Students Want College Leaders To Address Their Job Search Problems

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Bob Roth

Everyone knows that college students are having trouble finding jobs in today’s economy. However, some colleges are meeting that problem head-on and taking actions that can make things easier for their students.

When college leaders are actively helping students address these issues, everyone will:

- Learn about it through their communications
- See it as they make changes
- Recognize their leadership as others implement and support the changes
- Feel it in the energy and attitude they present
- Read about it in the College newspaper
- Hear about it on the College radio station
- Recognize their concern and commitment through their words and actions
- See it in the results that students achieve

What is it that concerned college leaders can do? The best leaders put people, systems and tools in place to:

- Make it clear that the senior year job search starts in the freshman year
- Help students prepare a personal employment plan
- Coach students throughout their college years
- Train students in every aspect of the employment process
- Explain what the best employers expect from students
- Help students understand where their majors will take them
- Teach students about the need for accomplishments beyond the classroom
- Encourage students to ask questions of their coaches and career services
- Utilize a system to help students identify employment opportunities
- Methodically prepare students for their senior year job search
- Teach students how to differentiate themselves
- Help students understand the value of job-related work experience
- Show students how to prepare an outstanding resumé
- Help students develop compelling examples and stories
- Offer opportunities to develop and practice their interviewing skills
- Help students identify a variety of employment opportunities
- Seek and implement new systems and tools to address Job Search issues

When college leaders are doing a good job of helping students address and solve their job search challenges, students will:

- Be much more effective, as they compete for employment opportunities
- Answer yes to the question, “Are your college leaders addressing your
Job Search problems?”

Unfortunately, some college leaders believe that student employment issues are merely the responsibility of their students the Career Services Office. Many think that colleges should only be concerned with providing students with a good education. Those college leaders would be wrong.

In today’s economy, a good education no longer assures students of a good job. Too many high performing college students end up underemployed or unemployed when they graduate. Reasons include:

- Right now, fewer good paying jobs exist for college graduates
- Students do not know how to prepare for and conduct an effective job search
- Students do not know how to identify employers and jobs in their fields
- Students do not understand what employers want and expect from them
- Too many students think that good grades alone will get them a job
- Students do not realize that employers will ask about accomplishments beyond
the classroom
- Some students cannot handle their classes plus a part-time job in their field
- Students do not realize that job search preparation begins in the freshman year
- Many good students do not know how to compete for the best jobs
- Most students do not think about employment until their senior year
- Many colleges do not provide the assistance and training that students need
- Few college leaders are concerned about student employment problems

“Nothing is so ordinary as the person who fails to take advantage of the opportunity to become extraordinary.” — Bob Roth

When college leaders recognize that their students are looking to them for help, truly concerned leaders respond. They seek out and utilize tools such as The Job Identification Machine™ and The Job Search Preparation System. They also provide the necessary resources to their Career Services Office and expect all employees on their campuses to help. However, without strong leadership and involvement from the top, colleges will fall short of what students need and want. That is why the best college leaders always ask two questions, “Am I doing everything possible to address the job search needs and challenges of my students?” and “Am I missing the opportunity to become extraordinary?”

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Is My College Doing Enough?

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Bob Roth

What is it that nearly all college seniors do? They look for a job. Unfortunately, most students are unprepared for their search.

In order to conduct an effective job search, students will need to learn many things and do many more. Learning what to do, how to do them and when to do them is called preparation. This is where colleges can help their students.

Students need to know:

- The value of a semester-by-semester employment plan
- What jobs are naturally obtained by students with their majors
- Which employers offer those jobs
- What those employers need and expect from candidates
- How someone can differentiate themselves from other students
- What job search techniques will produce the best results for them
- What kind of accomplishments employers want to learn about
- The importance of part-time and summer work experience
- Networking – How it works, Why it is important
- Why employers like examples and stories
- What employment research should students be doing and when
- What is the best resumé style and content (not one page)
- Why practice interviews pay off
- How to obtain powerful and enthusiastic references . . . and much more.

