college grads ::

Are Listening Skills—and Decent Customer Service—Lost in this Generation’s Fresh Graduates?

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Editor

Here’s a typical scene every time I go through a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru… Me: One medium hot latte with skim milk Crew: Okay, would you like it hot or cold? Me: Hot (okay…he’s too young to be deaf) Crew: Whole or skim milk? Me: Skim milk (getting impatient here…) Every. Single. Time. And that was just a single item order….

Thanksgiving and the Networking Opportunities It Presents to Graduating Students

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Editor

Thanksgiving, a time to feast, give thanks and sometimes, endure awkward questions with your family. That’s it, right? Well, not just that. Thanksgiving is also a good time to build your network. With all the parties and dinners to attend, I am sure your professional life isn’t your top priority right now. Thanksgiving and your career aren’t mutually exclusive, this…

You’re Probably Ignoring this Lucrative Job Market

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Editor

October brings us two holidays, Halloween and United Nations Day. What do those events have to do with careers, you ask? If you graduated last March and haven’t received a decent job offer ’til now, I bet you’re scared to move back with your parents. But okay, let’s say you’re not a fresh graduate. Aren’t you the least bit afraid…

What Happens if You Take the Summer Off After Graduating?

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Editor

If you graduated May this year, is it possible that you missed the boat by taking the summer off from interviewing? I know you’re worn out, what with all the exams, internships and the thesis you had to complete. But it’s so tempting to take a few months or a year off to unwind after graduating from college. You can’t…

Are College Graduates Prepared for the Workforce?

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

“66%. That’s the percentage of hiring managers who say they don’t believe that new college graduates are prepared for the workforce.” This did not surprise me. Jamie Eckle’s article in “Career Watch: Hiring landscape dims for this year’s grads,” really hit home as I drove through Dunkin Donuts the other day. Part-time, seasonal jobs are often filled with college students…

How New Grads Can Put Experience on Their Resumes

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

We all start at the bottom, so how does a new graduate gain the experience employers are looking for? Get the answers in this informative article “When an Employer Requires Experience and You Have None” by Forbes author, Jacquelyn Smith.

How 2013 Grads Measure Up as Job Seekers

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

Your college degree is your greatest asset out of the gate, so aim high. Find out what else employers are looking for in the Class of 2013 from Jada A. Graves of U.S. News & World Report in her article, “Class of 2013 Job Seekers: Buy, Sell or Hold?“

College Grads Need More LinkedIn Experience

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

46% of college graduates have never used LinkedIn – that’s a staggering number, considering the way that social media tide is turning when it comes to job search. Read “LinkedIn Misses Target Audience, Majority Use Facebook More” by Review author Matthew Butler.

10 Great Job Search Tips for the New Grad in 2013

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

Graduating this year and feel like you’re not doing enough to secure your job prospects? Check out this helpful list from Alison Green of US News Money: “10 Key Job Search Tips For New Graduates.”

Top Ten College Majors for 2013

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

Your major does matter. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for the graduating class of 2013 increased 5.3% from 2012. Find out the top paying majors for 2013 in “And The Highest-Paid College Majors Are…” by Lauren Weber of The Wall Street Journal.

New College Grad? Here Are Some Places to Start Job Hunting

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

Here’s a short list of job search advice sites recent college grads can utilize to find their first job in Chuck Meyers’ Union.com article, “On the Money: Finding That First Job After College.”

College Students Are Failing at the LinkedIn Game

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

The N Gen is not on track with the LinkedIn movement and it may be to their disadvantage when it comes to looking for their first job. Read the full story by Brian Hall: Why Aren’t College Students Using LinkedIn To Find Jobs?

Job Search Sabotage

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Michelle Riklan

So, you’ve just graduated from college and your about to start a job-search. Will your efforts be successful, or will you shoot yourself in the foot during the process? In July, 2011, statistics showed that the unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree graduates under the age of 25 was the highest on record; 13.1%. While it is easy to succumb to…

Job Seeking Tips For the College Grad

Posted on May 2, 2010 by Michelle Riklan

New reports show that graduating college students have had 40% fewer job prospects and the outlook for 2010 is not much more promising. So what’s the new graduate to do? There are jobs out there. Now your job is to be the one who gets one! Know what you are selling and market it properly. The Product Yes, you…

Interview Strategies

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Michelle Riklan

In the course of my career I have interviewed thousands of individuals seeking employment at all levels from the entry-level college graduate to the Chief Financial Officer. While my experience spans across a wide variety of industries, the interview mistakes that I’ve seen are constant. Once you have procured a meeting with a potential employer, there is a tremendous amount…

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