productive ways to spend the summer after graduation · 2018-05-31 · terprising grads looking for...

Graduation is a momentous day in the lives of college students. After years of schooling that dates all the way back to preschool or kindergarten, newly mint-ed college graduates are fi nally ready to begin their professional lives.

That can be a scary prospect for some students, especially those who graduate without jobs lined up. The summer after graduating from college can be a time like no other in the lives of new gradu-ates. It can be easy to grow dejected as weeks or months go by without receiv-ing a job offer. But spending the sum-mer after graduation as productively as possible can help graduates overcome any dejection they might feel and in-crease their chances of landing a job.

• Contact career services offi ces at your alma mater. Career services of-fi ces can help recent graduates as they look for their fi rst jobs out of college. Such offi ces may have access to job and internship opportunities that grads do not. In addition, they may coach grads on interviewing techniques and on ways to stand out in crowded job markets.

• Seek internships. If part- or full-time employment is proving elusive, don’t be afraid to seek and ultimately accept internships, which can provide a way for grads to get their foot in the doors in certain industries. Summer intern-ships may already be fi lled, so scour job boards for fall or winter internships.

• Start networking. Students who in-terned can get in touch with their past supervisors or mentors and fi nd out if the company is hiring. Such people may be more inclined to bring someone with direct experience onboard, even if that experience was brief and unpaid. In addition, grads can connect with adjunct profes-sors who work in their desired fi elds.

• When job hunting, don’t get pigeon-holed by your major. Just because a student graduates

with a particular degree does not mean he or she needs to look for work in that fi eld. In fact, many companies may pre-fer entry-level applicants with degrees that are not specifi c to their industries so their new hires are blank slates who can be easily trained.

• Attend job fairs. While other gradu-ates may be taking the summer off, en-

2 CITIZEN TRIBUNE Sunday, May 27, 2018

Productive ways to spend the summer after graduation

Sunday, May 27, 2018 CITIZEN TRIBUNE 3terprising grads looking for work should attend as many job fairs as possible. Graduates likely won’t leave job fairs with employment offers in hand, but job fairs are a great way for grads to meet hiring managers and submit their resumes to potential employers.

• Customize a resume for every job. Be sure the curriculum vitae is not static. Write and refi ne resumes for each job you apply for, mildly tweaking the wording or accomplishments to address the key phrases used in the job listing.

It can be tempting for recent college grads to spend the summers after graduation relaxing, but those who spend that time productively may lands jobs more quickly than those who do not.

Many students believe that the next natural step after graduating from high school is to go off to college. Secondary educa-tion has become such a common transition that many parents begin saving for college tuition as soon as their children are born. Although college can be the next chapter in a student’s education, many teenagers still choose to attend trade school.

Television personality Mike Rowe says the country is in the midst of a skilled labor shortage because workers lack the nec-essary training to fi ll the hundreds of thousands of available jobs. Lack of information may drive the notion that trade jobs are nothing more than a backup plan if college doesn’t pan out. However, by realizing that trade jobs, along with short-term vo-cational training, is a smart investment, and eventually a lucrative career choice, attitudes about trade schools and labor-intensive jobs may shift.

A great number of college graduates enter the workforce with degrees that may not help them land jobs. And these students typically carry thousands of dollars in tuition debt. Many college grads are underemployed and working in jobs that aren’t even in their fi elds of study. Career and technical schools help students


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Vocational schooling can pave the way to high-paying jobs

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Sunday, May 27, 2018 CITIZEN TRIBUNE 5

The job market can be competitive, as new graduates fl ood the fi eld each and every year. But graduation season is not the only time of year when the competi-

tion to fi nd work gets heated.

The start of the new year tends to be one of the busiest times of year for new hires. According to the em-ployment resource Simply Hired, the fi rst Monday after New Year’s Day tends to be the busiest day for job search activity. Com-panies are returning to full production after the holidays, and as a result there is a fl urry of new activity. This means applicants can use the last quarter of the year to prepare for job searches they will institute once the cal-endar turns.

Many job seekers may benefi t from revamping their resumes before begin-ning their search. It’s not un-common for recruiters to receive thousands of resumes for each job opening they post, and the sheer volume of applicants can make it diffi cult for job seek-ers to get their resumes seen. In such instances, job seekers must take steps to tip the odds in their favor. By following these guidelines, job seekers may have a better chance of getting their resumes into the right hands.

• Put a professional purpose. Modern standards may sug-

gest that listing a career “objective” is old fashioned. How-ever, it is helpful to customize your resume so that it is geared toward the position for which you are applying. A

career objective may refl ect how you are a strong candidate for each specifi c job you apply

for. Use some specifi cs that tie into to the particular job or company

and you may catch the hiring manager’s attention in the

process.

