ELON COLLEGE – College seniors graduating into a favorable job market still need advice on finding the right employment fit. That is the theme of a new book, titled “The Unofficial Guide to Finding the Perfect Job,” by Robert Orndorff, director of the Elon College Career Center.
The book, which was published in February by IDG Books Worldwide Inc., (formerly Macmillan), is part of the publisher’s best-selling Unofficial Guide series. It is available in major bookstores nationwide.
“The news media is full of stories about the surplus of job opportunities in technology and a few other fields,” says Orndorff. “Seniors hear stories about multiple job offers and signing bonuses. But the reality is a majority of the graduating seniors are facing a very competitive job market. They need help to land a substantive entry-level position in their field.”
The book differs from other job search publications in that it offers inside tips from some of the nation’s top recruiters. “I interviewed 11 recruiters from such companies as Anderson Consulting, Bell Atlantic and Johnson & Johnson,” says Orndorff. “You will find their comments throughout the book, giving readers more than one perspective on all key topics in a successful job search.”
In researching the book, Orndorff says he discovered that more recruiters are using behavior-based interviews to evaluate potential job candidates. “They are asking questions that assess past behavior of a candidate to predict future performance. For example, instead of asking how you generally deal with conflict, the interviewer asks you to tell about a specific conflict you previously had and how you dealt with it. This questioning really forces you to look at your past experiences.”
With unemployment so low, companies also are more selective about
hiring people who really want the job, he says. “Because employees have more options and are changing jobs more frequently, companies are concerned about employees leaving after a year or two,” Orndorff says.
Good interpersonal and teamwork skills are two of the top skills employers are looking for, he says. “They want employees who appreciate diversity, confront people tactfully, have a sense of humor, and maintain a positive attitude. Basically, recruiters want to hire candidates who can relate well with a wide variety of people.”
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