Beat the College Grad Rush
by David Pego, Career Center author
I just wanted to warn you. I have a thumb in the back of all my
young friends here.
If you are not an outgoing college senior or graduate student, then
race to the post office. The letters of the soon-to-be-grads
pleading for jobs are about to flood the inboxes at companies across
the nation.
Competing
Yes, job hunting is hard enough. But now, you are about to compete
with the freshest, brightest kids who ever have been graduated from
U.S. universities.
But, don’t worry. You’ve already been out there in the real world.
You have an edge for a minute or two – or until their letters begin
to arrive.
There are several young people here at South Dakota State University
in whom I believe very much. I’ve offered to make calls for a few.
I’ve offered to write letters of reference for several more. (One
already was offered a great summer job but gave it up because of
family circumstances.) But the good news for you job hunters is that
it’s only April and most of these April fool kids are only thinking
of spring weekend keg parties and other matters of such college
importance before they leave here. Few have taken me up on my offer.
Most don’t have resumes up to date.
Update and apply now
So, get busy. Send your updated resumes and cover letters to
companies where you would like to work very quickly. Otherwise, you
are about to buried under the annual avalanche of those letters that
say, “I’m a recent graduate of a fine university and would like to
work for your company….”
Of course, that kid never says don’t have the vaguest idea what the
target company does. Oh well. You’re still ahead of most of the kids
coming out – but not for long. Your job-seeking letter won’t be seen
until Halloween unless you get it there now.
Write fast and good luck.
Take a tour of the
job bank and apply online, too!
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