Students Can Perform Their Way To A Great Job
By Bob Roth
Employers look for and seek out college students who can get
things done.
They believe that what you’ve done in the past is the
best predictor of what you will do in the future. Therefore,
while in college, wise students build a list of significant
accomplishments and positive contributions. These students
understand that they can’t talk their way into a great job,
but they can perform their way to one.
Since employers don’t owe anyone a good job, college
grads will have to get one the old fashion way. They’ll
have to earn it. Therefore, if you are serious about doing the
things that can lead to great job, here is a list for you to
follow:
Classroom Performance / Grades - You already know that grades
count.
However, in addition to grades, you are expected to do other
things. The best students participate in class by providing
comments and insights, asking questions and feeding off of other
student comments. Great students do great research, turn in
well written papers, work well with others on projects and make
thought provoking presentations. They also build strong
relationships with the most respected and influential Professors in
their field of study. When these Professors need help with
research for books and projects, the best students are ready and
willing to help.
Participation In Campus, Work And Community Activities - The
college experience is filled with a wide variety of opportunities
to learn and grow. The best students make the most of these
opportunities. Like other students, they may be apprehensive
about testing their knowledge and skills. However, they face
their fears and get involved with campus, work and community
activities, in order to gain experience and learn new
things. This is how students build a list of impressive
accomplishments and successes. Employers always prefer to hire
students who have proven themselves beyond the classroom.
Communication - Employers need people who have exceptional
communication skills. They always take notice when students
read, write, speak and present effectively. That’s why
wise students make a point of regularly working to improve these
critical skills. When students become known for their
exceptional communication skills, they will have given themselves a
tremendous advantage during their senior year job
search.
Leadership - Students who develop, practice and utilize their
leadership skills to get things done will always be in
demand. Yes, it’s important to be able to do some things
on your own. However, it is even better to lead a group of
people, as they accomplish things that can’t be done by one
person. By getting involved and accepting responsibility,
students can progress to the point where they are able to lead
others with similar goals. Someday, they may even be able to
lead other leaders. That’s when great things can really
get done.
The ability to influence others is a skill that all
students should strive to develop. Importantly, when the
goals are right, all students can find the courage and strength to
lead others.
People Skills - The ability to interact, collaborate, support,
supervise and build good working relationships with a wide range of
people on campus, at work and in the community is the kind of skill
that all major employers seek.
Since few jobs allow people to work in isolation, good people
skills are valued by all employers.
Excel / Stand Out / Differentiate - Every student is good at
something. When students discover their talents and skills,
they would be wise to look for ways to display them and make them
known to employers of interest. The best employers take notice
of students who stand out from the crowd. Whenever students
are able to differentiate themselves in a positive way, there will
be employers who need those talents or skills.
Results - In the end, it’s the results that
count. Students who achieve outstanding results in one form or
another will put themselves in the forefront of employer
demand. Employers recognize that many people work hard and try
hard, but only a much smaller number of people can achieve the most
difficult results. That’s the group that the best
employers need and want. Therefore, smart students pay close
attention to the results they achieve.
All of these critical factors can be addressed and improved by
students who develop and follow a well thought out plan of
action. When students decide where they want to go, they can
lay out a step-by-step plan that will lead to the goal. The
important thing to remember is that students can perform their way
to a great job.
