Whether you are a recent high school or college graduate, or getting out of the military, or a mother returning back to the workforce, the transition can be a difficult one.

There is wide gap between what we think we know and what we need to know.
However, there are some exceptions. Graduates in marketable areas, those with technical expertise, and those with Ivy League degrees might be sought after by many employers. For most of us, however, a reality check is in order.

What is that employers want?
Bill Coplin, wrote a great book, 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College (Ten Speed Press) which summarizes what college students and beyond need to think about, and what skills they need to develop. Here are the skills he recommends that all college graduates should have:

• -A Work Ethic
• -Physical skills (from being healthy to typing)
• -Verbal Communication skills
• -Written Communication skills
• -Ability to Work with People and in Teams
• -Learning how to influence others
• -How to Research on a variety of levels (interviews to record keeping)
• -Use of Quantifiable Tools
• -Asking and Answering the Right Questions (getting to the nub of problems)
• -Solving Problems

What are the biggest misperceptions that recent graduates have?
Jim McDonald, Corporate Staffing Manager of URS, views entering job seekers as looking at the job market as a "uniform, one dimensional grouping of opportunities." He goes on to say that the reality of the job market is "mostly hidden from view, often disguised by business hyperbole, industry stratification and unpredictability."

Rich Stiller, seasoned recruiter and human resources consultant, believes unless sought after by a big company, GPA will not be as critical as one would think. In his opinion, “work experience will be the key and short of having that, it will be important for the graduate to learn that they should be realistic about what they will be paid and what type of job they may end up with. They may actually have to work their way up through a company, or many companies (like most of us did).”

From my work with clients, I have heard. "I’m management material."
If only I had a dollar for every graduate that felt because they completed an educational program that would guarantee an entrée to a management position. You need to earn a management role. And most importantly, one needs to know the inner workings of the business in order to move up the ranks.

All industries are alike.
Wrong. Every industry has its own jargon, pacing (slow, fast, hectic), work ethic (dress/demeanor), pay scale, management style, and way to conduct to business. For instance, think how dramatically different these four industries operate – nonprofit, government, high tech, and banking.

Companies will figure out where and what you do well.
It is critical that YOU know what you do well. Projects and internships will give you glimpses of what you enjoy and do well. Employers want graduates to be self-directed, confident, with a set of skills that they can tap into.

My first job after high school, or college, or the military is life-shaping. I must know what I want right away.
Finding your life’s work is a process. Slowly, but surely, we learn more about ourselves – our values, strengths, preferred work environments. Sometimes, graduates get into the "all or nothing thinking process." In other words, everything is important. "And it will be terrible and life-threatening to my career if something goes wrong."

Only large companies have opportunities.
Although large companies have greater financial resources and as a result, heavily advertise their positions, in fact, more jobs are created by companies under 100 employees, and in many cases, the smaller company will provide graduates with a good grounding in an industry. You learn to use a variety of skills.

Jim McDonald has this advice for graduates. He recommends following this strategy for the first, second, third, or fifth time.

Graduates need to look at all sides of the equation. Here are his successful components of an effective job search plan.

• Plan-be prepared • Time-make a commitment
• Action- get motivated • Feedback-seek guidance

What can I do?

• Inventory who you are and what gives you enjoyment. What skills do you prefer not using? What do you know about yourself?

• Find out more about yourself. Take personality tests.
Get feedback from professionals about where you might fit in.

• Use your college career center or placement office of your school. If you are returning to work, use the local community college career center.

• After graduation, get experience, from volunteerism to internships. Projects will confirm and fortify your skills.You can also add these achievements in your resume.

• Be open to a variety of industries and opportunities. Know what you do well, but do not be wedded to a job title or company.

• Be an information gatherer. Talk with everyone you can in companies and industries in which you’d like to work. Attend job fairs, networking groups, and conferences. For instance, the Moscone Center just sponsored a Biotech Conference. What a great place to learn about trends and network at the same time!

• Be part of a professional association. Don’t just attend a meeting, get involved on a committee.

• Sign up with a variety of agencies – from temporary to permanent. Ask for and find out about any and all entry-level positions. Get feedback from their staff.

• Get names and contacts of alumni. Wherever you graduated from, there is an alumni association. They all have ready and willing alumni who want to be helpful.

• Adjust your plans. Always get feedback. Don’t be discouraged. And as Winston Churchill said, “Never, Never, Never, Give up."