• Embrace keywords. Many employers now use application track-ing software to sift through the scores of resumes that are submitted for each opening they post. Keywords make it easy for employers to sort through thou-sands of resumes.

The right keywords will fl ag your resume-

and increase your “rele-vancy score” in the main

HR/recruiting software programs available. Adapt

your resume for each applica-tion you submit. Use some of the

words listed in the initial job posting and description. In addition, look at similar

job postings and incorporate some keywords listed in those ads so that you have all the bases covered.

• Trim the fat. Less is often more regarding resumes. List all of the pertinent information, then go over the resume again and again and cut out any irrelevant information to remove

The right ways to update a resume

See RESUME page 7


develop specialized skills that make graduates immediately marketable in their chosen fi elds, and trade salaries can be very competitive.

The following are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying trade careers to consider, based on data from the Bu-reau of Labor Statistics and Forbes magazine.

• Construction manager: Construction professionals with great organizational and communication skills can enjoy high earning potential as construction managers. Expected growth of this career over the next 10 years is 5 percent. The average income of a construction manager is $87,000. How-ever, with a top-end hourly pay of around $75 per hour, it’s easy for managers to earn into six fi gures.

• Elevator installer and repairer: This career is listed as a top-earner. These employees can earn anywhere from $74,000 to $105,000 per year. Elevators are in demand as urban centers increase, so this career has staying potential.

• Rotary drill operator: The oil and gas industry relies on rotary drill operators to extract oil or natural gas from under-ground sources. Salaries for these jobs can range from $30 to $40 per hour.

• Dental hygienist: Cleaning teeth and inspecting mouths for disease is an important role. Job growth is still hovering around 20 percent, and hygienists can expect to earn up to $98,000.

• Electricians and plumbers: Electricians and plumbers are continually in demand. With a short amount of trade school and apprenticeship, itÕs possible to earn up to $90,000 per year.

These are just a few of the many skilled professions that vocational schools prepare their students for. Scholarships and funding programs are available to help make vocational training an affordable possibility.

Vocational(Continued from page 4)


clutter. Only include information that is relevant to your career goals.

• Highlight what you have done. Rather than listing every job responsibility and position in chronological order, use a resume to highlight specifi c career accomplishments. This is a time to be your biggest fan and tell the world all of the great things you have accomplished. Remember to include evidence to back up the claims. According to a 2015 survey by CareerBuilder, employers say that resumes that include links to a candidate’s portfolio, website or blog garner more attention than resumes without such links.

• Put your own voice in the resume. Rather than using standard verbiage on your resume, personalize what you want to say. Hiring managers want to hire a human, not a machine. When speaking about yourself, be sure to use strong action words that defi ne your skills even further. HR professionals cite terms like “managed”, “achieved” and “improved” as examples of positive, assertive words.

Updating a resume with the goal of standing out among a crowded pool of applicants is a great way for job seekers to land a new job.

Resume(Continued from page 5)


Deciding to leave a job is seldom an easy deci-sion. However, it’s a more common decision than many people may know, as the U.S. Bu-

reau of Labor Statistics indicates the average worker holds 10 different jobs before age 40.

People change jobs for a variety of reasons. Some do so because of better opportunities elsewhere, while oth-ers simply need a change. Regardless of what’s moti-vating a job change, leaving a place of employment can elicit various emotions, including some that may con-tribute to negative thoughts about a current employer. But it’s always best to leave a job gracefully, which can pay dividends down the road. The following are seven strategies people can employ as they leave their jobs to ensure those exits go as smoothly as possible.

1. Watch out for social media. It’s best to keep resigna-tion plans to yourself and off of social media. You never know who is reading your posts, and bad-mouthing a soon-to-be-former employer can lead to hurt feelings

7 steps to leave a job gracefully

See GRACEFULLY page 11

Upon retiring, many newly minted retirees fi nd them-selves looking for ways to fi ll their free time. Hobbies may not take up too much time, and travel can stretch

retirees’ budgets. One way that retirees can make great use of their free time and

make a little extra money is to fi nd part-time employment. Part-time jobs can help retirees maintain their connections with their communities, whether itÕs their professional community or the community in which they live, while also providing a sense of purpose. Retirees interesting in fi nding part-time work may want to consider the following jobs.

• Consulting work: Many retirees have long resumes, and that experience is still valuable even after retirement. Consulting fi rms often hire experienced businesspeople on a project or con-tract basis, which can be great opportunities for retirees to fi ll their time and make sizable amounts of money without having

Part-time consultant work may be just what retirees are looking for to fi ll their time and earn some extra money.

