With unemployment hovering between 14%-15% for 20-24 year olds during 2011, students graduating from college are finding a less-than-inviting job market. Traditional job searches aren’t helping — replying to a post on a major job search site lumps their resumes in with thousands of others. With little work experience, students also haven’t built a network of contacts like more seasoned employees, again leaving them in a poor position to compete for jobs.
After struggling with a frustrating job-hunting experience themselves, three recent grads launched Confidently, a site to connect first-time job searchers with small businesses that need their help. Each job listing is reviewed to make sure it’s legitimate (you won’t find any of those scams so common on Craigslist here) and to confirm that the position is an entry-level job, temporary position, or internship.
Working with small business associations and councils is key to Confidently’s model. Unlike the big job boards that charge significant sums to post positions, Confidently doesn’t charge businesses to list jobs. Small businesses don’t have the resources to compete with mega corporations; they don’t have the name recognition to draw applicants to their websites; but they need young, driven employees to help them grow.
It looks like a win-win to us: grads get jobs that let them get involved in projects from day one, and small businesses get the inexpensive talent they need.
We were a little skeptical when we saw that Confidently charges students a fee to use the site. But, at a mere $7.99 for a lifetime membership, students can begin using the site as freshmen to find internships and temporary summer jobs during their college career, before ultimately using it to land their first full-time gig. Confidently also gives them access to career experts along the way to help them with writing resumes and cover letters, networking, and mock interviews.
But why would a student go to Confidently over his or her school’s career center? Not all schools, particularly smaller schools, have a robust, modern placement center. Confidently is working on setting up formal partnerships with universities to give all students access.
For students and employers ready to give it a try, the first 50 visitors can use the code “ypulse†for a discount!