When students realize how much they need to learn about job search preparation, they begin to ask questions:

- Who is going to tell me about the things I should be doing?
- Who will explain how, when and why I should do those things?
- Will anyone help me develop a plan?
- Who is going to answer my job search questions?
- What resources are available to help me?
- Why is it so hard for me to get in to see counselors in Career Services?
- What jobs are available for students with my major?
- Where can I find out which employers hire students with my major?
- What will those employers expect to see and hear from me?
- What accomplishment will impress prospective employers?
- Can my Professors help me find a good job?
- Who will teach me about resumés and interviewing?
- What does a good sales letter look like?
- How can I get some interviewing practice?
- Are references important?
- Who should I ask to be a reference?

Since all students have their own personal issues and concerns, the possible questions are endless. This is especially true in this time when good jobs are difficult to find. However, there is one question that almost all students have:

“Is my college doing enough to help me land a good job?”

Most students enter college with great hopes for the future. They know that academic performance is an important factor in landing a good job. However, most students fail to realize how many other factors affect employment success. Colleges that do not adequately inform and prepare their students for an effective search for employment are not doing enough. In the current economy, good academic performance can no longer guarantee that students will find and land a good job.

Unfortunately, many students believe that their colleges have failed to step up and help them get prepared to find good jobs. Some ask, “Have my college leaders given up on me?” Others wonder if their college leaders are unwilling to take on the tough challenges. That leaves students who are just entering college to wonder if they will be facing the same issues or will their college leaders take a stand and do something to help them.

That is why concerned college leaders should embrace systems and tools like The Job Identification Machine™ and The Job Search Preparation System. Furthermore, they should constantly be on the lookout for other tools and systems that can help their students prepare for and conduct a much more competitive search for employment. Students at the most effective colleges never have to ask, “Is my college doing enough?”

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Is Your College Concerned About Your Employment Success?

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Bob Roth

Most students begin their college years without thinking about the search for employment that comes at the end. Most colleges do not give much thought to it either. Too many students and colleges think that the the employment search begins in the senior year. However, that is not correct.

It takes a great deal of time to select a career direction and a major, research the jobs that follow naturally, satisfactorily perform the academic and experiential requirements, obtain some job-related work experience, identify and research potential employers, determine their hiring requirements, strive to meet or exceed those requirements, learn about job search techniques and tools, practice interviewing skills, prepare an outstanding resume and sales letter, obtain strong references, conduct a comprehensive job search, take on-campus interviews and schedule off-campus interviews. Any student who does not recognize the complexity of those requirements and the time involved is badly underestimating the challenge. That is why the best colleges do everything possible to help students with their employment planning and preparation activities.

To determine how much your college is concerned about your employment success, answer these eight questions.

1. Based on what you see, hear and experience, how much does it concern your college leaders that well qualified college seniors and recent graduates are having so much difficulty finding and landing good paying jobs that have career potential? Circle the number that best represents the degree of concern demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Concern 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Concern

2. Based on the results you see and experience, how much effort does your college put into helping students develop a semester-by-semester employment activity plan? Without a plan, few students will know what to do and when to do those things. Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

3. Based on the results you see and experience, how much effort does your college put into helping students learn how to conduct an effective senior year job search? Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

4. Based on the results you see and experience, how much effort does your college put into helping students learn how to interview more effectively? Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

5. Based on the results you see and experience, how much effort does your college put into coaching students throughout the entire job search preparation process, beginning with the freshman year? Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

6. Based on the results you see and experience, how much effort does your college put into teaching students what employers want and expect from the best candidates? Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

7. Based on the results you see and experience, how much effort does your college put into helping students identify employment opportunities? Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

8. Based on the results you see, hear and experience, how much effort does your college put into finding and implementing better tools and systems that can improve student employment success of students? Circle the number that best represents the current effort demonstrated by your college leaders.

