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Turn Underemployment into a Resume Builder

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When I graduated in 2013, looking for a full-time job became my full-time job. When I desperately took a part-time job in the food service industry, my hunt for a job that better fit my education and qualifications didn’t take a seat on the back burner. Despite constantly searching while working, it still took me over a year to find something better.

I was not alone. According to this study by the Center of College Affordability, about half of college graduates were working jobs that didn’t require a degree in 2013. Unfortunately, our higher education system coupled with a dismal job market produced a generation of “overeducated and underemployed” college grads. If you’re a begrudging member of the “college-educated barista” generation, make the best of your situation with these tips:

Seek Outside Opportunity

Even if your current job isn’t in your desired field, look for extra work to keep your skill set sharp. If you see a potential opportunity to expand your duties and add valuable experience, ask your boss if you can take on a certain project. For example, the restaurant I worked in had menus that were very appealing from a design perspective, but they went to print with atrocious spelling and punctuation errors! I mentioned to my boss that I had a Professional Writing degree and volunteered to proofread future menus (and add something relevant to my resume).

Put a Positive Spin on It

Even if your job title isn’t glamorous and your job duties are menial, think about the big picture and imagine what you are adding to your skill set. Working as a line cook in a kitchen is tough (not to mention very hot) but it can also mean that you work well in a team. Having experience as a cashier means that, in addition to correctly handling money (which makes you trustworthy), you also know how to interact with customers and have strong interpersonal skills. Although not ideal, you can talk about these skills and experiences in an interview setting. Many employers value low-wage work as a way to build work ethic and character. You can develop your professional skill set in any situation, you just need to get a little creative and change your outlook.

Use active verbs on your resume

Don’t let your resume gather too much white space. Despite a lackluster job title headlining the page, continue updating it as time passes. Start each entry on your resume with a “power word,” or an active verb, to make your resume stand out from others. “Responsible for acting as a liaison between departments” is a nice way of saying that one of your duties as a food runner was relaying messages between service and kitchen staff, but it’s also very passive (and nonspecific). Instead, use the much more active “Informed service staff of new developments in the kitchen, such as low inventory or a longer cook time on a specific dish.” For examples of strong verbs, take a look at this list.

If you are or were underemployed after college graduation, what advice to you have to offer for searching grads? Let us know in the comments below!

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  1. Pingback: GenFKD | The Debate About Millennial Underemployment

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