A few tips for the seniors on career preparation, job hunting

Seniors, start your engines. Your last year of college is in front of you and there is much to do.  Squeezing in your last credits, and finally taking that core math class.

While I'd like to offer you the advice to take things slow and enjoy the time you have left at Gonzaga, I instead urge you to get a head start on the job search. As a member of the class of 2010, I have had much firsthand experience with the dire economy and suffering job market for new college grads, and though I hope it will have improved by May 2011, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I've spent the summer traveling between Spokane and my hometown of Bellevue, Wash., keeping my fingers crossed that my online application will sprout into a phone call from human resources, which will blossom into a job that pays at least half the bills.  While the likelihood of finding a job does definitely depend on your major, jobs are few and far between no matter what right now.  So I would like to give you some tips.

First, take advantage of every connection you have.  Whether the connections are through your parents, family friends, career fairs at Gonzaga and other universities or random people you meet throughout the school year, cash in on them.  In this world where 99 percent of everything is being conducted online, connections are what make you a real person instead of a 26-megabyte file in someone's computer.  While Gonzaga tries to hold career fairs and Gonzaga Alumni Mentor Program events, it is also a good idea to stop by other universities when they hold career events.  Washington State University and University of Washington have much larger career fairs where some employers even conduct the first interview right when you meet them.

Second, tailor your resume to meet the qualifications of the jobs you want. Make sure that on your resume you show the hiring manager that you are indeed qualified. You have only a few seconds to make an impression on someone, so make sure you let the company know that you are right for the job.  

Third, once you get an interview, go prepared. I can't stress this one enough. A lot of people say they know to do this, but it is of the utmost importance that you have read something about the company you're interviewing with and can genuinely tell them why you want to work for them. Hiring managers are trained to read people, and I guarantee they will know if you want to be there.  As a former member of Alpha Kappa Psi on campus, I recommend wearing white or black to an interview.  It's crisp, clean, and no matter how much you sweat, it will show less.

Fourth, internships and volunteer opportunities are just as important as a job that pays.  Because the economy is so bad, a lot of companies have done away with paid internships. If you can find one, more power to you, but experience is experience.  

Fifth, don't stress.  Eventually you will find a job.  It's perfectly acceptable to have a job before you find a career. For the grads of 2010, many of us have found comfort in paychecks from Starbucks, Nordstrom or other hometown hits that are usually hiring.  

As you go through the school year have fun. Make the most of the time you have left because nine months flies by. Though finding a job is important, I offer my advice because you should have the most fun possible once second semester starts to wrap up.  Getting started early will help ensure you have your cake, and get to eat it, too.