Congratulations, your child has graduated! Now what?

If your child just graduated from college or university, he or she is part of the second largest generation in history – the Millennials. Born between 1980 and 1994, Millennials have, over the past 15 years, been flooding into the marketplace, adding a considerable injection of youth and talent. They now comprise 36 percent of the workforce and by 2020 that number will rise to 46 percent. Younger workers were in high demand in the early 2000s, so older Millennials had an easier time establishing their careers. As they started to dominate the lower levels of organizations in every sector, entry level opportunities began to shrink and now today’s recent graduates are facing a tougher time getting a foot in the door.

As a parent, it is natural to worry about your child’s future and wonder how you can help them begin their career successfully, especially when the economy is rough. Take comfort in knowing that there are many other parents out there experiencing the same concern. Supporting your children through their initial phases of becoming a young professional begins with encouraging them. Assure them that landing their first job is not as impossible as it may seem. Yes, it may be more challenging given the economy, but with a little ingenuity and a lot of determination, they can be successful. The key is to have a plan.

Helping your child transition into the working world

It is not easy making the transition from student to young professional, so your child may ask you where to begin. Try offering them the following tips:

• “Create the right impression.” First impressions count. Money may be tight, especially with student debt, but your child should consider investing in an appropriate job interview outfit, especially if he or she is hoping for a corporate career. While many software engineering firms, tech start-ups and creative agencies allow for casual attire, most corporate organizations specify business casual or business formal attire in their HR policy. At all stages in your children’s career, they should take cues from those around them to help them make decisions about what is acceptable and what is not. They can also consult their organization’s policies for official guidance.   
• “Stress your strengths.” Younger Millennials have a few advantages over older colleagues that make them highly marketable, such as their astounding ability with technology. Encourage your child to make a list of these skills, and be sure their prospective employers know about it! If they have other unique talents – a second or third language for example, make sure that this is reflected in their resume. They should also be specific about how their extracurricular, volunteer or part-time work experience has added to their skills – for example, customer service, teamwork, leadership, or flexibility. Employers are not only looking for industry knowledge; they want to know how your child is likely to behave at work and how likely he or she is to contribute to their organization in a positive way.
• “Personalize your applications.” Instead of a randomized approach of submitting hundreds of generic letters and resumes to various recruiters and job postings, your child should carefully tailor applications to specific companies that they would like to work with. If they can show that they have done their homework about each organization and why they would be a good fit, they will have a better chance at being considered for the job.
• “Network and make contacts.” A good tip to offer your child is to seek out people who can help them professionally. They can join professional and alumni associations or volunteer somewhere, which will help them develop and improve their networking skills. A quick and easy way to start – if your child has not already done so – is to create a professional profile on LinkedIn. They can also talk to people in their desired industry to find out what they look for in prospective employees. Another tip for your child: be courageous; people are usually flattered to be asked for advice! Tell them to remember to talk to people – neighbours, professors, friends, acquaintances, your coworkers or people you know in the industry – you never know when someone will have a good connection that might lead to that perfect job for your child!
• “Volunteer within your chosen field.” For example, if your child is considering a career in teaching, he or she might want to look for opportunities to work with younger children in their community or with a not-for-profit organization focused on education. It is best for your child to find a volunteer position with an organization that shares his or her values and that will benefit from his or her contributions. Aside from being a great way to network with contacts and discover new mentors, volunteering is also good for your children’s mental and physical health!