Today the WSJ published “The Class of 2025 Tries to Crack a Chilly Job Market for College Grads.” A validating headline, if like many soon-to-be graduates across the U.S. you are finding the job search challenging and just not working out as you’d expected. In Penn Career Services, our mission for the past 100 years has always centered on providing the best support possible to ensure the career development of students and alumni – but lately, we are doing this through one of the most unpredictable, economically headwind-filled job markets many experienced career advisors have ever seen.
In light of this, I want to offer you a bit of optimism, supported by my deeply held belief that our students and graduates are among the best in the world. Below, there are four touchpoints that will hopefully shore you up if you’re in the job market – Decenter; Remember; Advocate; and Persist.
“Decenter” yourself from the process:
(Many thanks to my colleague for sharing this thought this week). In other words – if you’re feeling challenged and disillusioned about your job search too, you are most certainly not alone and it’s most definitely NOT you.
Remember who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and the unique contribution you have – AND WILL – make in the world:
Think back to your admissions essay. Do you have a video, or even just the memory, of opening your Penn acceptance? When was the last time you really looked at your resume, or transcript, and reflected on the learning, growth, effort and care you shown in your coursework, research, projects, writing…everything these past few years? Picture your friends, teammates, professors, advisors – all the circles of community at Penn in which YOU have been an integral part. THEN, add one more community to that list that you’ll soon be forever a part, one of the largest, most talented and well-educated group of people in the world – Penn Alumni. If you haven’t yet been tapping into some of the thousands of global members of this group as you launch your career, I warmly encourage you to start; we can provide immeasurable lift to your career development.
Advocate for yourself, by understanding the process and communicating your potential as effectively as possible:
I can confidently say it’s never been an advisee’s lack of qualifications in an application, but rather an easily-addressed communication gap – between what a candidate knows of themselves and their capabilities – and how those, your “brand,” are understood by others through a resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile or interview conversation. The professional competencies and contributions you undoubtedly bring must be obvious throughout the application process – and you’re just the subject matter expert on yourself to do that! Sending out dozens of resumes without response? Know how to navigate an ATS whose SOLE PURPOSE it is to (often incorrectly) rate your relevance to the job. Getting a first-round interview….but not moving to finalist or offer stage? Exercise and develop your interviewing skills or schedule a 1:1 meeting with a dedicated advisor to troubleshoot and practice – we’re here year round and you can schedule a time now or after graduation, whenever you’re ready.
Persist – with the creativity, adaptability and resiliency you’ve always had, to succeed in whatever you choose to pursue next:
As employers navigate macro-level challenges – negative predictions for the economy, concerns for potential recession far longer than typical, etc., all while recovering from what was arguably overhiring in several industries across the past few years and in the middle of what many consider to be the Fourth Industrial Revolution – whew! And for the economists, the U.S.’s consistently low unemployment rate would normally point towards a solid job market. But experts are saying, and I agree – stay persistent in your search, continue refining your strategy, materials, and interviewing skills….and know that it won’t be like this forever.
We’re HERE for you. We BELIEVE in you! And, together, we’ll patiently and with great excitement anticipate the wonderful things you’ll do next in the world.
Jamie Grant, C’98 GEd’99
Senior Associate Director, Career Services