Very Low Effort 1 2 3 4 5 Very High Effort

Add Up Your Total Points: ________

If your total score is 28 points or higher, your college is making a good effort to assist students with their search for employment. High scores indicate great concern on the part of your college. Low scores indicate little concern.

The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. — Joe Paterno

New tools like The Job Identification Machine™ and The Job Search Preparation System are now available to colleges. Other tools are being developed every day. Since students and parents have a voice, they can use that voice to express their needs, wants and concerns. The best college leaders will listen to and address legitimate concerns.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Breakthrough System Enables Colleges To Identify Thousands Of Employment Opportunities For Students

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Bob Roth

Bob Roth, aka The College & Career Success Coach, wants more college students to land good paying jobs with career potential. The Job Identification Machine™, created by Bob Roth, is the first system to double or even triple the number of employment opportunities for graduating college seniors. Roth’s system was specifically designed to accomplish three things: 1) Bring an entire college community together for a single purpose, 2) Identify many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of employment opportunities, and 3) Fully prepare students for their senior year job search. The Job Identification Machine™ combined with Roth’s Job Search Preparation System will give many more college students a clear edge in the job market.

Roth asks, “What percentage of graduating seniors believe the their colleges have done everything possible to help them find and land a good job?” Roth says, “It is time for learning institutions to learn how to help more students graduate with job offers.” Since his system can easily double the employment success of students at any college, he would like every College President to investigate his system. It is the only system that can: 1) Double the number of good paying jobs that are identified, 2) Double the number of interviews offered to students, and 3) Double the number of job offers received by students. In today’s job market, that is a gigantic achievement.

Roth advises that not every college is ready for The Job Identification Machine™. The Machine was created for concerned college leaders who recognize that: 1) A good education does not always translate into a good job, 2) Effective job search preparation starts when the student enters college, 3) New job identification and job search preparation approaches should be investigated, and 4) Unemployed and underemployed graduates, as well as their disappointed parents, have been voicing legitimate concerns.

The Job Identification Machine™ (a complete system contained in two volumes) is available only from Bob Roth. The author’s most recent book, The College Student’s Companion is the guidebook for students at colleges that install and rev up The Job Identification Machine™.

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Don’t Fumble Opportunity

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Bob Roth

Some people anticipate opportunity. They can smell it and taste it. When they see it coming, they embrace it and ride it for all it is worth. They are the ones who have the self-confidence to take a few risks, make sacrifices and work harder than most, in order to reach their goals.

Of course, sometimes people are just in the right place at the right time when opportunity calls. However, in most cases, successful people simply understand that each day, we are offered a variety of opportunities to do good and do well. They take advantage of those opportunities. Therefore, for those of you who desire to do good or do well, the question is, “Will you recognize opportunity?”

Because new college students and new employees are unknown quantities in a new environment, they can become any person they want to be. However, they seem to miss out on opportunities every day. Too many young adults just don’t recognize opportunities when they present themselves.

Importantly, college students have the opportunity to test and explore their limits. They can try new things, gain knowledge and experience, meet new people, get involved with campus activities, help a Professor, take on a part-time job, make something better in the local community, improve a skill, discover their capabilities, excel in an area that excites them and prepare themselves for the future. However, some students will choose to remain uncommitted, detached and uninvolved. They will ignore or be completely blind to the possibilities that exist around them. All students hold their futures in their own hands and can change those futures as they wish, when they wish, simply by opening their minds.

“A curious mind is the gateway to opportunity.”

Many people have difficulty finding opportunity, even though it is all around them. They don’t realize that opportunity is created by failures, mistakes, problems, challenges, annoyances, new experiences, high expectations, obstacles, disappointments, change, accidents, innovation, disagreements, learning experiences, discoveries and needs. In fact, opportunity pokes its head out every single day. Opportunities just don’t look the way people expect them to look. They are imperfect, move around and are hard to hold onto. That is why so many people find that opportunities slip from their hands.

