Of course there are. In fact, as I write this blog, we have just wrapped up a day where three of our interview rooms were full and all of the employers intend to extend offers to Kelley students, which is clearly encouraging news - even if it meant that we kept running out of coffee the day after a late Colts game.
This is not to say the immediate job forecast isn't without its stormy patches. The economic turmoil has hit fields such as investment banking particularly hard (see Credit Suisse announcement) and the threat of a prolonged slowdown has many employers pulling back on new hires across the board - recent college grads included (see For '09 Grads or PDF).
If this sounds like it means more work for you as a job seeker, it does. There are jobs, but gone are the days when a job search consisted of a visit to KelleyCareers and broadcasting your resume on Monster andCareerBuilder (two of the most frustrating online job boards for recent college grads). The relatively strong job market for recent grads over the past few years has given some students the impression that companies and jobs will always seek them out, instead of the other way around. Now that we are likely entering an economic slowdown, job seekers need to be more proactive than ever and the knowledge and application of effective job search skills and strategies is essential.
And that's the ultimate silver lining: If you are looking for a job in a bad economy, you have to learn how to tap into the hidden job market, identify new / interesting / growing companies, explore alternative career fields, and learn to sell yourself. Once you develop an effective job search repertoire, you'll have a set of skills you can rely on for the rest of your career. If you do it now, you are set for life.
Now that I'm back to blogging on a regular basis, I'll be sure to share some tips and tricks, but please do yourself a favor and visit the Career Placement Office if you have any questions or concerns. Don't panic and don't let the barrage of negative news stop you from going after the job or career you want. What works for one student won't necessarily work for another and we can help you set up a plan that caters to your strengths and your interests.
In the meantime, I encourage you to listen to this Wall Street Journal podcast featuring an interview with Trudy Steinfeld, Director of Career Services for NYU. She gives a candid assessment of the job market and passes on some timely advice.
I wonder how I can get on the Wall Street Journal's speed dial?
