#jobhunting #careeradvice #collegestudents #recruitment #ATS #networking
This drives me mad.
The Problem:
Most college career services staff:
- Have never recruited, let alone hired someone
- Don’t understand ATS software
- Do not know anything about your industry and drumroll….
- Have often never even left academia and have ZERO corporate working experience
The Solution:
Stay safe out there, folks and for the love of God, build a network of people in your industry. I interview/hire in the real world and cannot believe what garbage these people are telling their students.
Practical Tips:
- Network with professionals in your industry: Attend networking events, join industry-specific groups on social media, and reach out to professionals for informational interviews.
- Seek out mentors who have real-world experience: Find professionals who have worked in your desired field and can provide valuable insight and guidance.
- Utilize online resources for job search guidance: Look for credible sources such as industry websites, LinkedIn articles, and career blogs for advice on resumes, cover letters, and job search strategies.
- Consider hiring a career coach or counselor: If you feel lost or overwhelmed in your job search, a professional career coach can provide personalized guidance and support.
Don’t rely solely on your college career services for job search advice. Take control of your own career path and seek out resources and professionals who can truly help you succeed in the real world.
What “garbage” are they spewing to students?
I agree with this so much. Even back in college I remember being so frustrated by the fact that staff in that office gave out SUCH vague advice. I actually looked for a job in my career services department because I felt like I had more real world advice for soon to be graduates than that office did just from all the job searching I was doing. They were giving out advice that was out of date like 10 years prior and you could just tell that the people in that office were barely holding onto their OWN jobs.
It’s so frustrating. That’s why people don’t believe college has the value it says it does for most people.
OTOH, your major field professors can be a great source of networking contacts. They typically are active in their field and are connected to folks that can help you out.
My experience (in the UK, so might be some differences) was that the careers service just wouldn’t give advice at all!
The only thing they said at my “CV review” was that I hadn’t made any spelling mistakes! When I tried asking more specific questions about the contents of my CV, they pointed me to a very generic online guide. I know friends who have similar experiences.
Maybe it’s better than giving out incorrect advice… But I haven’t worked out why universities employ people to give no advice!
Anecdotal, but the career center at my University revamped my resume completely and it helped me get through the door. It may vary from career center to career center.
Mine was specifically for the college of business so they may have had more industry experience.