It's a Mad Grad World: Ten Tips to Help Graduates Survive (and Thrive!) in the Job Market Jungle

HOBOKEN, N.J., June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- If you have just graduated from college, congratulations! Take a few moments to admire your diploma and pat yourself on the back…and then get ready to attach your nose firmly to the grindstone (again). Unless you went to school under a rock, you know that graduates are facing one of the worst job markets in recent memory.

Clearly, you'll need to differentiate yourself from the pack if you want to get (and keep) a job in this cutthroat environment. And it's not just about showing how different you are from the competition; it's about showing how you'll make a difference for hiring companies. 

"In today's economy, you have to show and tell potential employers how you'll bring unique and immediate value to the table," confirms Coach Micheal Burt, coauthor along with Colby B. Jubenville of the new book Zebras & Cheetahs: Look Different and Stay Agile to Survive the Business Jungle (Wiley, 2013, ISBN: 978-1-1186318-0-5, $25.00, www.zebrasandcheetahs.com).

Here, Burt and Jubenville share ten tips that will help you to show your value so that you can get—and keep—a job in the chaos of the concrete jungle:

Respond quickly. "Responding quickly to a job posting will express to the company that you are eager for the job," says Burt. "As an employer, I'm always impressed by candidates who are committed enough to put together articulate, personalized applications within 72 hours of posting."

Show up in person (and early). Once you've secured an interview, don't screw it up by being late. After all, it's the first in-person opportunity for you to show your potential employer that you're hungry and motivated.

Differentiate yourself. The most important thing to bring to the job interview table is a clear answer to the question "What makes you different?"

Learn to leverage your past. "Whether it's big or small, being able to discuss a problem you have successfully dealt with shows that you are adaptable and that you are willing to evolve into a better version of yourself," Burt confirms.

Showcase your innovation. "Innovative thinking is going to instantly increase your value to a company that is trying to move forward," confirms Jubenville. "A good way to demonstrate that you have this skill is to make a video of yourself articulating why you're valuable and what you could bring to the table." 

Show you play well with others. Companies want to hire people who are willing and eager to be members of a team.

"During your interview, highlight your role in past group projects," advises Burt.

Solve their problems. "All companies want you to be able to do at least one of three things: make the company money, save the company money, and/or solve major problems," Jubenville asserts. "By doing so, you'll add immediate value. Before you go into the interview, think about specific ways in which you can tie your skills and accomplishments to achieving one of those three outcomes."

Be coachable. Interviewers know that you'll receive criticism from supervisors, clients, or both. The ability to accept constructive feedback and implement those suggestions is extremely valuable.

Hit the ground running. Come to the interview not only with general ideas as to how you'd be an asset, but with at least one specific action plan for how you'd like to hit the ground running.

"Here's an example," offers Jubenville. "While doing your homework on the company, maybe you noticed that their website is confusing, cluttered, or doesn't clearly state what the company is trying to portray. Go into the interview with a 90-day plan to make it better."

Show your agility. "Agility in the workplace means that you're a quick learner, not just a quick doer," Burt adds. "This is definitely something you want to get across to the employer."

"Be persistent," Jubenville concludes. "If you get a job offer after your first interview, you're one of the very lucky few. Odds are, you'll have to fill out many applications and go to numerous interviews before you reach gainfully employed status. That's okay! Keep putting these strategies into practice, and sooner or later, you'll hear those magic words: 'You're hired.'"

About the Authors:
Coach Micheal Burt and Colby B. Jubenville, PhD, are coauthors of Zebras & Cheetahs: Look Different and Stay Agile to Survive the Business Jungle (Wiley, 2013, ISBN: 978-1-1186318-0-5, $25.00, www.zebrasandcheetahs.com).

Click here for an expanded version of this release.

SOURCE Coach Michael Burt and Colby B. Jubenville, PhD