The National Association of Colleges and Employers recently surveyed 1164 employer members (203 responded) to give a sense of the job market graduating seniors can expect. And the news is good. Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported that they plan to increase their college hiring over last year, one-third will be keeping it constant, and only 6 percent plan to hire fewer college students. Overall, the Fall Preview survey says that employers will be hiring 16 percent more recent college graduates in 2007-08 than they did in 2006-07. Not only are jobs up, but salaries for both management and liberal arts graduates are as well.
This is the fifth straight year in which employers are projecting double-digit increases in college hiring, as a combined result of baby boomers retiring and overall company growth. Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director, added that "employers are looking at new grads as their future leaders and want to groom them for those roles."
But how are you going to get a slice of that 58 percent? Dress to impress - Struzziero style.
When I go out on a Saturday night, I'm not opposed to wearing a short denim skirt, but does that mean it translates to office wear on Monday morning? Probably not (depending on what you do for a living). And does it translate to interview wear? Absolutely not.
The Boston College Career Center Web site says "Any time you meet with an employer, whether it is at a career fair, an interview, or an information session, dress should be business professional." Period. But what does that mean? It means a suit. Within the confines of the two-or three-piece party in your closet, however, there is some wiggle room to lend your outfit some personality.
Take Tom Brokaw, idolized by many men for his impeccable ability to dress up a suit with a complementary pocket kerchief. Or a friend of mine, Ryan, who I enjoy hitting Newbury Street with, knows how to match socks, tie, kerchief, and umbrella when he has to impress the board room. Adding that special something, as long as you remain tasteful, can only add an extra dimension to your limited first impression.
I'm not opposed to low-cut blouses on the ladies, though some conservative employers may be, but when it comes to the men, if a little bit of my man rug peeps over my collar, will anyone care? I would venture to say that they will, unfortunately, but sometimes we have to sacrifice style for simplicity. It is important when you're interviewing, and as you begin your new job, to not do or wear anything that might take away from you as a candidate; your future boss wants to see how you work, not how you work it.
Many of you may ask, should your résumé complement the overall look you're going for? Elle Woods would say yes, scent that stationery, but I prefer to stay out of the debate on this one. To be safe, ask your career center advisor at your next drop in.
2008 Woodie Awards
