Good Grades are Not Enough

Distribution of grades (Wikipedia)

by Bob Roth

College students should be aware that employers look for much more than just good grades.

Employers believe that well-rounded students who have had a broad range of on-campus and off-campus work and learning experiences tend to perform at a higher level than students whose experiences and performance were limited to classroom.

The best employers seek students who have proved that they can excel in more than one environment. Employers look for students who can:

1. Make Good Decisions

Learning experiences come from involvement, participation and work. When students have had a broad range of experiences, they put themselves in a position to use those experiences to make better decisions. Employers know that mistakes and bad decisions are costly and counterproductive. That is why they look for students with know how and personal experiences similar to those their employees will face on the job. Most experiences come from involvement, participation and work.

2. Ask Good Questions

Questioning is a form of information gathering that shows interest and clarifies both problems and solutions. Experienced students who ask good questions and learn from the discussions and answers are likely to be the ones who contribute the most. Good questions will usually identify the alternatives and new ideas that lead to the best solutions.

3. Communicate Effectively

When students correctly and effectively utilize all forms of communication, they put themselves at the head of the line. Communication is a necessary part of every position of responsibility. If you cannot speak and write properly in a variety of situations and assignments, you will quickly be eliminated from consideration.

4. Act Independently

Employees who have the confidence to take action without being told when, where and how to do something are valuable assets in any organization. The best employees not only perform their own duties well, they help other employees and look for something else to do when they have finished an assignment.

5. Work Well With Others

It is often more important to be well liked by a large number of employees at all levels than to perform your duties at a superior level. On the other hand, if you are not liked by many employees, you will not last long. The object is to both be well liked and perform at a high level. Employees who are able to do both generally have highly successful careers.

6. Take Reasonable Risks

Some people are afraid to take any risks at all. Others are reckless and take unreasonable risks. However, all successful organizations need people who take reasonable and calculated risks in order to get the job done. As you move up in the organization, you will be expected to evaluate situations and opportunities to determine the best approach. If you cannot or will not take on that responsibility and do it well, you will not be given many advancement opportunities.

7. Solve Problems

Every job has its own problems. Small or large, those problems must be solved in ways that are good for the company and its customers. Employees who are good problem solvers are quickly recognized and greatly appreciated. Your ability to solve problems will be tested every day.

Savvy students identify the qualities and experiences that are valued by their target employers and do their best to obtain some experiences and successes in those areas.

Students who fail to participate in clubs, activities or organizations and have not held a part-time or summer job will find that they have missed out on opportunities to impress the employers that matter most to their futures.

Bob Roth, a former campus recruiter, is the author of four books: The College Student's Companion, College Success: Advice for Parents of High School and College Students, The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College.

Known as The "College & Career Success" Coach, Bob writes articles for College Career Services Offices, Campus Newspapers, Parent Associations and Employment Web Sites. Bob has created The Job Identification Machine™, a system that colleges use to identify thousands of employment opportunities for students.

He has been interviewed on numerous radio programs across the country and by many publications, including U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal. http://www.The4Realities.com. Bob's Blog- http://collegesuccess.blog.com

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