What Are the Top 10 Skills Graduate Recruiters Look for?

Let's face it: the job market is crowded with applicants. The best way to stand out is to demonstrate you have the skills and experience employers want. Even if you have not yet graduated, you can start now to develop the skills and experience that can land you the job later on.

Although it is important to have specific competencies appropriate to your profession, there are general skills all employers want in graduate recruits. Here are some that many job candidates forget, but that employers value highly.

1. Communication skills: Look at almost any job listing and you will probably notice that good communication skills are required. It is important to be able to speak and write clearly. Just as important, you should know how to listen attentively. This last is a skill many people have not mastered, so evidence of that skill will impress many prospective employers. When writing and speaking, you should be able to get your point across clearly and concisely.

2. Interpersonal skills: Can you work as part of a team? Can you also manage a group of workers, delegating tasks and taking responsibility for the result? If so, these interpersonal skills will take you far. The idea is to build strong working relationships with those around you, from those you might supervise, to clients, to your supervisors.

3. Business sense: No matter what business you are in or what company you work for, you should know that industry and your company inside out. If you can demonstrate a strong understanding of your company's goals and how it operates, you will set yourself ahead of other candidates.

4. Influence and negotiation skills: Sometimes it is important to be able to get your way, and other times it is important to negotiate an outcome everyone is happy with. Combined with the leadership skills above, this is a powerful skill for job candidates to possess.

5. Problem-solving skills: Employers are looking for candidates who can analyze a problem, look at it from many perspectives, and find workable solutions, all with little outside supervision. Mastering this skill will make you very attractive to today's employers.

6. Leadership skills: If you can manage a team, motivate, delegate tasks, and take responsibility for the outcome, prospective employers will be impressed with your leadership skills, even if your entry-level position is not in management.

7. Organizational skills: It is important to be able to prioritize tasks, and manage your time effectively. Meeting deadlines and juggling multiple projects or tasks are also important.

8. Resilience and self-direction: A self-directed employee finds motivation within herself to do a good job. She is able to keep going even when the going gets rough. If you can do all this with a smile on your face as well, then you're on the right track!

9. Crisis and stress management: Most jobs will have crises and stressful situations. It will be necessary to handle these with grace and calm.

10. Self-confidence: Remember there is a difference between self-confident and overconfident or arrogant. That said, though, it is important to have confidence in your abilities and in those around you. After all, if you don't have confidence in yourself, no one else will either.

Get the Right Skills to Get New Job Vacancies After Graduation

People have a common misconception that once you graduate there will be a job waiting for you. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In order to land a job that interests you, you must first look at the vacancies to find out who is hiring and then ask yourself whether or not your possesses the skills to meet the job requirement. Here are some tips for landing a job after graduation.

1. Unless you are applying for a job at McDonald's, it will impress the interviewer if you know a little bit about the company for which you are applying. Training a new employee is difficult enough, training an employee who knows nothing about the job is even more so. If you have knowledge about the company and the job for which you are applying, you will stand out from other applicants. Be sure that you have some skill sets for the job to which you are applying, these are the ones you will most likely here back from first.

2. There are some common skill sets that are necessary in today's job market. Some of the most basic job requirements are knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. The ability to research facts online is an asset to many companies. Customer service skills are also something a lot of hiring managers look for. If you know how to talk respectfully and cheerfully to a client over the phone, you will be an asset to any company. Some jobs require a particular skill set and knowledge of a particular program. For instance, graphic designers and web developers often have to use Dreamweaver to perform their trade. If you use and have knowledge of these various programs be sure to include them on your resume and mention them in the interview.

3. Although it seems like common sense, the ability to reason through a problem is a quality in high demand. Companies are looking for people who can take a real world situation and come up with a plausible solution by thinking logically and critically. Colleges even offer courses on critical thinking and logic. Although it is important to know how to follow directions and do as you are told, it is even more important to be able to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas that can push the system forward.

