A handout titled “Job Search in Tough Times” was recently distributed from the University Career Center to Student Success employees to assist them in answering students’ questions about the current job market and career opportunities in the nation’s struggling economy.

The handout, circulated via e-mail on the Student Success listserv, was sent to help professionals give sound advice and the most accurate information available about the troubled economy, the e-mail said.

“I think it’s definitely something that’s on students’ minds,” Sara Clayton, UCC career consultant, said. “It’s really important that Student Success staff be able to give students the most accurate and best information and advice that we possibly can.”

Amber Bortz, Pratt junior, said it would be helpful for professionals to already know the answers to some of her questions before she sought them out. She said she hoped, because of information learned through the e-mail, professionals could give her direction on what she needed to do to succeed in difficult times.

“If you have someone with an inside opinion, someone with a little bit of experience with how to get a job in tough times, any advice is helpful,” Bortz said.

Michael Wade Smith, Goodland sophomore, said he thought the e-mail was beneficial. He said individual schools and departments should consider drafting a similar e-mail to give tips on what students with more specific degrees can do.

“Anything they can do to make the transition easier for students, especially in tough economic times, is nothing but beneficial,” Smith said.

Clayton said with the economic climate constantly changing, it was important for professionals to be on the same wavelength as students when it came to economic matters.

“It’s kind of hard staying up-to-date because everything is changing so quickly,” Clayton said. “It’s our intention to fill everyone in on what we’ve been telling students to look over.”

Job Search Tips in Tough Times

1. Start your search early.

2. Know what you’re looking for ...

3. ... But keep an open mind.

4. Create your personal “brand.”

5. Use University Career Center services and resources.

6. Find multiple ways to connect.

7. Be an industry expert.

8. Be persistent.

9. Keep building your resume.

10. Take care of you!

Must-Have Skills and Qualities

1. Communications skills

2. Strong work ethic

3. Teamwork skills

4. Initiative

5. Analytical skills

6. Computer skills

7. Flexibility/adaptability

8. Interpersonal skills

9. Problem solving skills

10. Technical skills

—National Association of Colleges and Employers,

How You Fit Into the Tight Job Market

Job Industries Experiencing Growth

1. Health care and social assistance — ambulatory care, hospitals, nursing, residential care facilities, substance abuse, and mental health care.

2. Government — specifically border and transportation security, emergency preparedness, public health, and information analysis.

3. Education — special education, ESL, math, science, and foreign language have the greatest shortages.

4. Mining/oil and gas extraction.

5. Professional and business service — architectural and engineering services, computer systems design and operation, and consulting (management and technical) are seeing the most growth.

6. Leisure and hospitality — drinking establishments, performing arts, and spectator sporting venues.

—Source: Kate Lorenz,

CareerBuilder.com

— — Edited by Susan Melgren