Graduating from college is a huge achievement and a time of great happiness for graduates and their families. But for many young people, graduation can usher in a period of uncertainty and stress. While the U.S. job market boasts full employment, implying that everyone who wants a job can find one, the reality can be more complex. Many college students hold the mistaken belief that if they have not found a job by graduation, they have failed.
If you are a college-based career services administrator, you know it’s important to support worried students who reach out to you because they find themselves without an offer. As an interview coach who works with college students and recent college graduates, I have seen how discouragement can negatively impact their job search. I believe that it is essential that we support these students in developing a mindset that enables them to continue their search effectively. As an interview coach, I see three key areas as being important factors: 1) making sure that their search process is effective, 2) encouraging behaviors that support a positive outlook, and 3) supporting them as they continue to expand their knowledge and experiences in their chosen field.
Check their Job Search Process
Of course, the first step in helping these graduates is to evaluate their job search process. Quickly reviewing the basics, we should:
- Ensure that they are tailoring their resumes for each position;
- Check that they are leveraging key job search platforms, such as Handshake, LinkedIn, company career pages, etc.; and
- Make sure they are creating a business network by reaching out to alumni and others who have made similar career choices.
My particular area of focus is on the actual job interview. When you find graduates who are consistently being invited for interviews, but not moving beyond initial screenings, the focus should be on their interviewing skills. I find that one of the biggest challenges these candidates face is that they truly don’t know how to handle interviews. Because interviews are complex interactions whether they are virtual or in-person, there can be many “failure points.” These candidates may not know how to prepare for an interview properly. They may not be able to anticipate the questions that they will be asked. They may not be ready to explain why they are interviewing for a particular job. They may not present the right “body language” for an interview setting. These are candidates who will need assistance to master the interview process.
Maintaining a Positive Outlook
Outside of ensuring that their job search process is optimized, I can’t stress enough how important it is for job candidates to maintain realistic expectations. Some job searches take longer than others. Disappointment in the job search can lead to spiraling behaviors: inaction, followed by resentment that nothing is happening, followed by more inaction. So it’s important to encourage a positive mental outlook. We need to remind these graduates to make sure that they are engaging in proper self-care and reinforce the basics: getting enough sleep, eating properly, exercising, and spending time with friends. All of these are healthy activities that will support a positive mental state.
Expand Learning and Experience
No one expects a recent college graduate to be an expert in their field. However, there might be skill gaps that they can address as they continue interviewing for positions. While many graduates believe that short-term internships or volunteer opportunities are not for them, we should encourage them to take advantage of opportunities that can build their portfolio of relevant experiences. In addition, they should consider taking advantage of free or low-cost continuing education to make their candidacy stronger, particularly if they have an identified skill gap. This keeps candidates engaged and adds to the strength of their resume.
With our experience in coaching recent grads to perform well in job interviews, Command the Interview creates customized group workshops for college students and recent graduates intended to hone their interview skills. The objective is to increase the comfort level with the interview process from initial one-way/virtual interviews, to group interviews, to late-stage one-on-ones with the key decision makers. We help them fine-tune their approach, readying them to interview competitively for these early career positions. If you have an interest in helping your graduates excel in the interview process, reach out to us at Kerrie@CommandtheInterview.com to discuss how we might be able to create a custom program for your college or university.