4. Being an innovator and thinking creatively go hand in hand. Creativity surpasses the realm of art and can be an asset to any field. When we do things the same way, we often have the same result. But if someone is able to look at a situation differently and come up with a creative solution, a different result may come about. The ability to think differently is beneficial to any field.

5. Whether you are dealing with customers, fellow employees, or your boss, you must know how to get along with others. No man is a company by himself. In order to run an effective business you must depend on others. Since every business requires you to work with other you must know how to be respectful and patient. Compromise is the word of the day when working with others. If you are someone who feels uncomfortable when talking to others, practice at home in front of a mirror. Remember, first impressions mean everything when you are looking for a job. The way you communicate with others says a lot about you and your ability to work effectively at a common goal.

Thinking Outside of the Box - Interesting Degrees to Complete at College

When you first start thinking about college, you will more than likely have some idea of what you would like to study according to your interest. There are many popular options available including humanities, sciences, art, business, education, literature, music and so on. These are all very traditional disciplines to study and can be quite beneficial as a benchmark for your future. It can be frustrating if you are not interested in any of these subjects and you may wish to direct your passions in more unique areas of study. You will be surprised to learn that you can earn legitimate degrees in more unique subjects too! Here are just a handful of areas you can major in at college.

Toy Design

You may think that this is a pretty straightforward area of study, but it is actually very vast with a variety of facets which involve the design of children's toys. Psychology, 3-D imagery, mechanics, creativity and of course patience are just some of the requirements in this area of study.

Mortuary Science

The study of dead people appeals to many individuals who are fascinated by science and the human body. Once you have received your degree in this subject, you can later become a funeral director or even work in a crime lab.

Cereal Chemistry

Cereal Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure and properties of cereals. In order to study in this field you must have a background and special skills in sciences such as chemistry, mathematics, physics and food science. You have the option of completing a 2 years diploma or 4 year Bachelor's degree, enrolling in a technical University.

Comedy Writing

If you have a flair for writing, why not become a full fledged comedy writer? This is an exciting degree where you study the mechanics of all different types of writing such as situation comedy, performance and of course stand-up comedy writing. Comedy theory is also mastered as well as the history of live and recorded comedy for the specific comedy business. You can complete this degree in a two year program.

There are many other unusual and unique areas of study to learn. You may find some of these interesting!

• Aquaculture

• Railroad Operations

• Equestrian Studies

• Ranching

• Bakery Arts

• Floristry

Choosing a unique subject that interests you and even drives your passion can not only benefit your future goals but can also bring you happiness in knowing that you are studying a subject you love.

Get the Right Skills to Get New Job Vacancies After Graduation

People have a common misconception that once you graduate there will be a job waiting for you. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In order to land a job that interests you, you must first look at the vacancies to find out who is hiring and then ask yourself whether or not your possesses the skills to meet the job requirement. Here are some tips for landing a job after graduation.

1. Unless you are applying for a job at McDonald's, it will impress the interviewer if you know a little bit about the company for which you are applying. Training a new employee is difficult enough, training an employee who knows nothing about the job is even more so. If you have knowledge about the company and the job for which you are applying, you will stand out from other applicants. Be sure that you have some skill sets for the job to which you are applying, these are the ones you will most likely here back from first.

2. There are some common skill sets that are necessary in today's job market. Some of the most basic job requirements are knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. The ability to research facts online is an asset to many companies. Customer service skills are also something a lot of hiring managers look for. If you know how to talk respectfully and cheerfully to a client over the phone, you will be an asset to any company. Some jobs require a particular skill set and knowledge of a particular program. For instance, graphic designers and web developers often have to use Dreamweaver to perform their trade. If you use and have knowledge of these various programs be sure to include them on your resume and mention them in the interview.

3. Although it seems like common sense, the ability to reason through a problem is a quality in high demand. Companies are looking for people who can take a real world situation and come up with a plausible solution by thinking logically and critically. Colleges even offer courses on critical thinking and logic. Although it is important to know how to follow directions and do as you are told, it is even more important to be able to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas that can push the system forward.

