Skills Employers Want and New Graduates Lack: Bridging the Gap

I read an article recently about a 2009 survey conducted by the National Association of College and Employers. In it, employers rank ordered the following as the skills they most want in their new hires:

• Communication skills
• Strong work ethic
• Teamwork skill
• Initiative
• Analytical skills
• Computer skills
• Flexibility/adaptability
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Technical skills

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Polish Your Résumé

A week or two ago, the following cover letter was emailed to me:

Hi Michael,

My name is Sarah Parrish I am a current CLU graduate student, I talked to you over the pnone in regards to the Student Peer Advisor position, but as I am no longer a UCSB student I do not qualify.  Attached you will find my resume as you have reuested.  I hope we can work something out.  I would like to volunteer or intern if at all possible.

Hours of Availability: 8:00AM to 11:30AM  Mon.-Fri.

Thank you,

Sarah Parrish

CLU graduate student

Oh my gosh!
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E-mailing Your Cover Letter and Résumé

E-mail communication has become increasingly popular in the job application process. Professional e-mail is very different from casual email or instant messaging. First, here are some general tips:

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Do I Have to Write a Cover Letter?

Students often ask me this question.

It is the wrong question.

You should be asking “Can I write a cover letter?” (more…)

Applying for Jobs

The next few weeks will be devoted to helping you put together a dynamite application/cover letter/résumé package. Typically this is your first introduction to an employer, so you want the package to be pitch perfect and to stand out from the crowd. When employers are receiving 70 to 100 applications for a single job, making yours stand out is critical.

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Want to Work at Career Services?

We think we can offer you the best job on campus. Why? Because you’re not only getting a wonderful job working with the best students we know, but because you have extraordinary access to a staff of professionals whose mission it is to help students get internships, apply to graduate school, and find jobs when they graduate. Who better to work with than people for whom your success is their success?

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Joining the New Government

To Our Friends in the Recruiting Community:

As you read this, the government by, for, and of the people has taken a giant step forward. We have inaugurated our first African American president, and our country is going to change in ways we can’t even imagine yet. Many UCSB students are in D.C. today taking part in this historic moment, while most of us watch from afar.

As Obama’s new paradigm takes hold, many students will join in. We had a number of social service agencies attend our CARE Expo last week, offering students ways to help the country through social service. Next week we will sponsor the Diversity Fair, highlighting employers with a commitment to diversity, a group which will no doubt grow as our country changes. But some of you want to actually be a part of the change in the new government that Obama is building. You want to join the Federal Government.

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Do you CARE?

You’ve seen news reports about people who need assistance after a natural disaster or children in need. Maybe you’ve walked past people who are living on the streets of out of their car. You may ask your self “What can I do about these things?” The answer: You can volunteer.

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