The Job Market is Hot for Qualified Candidates

We’ve all heard about the “white-hot” job market. In September, there were 10.4 million open jobs, according to the US Labor Department and 6 million people actively looking for a job. That translates to 1.7 jobs available for every person looking for work. If that’s the case, why are so many recent college graduates still struggling to land a great job? Here are six insights from the guides @ 6x6.work:

1. Entry-level jobs require experience. It may be counterintuitive, but 61% of entry-level jobs require experience, according to a recent Ladders article. Completing a four-year degree is not enough, especially with a full pipeline of fresh graduates. Internships, summer jobs and volunteer work are differentiators for recent grads.

Advice:  Apply to a training program to help you break into the job market.

2. Employers still hunt for qualified talent. We are experiencing a “candidate-driven market.” Despite the shortage of talent, the introduction of technology and the changing face of work, remember -- employers are still in the drivers’ seat. (PWC Workforce of the Future)

Advice: Understand how your skills line up and how you can contribute to the organization – today and tomorrow.

3. First impressions are digital. If you’re applying for positions online, you’d better understand the Applicant TrackingSystem (ATS). Forget about fancy graphics and fluffy phrases. The Robots reviewing your credentials are unimpressed by icons and meaningless phrases.

Advice: Learn all you can about ATS and embed key words to get you through the digital door - save your visual resume for your face-to-face interviews.  

4. Soft skills are hard skills. NACE will release a study of the competencies employers’ demand most. It’s all about critical thinking, analytical/quantitative skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

Advice: Take courses and enroll in training and certification programs to make you “job-ready.” Consider 6x6.work.

5. There is no substitute for solid research. Recent graduates need to “break a sweat.” Research is a differentiator – go beyond LinkedIn and company websites.

Advice: There are no shortcuts in research – pretend you’re a private investigator. Leave no stone unturned. Read analyst reports, websites, bios, Hoovers, Glassdoor and learn about the organization’s culture.

6. Mentors make a big difference. We live in a highly automated, impersonal world. While YouTube and Google are irreplaceable, there is no substitute for building a relationship and learning from successful people.

Advice: Formalize a mentorship with a person you identify with, respect and trust. A great mentor is the secret sauce for long-term career success!

 Join us for the "Demystifying the Job Search" Zoom Webinar (12/09/21 from 2-3PM EST)

Register at 6x6.work/webinar

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*6x6.work is committed to reinventing the transition from college to career.