4. Being an innovator and thinking creatively go hand in hand. Creativity surpasses the realm of art and can be an asset to any field. When we do things the same way, we often have the same result. But if someone is able to look at a situation differently and come up with a creative solution, a different result may come about. The ability to think differently is beneficial to any field.

5. Whether you are dealing with customers, fellow employees, or your boss, you must know how to get along with others. No man is a company by himself. In order to run an effective business you must depend on others. Since every business requires you to work with other you must know how to be respectful and patient. Compromise is the word of the day when working with others. If you are someone who feels uncomfortable when talking to others, practice at home in front of a mirror. Remember, first impressions mean everything when you are looking for a job. The way you communicate with others says a lot about you and your ability to work effectively at a common goal.

How to Explain a Difficult Concept When Teaching

In learning, there are many concepts that are understood on a cognitive level but not necessarily on a practical level. There are a number of teaching strategies that can be employed to teach students difficult concepts. Actively engaging students in the learning process, including group discussions, problem solving, case studies, role plays, journal writing, and structured learning groups are just a few. The benefits to using such activities are many. They include improved critical thinking skills, increased retention and transfer of new information, increased motivation, and improved interpersonal skills. One of the strategies I strive to help students with and find successful is to provide real-world examples that allows the concepts to be seen via application.

In the Human Resources Management courses, there are many theories and techniques that are taught but the key is to understand how those theories and techniques are executed to meet the needs of people. For example, in teaching a class on Organizational Behavior, I will provide or share articles that relate to organizational issues occurring today in Fortune 500 companies that the students can relate to. The articles would be related to the current weekly discussion, and touch on things such as confidentiality and legal matters, development, ethical issues and behavior overall. I ask students to read the articles, give feedback, and ask further questions to help put the concepts into reality. This allows students to think about real life situations and how they would handle something similar, as well as challenges and preconceived notions of what organizational behavior really is.

Another example, in teaching Social and Cultural Diversity, I use relevant movies (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee - about the struggle that certain Indian tribes went through with being pushed off their land; The Help - about segregation, racism and prejudice), and recently took an article out of the Phoenix Magazine about Mesa, AZ first Black Physician. This physician despite the limited rights given to blacks during the late 1800s and early 1900s was committed to treating people no matter their race. He is being recognized for his service as well as his 1920s house being restored and deemed a landmark. In viewing these movies with the students, I have seen them become more aware of their own prejudices and judgments as well as their own pain. This allows them to put the concepts into reality while making real-life commitments to become more sensitive towards others, challenging those judgments and beginning to see people from different perspectives. This is important because it enables them to understand what it means to be empathetic, what it takes to address an issue and thus what a client might be experiencing and need to be supported on.

Healthy Foods for a Starving Student: It's Possible!

It is common knowledge that being a starving student includes eating low priced, highly processed foods to keep their brains working. This is a total myth! Did you know that you can spend just as much money on nutritious, healthy food that won't break your bank account, keep you energized, thinking clearly and doesn't any time at all?

Here are some great foods to stock up on with some recipe ideas to make sure you stay full, energized and healthy. You will want to make sure you have a small fridge with a small freezer so you can store the essential fresh items we will list. Remember, you will find yourself saving money Instead of wasting money on expensive take-out pizza, consider this quick, easy and much healthier option:

• Purchase a stack of whole wheat pita bread, top with pizza sauce, cheese, veggies and a lean meat for a high protein quick meal.

• Pasta is great to store in your dorm room and cost-effective. Just make sure you purchase the whole wheat or whole grain type. Stay away from white pasta or Ramen. Whole grains help you eat less and stay fuller longer.

• For a quick snack, store pieces of fruit and cut up some veggies ahead of time to store in plastic bags. This way you will be able to grab them quickly when on the run to class.

