email erroneously: they very much wanted to hire him.
Lack of interview preparation. Candidates should prepare for every interview as if it were a final exam. They should know the company, the position as well as how they can add specific value from day one. Questions for the interviewer should be prepared ahead of time to demonstrate interest and enthusiasm. I

First, ask friends and family for honest feedback on your resume and cover letter. Is your resume clear enough? Do you have a specific objective that is supported by your background? Does your cover letter make the connection between the job you are applying for and your background? Are your accomplishments quantifiable? Is there enough white space on the paper so a recruiter can easily and quickly see who you are? Is the font a 12 point size? Your resume will get someone’s attention for about 20 seconds and you want to make the most of it.

Next, are your interview skills what they should be? Can you clearly articulate who you are and why you’re the best person for the job? For example, take a few minutes and write out the answer to: Tell me about yourself”. The answer should tell the person who you are in a concise manner and how your background relates to the job at hand and should be no more than 2-3 minutes spoken.

Have you made the most of the social networking sites? Your Linked In profile should be 100% complete, including a professional picture and a minimum of three recommendations. Your Twitter account should list the critical organization you want to follow (ideally your target employers) and your tweets should be professional and include information that people can use. Clean up your facebook account. Employers are looking!

Finally, revisit your job search plan. What activities worked and what didn’t? Are you really making 5 contacts per week to move your search forward? Do you have a goal of 2 face to face meetings per week? What about your daily schedule? Are you making you phone calls between 8:00 and 8:45am? If you are calling someone at 10:00, chances are they are not at their desk.

• Perfect your look. This is a great time to get a professional haircut, but an interview suit and have business cards printed. These are also great gift suggestions.
• Never miss a party. Attend as many holiday functions as you can to let everyone you know help you find a job. People love to talk about themselves and love to give advice… especially to the soon to be college grad.
• Use your winter break from school to do one or two externships. An “externship” is when you spend a day shadowing someone around while they are on the job to see if that type of job appeals to you.
• Ask people you know who recently got a job how they got it and what advice do they have for you.
• Establish your New Year’s resolution: create a written job search plan and commit to doing at least one activity each day that will move your job search forward.
• Finally, try to relax and enjoy the holidays. It’s important that you appear upbeat and enthusiastic to everyone you come into contact with. You never know when a job opportunity will present itself.

• Holiday parties and family gatherings are a great opportunity to network. Be sure to bring your business cards to those functions. Resumes are easy to leave behind.
• Lots of people put their job search on hold during the holidays so there is less competition.
• Hiring managers typically curtail their travel plans so they are easier to reach.
• Take advantage of the holiday spirit. People are generally friendlier during the holidays and are apt to be more helpful.
• Get a jump on 2010: hiring managers know their 2010 business needs and hiring plans now so beat the rush.
• Remember, lots of people will make finding a new job their New Year’s resolution. Be sure you are ahead of them.

Here a few things you can do right now to get your career started before you graduate:

• Visit your Career Services office. Check out their calendar of events. Are there any upcoming job fairs you can attend? Will any employers be interviewing on campus? They most likely will have some career tests you can take to begin thinking about possible career options. They may also have career counselors that can help you interpret the results or do a mock interview. Ask for help with your resume as well. Although Career Services offers services after graduation, it’s much easier to make use of their services while you are still on campus.
• Many jobs are not posted in a bad job market. When employers do hire, they will tend to ask their employees for referrals to fill a job. Make a list of contacts-friends, family, classmates, neighbors, previous co-workers-who you can approach for help.
• Meet with your alumni association. Make a list of alumni you can contact to network. People often overlook the alumni connection but it is a powerful tool. Alums love to help other alums.
• Ask your professors for ideas and job leads. Many employers approach the faculty directly if they are hiring. Again, it’s easier to use that connection before you graduate.
• Create a plan to identify any gaps in your background and find ways to fill those gaps. An internship, part time work or volunteer work can help do that.

• Make sure your profile is 100% complete. Many recruiters will bypass candidates whose profile is not complete. This means a picture of you, at least three recommendations as well as extracurricular activities that support your goal. You can ask your professors, coaches and former bosses for recommendations.
• Include a well written summary section that highlights your unique skills and abilities. Include the keywords for your desired job and industry.
• Personalize your LinkedIn url and include it on your resume.
• Periodically update your status. All of your contacts will be notified of your changes and this will keep you current in their minds.
• Avoid tired words and phrases. It seems that everyone has strong communications skills. Instead, can you demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness or even the ability to think on your feet? Those skills are much more appealing than the old stand bys.

But, are they hiring? A recent survey showed that 75% of the job listings on Beyond.com (www.Beyond.com) were posted by employers who have less than 50 employees. According to the Small Business Administration (www.SBA.gov), small companies employ 99.7% of US employees.
Small companies offer distinct advantages over larger organizations:

• jobs tend to be less specialized and as such, employees can wear lots of hats and interact with many different functions.
• it can often be easier to advance in a small company. Employees are more visible and their achievements can be rewarded faster.
• employees can develop more skills to build their resumes.
• Although small companies often don’t have formal training programs and typically offer fewer benefits, employees can shine in a small environment.

Now, how can you FIND small companies?

• Look online at www.INC500.
• You can also check with your local chamber of commerce, local newspaper and local networking groups.
• Finally, ask your parent’s accountant or financial advisor for suggestions. They often provide services for small local companies and can provide an introduction for you.