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Essential Skills Every Graduate Needs

https://skillmeter.com/blog/essential-skills-every-graduate-needs hare this article Facebook Twitter Linked in Google+ RSS Feed College can be the absolute best years of a person’s life; full of fun, freedom and meaningful learning that helps you on the way to getting the career that you have always dreamed of. However, suddenly leaving the comfort zone of college and being thrust in to the big…

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Advice for Recent and Soon-To-Be UF Grads

Recent and soon-to-be UF Grads,

Congratulations on your (impending) graduation, and welcome to a world full of resumes and applications. Your days of three hour mid-afternoon naps, and late night McDonald’s eating binges are unfortunately over.

For most of you, a 9 to 5 job is the next exit you will take on your journey of employment. However, the job market you face today is a very difficult one. We no longer live in a time where a college degree and perhaps even a graduate degree will place you safely in the job of your choice. Thus, the next few years may be challenging for some.

Here at the Career Resource Center, we pride ourselves on giving advice and guiding students through a smooth transition into the workplace. Below are a few tips to help you become a viable candidate for your dream job:

Tip #1: Start Something

Instead of just writing a resume, start a business. The average American institution has now evolved from a simple set of classrooms and pep rallies, into an innovative hub where undergraduates come together to cultivate their skills and proficiencies to make their first attempt at establishing themselves in the business world. Regardless of the idea, businesses love to see students taking the initiative to create something new. (My freshman year I started a business where I sold wholesale jerseys from China out of my dorm room). Places like the Innovation Hub are dedicated to fostering your businesses’ growth and improving your likelihood of success. There will be no other time in your life you will have access to resources of this magnitude.

Tip #2: Be Proactive

Approach the employer you want to work for instead of waiting for a position to open. Businesses are looking just as hard for their next great employee as you are looking for them. Cold call or cold email the company until you reach a decision maker. Then, make your pitch on how you can help the company succeed.

Tip #3: Read Something, Anything

It is very important to be caught up with current events and trends. A big problem with our generation is that we do not read enough. Employers will expect you to be informed in your interview. I’m not asking you to pick up a newspaper and read every article. There are a plethora of websites that can give you not only the information you need, but some great advice on all aspects of the business world. Here are a few of our favorites that tailor content to your age (which means it’s not that boring):

Entrepreneur

Mashable (app)

Esquire

The Chronicle

BusinessWeek

Tip #4: Create Interesting Supplements

A large percentage of employers will require a resume and some form of cover letter to apply. When it comes to these supplements, break the mold and catch the employer’s eye. Think about the essay you wrote to get into UF. You had a very limited amount of words to prove you were worthy of donning the infamous Orange and Blue and you didn’t waste your time introducing yourself and talking about JV Soccer. Tell a story where you actually made a difference and share the results.

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Now as a special treat, take some advice from a successful Harvard Graduate and famous comedian: Conan O’Brien. In 2011, Conan gave a commencement speech at Dartmouth that not only received a few laughs, but captivated the students, faculty and families in attendance. After you sort through the pandering and childish jokes, Conan delivers some real, inspiring advice. We strongly encourage you to watch the video in its entirety and hope that his analysis of his personal struggles can be a catalyst to you succeeding in your career path.