Top Ten Fears of Job Seekers

It's common most students to feel anxious when they begin to think about their careers. Here is a list of the top fears reported by job seekers and what you can do to overcome them.

1. Fear of Commitment to a Job or Career for Life
Many students are afraid that they close off their options by making a commitment to an employer. Many are concerned that if they accept an offer too quickly they might get a better offer from another company.

My advice: Remember that your first job will probably not be your last job. The average American has three to five careers and 10 to 12 jobs during his or her lifetime. Read about various careers, network with alumni, and complete a few internships to get exposure to careers that interest you. This experience will help you narrow your career focus. That means, when you get an offer, you will feel confident about your decision.

2. Fear of Holes in Your Resume
Some students have great activities to list on their resumes. Others lack work experience or a high GPA.

My advice: Gain as much experience as you can as fast as you can. Even during your senior year, a part-time internship or volunteer experience will help build your resume. Have your resume critiqued by a professional at your career center. He or she can help you make sure that your relevant experiences are indicated properly.

3. Fear of Writing Cover Letters
Sometimes it is hard to write what you want to say to a recruiter. For this reason, many job seekers procrastinate and then don't spend the necessary time writing a quality cover letter.

My advice: Make tracks to your college or university career center to find books and periodicals with useful tips on writing cover letters. The career center will also have cover letter samples written by former students that you can use as templates. Be sure you have your cover letter reviewed by a professional in the career center. Expect to write at least two drafts before you have a finished product.

4. Fear of Not Knowing How to Find a Job
Frequently, job seekers simply don't know where to begin.

My advice: Your campus career center will have information on all a variety of techniques for a strategic job search. A trained career counselor will teach you how to effectively use classified advertising, networking, career fairs, employment agencies, and the Internet to complete your search.

5. Fear of Networking
Meeting someone you don't know and asking for career advice can be scary. Networking is a skill that takes time to develop.

My advice: A safe place to build your networking skills is with your friends' parents. Then, get their feedback on your approach. Ask them to suggest areas for improvement.

6. Fear of Blowing the Interview
Many students don't think they will have the right answers to a recruiter's questions or that their mind will go blank during the interview. Other students are afraid to ask questions or are anxious about being rejected. Some are not sure how to dress for an interview. Some worry that they will start sweating like crazy during the interview and come off looking like a wet rag.

My advice: Schedule a practice or mock interview at your campus career center. A career counselor will give you expert coaching on the entire interview process.

7. Fear of Negotiating Salary
"What will I do if they don't pay me what I'm worth?" Sometimes students just take a job offer without negotiating for a higher salary, yet, you may get 5 percent to 10 percent more in pay if you learn some quick negotiating tips.

My advice: Consult with a career counselor and look for salary negotiation resources in the career library. You can learn to handle this fear with finesse.

8. Fear of Not Fitting into the Corporate Culture
"I'm afraid I'll get into a work environment that I don't like" is a common fear heard from new college graduates. "What will I do if my boss is a jerk?" Perhaps the people who interviewed you aren't as friendly once you get hired and now you're unsure of what to do.

My advice: During the interview, ask specific questions about the corporate culture to get a better sense of what it's like to work for an employer on a daily basis.

9. Fear of Job Security
This is your first job out of college and you don't want to be laid off shortly after you start.

My advice: Ask friends and other professionals about the reputation of any company you are interested in joining. Read the company's annual report to get a good grasp of the organization's financial picture and future growth. Use what you learn to make an informed decision about your job security with that company.

10. Fear of Not Finding the Perfect Job
Some students dread that the work they will be doing for a company will be insignificant or below their ability. Getting stuck doing meaningless tasks is a real concern.

My advice: To avoid a "boring" job, be sure you have a copy of the job description before you accept an offer. Don't accept the offer immediately. Instead, carefully talk over your options with your career counselor. He or she will be able to help you sort out the pros and cons and help you make a decision with confidence.