These are the hours–or years–of our discontent. It remains difficult for our recent college graduates to get their foot in the door of a career job. They are far from oblivious to the challenges. There is fear and trembling amongst them. A friend tells me her son wouldn't write his resume–and when finally forced to do so (on pain of some penalty or other) came up with a lame version–a piece of work that was not adjusted to the real world of full time work. He actually had no clue. The dad was traveling and the mom had been out of the work force for 20 years.
What employers in the real world are looking for–what the resume and personal interview need to show–are part of what's discussed in a New York Times Economix piece. It's must reading for parents of recent college grads–for insights into what the problem might be in terms of getting employers interested in hiring their talented, smart and well-above-average son or daughter.
If you don't want to wade through the whole story, here are the main highlights:
–There’s always been a gap between what colleges produce and what
employers want, but it isn’t necessarily specific technical skills that are lacking.
–he skills most needed by employers and the skills most lacking among job candidates
are written and oral communication skills, adaptability
and managing multiple priorities, and making decisions and problem
solving.
–Young employees are very good at finding information, but not as good
at putting that information into context. They’re
really good at technology, but not at how to take those skills and
resolve specific business problems.
–In the U.S. and in other countries, there are problems among new employees with collaboration,
interpersonal skills, the ability to deal with ambiguity, flexibility
and professionalism.
–Most recent college graduates expect
employers to provide on-the-ground training, but most of them don’t
actually receive it.
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