Lots of students are discouraged finding a good job. Employers that want to hire are often reluctant to take a chance on someone who is not exceptional, or proven. I know, I've hired hundreds, if not thousands, in my career. So here's some advice I've offered to many students, from an employer's point-of-view, and I can now claim that today's award of the Nobel Prize in Economics to Peter Diamond of MIT, Dale Mortensen, and Christopher Pissarides supports it.
It's all about "friction". An employer hiring you is taking at least a 12 month risk and cost or more. If six months in, you're not a good fit, it will take at least another six months to get you out. Much, much more importantly, and rarely mentioned, in the collateral damage and indirect cost you cause on your fellow employees when this unfortunate sequence plays out. That's part of the "friction" in hiring.
Here's a simple solution. When you find a position you feel you are qualified for, a trustworthy firm, and it's attractive to you (i.e. it's in your "passion" zone), make the following offer: I will work for you in this position for 2 weeks/2 months/pick-your-interval for FREE and, at the end of that work interval, we will sit down and assess my performance. I agree that, if for any reason, you wish to let me go, I will do so without retribution, and simply leave, quietly. If you decide to make me an offer, I can accept, and reserve the right to refuse the offer, or negotiate. Often, you can negotiate full back pay for that starter interval, or you can build that into the agreement upfront.
It costs you several weeks/months of work, but you get a good look at a job you think is a good one. You get a chance to prove that you really are up to the task. The employer gets a good look at you. He/she would be stupid not to hire you if you are as good as you think you are. Meanwhile, the HR people and legal folks are pulling their hair out because of this arrangement.
So let's congratulate Mssrs.Diamond, Mortensen, and Pissarides and reduce the friction. Give it a try and let me know.
