job search

For 25 years, Mark Smith, JD, associate vice chancellor and director of the Career Center at Washington University in St. Louis, has been helping new graduates – and their parents – cope with the stress of finding that first job. Smith shares his seven top tips for graduates and their parents.

In spite of a sluggish job market for today’s graduates, there are a few specific things both parents and graduates can do to move forward during this time of waiting.

Don’t let rising unemployment figures get you down. The outlook this weekend at Washington University is positive for job seekers and employers alike. Multiple events focusing on careers, resume writing, interviews and how to clinch a job offer will put a positive spin on employment opportunities during economic recovery.

David Kilper/WUSTL PhotoIn the fast-paced world of today’s college student, communication is key. Cell phones, iPods and laptop computers are now the norm, not the exception. Many students have even taken to creating their own Web pages on social networking sites like Facebook.com and Myspace.com. While being in touch and keeping friends and family informed are certainly important, students need to be careful of what they post on the Internet. It could have a very negative impact on finding a job after graduation, says a career expert at Washington University in St. Louis. More…

It’s not too late to pay a visit to a career center.With the slow economy today, the job market in the United States is tough. College seniors graduating this spring with little or no work experience may find it especially difficult to land that first professional job. But even if a graduating senior doesn’t have a resume together or has never been on an interview, it is not too late to pay a visit to a career center, says Lea Luchetti, director of The Career Center at Washington University in St. Louis.