Hi, I am in the process of re-designing the material used by our Placement Department. I would like to hear from other colleagues what are you using to attract new employers and what has been more effective during this economy? I am currently using fryers, e-mails, and lots of phone calls. New ideas please?

We are a Vocational College and our courses run continously. If we had a board of every graduate it would take up a whole wall! Any suggestions?

Is there a limit on community resources and what agencies are off limits.

It seems obvious to me that students view success in placement as a job, but are there other just as viable results placement can offer?

I've found that every student preparing to graduate and enter the job search definitely needs to have an individual session with the Placement dept at which time, without pressure, an open discussion centers on the confidence of the grad. Everyone benefits from candidly discussing any insecurities and fears they may have, especially when they discover they are not only normal but not alone. The key is turning their fear into a positve and it all starts when they know they are not alone in their search.

It seems very challenging to place graduates in any field who have little to no experience other than the internship experience. Any suggestions on what can be done?

It is important that this department prepare students for success. Providing the students the right tools to go out into the job seeking scene will provide them the opportunity to land a great job. Some of the basic questions that students ask themselves is: What should I say? What kind of questions will they ask me? Im I qualified for this job?. These are great questions that this department can handle to ease the stress that students and post graduates endure. Providing workshops that help students understand their skills and areas where they need to tune is a great service that can be offered. Many students and post graduates did not have the proper preperation skills for getting a good job. Many of the topics addressed should be wardrobe, salary negotiatons strategies and proper resume layout. This course is very informative and provides you with many ideas that can be incorporated if not already being addressed. What resources and tools in addition to the ones mentioned should be incorporated in the preperation of students who are seeking work?

While growing your database of possible employers, what are some useful ideas? We were thinking about doing social networking events providing refreshments and snacks. Do you feel like this would be an acceptable setting to introduce employers to the school and possible graduates?

As a school director, I very much believe in first impressions, and dressing for success! When teaching interviewing skills, I have often wanted to make it mandatory to see a student put in the effort to dress for success for a real interview. Would I be breaking any discrimination rules or ethics? We have a very detailed outline of casual professional dress.

Once a student graduates, what is an acceptable time line for them to become placed? Is there a better system, or example to use as a guideline?

Temp agencies are not what they used to be.. to just get started with zero experience and be placed as needed to fill in... and learn as you go... with our bad economy and with the holidays just past.. I am seeing a big slow down on our students getting placed... is there anything new to try? any new websites to check out.. other than the norm: careerbuilder, Monster, craigs list, jobnet.. local newspapers?

It's very important to stay in touch with employers who hire graduates.

How do you construct/compile an effective survey? How often should the questions be modified?

How does an applicant/student/graduate correctly represent holding two jobs at once? This often times can be distracting to employers but it is necessary to include all employment.

I have not had success in coordinating and using job fairs. Please provide suggestions on how to get employers to participate.

How can I get students/graduates to understand the importance of proper interviewing techniques, enthusiasm, and participation? Whether it is generational or simply a lack of caring the result is that great jobs are being lost by my students because of their lack of adhering to the best-practices of interviewing.

I am trying to start some kind of a board...Graduates in the Profession Board, Externship/Internship Board...etc. I am planning on visiting the sites and employers to take pictures, have a question/answer session for testimonies and then putting these on a board. Anyone have ideas on this board should be created like on a map and such?

What are the most effective ways to build a list of employers who are likely to hire your graduates?

As a career services representative, what job search projects and/or activities can you create that instructors could integrate into their instructional delivery?

Placement services are more effective when offered to a student toward the beginning of his/her program as opposed to near the end of coursework. Do you agree or disagree? Why?