Career Exploration and Job Search Resources

Employers look for strong communication skills and honesty/integrity when they evaluate college graduates as potential new hires. Every year for the past five years, employers have placed communications skills at the top of their wish lists. They also prize job candidates who show experience in teamwork, who have interpersonal skills, and who seem motivated and show initiative. And—they want to hire graduates who have a strong work ethic.

The problem is, employers say, new graduates come up short on many of these skills.

Employers say new graduates are not adept at speaking or writing. Many lack maturity. Some are ignorant of business etiquette. And many new graduates have unrealistic expectations of the world of work—and a poor grasp of work ethics.

Employers recommend you turn this information to your advantage by getting involved in classes and activities that will teach you these important skills. They suggest that you:

• Improve your verbal and written communication skills by enrolling in writing and public speaking courses. Take advantage of programs offered in the career center, including mock interviews that will teach you how to articulate your strengths to any potential employer.
• Develop your interpersonal and teamwork skills. You can gain these skills and have fun at the same time by becoming active in campus events and student organizations.
• Get some work experience while you’re in school. A growing number of employers look for internship or co-op experience on resumes. However, they also recognize that any relevant work experience is important. If you’ve spent time spent in the business world, you’ve experienced how to get to work on time, dress for the workplace, and conduct yourself in a business environment. Go to the career center and learn how to tell a potential employer about your experience in the workplace.
• Learn what the workplace is really like. Employers say some students have unrealistic expectations of where they fit in the work force. You probably won’t be the CEO of a company within your first five years on the job, and you probably won’t pull down a six-figure income for a while. You’ll need to put in hard work and dedication to the job to climb the corporate ladder.