By now, we all know the job market is a tough place for undergraduate or recently graduated students. Although companies are hiring, the high level of competition makes finding success difficult for many.

Now, a recent survey indicates that the unemployment rate among the classes of 2008, 2009, and 2010 goes beyond college transcripts and the job market. Companies are finding that the level of professionalism among students from these classes is below expectations:

Many Employers See Lack of Professionalism in Grads

College graduates are making the grade but failing the tests of professionalism, excellence.

Carla Larkin, Career Services

If you often debate with yourself if it is important to participate in programs Career Services offer, why professors often insert proper professional behavior advice into their lectures, or the importance of taking classes pertaining to professional behavior you might want to read the following.
"A recent survey said that the majority of new college graduates fail to exhibit professionalism in the workplace." The study was conducted by the Center for Professional Excellence at York College of Pennsylvania, questioning 418 HR personnel along with 102 business leaders.

They identified "five primary characteristics of the professional they are looking to hire," according to David Polk, professor of the behavior science at York and president of the research group behind the study:
1. Personal interaction skills, including courtesy and respect.
2. Communication and listening skills.
3. A solid work ethic and the motivation to stay on task until the job is done.
4. Professional appearance.
5. Self-confidence and awareness.

Unfortunately, Polk notes, "The research also found that a lot of college graduates nationally are not measuring up well in these areas." Thirty-seven percent of the employers in the study said that less than half of new grads show professionalism during their first year on the job. Similarly, nearly 61 percent of the employers surveyed said that "sense of entitlement" has increased among new-grad hires during the last five years." (Source: Professionalism in the Workplace, York College of Pennsylvania and Polk-Lepson Research Group, August 2009; York College of Pennsylvania news release, October 26, 2009)

So, if you are soon to be looking for the job of your dreams you might want to take note when a professor mentions professional behavior or Career Services offers an event. Even if you are not quite ready to go out into the World of Work, events offered by Career Services are ways to practice your employability skills. Then when you do finally go after that dream position you are ready to show employers what you have to offer. By doing so you will increase your marketability to employers as you go on your job search and be one step ahead of the other applicants.