Tag Archives: graduate

The First Job: Do Recent Graduates Stay or Go?

recent_grads_first_jobs_webA recent survey from Express Employment Professionals revealed that more than two-thirds of recent college graduates stay in their first career jobs for one year or less.

The Results Are In
Of those who gradated within the last 18 months, 58% said they stayed in their first job for “seven months to a year.” The full results include:

  • Less than three months – 3%
  • Three to six months – 10%
  • Seven months to one year – 58%
  • More than one year – 29%

According to Bob Funk, the CEO of Express, “Younger workers would be advised to stay in their first job longer in order to gain experience. In addition, employers are looking for loyal people. If a business owner or manager spends months training a person, it’s only right for that employee to put their new skills to work for that organization.”

Longevity in the Workplace
These results suggest that longevity isn’t as important to recent graduates as networking, gaining experience, or enhancing their skills. If you want to stand out from the job search competition, consider learning more about the importance of longevity and avoiding gaps in your resume.

How long did you stay in your first job after graduation? Or, how long do you plan to stay in your first job? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

5 College Majors Employers Love

degrees_employers_love_webThe decision to get a higher education is an important one. Often, a lot of money and time goes into earning a college degree, so it’s vital that you choose a career path that works best for you. If you’re thinking about getting a higher education, you may be wondering which college majors are currently in demand.

According to the National Recruiting Center of Express Employment Professionals, there are a handful of college majors that businesses are continually looking to hire. Are they in your career path? To find out, take a look at these five college majors employers love.

Finance
A bachelor’s degree in finance may lead to a career in banking, financial planning, money management, insurance, or tax preparation. Often, graduates with a degree in finance will qualify for a wide range of jobs in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Examples of core courses in the financial degree path include accounting, economics, business law, and personal finance. According to Payscale.com, financial analysts make between $40,000-$70,000 a year, with monetary increases as you work up the ladder to management. In fact, according to Forbes, finance is one of the college degrees with the highest starting salaries.

Accounting
While finance is generally described as the study of how to manage money, accounting is the study of obtaining, collecting, and dealing with financial information. If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a degree in accounting is the right choice. Careers for those with accounting degrees include bookkeepers, CPAs, auditors, tax specialists, and personal accountants, and courses in an accounting program typically include statistics, business law, cost accounting, and auditing. Payscale reports that the salary for accountants ranges from $35,000-$66,000, and CPAs range from $42-$106,000 annually.

Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a study that focuses on all aspects of business. Business administration programs are designed to teach a wide range of topics, including marketing, management, finance, human resources, and economics. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) requires additional schooling and is a professional degree. Business graduates may seek careers in human resources, marketing, or management, and many even land roles in high-level leadership. According to Payscale, office management jobs pay around $40,000 a year, while career paths requiring an MBA may pay anywhere from $53-$156,000.

Mechanical Engineering
If you’ve always been a builder, inventor, or designer, you may be interested in a mechanical engineering degree. Mechanical engineering graduates are sought by employers in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemical, construction, electronics, utilities, and energy. Typical courses in a mechanical engineering program may include calculus, chemistry, physics, and programming. The average salary for mechanical engineers, according to Payscale, ranges from $50,000-$93,000 a year.

Computer Science
A diverse field with many opportunities, computer science careers are in high demand. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for this career path are expected to grow by more than 20% through 2022. Courses include computer programming, web programing, information technology, programming languages, digital design, and more. There are many career paths for computer science graduates, including software developers, computer programmers, network administrators, web developers, database administrators, and software testers. Payscale reports that computer science degrees bring an average annual salary of $53,000-$150,000.

Vocational/Technical Education
College isn’t the only path to higher education. For many, there’s a better option: Career Technical Education (CTE). For those who don’t think college is the best option or want to enter the workforce sooner, a CTE can provide the skills and training they need for other in-demand jobs. According to Express, those sought-after jobs include medical assistants, welders, machinists, dental assistants, hygienists, CNC operators, and licensed nurses.

