Surveying the entry level job market – Interview with Heather Huhman

You guys are driven. I talk to so many people that are willing to question everything about their job path in order to be successful. Usually this leads to one question — “Where are the jobs?”

This article is the first of a series of interviews with experts that can give you perspective on what skill sets are in demand and what tactics you might consider to make you more competitive. Today’s guest is Heather Huhman, Gen Y career expert.

Kristi Daeda: Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Heather. What sorts of questions do you get most often from new grads looking for their first job?

Heather Huhman: Most often, I get questions from people looking for advice on how to get started on the search for their first job. I offer them advice on not only how to start the search but also how to make their resumes, cover letters and online networking efforts stand out above the rest.

KD: It’s a challenging market for anyone right now. How do you see this market affecting entry level employment?

HH: Many would-be entry-level professionals are getting hired for internships rather than full-time positions. Fewer entry-level professionals are being hired simply because the budgets for recruiting and salaries have been slashed. This means entry-level candidates must be flexible and realistic.

They must understand that they might have to relocate to find a job, and they might have to settle for less money than originally anticipated. Also, they must be realistic that it might take many months to find a job, so to be patient.

KD: What are the areas where you see the most opportunity?

HH: Anything social networking related. This is an area where recent graduates can really shine because older generations haven’t entirely caught on yet in terms of using these new platforms strategically.

KD: If someone is having difficulty finding the right entry-level job, what might they consider in the meantime?

HH: It is important to get a job that will give you an income and get you out of the house. I suggest securing a part-time hourly job as soon as you can. Job searching does not take up an entire day, and working any sort of part-time job will help fill the downtime and keep you from going stir crazy.

If you are willing to work a few hours for free, few organizations will turn you away and this is a great way to set yourself apart within your industry.

Even though you are technically unemployed, future employers will be impressed with your ability to fill your time with relevant experience.

Unemployment is a good opportunity to find an unpaid internship with a company that impresses you. This is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door and in front of key people.

KD: What experiences might someone try to get outside of employment that will make them more marketable?

HH: The two experiences that might add to marketability are networking and volunteer work. I suggest networking both online and offline with industry professionals in your area.

Networking gives you the opportunity to build relationships with individuals in your field and positions you to impress those professionals with your knowledge of the industry in an environment outside of an interview.

Networking also gives you the opportunity to gain connections you wouldn’t normally have by blindly sending in resumes.

As I said in the previous question, volunteering is an excellent way to fill time with relevant experience, but you can also volunteer with organizations that you feel passionate about outside of your field of interest.

Volunteering illustrates that you have a level of passion and interests outside of simply finding a job. You would also be surprised at the connections you make by regularly volunteering.

KD: What are your thoughts on going to grad school to avoid the market?

HH: The pros of attending grad school are that you may be able to earn a greater salary (although probably not right away) than simply with a bachelor’s degree. Graduate school also illustrates to employers that you have a serious interest in professional development and are being proactive about your development.

Unfortunately, with grad school comes the risk of burnout-you have been in school non-stop since you were six years old and eventually you will need a break. This often comes around the time of grad school. Cost is always something to consider, as well, when deciding whether or not to attend grad school. Also, it is sometimes difficult to gain practical experience while in grad school, which puts you in the same applicant pool as those who didn’t attend grad school and are asking for less money.

In the end, whether or not to attend grad school before full-time employment is a personal decision. It is a huge investment, both financially and personally, but it can be extremely rewarding. I would suggest speaking with not only a graduate advisor, but also people who are attending graduate school in your field to get a hands-on view.

KD: Do you have any other thoughts for entry level candidates that you’d like to share today?

HH: In this sort of economy, finding a job is not impossible. Job seekers simply have to be creative with their search and understand that things will get easier-getting your foot in the door can be the hardest part.

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder & president of Come Recommended, an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers. She is also the national entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com and blogs about career advice at HeatherHuhman.com.

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