Where to look for the perfect job

The entry-level job market is getting tighter, and many young people are entering it unprepared. When I ask students what they are looking for, many don't have an answer. It's not necessarily that they haven't researched colleges or careers, they're just looking in the wrong place. In order to put themselves in the best position to jumpstart their career, they have to know who they are.

Impact of AI on entry level jobs

Aneesh Raman, in his NY Times Op-Ed, "I'm a LInkedIn Exective. I See the Bottom of the Career Ladder Breaking," explains that AI is replacing many entry level positions by supplanting tasks young workers have traditionally done to gain experience. In an interview with PBS NewsHour he tells new grads they should "become really fluent in AI tools and become really fluent in yourself."

Not about finding your passion - it's about knowing what you want

The Economist reports that entry-level roles are shrinking — and often require more than just a degree. Meanwhile, Forbes notes that employers are skeptical of candidates who can’t clearly express their goals or value.

As Matt Kirchner of the TechEd Podcast says, "Today’s grads need to define what they want before diving into a job search. Ask a high school or college student what they want to do, and too often, the answer is 'I’m open to anything.' But that openness can actually be a red flag to employers — a sign that you haven’t done the introspective work needed to stand out."

Want to Land a Job? Start by Figuring Out Who You Are

John Crystal, a career counselor who inspired the bestselling book, "What Color is Your Parachute" says:

"In order to get a job you will be happy in, you must know what you want to do. Asking this question is so simplistic, it's embarrassing. But most people don't know what to do with their lives."

Parents, educators and professionals need to encourage young people to begin their search by looking inward. Students need to discover their strengths, interests, and goals before they start applying. There are many ways to do this, from career coaching to inventories that utilize AI tools, but the most important resource is ourselves.

We can all think about the things we like and don't like, find common threads and themes, and document these insights with lists or a journal. We can utilize this information to research careers that seem to be a good match. We can leverage friends and family for connections to their networks and conduct informational interviews in which we impress industry professionals with our ambition, self-awareness and specific goals. And this can all be done for free.

The first step in career readiness isn’t a résumé. It’s reflection. Whether you are at the beginning stages of a career or have some experience, begin your job search by looking in the mirror. Do the work to develop the personal stories and strategic direction you need to find and land that next job.

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