Non College Grads
If higher education isn’t for you, you’re not out of the race. A recent survey from Express revealed the hottest fields that are hiring the most non-college grads include office services, industrial, health care, marketing, and more. Take a look at the full list to help you build your career path.

Do you have a college degree? What does your educational path look like? Share your story with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Who Is Hiring Non-College Grads?

12-9 GradsAre you thinking about getting a higher education? Or, are you considering skipping college and heading straight for the workforce? Before you make this important decision, check out the results of a recent survey from Express Employment Professionals. The survey revealed the hottest fields that are hiring the most non-college grads, and the top 10 are:

  • Industrial
  • Office services
  • Sales/marketing
  • Home help
  • Health care
  • Engineering/manufacturing/technical
  • Technical
  • Informational technology
  • Accounting financial
  • Licensed medical

According to Express CEO Bob Funk, “Today’s conventional wisdom suggests that the path to a rewarding career must run through a four-year university. In reality, we’re finding out that many sectors are hiring non-college grads.”

Do you work in any of these fields? Share your job journey with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Start Building Your New Career Today

start_your_new_career_today_webAre you a recent graduate? Are you new to the workforce? Are you looking for a career change?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you may be in the process of building your new career. Getting started can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you’re motivated to make your new career a success, your dream job can become a reality. To help you get started, check out these tips for building your new career today.

Know what you want.
Whether you just graduated, are entering the workforce for the first time, or considering a career change, the first step is knowing what you want in a job. Do a self-assessment of your values, hobbies, experience, and work preferences so you know when a job opportunity may be right for you. Knowing what you want before you apply helps you avoid getting stuck in a work environment that doesn’t match what you need. According to a Forbes article, “When your values are dramatically misaligned with those of your employer, you will become disengaged and possibly even disgruntled.”

Customize your resume for every job application.
Making sure your resume matches each job description helps you stand out from the competition and ensures that you’re the right fit for the job. Don’t forget to check for spelling and grammatical errors in both your resume and cover letter. Sending out material with mistakes may make you appear lazy to hiring managers and prevent you from landing an interview.

Spread the news!
Tell your friends, family, and mentors that you’re looking for work so they can help you search. You never know what connections are out there, and someone you know may be able to connect you with a potential employer. Networking is essential when you’re looking for a job, especially if you’re thinking about changing careers or are just starting out in the workforce.

Consider finding temporary or short-term roles.
Temporary work is not only a great way to earn an income while you’re searching for that perfect job, it’s also a chance to gain experience and skills you may not otherwise have. Temporary jobs even allow you to test out a career you may be interested in by helping you get your foot in the door. You can gain knowledge, skills, experience, and networking opportunities by working a short-term job in a field you want to explore. And, that temporary job could even turn into a permanent one. Consider applying with a staffing agency to find temporary or contract work that’s right for you.

Take advantage of social media.
Some of your social media sites can be a useful tool in your job search. LinkedIn, for example, is a great way to get noticed and find employers who are hiring. Think of LinkedIn and your other social networks like a digital resume and use them to showcase your skills, experience, and education. Remember to keep your social media clean and free of anything that may not make you an ideal job candidate for employers. If your social media profiles are public, chances are potential employers will look at them. In fact, a 2014 survey by Harris Poll revealed that 51% of employers who research job candidates online said they’ve found content that caused them not to hire the candidate. Think twice before sharing any photos, updates, or links that may be questionable or paint you in a bad light. When it comes to your job search, social media can make or break you.

Freelance or start a side business.
If you currently have a job, but have a hobby or skill you’d like to explore, consider freelance work. For example, if you love to write, but don’t know where to find writing jobs, try contacting websites or local newspapers to see if they’re looking for freelance writers. Or if you are really good at math, but don’t know how to use that in your career, reach out to schools and other organizations that may be looking for tutors. Freelancing allows you to take on small projects that use your skills while adding to your portfolio and experience.

Educate yourself.
If you want to change careers, you may need the proper training to do so. According to the University of Southern California, some college graduates earn more than twice as much as high school graduates. If higher education is in your future, start by looking for vocational schools and colleges in your area. In some cases, the training you need may be as simple as online certifications or courses. If you’re looking for a career change, check out this list of careers that will make going back to school worthwhile..

