Job Seeker the new Job Title for Recent Grads?

Since the 2008 recession jobs have been a scarcity in North America and many have been left either out of work or looking for work. But where does this leave new graduates? Although the economy took a hit many universities have still boasted of high enrollment numbers in graduate programs. In fact many undergraduates have opted to stay in school and further their education. Even those recently laid off have decided to seek comfort in education looking to increase their knowledge and widen their scope or even seeking to try a second career later on in life.

It seems that now Job Seeker is the new job title for recent graduates. Although Universities are cashing in on the influx of graduate students in post-recession North America, they fail to realize that the market simply cannot handle more job seekers. There are too few jobs available and too many unemployed or underemployed graduates. New grads often have to compete with more experienced job seekers who have been laid off due to recent cuts in the private and public sectors.

Last month Canada's unemployment rate remained steady at 7.2% even as the country added 12,500 new jobs; increases in unemployment rates in the maritime provinces and some prairie provinces resulted in no change in the overall rate. So where is it toughest to find a job in Canada? Newfoundland had the highest unemployment rate across Canada in April coming in at 12.4%, not very inspiring for young job seekers.
 

Being a full time job seeker is tough, but the biggest mistake new graduates make is devoting 8 hours per day or more to online job searches. Although many firms advertise vacancies online, most jobs are found through networking and connections. In order to make connections job seekers need to ditch the computer for some face time and handshakes! This means attending networking and social events. Job seekers should not be ashamed of letting others know that they are indeed looking for work, this is a great way to self-market and expand your database of contacts. That’s not to say that online vacancies should be overlooked, but we suggest spending no more that 2 hours per day applying online and devoting more time to in person interactions.
 

Joining a local Chamber of Commerce or Student/Alumni union is a great way to make new connections. Many Job Seekers feel demoralized by the fact that they don’t have a job and often feel pressured to find or accept just any job just to have a title so to speak. The sooner they embrace Job Seeker as a title the faster they’ll be able to market themselves to their connections and reach potential employers.

Although you make connections don’t oversell yourself. Chances are your new connections will ask you what you do, stating that you are now a professional Job Seeker will pique their interest and prompt them to ask you what kind of work you are looking for. Here’s your window but be careful not to seem too desperate. State what you are looking for and what relevant experience and skills you can bring. Even though joining social and networking groups can cost money you must view this as an investment in yourself and a way to create and maintain your personal brand. It’s all in the way you look at it, you can market yourself as a “recent graduate desperate for money to make ends meet” or a “Professional Job Seeker looking for an opportunity in  . . . “   Which one sounds better? We think the latter. 


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