Preparing for an uncertain job market: What recent college graduates should know

It's a tough time to be entering the job market, as Michigan faces historic jobless numbers, along with the rest of the country.

“It’s pretty nerve-racking to be honest. The job search process is already stress in itself," says incoming senior at Wayne State, Ian Hogg; add on top of that, the stress of a global pandemic and a crippled job market.

Jack Christides just graduated from the University of Michigan and is planning to enter the sports marketing industry. Like many recent graduates, he's adjusting right now to a new plan.

“I’ve had a few people saying that they’d like to bring me on but they don’t know when and then another couple that are just unsure if they’re even going to be hiring for this upcoming season," he told 7 Action News.

Even part-time jobs in ticket sales, Christides said, are now uncertain because many teams aren't sure if they'll fill the seats.

“A lot of students’ job offers have been postponed or rescinded. In some cases with the internships, some of them have been converted from paid to unpaid," said Wayne State's Student Employment Coordinator Arlinda Pringle.

She said students and recent grads alike need to prepare for a different kind of job search right now -- one that's going to take longer.

“You may have to volunteer if it’s an option. You may have to start off with a part-time job. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of getting a foot in the door," she said.

Pringle also advises students to regularly update their resumes, and cast a wider job net by applying to any job they could be qualified for, not just their dream job. She said networking is more important than ever and students need to treat a virtual interview just like an in-person one in terms of how they dress and conduct themselves.

Pringle also noted that many students may need to supplement right now with part-time work or gig jobs.

Hogg had his sights set on a paid internship this year, but has since adjusted his expectations.

“I’m looking for anything at this point just to get experience and a foot in the door.”

Christides, who right now is living at home, has branched out and found new ways to connect with professionals in his industry.

"Now, I host a radio show on America’s Web Radio about the inside business of sports. It’s a good time for people to find different, unique opportunities," he told 7 Action News.

Unlike the economic lull of 2008, Pringle said COVID-19 is bringing with it even more uncertainty because we don't know how long "the new normal" will last; something anyone looking for work right now needs to mentally prepare for.

“We don’t know when workplaces are going to re-open, we don’t really know what they’re going to look like," she said.

Wayne State offers free workshops to students on how to best approach a job interview, resume building, virtual interview prep and more. Click here to take advantage of their free resources.

Using networking sites like LinkedIn and posting resumes to sites like Indeed.com could also help job seekers find additional opportunities.