This document summarizes 5 myths that college graduates believe about getting jobs and provides the truths and action steps to address each myth. The myths are that a degree prevents unemployment, ensures career satisfaction, getting a job is due to individual effort, employers prioritize the job seeker's interests, and what got you through school will get you a job. The document advocates studying employer needs, making career choices aligned with goals and values, viewing getting a job as a team effort requiring networking, marketing one's fit, performance and value to employers, and recognizing job searching requires different skills than education.

1. From Degree to Career: Five Myths that College Graduates Must Shatter Before They Job Search

2. 2 Myth #1 Getting a college degree will prevent unemployment

3. 3 Truth More Education = Reduced Rate of Unemployment Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 4-A Employment status of the Civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment for Dec. 2009

4. 4 MythbusterAction Step Study in advance what employers are looking for Successful jobseekers know how to match their skills with what employers are looking for in qualified applicants

5. 5 Myth #2 Getting a college degree will ensure career satisfaction

7. 20% feel passionate about their job

8. 33% believe they have reached a dead end in their career

9. 21% are eager to change careers--Harris Research Poll

10. 7 Mythbuster Action Step Make career choices consistent with your goals and values

11. 8 Myth #3 Getting a job is the result of diligent individual effort

12. 9 Truth Getting a job is better played as a team sport

13. 10 Mythbuster Action Step Develop networking as a life skill “A few years back we contacted over 1,000 employers and asked them what they thought was the time frame for long-term employment. The vast majority indicated a five year period. No longer 30 years and a gold watch...The implication is that knowing how to find your next job is a crucial life skill since long-term tenure is so short.” Richard Gaither Owner/President at Job Search Training Systems, Inc.

14. 11 --The average tenure of jobs in the U.S. remains at just over four years. --The average person will have 14-17 JOBS and 3-5 CAREERS in their lifetime. --75-80% of available jobs are NEVER advertised. --Bureau of Labor Statistics

15. 12 “The wealthiest people in the world build networks. The rest of the people just look for work.”- Robert Kiyosaki

16. 13 Myth #4 Employers read resumes with your best interest in mind

17. 14 Truth Employers read resumes with THEIR best interests in mind

20. 17 Myth #5 What got you here will get you there

21. 18 Truth Job search requires a different skill set. Focus of education = to graduate Focus of job search = to get a job Education = investment in yourself Job search = ability to get others to invest in you Education = competition with yourself Job search = competition with others

22. 19 Mythbuster Action Step Plan your job search with ROI in mind.

23. 20 Professional career guidanceevery step of the way