Leave your leather jacket at home. Sorry boys,
the suit and tie are back for everything except casual Friday, if the company
even has that day anymore. Ladies, suits are back for you too.
"Dress for success" has returned even
to the hip technology world.
Just last
week, Steven Jobs of Apple Computer was spotted at meetings in a suit and tie
and, at first, nobody recognized him. Many of the accounting and professional
services firms that went to 5-day dress casual last year have returned to a
suit and tie dress code.
Don't wait until June.
Look now! Don't let a
planned post-grad trip to Europe keep you from aggressively pursuing a job
today. "Most college hires occur before graduation. We tell students to
get their resumes out, work their contacts and attend as many networking and
recruiting events as possible -- even it if interferes with senioritis,"
noted Gage.
Let them mention the S word.
The discussion of
salary should not come up until your prospective employer brings it up. Today,
entry level salaries are not the negotiation they once were and the salary
gains graduates of two years past bragged about are now more modest. For most,
their stock options turned out to be worthless and many are back on the street
competing for the jobs you're going after.
Take the internship.
Companies are hedging
their bets today. Instead of offering permanent positions, companies use
internships as a way to test-drive prospective employees. Internships offer
employers insight into a person's skills and work ethic, but they also offer
you the chance to see if you want a job with a given company without making
your work history look like you're uncommitted. If an internship is offered in
the company with a career path you seek, it's a great way to get your foot in
the door and prove yourself.
Go to your campus career center and network,
network, network!
Who you know really does count. The nation's best colleges
and universities educate students about networking and often have exceptional
career centers and alumni programs in every city that offer superb networking
opportunities. Also, don't be afraid to ask your parents, their friends and
your teachers to call on contacts. Research organizations in your field of
interest and go to their networking events; they generally offer free
admission or discounted rates to students.
"While you may have to wear a suit, it
won't be the gray flannel kind of your grandfather's era.
Today's new economy has spawned demand for recruits with initiative and new
ideas, creating a more stimulating career path," Gage concluded.
CONTACT: Casey Sayre &
Williams, Santa Monica
Kevin Balak or Tracy Olmstead
Williams, 310/458-1224
kbalak@cswpr.com
or twilliams@cswpr.com
Copyright 2001 Business Wire,
Inc.
Business Wire...04/16/2001