“Making yourself marketable in tough

economic times”

Today’s Presentation

• Tough economic times

• Strategies to help you prepare

• Get noticed during your job search

• Questions

GET READY

What is the current unemployment rate?

9.8%

Unemployment rate for those with a college degree:

4.1%

Strategies• Identify your values, interests and skills

• Emphasize content-specific, knowledge & transferable skills

• Gain applicable experience and skills

• Make your job search #1 priority

• Be optimistic and persistent

• Time is on your side!

Get noticed during you job search

Process

1. Takes time

2. People begin at different places

3. Requires an active not passive approach

1. Resumes

2. Ads

3. Agencies

4. Colleagues

5. Referrals

6. Contacts

7. Drop-Ins with Proof

8. Inside the Company

1. Inside the Company

2. Colleagues

3. Referrals

4. Drop-Ins with Proof

5. Contacts

6. Agencies

7. Ads

8. Resumes

Taken From What Color is Your Parachute? 2006 Richard Bolles

Job-Hunter’s Alternatives Employer’s Alternatives

Employer’s Alternatives1. Inside the Company

2. Colleagues

3. Referrals

4. Drop-Ins with Proof

5. Contacts

6. Agencies

7. Ads

8. Resumes

Inside the CompanyCompanies like to hire people they know!

Internships/Co-Ops

Volunteer

Contract Worker

Temporary Staffing

Colleagues - Referrals - Contacts

Networking

60-80% of jobs are never advertised

Family/Friends School Organizations Web

ParentsAunts/UnclesCousinsGrandparentsCoworkersFamily friendsAssociates

ProfessorsAdmin.AlumniSpeakersClassmates

Professional OrganizationStudent GroupsSports TeamsChurchCivic OrgsSororitiesFraternities

FacebookLinked In-Penn State Career ConnectionLion Link

Drop-Ins with Proof1. Employer Locator: One Stop Career Centers

www.acinet.org/acinet/employerlocator/employerlocator.asp

2. Chamber of Commerce

www.chamberofcommerce.com/public/index.cfm

3. Yellow Pages

www.yellowbook.com/

Career Services

• Nittany Lion Career Networkhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/career/nlr/default.aspx

Job Postings and On Campus Interviewing– Most jobs for undergrads; some for

grad students

• Career Fairs– Spring Career Days – March 29-30, 2010

Rejection

• A reality in this/any market

• Often a dispassionate business decision

• Painful and disheartening

• Keep going!

The “Game” of Job Hunting

NO NO NO NO

NO NO NO NO

NO NO NO NO

NO NO NO YES

Values/Interests/Skills

Use Multiple Strategies

Be Patient but Persistent

Stay Positive & Active!

How can Career Services Help?Career Counseling and Planning

– Drop-In– Individual– Self-Assessment– Mock Interviews

Learning Opportunities/Outreach Programming

– Workshops– LionLink https://psualum.com/career/index.asp– Career Planning Course for credit- CN ED 100, Job Search

courses– Industry Panels– A Day in the Life (job shadowing program)

Recruiting and Employment Services– Nittany Lion Recruiting– Career Fairs/Graduate Fairs

Career Resources

Questions?

Bank of America

Career Services Center865-2377

8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.WeekdaysUntil 8:00p.m. on Tuesdays

http://www.sa.psu.edu/career