Where are the new Grads?

This week I read a great article by a recent grad who was expressing concerns that employers wanted only applicants with experience.

Nothing new here, everyone who has ever entered the job market has felt this concern. 

However, while I hear grumblings from new grads, there is another side of the coin.

In my industry, the industrial and construction sector, EVERYONE IS ACTIVELY TRYING TO HIRE NEW GRADS. (Yes I am shouting from the rooftop).

Every day of every week I have an active post for new grads, and I receive practically no applicants. I know that companies often have the same experience.

Why?

There are a couple of reasons.

Believe it or not, the Industrial and Construction sectors may not be their first choice. Fair enough but that is only because of misconceptions about what we do.

Seriously, is selling sugar water a dream job?

One possible reason and I am sure this will get me some hate mail, is that new grads are not educated on how to go out into the world and market themselves. 

Networking is a hands-on business. It's not hard but it takes some work, and some proactivity and lots of follow up.

The majority of new grads that I interview have no Linkedin profile, no realistic expectation of career path and no realistic expectation of compensation. 

I am not blaming them, how can they possibly know. Schools must offer opportunities to learn the market and career expectations, job search tools and networking strategies. 

As employers in the industrial sector, we need to do what others are not.

Embrace new grads and show them the opportunity in our sector. Meet them, as many of them as you possibly can. Tell them about our industry. Offer them words of advice on their presentation and expectations. Most of all show them your engagement and interest.

The result can only be positive for both parties.