College grads turn to part-time work, temping, internships

Although recent statistics indicate that the entry-level job market is improving, recent graduates are well aware that it's no longer the norm to leave school with a full-time job offer.

A new survey from recruiting company Adecco Group North America indicates that only 57 percent of people who graduated from four-year degree programs between 2006 and 2010 are employed full-time, and only 40 percent are employed full-time in a field they studied.

The survey results provide insight for upcoming 2011 graduates on how to broaden their job search as well as their perspective.

Job searching: A full-time job

Responses to Adecco's survey suggest that this staggering figure on postgraduation employment in the last few years -- and there are more where that came from -- may not be entirely the recession's fault. Lack of preparation for the employment climate they'd be entering may also have hurt graduates during this time period.

Seven in 10 of those surveyed said they wished they had done something differently prior to graduation to prepare for the job market, such as starting their job search earlier, networking more or applying to more jobs. In fact, over half of all recent college graduates said they'd applied to five or fewer full-time jobs since graduation.

"They were basing their assumptions on the situation their classmates encountered a few years ago," says Kathy Kane, senior vice president of talent management for Adecco Group North America. "They were feeling a sense of security and entitlement."

Finding a job these days requires considerably more "pounding the pavement," but the good news is, that appears to pay off. On average, employed recent graduates applied to more jobs than their unemployed counterparts.

Adecco representatives, including Kane, say graduates should treat their job search as though it's their full-time job, beginning the day they get home from graduation and making sure that from 9-5 each weekday they're doing something to help their career.

However, a successful job search may also require graduates to keep an open mind about the path they'll take to eventually landing a lucrative job they love.

"What we're advising a lot of college graduates now is to stop thinking in the traditional way," Kane says. "You'll learn incredibly valuable skills no matter what job you have. Honestly, even if you get a job at Walmart or Target ... you'll learn about customer service. If you can present that in an interview, you're far more likely to be hired, because that's a critical skill."

It's only temporary

Taking jobs that aren't necessarily related to their majors, or accepting part-time, temporary employment and internship opportunities, is getting many recent graduates through the recession, and that trend is expected to continue.

"Whether it's called internship, temporary or contract work, it's still kind of the same thing -- it allows both sides to figure out it's the right fit," Kane says.

John Thompson, executive director of Texas Christian University career services, points out that many companies are now using interns and temporary workers as filler for full-time employees that have been cut, because most companies don't reduce their workload when they reduce staff.

"A lot of the staffing agencies are specializing in certain industries now, so you really have a better shot at (landing a job in your chosen field)," Thompson says.

He advises that students look at more than one industry where their skills would be of use during the job search, except in the case of an unpaid internship, which "bloody well better be tied to your career path."

And above all, don't give up, Thompson says. The average length of time that a recent graduate spends searching for full-time employment is still several months. He even notes that most of his students who move back home for a while to make job searching their full-time job didn't mind living with their parents .

"Because it may take time, do not get discouraged," he says. "That's the first thing that happens, particularly with Millennials. The typical thing I've discovered about current students is they believe that if there are no jobs at a certain company, there are no jobs at all, and they fold. What we're trying to do is encourage them that there's always company two and company three."

Staying focused

Heather R. Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended and a career expert specializing in entry-level job and internship seekers, notes that many employers "feel hopeful about hiring and want to increase their workforces this year." That said, there's still work to be done on the job seeker's end.

"The job market is still fairly competitive," she says. "It's certainly not going to be easy -- prospective college graduates will need to demonstrate dedication, patience and a positive attitude."

Here are some of Huhman's tips:

n Manage expectations. "No longer are most recent graduates landing a job in their field right after receiving their diploma, and students shouldn't expect that," she says. Many might first take a job that is unrelated to their field or an unpaid internship for a "foot in the door."

n Interact. Networking is still the best way to get a job. "In addition to combing job boards, graduating seniors should ... attend industry events and engage in online communities and social media," Huhman says.

n Brand yourself. Create a blog, build an online portfolio and participate in networking chats.

n Take part-time for an answer. Internships and part-time or temporary positions let you add to your resume and pay the bills while you're looking for full-time employment. In addition, Huhman says, hiring managers may be hesitant if there are gaps in your resume.

n Consider unpaid internships or work outside your chosen field. Simply put, any work will help you pay bills in the interim. An unpaid internship allows you to get career experience and will likely leave room for paying, part-time work in your schedule so you can stay afloat financially.