“No great man ever complains of want of opportunity.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is a second question that everyone must answer. “Will they take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them?”

College is an opportunity for each student to become the person he/she is capable of being. However, that requires students to be open to opportunities, prepare for opportunities, learn from opportunities, grow with opportunities and work harder than they have ever worked before to maximize the results they achieve. When students skate through college without giving their all, they will reduce the number of opportunities that are presented to them and severely limit their potential for success in their chosen field.

“Without opportunity, there can be no success.”

When you take advantage of an opportunity, you move closer to reaching your full potential. However, the reverse is also true. When you are given an opportunity but fail to take advantage of it, you move further away. Only those students and employees who are ready, willing and able to capitalize on their opportunities can hope to discover how far they can go.

Wise students and new employees should give those two questions some serious thought. Because success is dependent on opportunities, nobody can afford to waste them. “Fumbled opportunities are seldom recovered by the people who lose them.”

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Give It Your All Or Give It Up

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Bob Roth

When college students have too many goals, they cannot put enough time and energy into the goals that are most important. With too many goals, students can find that they are:

- Spread too thin
- Overwhelmed
- Underperforming
- Severely stressed
- Unable to compete

Most people can comfortably work toward two to five goals at the same time. However, others can handle only one. Therefore, students should do their best to identify two or three critical goals and focus on them. For college students, their critical goals should include:

- Classroom success
- Participation in job-related campus activities or part-time work
- Job search preparation

When these three goals are not important to students, those students are not likely to be successful in landing good jobs after college. Therefore, until students are fully focused on making good progress with these three critical goals, they should not add other goals and take a chance of getting overextended and diluting the quality of their results. These goals, when successfully achieved, will lead to a good job. Ultimately, for most students, that is the most important objective.

When someone gives their all, they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal. They put in the time, effort and behavior that will ensure success. Distractions are ignored or pushed to the side. Low priority goals are put on the back burner. They make sacrifices and keep the ultimate goal in mind, when conflicts arise. They are proactive, not reactive, and go after the things that are most important to them.

Classroom Performance – When students are capable of good classroom performance but fall short, they may be shooting themselves ion the foot. Many employers require candidates to have a 3.0 average or higher. Do you actively participate in class? Have you impressed your professors enough that they will be happy to serve as enthusiastic references? Do not lose out, simply because you are lazy, disinterested or distracted.

Job-Related Activities and Work – Because employers know that classroom performance is not the best predictor of job performance, they prefer students who have been successful in job-related activities and work. Have you improved your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom? Are you participating in campus, community and work activities? Employers want to know what you have experienced and accomplished.

Job Search Preparation – Being fully prepared to conduct an effective job search in the senior year of college is critically important. And yet, most students do not know what it will take to get prepared. Last minute preparation will almost always leave you out of the running. Have you been building a list of impressive accomplishments? Have you identified the employers that hire people with your education and experience? Do you know the specific needs and requirements of your target employers? Do you expect to send out 300+ resumes? Can you provide employers with a list of good reasons why they should hire you? When it comes to job hunting, what you don’t know will hurt you.

Too many goals and inappropriate activities merely sap the time and energy needed to make your important dreams come true. Therefore, if your primary goal is to land a great job when you graduate, you should focus on the activities, performance and results that will impress employers and eliminate the activities that can detract from that goal.

If an activity moves you closer to your goal, keep going. However, when the activity contributes little or moves you away from the goal, set it aside until your primary goal is assured. You won’t hit your target when your head is someplace else. That is why, the best way to pursue your primary goal is to evaluate each activity, then give it your all or give it up.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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How Will You Live Your Life?

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Bob Roth

All college students know that there are choices to be made every day. Therefore, it should be obvious that those choices help to determine the life that they will live and the results they achieve.