Make a list of companies where you’d like to work.
Forbes suggests taking the time to learn about companies you’d like to work for, and familiarizing yourself with that company’s leaders and the industry they’re in. Know what issues affect the industry and determine whether or not you have the experience and skills to offer possible solutions to those issues. Knowing industry trends is also a great way to start a conversation with potential employers and hiring managers.

What tips do you have for building a new career? Share with us in the comment section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

The Results Are In: How Soon After Graduation Did You Get a Job?

poll_graduation_get_a_job_webEducation and experience are hot topics when it comes to your chances of finding a job. Since professional opinions are mixed on whether or not your education plays a primary role in your search for employment, we asked Movin’ On Up readers how soon after graduation they secured a job.

What the Survey Revealed
With 167 votes, the survey revealed that 27% of readers were hired immediately, or even had a job lined up before graduation. The rest of the respondents who found work after graduation reported their time table as follows:

  • Less than three months – 15%
  • Three to six months – 10%
  • Six months to a year – 11%
  • More than a year – 14%

While the largest majority of readers found a job immediately after or before graduation, those who found work a few months after graduation were mixed in their responses. According to the results of the survey, it could take anywhere from one month to one year to secure a job after earning your degree.

Additionally, 16%, the second largest group of respondents to our poll, reported that they are still looking for a job after graduation.

Respondents could also select the “Other” option and provide their own responses to the poll. Of the 7% who selected “Other,” responses included:

  • I got hired before finishing my degree
  • I went to USMC Boot Camp the next day
  • Three years
  • Seven years
  • 10 years
  • 15 years and still looking
  • I found work, but not in my field

Keep Focusing On Your Goals
The results of the poll are a mixture of graduates who found work right away and those who are still looking after several years. While it’s easy to feel discouraged by long job searches, it’s important not to give up. Recent surveys from universities and other institutions suggest that hiring is on the rise for recent graduates, and there are ways you can help yourself stand out from the competition.

If you got a job after graduation, what tips do you have for other recent graduates? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Make Your Move: Life After Graduation

make_your_move_life_after_graduation_webFor many, graduation day is around the corner. While graduating from college or high school can be an intimidating time, there’s hope for recent graduates in the job search. According to a survey by Michigan State University, 97% of employers plan to hire at least one new college graduate this year. While the odds are in your favor, you have to put in the effort to land the job of your dreams. To help you join the workforce, check out these five tips for making your move after graduation.

Know what employers are looking for.
A recent Movin’ On Up article compiled survey results from a variety of institutions who conducted research on the 2015 job outlook for recent college graduates. These results included a look at the job forecast, which revealed that employers plan to hire 9.6% more graduates in the United States than they did in 2014, and lists of the most in-demand college degrees and skills for new hires. Before you start your post-graduation job search, check out the statistics to better understand what employers want.

Use the power of social media.
Whether you’re graduating from high school or college, it’s never too early to create a LinkedIn profile. Even if you don’t have much to add to your profile yet, go ahead and get started on your account so you can use it to network with potential employers and get noticed. Forbes states that only one-third of college students have a LinkedIn profile, so creating one of your own is a quick and easy way to stand out from the competition.

Include any jobs you’ve had, from babysitting to retail, and list the skills you gained from those jobs. Make sure you also list your educational achievements, including any degrees, diplomas, and extra-curricular activities like newspaper or debate club. If you received any awards in school or your community, like volunteer or academic honors, list those too.

It’s important to remember that while employers are primarily searching LinkedIn for potential candidates, they can also find your other social media accounts too. So, keep your Facebook, Twitter, and other public profiles clean and professional at all times.

Get an internship, or volunteer in your community.
According to a study by Millennial Branding, a research firm, 85% of college students believe having an internship is either important or very important for their career. Furthermore, 52% said they hope to have had three or more internships before graduating, and 40% have already completed one internship. Since so many college graduates are looking to internships to gain experience, skills, and networking opportunities, you want to make sure you’re one of them. Try to find companies that are easily recognizable, either in the community or nationally, to help your resume stand out.

