2 answers
Carla
Student
Bellerose, New York
1
Question
Updated
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How does one secure a job in this competitive job market?
I'm a college student studying to become a social worker. Unfortunately, I haven't had many job opportunities, so I lack experience. When applying for internships and other temporary jobs, they ask a lot of the applicant. It seems that I'm required to have a certain amount of experience to be qualified for most jobs. Ironically, these entry-level jobs demand applicants to have billions of jobs listed on their resume.
As a full-time college student, I must focus on my education and be financially stable.
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2 answers
Paul Marcel-Rene
Property Manager
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Akron, Ohio
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Once you graduate and get licensure you need to move to a state besides New York to practice social work. I would recommend Ohio that has hundreds of available social worker jobs even for those without experience but a degree. You would start off at lower pay without experience but still make a living wage and move to a higher paying position as you gained experience. And the cost of living is a third of the cost of living in New York any part of the state.
While I would receive better opportunities at a lower cost elsewhere, I cannot leave. I want to improve the quality of life in NY, so I must stay. I grew up here, and I refuse to turn a blind eye to the suffering of New Yorkers simply because the other options are easier. Do not worry—I did not take your response as anything negative, nor did I think it was an encouragement to abandon the state and its people. I'm just passionate about seeing change, and I have a weird sense of loyalty.
Carla
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6333
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Carla,
Securing a Job in a Competitive Job Market
In today’s competitive job market, securing a job can be challenging, especially for individuals like college students who may lack extensive work experience. However, there are several strategies that can help you increase your chances of landing a job in your desired field:
1. Gain Relevant Experience:
Internships: Internships are an excellent way to gain practical experience in your field while still in college. Look for internships related to social work or any other area you are interested in. Even if they are unpaid, the experience and skills you gain can be invaluable.
Volunteer Work: Consider volunteering at organizations that align with your career goals. This can help you build relevant skills and expand your professional network.
Part-time Jobs: While balancing your studies, consider part-time jobs that offer transferable skills or relate to social work in some way. This can demonstrate your work ethic and commitment to potential employers.
2. Networking:
Attend Career Fairs: Career fairs are great opportunities to network with professionals in your field, learn about job openings, and make connections that could lead to future employment.
Professional Associations: Joining professional associations related to social work can provide networking opportunities, access to job postings, and resources for career development.
Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in the social work field for informational interviews. This can help you learn more about the industry, gain insights into potential career paths, and possibly uncover hidden job opportunities.
3. Enhance Your Resume and Cover Letter:
Tailor Your Documents: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Focus on showcasing how your academic background, internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs have prepared you for the position.
Use Keywords: Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume to increase the chances of getting noticed by these systems.
Seek Feedback: Ask professors, career advisors, or professionals in the field to review your resume and cover letter. Constructive feedback can help you improve these documents and make them more compelling.
4. Develop Your Skills:
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on trends in social work by attending workshops, webinars, or online courses. Demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning can make you a more attractive candidate.
Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, employers value soft skills such as communication, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork. Develop these skills through coursework, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs.
5. Utilize Online Platforms:
LinkedIn Profile: Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your education, experiences, skills, and career aspirations. Connect with professionals in the social work field and engage with relevant content.
Job Search Websites: Use online job search platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, or Idealist.org to explore job opportunities in social work. Set up job alerts to receive notifications about new postings.
By combining these strategies and staying persistent in your job search efforts, you can enhance your prospects of securing a job in the competitive job market.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: Provides insights on career development strategies including networking tips and resume building techniques.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): Offers resources for social work students on gaining experience through internships/volunteer work and advancing their careers.
Forbes: Publishes articles on job search tactics for college students including leveraging LinkedIn profiles and enhancing soft skills for better employability.
God Bless, JC.
Securing a Job in a Competitive Job Market
In today’s competitive job market, securing a job can be challenging, especially for individuals like college students who may lack extensive work experience. However, there are several strategies that can help you increase your chances of landing a job in your desired field:
1. Gain Relevant Experience:
Internships: Internships are an excellent way to gain practical experience in your field while still in college. Look for internships related to social work or any other area you are interested in. Even if they are unpaid, the experience and skills you gain can be invaluable.
Volunteer Work: Consider volunteering at organizations that align with your career goals. This can help you build relevant skills and expand your professional network.
Part-time Jobs: While balancing your studies, consider part-time jobs that offer transferable skills or relate to social work in some way. This can demonstrate your work ethic and commitment to potential employers.
2. Networking:
Attend Career Fairs: Career fairs are great opportunities to network with professionals in your field, learn about job openings, and make connections that could lead to future employment.
Professional Associations: Joining professional associations related to social work can provide networking opportunities, access to job postings, and resources for career development.
Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in the social work field for informational interviews. This can help you learn more about the industry, gain insights into potential career paths, and possibly uncover hidden job opportunities.
3. Enhance Your Resume and Cover Letter:
Tailor Your Documents: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Focus on showcasing how your academic background, internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs have prepared you for the position.
Use Keywords: Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume to increase the chances of getting noticed by these systems.
Seek Feedback: Ask professors, career advisors, or professionals in the field to review your resume and cover letter. Constructive feedback can help you improve these documents and make them more compelling.
4. Develop Your Skills:
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on trends in social work by attending workshops, webinars, or online courses. Demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning can make you a more attractive candidate.
Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, employers value soft skills such as communication, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork. Develop these skills through coursework, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs.
5. Utilize Online Platforms:
LinkedIn Profile: Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your education, experiences, skills, and career aspirations. Connect with professionals in the social work field and engage with relevant content.
Job Search Websites: Use online job search platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, or Idealist.org to explore job opportunities in social work. Set up job alerts to receive notifications about new postings.
By combining these strategies and staying persistent in your job search efforts, you can enhance your prospects of securing a job in the competitive job market.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: Provides insights on career development strategies including networking tips and resume building techniques.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): Offers resources for social work students on gaining experience through internships/volunteer work and advancing their careers.
Forbes: Publishes articles on job search tactics for college students including leveraging LinkedIn profiles and enhancing soft skills for better employability.
God Bless, JC.
My apologies; I should have responded sooner. Thank you for the response—I have tried all of your suggestions, and they've worked. I changed my major, though.
▪︎▪︎▪︎
Updates:
-(New) Major & Minor:
•Political Science & Economics
-Relevant Internships & Job Opportunities:
•Queens Supreme Court (Summer '24)
•Office Intern for a City Council member (Summer '24) ▪︎▪︎▪︎
•Internship with the NYS Assembly (Spring '25)
▪︎▪︎▪︎
Checklist:
1. Gain Relevant Experience - Achieved
|✔️| 2. Networking - Achieved
|✔️| 3. Enhance Resume & Cover Letter - Achieved |✔️|
4. Develop/Honey Skills - In Progress |---|
5. Utilize Online Platforms - In Progress |---|
Carla