Parents once encouraged their children to attend college by saying that it was the best way to find a good job, but even university graduates now find that jobs often aren't available for the asking. As unemployment rates increases across the country, many students are finding themselves moving home to save money and taking jobs unrelated to their degrees. Despite the problems that such students face, those who have studied in certain fields may still find human resources jobs.
According to a McKinsey On Society report, a college graduate accepts a position that doesn't relate to his or her subject of study every five minutes. This growing trend, known as underemployment, particularly affects business majors who cannot find employment in the business world. University graduates now borrow more money than ever for school, and some have outstanding debts equal to more than 50 percent of what they can make in a year. Factor in the cost of rent and other living expenses, and it's no surprise that so many students have to accept positions outside of their chosen fields.
Students who study HR and related fields have easier access to human resources jobs, but those jobs may still be scarce. College graduates face competition from older workers, who have more experience, and other university graduates. Employers want workers who not only have experience in the field but also have an advanced degree. While you may find human resources jobs with an undergraduate degree, you'll have more chances for advancement with a graduate degree. Obtaining a graduate degree also gives you more experience that you can use on the job, and many graduate programs offer internships that offer networking opportunities.
Nearly every company in the world, including Disney, hires human resources graduates, and those employers all look for some type of experience. Even if you never worked in human resources before, you can still tailor your resume to include related experience you do have. Some university graduates have worked in student government and other leadership positions, while other students may have managed campus organizations or employees at a part-time job. When you apply for jobs in HR, clearly state positions of this sort on your resume and reiterate the information in your cover letter. If you do a good job of showcasing your skills and talents, and how they could apply to HR work, you might just land the job.
Positions in human resources departments exist in nearly every major company, but when you graduate from school, you are competing for those open positions with both other graduates and experienced workers. University graduates today have problems finding jobs and living on their own, but it is possible to find a job that offers advancement, a decent rate of pay, and benefits. The trick to finding and landing this type of job lies demonstrating your experience and making yourself stand out from all the other graduates applying for the position.
(Photo courtesy of jscreationzs / Freedigitalphotos.net)
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