Qualified or Entitled?

You did it. Four years of college went by in a haze of parties, new experiences and hopefully at least a few dozen textbooks. Now it's time to go out into the world and get a job. Should be easy, right? You've done your part and someone out there owes you a job. Wrong.

Companies are looking for qualified candidates that will bring something to the table and help their businesses move forward. Beyond a college degree, you will need to show prior experience, concrete skills, emotional intelligence, tenacity and a myriad of other factors.

Here are three tips to help you navigate the thin line between qualified and entitled, and honestly evaluate your skills as a recent graduate or entry level worker.

Evaluating your personal brand

Jaime Radow, owner and certified life coach at XYZ Life Coaching, LLC in Scottsdale, Ariz., poses a set of five questions that can help recent graduates and entry-level workers take the first important step in any job search, evaluating your brand as an employee.

1.      What education do I have?

"This list should include everything from college, to those 10 years of dance classes, to that weekend workshop you took in film making," says Radow. "Write it all down. Don't edit yourself."

2.      What experience do I have?

"Paying jobs and internships obviously make the list, but also include that six months of volunteering at the retirement home, i.e., skills gained, communication with the elderly, patience, and compassion," says Radow. "Even selling baseball cards or girl scout cookies as a kid is sales experience. You may amaze yourself with all of the things you can do."

3.      What do I enjoy doing?

Here again, it is important that you do not edit yourself, advises Radow. List your passions and interests, and be honest about what these are.

4.      If I could have any job, what would it be? Why?

Dig deep. Think about what you really want to do, what you envision yourself doing for a living. When you're honest with yourself about the kind of job you'd like to have, you're more likely to find a good fit.

5.      What jobs do I believe I am qualified for, and what is the salary range for my level of experience."

Based on the skills and experiences you've listed, what kind of positions do you think you're qualified for? Research these positions online and find out what the starting salary is for these in your area.

Honestly appraising your skills

Once you've evaluated your personal brand, it's time to make an honest and well-rounded appraisal of your skills set. Step one gets you started, but here is how to take it to the next level.

Julie Bauke, career strategist and president of Congruity Career Consulting based in Cincinnati, Ohio, suggests you:

1.      Make a list with three columns: good/very good at, can do it/adequate at and not so good at/don't ask me to do this.

2.      Collect honest feedback from those you have worked with, and compare that to your own self-assessment. This can be professors, peers, former/current managers.

3.      Get your mind around the fact that you are not great/good at everything. No one is.

"I once spoke to a group of about 75 MBA students and asked who in the room was really great at managing large amounts of detail. Every hand went up. There's no way," shares Bauke. "Honestly evaluating the experiences you have already had plus your gut plus feedback from others will point you in the right direction."

Remember the interview is key

According to Stu Coleman, partner and general manager at Winter, Wyman, a recruitment firm based in Boston, Mass., the difference between entitled and qualified, confident and cocky often balances on the turn of one phrase or the choice of one word over another.

"You can't assume anything. Remember it [the interview] is an interview, not a meeting," says Coleman. "Ask questions, leading ones that will result in a conversation about how you can add value. Ask what their opinion of you is, what concerns or hesitations they may have."

Maria K. Todd, president and CEO of Mercury Healthcare International, Inc., cautions new graduates and entry level workers to avoid coming into an interview with an entitled attitude.

"I have been plagued with these candidates who feel a sense of entitlement," says Todd. "They walk into an interview as if they are the ones who are very busy. They have no idea about our company, and want to 'cut to the chase' with their deal breaker offer to be employed for a minimum of $70k."

As a recent graduate or entry level worker, it is important to have and exhibit confidence with a healthy dash of modesty. Know your strengths and celebrate them, but be careful not to give off an air of arrogance or entitlement. Employers want to hire people who are confident but humble, enthusiastic and ready to roll up their sleeves to help the business succeed.

Other advice and inspiration

Here are a few other gems of advice to help you navigate this thin, dangerous line between qualified and entitled.

Tucker Robeson, CEO and co-founder of CDL Helpers, a trucking company based in Winona, Minn., graduated from college a mere two years ago.

Robeson feels recent graduates can be extremely entitled and not because they are not qualified, but because being qualified does not mean you deserve a job.

"I started my own company in April 2011. I bootstrapped it from nothing, and I didn't borrow a dime," says Robeson. "Nobody wanted to hire me before though, and that was my own fault. I hadn't earned it. I hadn't shown enough people what I was capable of, and shown the value of what I had to offer."

It is Robeson's belief that chasing fast money is the fastest and easiest way to having no money at all. Instead, you should work towards making a difference, building something positive, following your passion, and then the money will come.

"Get up and do something," he says. "Stop worrying about getting paid for it. Add value to the lives of those people around you. Find a way to leverage whatever it is you're good at, to improve lives in whatever way you can manage. Do that until you perfect it, and then figure out how to get paid for it."

Von Kennel, co-founder of TruYuu, an online job-matching service, says today's graduates have to prove themselves far beyond a degree.

"In today's market it's not as much about the degree, but it's about ability and sheer tenacity," he says. "It's about being humble enough to go to professional networking events with your business cards. Being open enough to realize you don't necessarily have to do what you studied in college. You get it in where you fit in."

The gist of the matter

Yes, a college education is a noteworthy and valuable accomplishment, but stray away from putting all of your eggs in one academic basket. Take every opportunity you can to learn beyond the books, to gain a skill, or put a new experience under your belt.

Always remember that no one owes you a job, and it is up to you to prove your worth. Tread confidently, but humbly, follow your passions, work hard, and you will get there; through merit, and not by entitlement.