Job Market Improves for Grads

Hallelujah! Employers plan to hire 19.3% more recent graduates this year, according to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The increase in open positions means employers have half as many applicants per job now than at this time last year.

That doesn’t mean new grads won’t need to put in some effort to land that ideal job. On average, 21.1 applicants still compete for every open position.

Interns, summer associates and anyone starting work can enhance the likelihood they’ll succeed by employing the following strategies:

1. Every organization or company has a culture. One of the ways members of the organization express that culture is through their attire. (Think of Apple’s advertisements and the dress of the two characters representing a Mac and a PC.) Before you head to an interview, study the culture of the prospective employer and dress accordingly.

2. No matter who you interview with, the first two items virtually every interviewer will notice are your hair (not whether or not you have any, but how nicely you’ve styled whatever hair you do have) and your shoes. On the day of an interview, don’t leave home without looking up and down. Neatly style your hair and polish your shoes.

3. Carry a portfolio with a clean pad of paper, a pen and a copy of your resumé to any interview. Unless you are expecting an emergency phone call or text, do NOT bring your smart phone.

4. Arrive on time. If there is any possibility the subway or a road incident could delay you, plan for that contingency and leave for your interview early. Arriving late communicates to any prospective employer: I’m really not all that interested in this job.

5. If you have helicopter parents—so-named because they tend to hover in their children’s lives—ground them immediately. Do not allow a parent to accompany you to an interview. Should you receive a job offer, do not allow a parent to negotiate your starting salary with HR.

It’s getting better folks. Good luck!

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