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Katie I am a 27 year old college graduate with a BS in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. I have been looking for work since graduation last June. I have been on a few interviews with no luck. I think a typical grad school is out of the question for me considering I am newly married and want kids in the near future. However, I have been looking into going for an MPH or MS in Health Promotion through an online university. I will either do this, or complete the CHES exam as well as the Health Fitness Specialist through ACSM. What do you think my best option is to improve my chances of getting hired?
Answered by Rachel, Hiring Expert at Eaton, on Friday, June 6, 2014
As you have seen for yourself it can be very challenging to find a full time position in today’s economy, even with a degree. I would recommend that you take an honest review your previous interviews and assess what went well during that time as well as any opportunities you may have to strengthen your interview style. This is important regardless of whether or not you continue to pursue additional education.
Regarding your question about going back for your Master’s degree or getting your certification, I urge you to really sit down, and if you have not already, write down your short, medium and long term professional and personal goals. It is vital to understand where you ultimately want to go in order to ensure that you create a plan that will keep you on the path of achievement versus using what I like to call the ‘Spaghetti Method’ – tossing out an idea and trying it to see if it works and where it will lead you.
Once you clearly understand where you want to go it will be easier for you to see what decisions need to be made in order for you to reach your target. When you are putting together your plan, do not forget to include your personal goals, especially those regarding your spouse and future family. You may surprise yourself with what you truly feel are your priorities now that you are in a different place in your life. Most importantly of all through this process is being honest with yourself about what you really do and do not want out of life.
As you have seen for yourself it can be very challenging to find a full time position in today’s economy, even with a degree. I would recommend that you take an honest review your previous interviews and assess what went well during that time as well as any opportunities you may have to strengthen your interview style. This is important regardless of whether or not you continue to pursue additional education.
Regarding your question about going back for your Master’s degree or getting your certification, I urge you to really sit down, and if you have not already, write down your short, medium and long term professional and personal goals. It is vital to understand where you ultimately want to go in order to ensure that you create a plan that will keep you on the path of achievement versus using what I like to call the ‘Spaghetti Method’ – tossing out an idea and trying it to see if it works and where it will lead you.
Once you clearly understand where you want to go it will be easier for you to see what decisions need to be made in order for you to reach your target. When you are putting together your plan, do not forget to include your personal goals, especially those regarding your spouse and future family. You may surprise yourself with what you truly feel are your priorities now that you are in a different place in your life. Most importantly of all through this process is being honest with yourself about what you really do and do not want out of life.
Answered by Ellen, Hiring Expert at Hospira, on Monday, June 9, 2014
My best recommendation is to identify a list of target companies of interest. From there I would do two things:
1. Determine if you know anyone at the target companies. If you do, then I would recommend that you network with these individuals. Generally, it is easy to have someone help get you to meet individuals when you network.
2. I would look a the web sites of the target companies. You can apply to companies of interest. Keep looking weekly. Companies refresh postings daily. There may be a position of interest the following week so stay on looking at the web sites.
The other suggestion that I would offer is to work with the career center from the University that you graduated from. They often get leads of opening positions for new grads.
I hope this is helpful!
My best recommendation is to identify a list of target companies of interest. From there I would do two things:
1. Determine if you know anyone at the target companies. If you do, then I would recommend that you network with these individuals. Generally, it is easy to have someone help get you to meet individuals when you network.
2. I would look a the web sites of the target companies. You can apply to companies of interest. Keep looking weekly. Companies refresh postings daily. There may be a position of interest the following week so stay on looking at the web sites.
The other suggestion that I would offer is to work with the career center from the University that you graduated from. They often get leads of opening positions for new grads.
I hope this is helpful!
Answered by John, Hiring Expert at Textron Inc., on Wednesday, June 11, 2014
I would take a step back from applying for jobs right now. The best first step for you would be to assess your short term and long term goals. I would look at both your personal and career related goals. Once you have established you goals then you can start to go back to looking for potential job opportunities. This will help you to look for jobs that are the right fit for you and your family. Start to look at companies that are of interest to you and network with individuals within that company. I would look at company websites on a weekly basis. There will always be new jobs available that could be of interest to you. Lastly, I would recommend looking to see where mock interviews are being in held in your area. Just getting experience having interviews will help you in the long run when you are interviewing for positions of interest.
I would take a step back from applying for jobs right now. The best first step for you would be to assess your short term and long term goals. I would look at both your personal and career related goals. Once you have established you goals then you can start to go back to looking for potential job opportunities. This will help you to look for jobs that are the right fit for you and your family. Start to look at companies that are of interest to you and network with individuals within that company. I would look at company websites on a weekly basis. There will always be new jobs available that could be of interest to you. Lastly, I would recommend looking to see where mock interviews are being in held in your area. Just getting experience having interviews will help you in the long run when you are interviewing for positions of interest.