• Eggs are a quick and easy breakfast that will keep you full of protein and energy. Eggs also last a long time. Store in your fridge and prepare ahead of time by hard boiling or scrambling with ham, salsa, veggies and your favorite spices. Heat up in the microwave for roughly a minute and roll up in a whole wheat tortilla for a healthy breakfast-on-the-go.

• Stock up on vhole wheat bread, legumes, frozen veggies, chicken or beef stalk, whole grain rice and try to stay away from highly processed ready-prepared foods. Some great healthy snack alternatives are popcorn, whole grain crackers, nuts and dried fruits.

Here is a great basic recipe where you can substitute any of the above ingredients we listed. This stir fry goes well with rice, pasta or beans along with any type of veggie or meat you have available:

½ cup whole wheat rice or pasta, dry 

½ tablespoon olive oil 

¼ red pepper, in strips

½ cup green pepper, in strips 

½ carrots, shredded

1 cup broccoli cuts 

Teriyaki or soy sauce, amount per your taste

- Boil water for the rice or pasta. Follow instructions on the rice or pasta bag, adjusting for ½ cup of rice. Pour the olive oil into the deepest frying pan you have. Add all of the veggies, and then turn on medium heat.

- Cover and let steam for about 10 minutes. Move the veggies around with a spatula occasionally to make sure that the frozen bits hug the bottom of the pan. It's normal to have some water at the bottom. The vegetables should begin to look more vibrant in color.

- Drizzle your sauce throughout the pan, covering all vegetables. Adjust the amount based on your taste.

- Move the vegetables around with a wooden spoon to make sure the sauce covers all of them evenly. Then let sit for 5 minutes on low heat.

Use These Secrets to Get the Ideal Job After Graduation

Anticipating finding a job after graduation, but anxious that it will be an overwhelming process? It doesn't have to be. The following are the best things to do to secure a job when you graduate.

Have a good attitude. 

Even if you are academically ready for the job, it is important to remember there are less tangible qualities, like attitude, that are just as important. You can't expect a job to just fall out of the sky. You need to keep yourself motivated to find one. When you get leads, be sure to show your confidence, and that you are excited about the job and what you have to offer.

Cultivate contacts 

You might have heard that old saying that it is not what you know but who you know. Never has this been more true as in today's job market. It is important, then, to develop relationships. Make as many contacts as possible and work your system of contacts; network. Remember not to be someone you're not. Just be yourself. After all, the real you is who they will be working with. While you're at it, show off the qualities that you bring to the table. Also, show that you are worth their while-ask appropriate questions, be respectful, and demonstrate a willingness to help them out in return.

Create a strong resume 

If you wanted to invite people to your house, would you want the front area to look shabby and inhospitable? Of course not. By the same token you want to be sure you make a good first impression with your resume. Remember you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Keep it to one page. In today's world, employers don't have time for long resumes. Keeping it brief shows you respect their time. Be sure to highlight accomplishments and how they have added value to the organizations for which you did them. If you were the president of the class council, for example, you might highlight that you helped raise a school record-breaking amount f money for charity, or that you organized the most popular school dances in years.

Show professionalism 

First impressions are very important in an interview. A prospective employer doesn't know that deep down inside you are a good person and a hard worker. She will form her impression from your initial appearance. Be sure to have your hair neatly kept. Keep it well-styled and sharp. Dress well, also. It is better to be over dressed than under dressed. Make sure your appearance is neat and clean. Don't forget to make eye contact when interviewing. Carry at least one copy of your resume with you to give out to your prospective employer, even if you already sent it.

Manage your "brand" 

Just as a brand manager for a company jealously guards how that brand is perceived and how it is used, you must guard your image as a "brand." Be aware of your appearance in social media (yes, this means avoid pictures of yourself at the most recent wild party put on by your friends). Keep track of what is said about you online and what electronic bread crumbs you have left behind. Google yourself and search social media sites to find out what has been said about you, where your name or pictures have appeared, etc.