Great part-time jobs for retirees

See RETIREES page 10


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The ability to communicate, interact and work collectively with others is both a professional and personal asset. But in certain ways, the reliance on technology has made working as a team

more complicated. People have grown accustomed to spending large quantities of time alone working at computers or on phones and tab-lets, potentially compromising their ability to work directly with others when the need arises.

According to Monster.com, when it comes to choosing a candidate for a new job or promotion, employers consistently say they want a team player. That means it’s advantageous for professionals looking to further their careers to brush up on their team-building and social skills.

So what does it mean to be a team player exactly? The following are some traits of team players.

• Meets deadlines: People working together on a project have their own unique responsibilities regarding such projects. ItÕs important that the end result is produced on time; otherwise, the entire group pays the price. Employees who care about their teams consistently meet their deadlines, making things easier for their fellow team mem-bers as a result.

• Adapts easily: Team players are willing to adapt to change and take othersÕ suggestions. Professional fl exibility and openness to ideas are important traits, as you just may learn something from team members when you try things their way.

• Listens attentively: In order for a team to function, every member has to listen to what his or her coworkers are saying. This also includes being receptive to criticism without lashing out. Listening can some-times be more important than speaking.

• Communicates clearly: Team players effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas. This includes using language that is constructive, honest and respectful.

• Participates frequently: Even when his or her own work is done, a team player does not shy away from taking on the tasks of others to ensure a project is completed on time. This also can include offering tips or pointers.

• Happily shares the spotlight: Never the glory hog, a team player is content to stand in the spotlight alongside coworkers. Team players make sure everyone is involved and recognized equally, and even take their share of the blame when things go awry.

What it takes to be a team player


Retirees(Continued from page 8)

to commit to long-term employment.• Teaching: Retirees can also put their professional experience to work in the classroom. Inquire about teaching opportuni-

ties at a nearby university or even the local high school. Such opportunities may only be available on a volunteer basis, but some might pay part-time salaries or small stipends. Either way, many retirees fi nd that working with young people helps them stay young, and passing on lessons learned to younger generations can provide a strong sense of purpose.

• Seasonal work: Seasonal work is another great way for retirees to fi ll their time and make a little extra money along the way. Come the holiday season, retirees should have no trouble fi nding seasonal retail work at their local malls or shopping centers. In warmer months, retirees may fi nd seasonal employment at area beaches, golf courses or parks.

• Sports teams: Retirees who live in cities with professional sports teams may be able to fi nd work with their favorite fran-chise. Professional sports franchises often rely on retirees to staff in-game positions like ushers and concessions employees, and some may even hire retirees to greet fans. While the pay might not be great, such positions are ideal for retirees who happen to be big sports fans.

• Crafts: Retirees with a love of crafting can turn their hobby into income. For example, Etsy.com makes it easy for creative entrepreneurs to post their creations and sell them to buyers all over the globe. Sellers often dictate how quickly they can make and ship products, so retirees need not feel worried about being rushed.

Many retirees still work even after calling it a career, and opportunities abound for men and women looking to fi ll their time and make a little extra money along the way.


and poor references. Resist the urge to rant about what’s making you unhappy at work or brag about a new posi-tion to your social network.

2. Play by the rules. Your employer may have a plan in place for how the company prefers resignations to be handled. The standard two- to three-week’s notice is a guideline. Visit with human resources if you need more information, such as whether or not a resignation letter or other documentation is required.

3. Speak with your manager fi rst. It’s respectful for your immediate manager or supervisor to learn of your departure fi rst. This gives him or her ample time to put a plan in place to fi ll your position. The more notice you can give, the more goodwill youÕre building on your way out the door. Schedule a meeting for this purpose; do not make it an informal chat by the water cooler. Resist the urge to quit via email or text. Resigning re-quires face-to-face communication. Present a concise letter of resignation as well. Don’t call out colleagues or air your grievances in the letter.

4. Announce your departure. Work collectively with your manager and other higher-ups to decide how to best handle the announcement to other employees.

5. Train your replacement and prepare fi nal assign-ments. Volunteer to train or assist with getting your re-placement set up. If you have any outstanding projects or documents, be sure to tie up any loose ends before leaving. Leave behind instructions or a guidebook if you think it will help your replacement perform their duties more effectively.

6. Keep the momentum. It can be tempting to phone it in as you near departure day, but this is inadvisable. Do your job to the best of your ability up until you say your goodbyes.

7. Pack on your own time. Cause as little disruption

as possible by packing belongings before or after offi ce hours. Respect the working environment, recognizing that your coworkers still need to get their jobs done.

Quitting a job can be full of mixed emotions. Just be sure to time it correctly and leave in as positive a way as possible to maintain a strong professional network.

Gracefully(Continued from page 8)

productive ways to spend the summer after graduation · 2018-05-31 · terprising grads looking for...

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