In your job hunt persistence is key

With new and fresh graduates searching for their first job I wanted to give some perspective and advice from the recruiter end of it. I am someone who was in your shoes about 7 years ago and now I am the person who is on the other end of these countless applications you are sending out. My advice to you: keep doing it. It is absolutely imperative to maintain your persistence and for you to continue apply to roles you are striving for.

From the recruitment end, we need you to understand this however; around graduation months, (December and May) companies become flooded and receive hundreds of applications for one or two available positions. While we are desperately trying to get through each and every one of these applications, the truth is we just are not able to. With that being said only about 5 applicants are actually receiving an application for each one of these open positions. It is also important to keep in mind that roughly one third of external hires come from referrals. With all this being said I want to stress again that it is important to maintain that drive for your correct role. [optinlocker]

The continuing grind of constantly applying for the proper role can become exhausting and the rejection can become deflating. This possibly leads to a candidate becoming underemployed. Taking that first job offered instead of pursuing the one you are properly credentialed for can cost you dearly. Underemployed graduates earn about $10,000 less per year than those in jobs that match their credentials. When it comes to the next step at your career, as a recruiter, we are now moving past your resume. Your applications for new roles are now being perceived as underqualified. That pay gap begins to widen when the properly placed candidate begins to advance in their career and the underemployed candidate is stuck trying to apply again for their next level roles.

So while taking that first job offered to you may seem like it was the proper move in the near term the persistence of finding the right job will pay off in the long run.

By Peter Pabon | People Science Sr. Talent Advisor [/optinlocker]

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