Why do I feel like every job requirement is more then I have been taught in School?

Question

I am currently in my senior year at the Citadel, and I am a computer Science Major with a Management Information Systems Minor(totally useless, here atleast!) I have recently put together my resume, and would like to start getting it out and about. Unfortunately I go to school 3000 miles away from my hometown where I will be moving when I graduate which is Phoenix Arizona.

I have been looking at job openings, and I feel like every time I look at the requirement section for the job, that it lists stuff that is not realistic for somebody who is just coming out of college.

The way job listings are posted makes it seem almost impossible for anybody who is just coming out of college to get hired...is there something that I am doing wrong?

Answer 1

They are listing the ideal candidate (which they will probably never find).

Don't be put off by the list of requirements. Concentrate on the core content of the job.

And compared to other candidates your (initial) salary will be lower and you will be more malleable/flexible (sorry if this sounds negative). You also have the newest deep knowlegde about some subjects compared to older candidates.

Answer 2

My advice: Don't reject yourself for jobs. Believe me, companies can do that just fine on their own. If a job interests you, go for it. Don't let mile-long requirements sheets psych you out.

The dirty secret is that a candidate rarely, if ever, meets every little thing an employer would like to have. In the end, an employment offer is a business transaction between an individual and a company: each side gives a little to get a little.

Sure, if you don't know everything, you can't expect to be paid top-dollar, but companies usually post an ideal, even though what they are looking for is a real person.

Answer 3

If I look carefully at the job specs I apply for, I question how I can possibly fit those criteria. And I 've been in the business for quite some time now.

Job specs tend to emphasise particular technology sets, with little categorisation between must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. They will obviously have some mandatory skills (e.g. Java / C# etc., or perhaps a database if you're looking at database admin roles) but beyond that the adverts tend to descend into listing the toolsets they currently use in the workplace. My tactic is to demonstrate that, although I've not used technology or tool X, I've used something similar, or at least have some awareness of the issues surrounding it (or at the worst case, what it is!).

It's much more important to show ability, awareness and a willingness to learn than it is to be au fait with a particular database version / source code management system etc.

Answer 4

A couple of other ideas:

• Does the school have an internal job board that may have positions outside the local area? I found a Seattle, Washington job from a Waterloo, Ontario university back in 1997 so it can be done.

• Are there local recruiting firms in the Phoenix area that you have applied? Is there a Robert Half International in the area? What IT recruiting firms may be places to submit your resume so they can apply you to various clients? I've had mixed results with recruiters but it is something I would recommend as you never know when you may get some useful advice.

Answer 5

Because job descriptions are rarely written by the hiring manager and, when they are, often the hiring manager doesn't have a background in the field you are in. In other cases, it's a generic job description for the position and may have been written 5 years ago.

Plus, in this economy, they CAN ask for the world.

In general, don't dwell too much on all the keyword acronym requirements. If the job feels like it might be a fit, apply and you'll find out the real details in the interview.