Advice For The College Student Looking To Get Hired

Today, simply having a college diploma will not necessarily get you hired over someone else, and there is always someone else completing for the job.  Most employers could care less about your GPA or where you went to school.  Clearly you have to have the fundamental skills to do the job.  The fact that you have the credential merely demonstrates that you have accomplished some academic outcomes, but it's only part of the overall picture of who you are.  Today, getting hired in today's competitive employment scene in entry-level positions requires much more than just that.

Here are five thoughts for those still in college and thinking about the workplace:

1. Your diploma or degree isn’t the sole ticket to any job anymore.  Companies care more about the impact new employees will have on that position and the organization regardless of the type of company or product or service they provide.

Most companies would rather hire someone who has been working part time in one or more jobs to pay for their education or just to learn additional skills, regardless of what they are, than just someone who has a newly minted diploma and played it safe. They’re bound to be more passionate, driven, and have more to contribute in the long run, as hopefully they will know what it takes to impact that organizations bottom line.

2. It’s all about experience.  Today, having one internship under your belt isn’t enough to prove your practical experience to employers.  Besides most likely everyone in your graduating class has a similar experience. The reason so many college graduates can’t find work is because they lack unique and demonstrable experience.

One simple way to get more experience within your industry is by taking on part time, freelance, contracting engagements or even volunteer work, even if it's not directly related to that sector. These types of experiences will help you learn and grow while developing a sense of independence, responsibility, and drive and best of all you can clearly demonstrate it to employers.  All of these traits are highly appealing to employers.

3. Passion will also help you succeed. If you’re just looking to get hired anywhere, employers will be able to tell and it's a real red flag to them.

If you have two candidates with equal education, the one who has passion will be the one who gets hired. Experience is one way to showcase this, but you also have to learn to properly articulate and demonstrate it.  Employers want employees who are truly passionate about what they do and have a vision or can articulate how they will benefit the company.

4. Companies hire the person who is certain to cause the most positive impact.  Before you apply to your next job opening, ask yourself the following: What can you do for the company? How can I differentiate myself from my competitors for the same job? If you aren’t able to answer these questions, then you're probably not going to get the job. Employers, especially small businesses and startups are only interested in hiring someone who is going to positively impact their organization.  Make the effort to prove to employers you’re worth hiring.

5. Go the extra mile.  Success doesn’t come to those who wait or feel that they are owed it. You have to give everything you do your all, whether that means working late or on the weekends or holding down several jobs just to get through school. Many people describe this as paying your dues and they wear it on their sleeve like a badge of honor, but it’s really just putting in the effort required to make an impact and achieve your goal.