Most students approach life in a positive way, trying to do what is right and make things better. However, some students aggressively take everything they can get, even if they hurt others. They are negative and destructive and do not care about the people around them. In the college community, such students include:

- Spamers
- Hackers
- Identity thieves
- Cheaters
- Druggies
- Car Jackers
- Muggers
- Graffiti Painters
- Drunks
- Thieves

These people are a drag on society. They are opportunists, they lie to everyone, steal from their friends, destroy what others have built up and prey on those who cannot fight back. They hold themselves to the lowest and most disgusting standards. You know who they are. They are the ones who are going nowhere.

“How we live our days is how we live our lives.” — Annie Dillard

Contributing members of society are better than that. When students choose to be positive and productive, they are ready to stand up and be counted. That is one of the most important decisions in life that anyone can make. Positive and productive students step up when others step back. They demonstrate that they will live the best life they can, striving for the highest ideals. Students like this are:

- Honest
- Creative
- Courageous
- Dependable
- Consistent
- Compassionate
- Resourceful
- Courteous
- Generous
- Hard working
- Fair
- Considerate

These students stand out because they do what is right. They do their best to live a life in which they can be proud.

Every action you take and word you speak
will either move you closer or further away
from your goals in life.

– Bob Roth

Every single day, we are faced with the choice of how we will live. How you use your time, energy and talents is up to you. So make up your mind that you will live your life to the very best of your ability. Strive not to cast a shadow, but rather to light the way for others. Set a good example. Make something better. Do what needs to be done.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Team Networking

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Bob Roth

Most college students will learn to network in order to gather employment information and learn about companies that may be hiring. Savvy students understand that their personal networks contain people who have the information they are seeking. Therefore, to learn about employment opportunities that have never been advertised or made available the outside world, students should systematically contact everyone in their networks.

Team networking is a concept that few college students have heard about. And yet, it is a practical and effective way to identify more employment opportunities. When two or more students tap their individual networks and then share the information and job leads with team members, each member of the networking team will benefit.

Team networking requires four things:

- Team members who seek similar jobs or jobs in the same field
- Team members who have similar education and experience levels
- Team members who diligently contact the people in their networks
- Team members who share everything they learn (information and job leads)

When groups of students work together and openly share information and job leads, they can cover more ground faster and learn about many more employment possibilities.  It means that each member of the team may learn about many more jobs than they could possibly find on their own. That significant difference can prevent months of frustration and disappointment.

To help the team work well together, a few rules should be agreed upon before they get started:

- What will they do if someone does not contribute?
- What will happen if they find that someone is withholding information?
- What will happen when every team member has a job except one person?
- Should other members be added as students find jobs?

We all know that teams can do more than any individual. We also know that finding a good job is not easy. Therefore, wise students who are looking for ways to increase their chances for job hunting success should turn to team networking. It is a simple approach that can pay off big for everyone on the team and should be used more often by college students.

College is the perfect place for team networking, since every college produces groups of students who have taken the same classes and have the same majors. Natural groups can easily be formed by students who major in Accounting, Chemistry, Computer Science and many others.

Individual students who form a team, effectively tap their networks and work together throughout the senior year are bound to learn about employment opportunities that would have remained unknown to them. Therefore, the time for college seniors to form a networking team is now. Why not get started today?

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Say Something, If You See or Hear Something

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Bob Roth

Almost all college students will be exposed to the offensive words and behaviors of other students, as they move through their college years. Some of those disturbing incidents and experiences will simply be minor, while others may be deadly serious. Either way, it is clear that students are likely to find themselves on the front lines of illegal and dangerous behavior. Therefore, it is important for students to say something, if they see or hear something that concerns the safety and security of others.

Of course, most young adults express themselves in positive and acceptable ways. Unfortunately, disturbed people are not always so tame. They may preach and practice negative, aberrant or violent words and behavior. That’s why every college student should be aware that worrisome people often reveal themselves when they are:

- Delusional
- Destructive
- Angry
- Antisocial
- Irrational
- Hateful
- Disrespectful
- Disruptive
- Dangerous
- Violent

When students become aware of dangerous, destructive or illegal behavior, they are obligated to report it, so that others are not harmed. Unfortunately, immature students are reluctant to do so because of an unwritten “law” that says reporting even the most serious of crimes and behavior is “snitching.”

