I think this is a two part process. First of all, to increase confidence in your students that successful employment is highly attainable in their field, you (the placement dept.)need to be overflowing with career opportunities. If possible, create a nice packet of info about your school's program(s) and go into the field 1-2 days per week to distribute this information. If you do not have the opportunity to see the hiring manager, then follow up with a call 3-5 days after. Before you know it, your relationships with these companies will make both of your lives easier because they will call you whenever they have a job opening.
Secondly, prepare your students with resume writing, dressing for success, and interviewing seminars; but let them know that landing the job is up to them. Constantly drill in their heads that once the resume is faxed, the ball is in their court. At this point, they should follow up and call to get an interview if they are not called. After landing an interview, they should follow up with a thank you note or thank you call. If they haven't heard anything back a week to ten days after that, they should follow up to see if they are still in the running. Let them know that in many cases, the candidate who wants the job the most gets the job NOT the one who's career placement director wants it most.
Good Luck!!!
