While the new batch of college grads are now ready to make their entrance in the work force, employers admit that college doesn’t fully prepare young workers for many of the real-world challenges.  In a recent CareerBuilder survey conducted by Harris Poll, employers most often cited problem-solving skills as the interpersonal skill most lacking in new graduates.  For at least the last thirty years, employers have invested in their people assets with soft skills training – a standard for quality management. But characteristics of each generation shifts with societal changes and learning must be fine-tuned to address these changes.  Now, the need is even greater for interpersonal skills, as Millennials are practically born tech- savvy making their interactions with devices much more skilled and comfortable than their interactions with humans.  Unless the new graduate has mastered critical thinking skills perhaps by participating in a debate society, a team-centered club, volunteer work, or internships, the former student will be ill-prepared for the challenges of workplace culture, politics and conflict.

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Whether you have a graduate in your family you can advise, or have some input in the hiring practices of your organization, your company will benefit by having an interview process that include“what would you do” scenarios to reflect competencies such as teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, analytical and interpersonal skills.  In today’s world, even entry-level positions have a more complicated interview procedure.  Companies are more skilled at determining who is the better fit for their organization.

Graduation is the most important day of your career.  But four years of education, these days, is not enough to land a professional job.  One must start with an interactive approach to being prepared.

New Perspective:  Advice for Millennials:

  • Research has proven that students who write down their plans for the future have a higher success rate than those who don’t.  You will gain focus and clarity of purpose.  It doesn’t matter if you change your course in the future.
  • Gain real-world experience with an internship or part-time job and remember to emphasize this experience when on  interviews.
  • Check your online presence to make sure potential employers will see a favorable profile.
  • Research companies to determine whether they’re a good fit for you and whether your skills are a good fit for them.
  • Increase your ability for advancement with a well-rounded education.
  • Practice interview skills with trusted advisors and seek feedback.
  • Keep your technical skills competitive.

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”  – Karen Lamb

“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”- William Jennings Bryan

 “No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.”- Madonna