In addition to internships, you can also get ahead of the competition by actively volunteering in your community. There are numerous volunteer opportunities to consider, from working at a food pantry to helping build houses for the needy. By volunteering, you not only add valuable skills to your resume, but you also have the opportunity to network with others and do something charitable in the process.

Find a mentor.
We’ve talked about the importance of having a mentor, and the results of Millennial Branding’s survey support our stance. In fact, the survey revealed that 70% of college students have at least one mentor. Among the mentors listed were parents, professors, family, friends, and employers. Having a mentor can help you grow both professionally and personally, and can even help you on your job search. But, finding the right mentor is important to making sure you’re learning all you can. When you’re ready to pick a mentor, check out these five traits of a great mentor first.

Call on your school for help.
If you’re a college student, your school’s career services office can help you with the next step in your job search. Career offices can assist with resumes, cover letters, job interviewers, and more, but Millennial Branding reveals that only 29% of students use these offices. Be part of that group by visiting your school’s office and asking about what resources they can offer. In addition to workforce preparation, many offices also have an alumni database, which can help put you in contact with recent graduates in your field of study. Those graduates have already been in the workforce for a few years and may have tips of the trade you could learn, so take advantage of those resources.

Congratulations to the class of 2015, and good luck with your job search! Remember, even if you’re not a recent graduate, these tips can help you with your job search goals. It’s never too early to get started!

How do you plan to make your move after graduation? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Attention 2015 Graduates! Check Out These Statistics

statistics_for_2015_graduates_webAre you graduating from college this year? If so, there’s some good news. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers are planning to hire 9.6% more graduates in the United States than they did in 2014. Additionally, 55% of survey respondents plan to increase their hiring numbers this year, up from 46% in the fall of 2014. Michigan State University also conducted a survey that revealed 97% of employers will hire at least one new college graduate in 2015.

The Degrees That Get You Hired
Employers are hiring more, but who are they hiring? According to NACE’s survey, which also asked employers to rate the college degrees they most desire in new hires, the top 10 most in-demand degrees are as follows:

  1. Engineering
  2. Business
  3. Computer Sciences
  4. Accounting
  5. Miscellaneous Majors
  6. Economics
  7. Physical Sciences
  8. Communications
  9. Humanities
  10. Social Sciences

The Skills That Get You Hired
The same survey also reported the skills that employers value most in recent graduates. Based on a 5-point scale, the skills employers want to see most often are:

  1. Critical thinking/problem solving – 4.7
  2. Teamwork – 4.6
  3. Professionalism/work ethic – 4.5
  4. Oral/written communication – 4.4
  5. Information technology application – 3.9
  6. Leadership – 3.9
  7. Career management – 3.6

Top Places to Start Your Career
Businessweek.com compiled a list of the top cities to start your career. The findings are based on job availability, affordability, and average income. The results are:

  1. Houston
  2. Washington D.C.
  3. Dallas
  4. Atlanta
  5. Austin

Express Employment Professionals recently released a study on the top 10 cities with the most unfilled job openings. To find out which cities made the list, click here.

Where to Go From Here
Now that you know the careers and skills employers are looking for, how do you make yourself the top candidate for open jobs? Forbes advises that you visit your school’s career services offices before graduation and ask for advice on networking, internships, and organizations within your field of study. Networking with students from your school who have already graduated in the field you’re interested in can also be beneficial in your job search efforts. Those graduates have already been in the workforce for a few years and may have tips of the trade you could learn. Visit your school’s career services offices for assistance finding alumni who can help.

It’s Not Too Early to Start
Even if you’re not graduating in 2015, it’s never too early to get a head-start on finding a job after graduation. As early as your freshman year, you should consider visiting your school’s career services offices and begin networking. Remember to keep your grades up and try to find internships and extra-curricular activities that would interest an employer. Joining the debate team, helping with a political campaign, or being part of the advertising club can help you stand out on your resume. Additionally, volunteering your free time in your community can also set you apart from the rest of new graduates.

The hiring outlook is bright for new graduates, so how do you plan to land a job after graduation? Share with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.