Career Advice Talk

New Grads Face Tough Job Market

7th April, 2009 - Posted by Chris Fogarty -

New website ‘urban interns’ provides creative way to start your career

Friday’s news flash, another 663,000 jobs were cut in March, brings a harsh reality to the graduating class of 2009.  There are now 13 million people out of work, potentially double that number if you factor in part-time and discouraged workers.  Many of these experienced individuals will be competing with you, the fresh graduate, for the dwindling number of available positions in the job market.  Yes there are job openings out there, but companies have cut their workforces so deeply that they must hire highly specialized and experienced individuals for their few open positions.  And they have their pick of applicants.  In this economy, many organizations do not have the luxury of hiring bright but inexperienced workers.  They need hit-the-road-running hires.  According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers plan to hire 22 percent fewer graduates this spring.

What’s a new grad to do if you can’t find a job?

Get creative.  You don’t need a traditional job to start building your career, think about what skills and experience you are lacking and find opportunities to build your expertise through any means possible.  One interesting new idea popped up on our radar last week.  Urban interns, based out of New York, is a new site dedicated to connecting busy employers with part-time, flexible assistants.

“With big businesses facing massive layoffs, consider a paid or unpaid internship with a small business.  In this tough economy, small businesses are looking to stay productive and get more efficient,” says urban intern Co-Founder Lauren Porat.  “Your role as an intern will be critical to that business and will give you an opportunity to build skills that you might not otherwise get at a larger firm.”

“And, an internship can lead to a full time job down the road, provided that you really shine in the role,” says Co-Founder Cari Sommer.

We agree.  By working (even for no pay) to build your skills you’ll get valuable insight towards future career decisions, and you’ll be branding yourself as someone who enjoys making a contribution and who wants to learn and develop.  When you do get that job interview you’ll exude more confidence if you are already working at something productive.

The economic outlook for the next several years is predicted to be much slower than we’ve experienced over the last decade.  Future new job growth is likely to come from replacing existing experienced workers who will be retiring (aka the aging workforce).  By building your skills and experience today, in any way possible, you’ll be positioning yourself and your career for a greater future.