@360JobInterview.Com blog

Summer is nearly over and recent graduates are really feeling the pressure. With a limited amount of positions and a high amount of competition, there is still a significant number of new college graduates that are jobless. As a parent or mentor of someone in this situation, what can you do to help?

Nepotism

If you own your own business, or are at a position of influence in your workplace, a little bit of nepotism (definition: favoritism, as in appointment to a job, based on kinship) could help out here. Even if it’s an unpaid internship, the experience is what’s valuable. Try to get them to work on more than just photocopying and picking up lunch; a real project that holds some significance to the company is what future employers will want to see on the resume.

Recommendation

It is common to simply give permission to be a reference via phone or e-mail contact. What is exceptional is to write out a letter of recommendation for the individual, and have it ready for them before they apply to a job. If you are a parent, or a direct relative that has not played any sort of professional role, use your influence to have one written by someone that knows the young job seeker in a more work-related light.

Connections

More likely than not, you have a whole slew of professional connections. If you are connected on LinkedIn or Twitter, introduce your colleagues to the graduate, and mention that they are looking for a job. A referral is a great way to get one’s foot in the door, and substitutes as a really strong reference.

Coaching

While your child or mentee has just graduated and has their goals and aspirations of what they would like to do with their life, it is important to remind them that they must work their way up the career ladder. It’s okay if you’re unsure how to go about this. Leave it to the experts and give the perfect graduation gift: 360 Career Action Planning. We’re here to help you and your graduate succeed.