UNH Starts Class On Job-Searching In Bad Economy

DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire plans to offer a class to teach students how to sell themselves to employers in the tough economy.

College graduates are entering a job market with millions of Americans out of work. Marketing expert Catherine Blake said the class offered by UNH over the summer will help give students the skills they need to get hired.

Blake said the key is for students to know their strengths and what they have to offer.

"People realize that a recent college graduate is going to cost a company less than somebody with more experience," Blake said.

Blake said she got the idea for a class like this when her last intern showed up for work.

"I started asking him, 'What are your plans for the future?'" she said. "'You're going to be graduating in less than six months. What are your next steps?' And he didn't really have good answers."

She said workers running into hiring freezes everywhere should start smaller in the short-term, finding anything that relates to their desired jobs to build more experience.

"First of all, get revenue rolling in the door so you can make ends meet, No. 1," Blake said. "But secondly, get creative. Figure out how to take your skills and leverage them in a few different areas until your dream job becomes available."

Blake said the right job will come along eventually, so new workers should be ready when it does.