Grow up! Do not jeopardize other people because of your reluctance. If students are to prevent innocent people from getting hurt, they must react quickly and report serious and dangerous behavior. You should report students who:

- Steal from other students
- Assault people
- Rape someone
- Harass others
- Threaten a student
- Abuse someone
- Bully someone
- Sell drugs
- Possess weapons
- Steal an Identity
- Send spam
- Hack into computer systems
- Develop a computer virus
- Possess chemicals or dangerous materials

On Campus – Report illegal, dangerous or alarming behavior to the:

- Head of Campus Security
- College President
- Dean of Students

In The Community – Report dangerous behavior to the Police and Campus Authorities.

On The Internet – Report illegal behavior to Campus Authorities and the Information Technology Department.

Write it all down. Document who, what, where, when, how, how many and what kind. Record names, license plate numbers, e-mail addresses and all pertinent facts and details of the behavior. When students report alarming activity, it gives campus and community authorities the opportunity to prevent violence and injuries. That is the responsibility of every student. Therefore, you must say something, if you see or hear something.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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Courage In College

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Bob Roth

It is not often that courage is associated with students in college. However, every day, successful students call upon their inner strength to make good decisions or take the proper actions and push forward. College success requires courage and conviction in the following areas:

1. Peer Pressure – Throughout college, you will have friends who encourage or pressure you to do things that are illegal, can interfere with your performance or harm your health. Those things can include:

- Cheating
- Misusing Drugs
- Using Tobacco products
- Underage and Binge Drinking
- Theft of Money and Property
- Destructive Pranks and Mischief
- Scamming Others

Do you have the courage and maturity to say “no” to things that are wrong or bad for you?

2. Discovery – College is a time when students can test their limits and discover their skills, talents and capabilities. It takes courage to face your fears, try new things and take the reasonable risks that are often required.

3. Dreams – When students pursue the things they love, they will often encounter negative comments and severe criticism from others around them. Since your dreams do not come true all by themselves, it takes courage to fight through the fog of uncertainty and find the inner strength to ignore the nay sayers.

4. Self-Doubt – Most students begin college with feelings of self-doubt. They doubt their own abilities, their courage and their fortitude. However, to succeed, students must fight off those doubts and fears and find a way to perform at a level that will impress employers.

5. Recovery – Everyone gets knocked down and feels defeated at one time or another. The question is, what will you do after you get knocked down? Will you bounce back from a bad experience or will you give up? It takes courage and determination to get back on your feet, regain your balance or motivation and push forward to a successful end.

6. Your Voice – College is the opportunity for students to find their voice. Since good communication skills are required for nearly every employment opportunity, wise students muster the courage to improve their communication skills while they are in college. Even with today’s technology, the business world still requires us to read, write, speak and make presentations. Students with a strong voice will always be in demand.

7. Responsibility – It takes courage to accept responsibility. That is because someone is counting on you to get things done properly and on time. They expect you to overcome the obstacles and come through with a great result. Employers will want to learn about the responsibilities that you have accepted and the results you have achieved.

8. Capabilities – Because they are shy and reserved, some students do not like to stand out. And yet, that is exactly what it will take to land a good job. Every student must be brave enough to demonstrate their capabilities so others will appreciate them. Because employers hire capabilities, students must find the courage to get involved with the activities that will give them the best opportunity to show people what they can do.

“It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.” — e. e. cummings

Courage comes in all shapes and sizes, usually in unplanned ways and at unexpected times. However, college is the ideal time for students to test their wings. It is a time for students to lift their heads, take a deep breath and make up their minds to become the person they know they can be. Remember, we can not fly until we decide to leave the ground.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

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