Own Your Career With Verizon Wireless Job-Hunting Advice For College Grads

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Recent college graduates are diligently preparing for their first "real" job interview. As these new graduates perfect their resumes and practice their interviewing skills, Verizon Wireless, the company with the most customers of any wireless brand, offers advice to help them evaluate job opportunities and own their careers.

Competitive Total Rewards Package — It's likely parents will stop footing the bill, so new grads should look for first jobs offering a competitive total rewards package where the pay supports lifestyle choices, and the opportunity to immediately start saving for the future. Verizon Wireless recommends job seekers ask potential employers to review in full detail their benefits package, to make sure what the company offers maps back to the job hunter's specific objectives. Verizon Wireless, for example, offers highly competitive salaries and benefits that include health care coverage day one, a 401(k) program with dollar-for-dollar matching of the employee's contributions (up to six percent of the employee's salary), profit-sharing, competitive time off, tuition reimbursement for continuing education and short- and long-term incentive plans. Employees also can take advantage of numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Market Potential — It's important for new grads to understand the market potential in the industry in which they are applying for jobs and evaluate whether the demand is sustainable in the long term. In 2006, Verizon Wireless set new records for net customer growth — nearly 7.7 million throughout the year — and improved upon its customer retention rates, which continues to be the best in the industry. As Verizon Wireless continues to grow and support new customers, the rate of new hires will also likely grow.

Proven Track Record — An added bonus for job seekers is when outside sources verify whether a potential employer truly delivers the employee benefits and opportunities it claims to offer. Similar to the references potential employees are required to provide, ask the organization to also provide unbiased information about the work environment. For instance, Verizon Wireless consistently ranks as one of the best places to work in the United States by independent experts and organizations. In the past year alone, the company has been recognized by Working Mother magazine, 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers; The Wellness Councils of America, Gold Well Workplace; IDG's Computerworld, Best Place for IT; DiversityBusiness.com, Tops for Diversity; and Training magazine, Training Top 100.

Clear Message — Finally, the key to securing a positive job experience is for college graduates to select a company that knows who it is, what it has to offer and proudly stands behind its message. A company with a targeted focus on training and employee satisfaction provides an opportune position for new grads to acquire the job skills necessary to support a successful career path right up until retirement. The chief goal at Verizon Wireless is to continue to deliver the best customer experience in the wireless industry. To accomplish this, the company recognizes the need to continually recruit and hire employees with high standards, excellent communications skills and a passion for superior customer service.

"A job interview is a two-way street, equally contingent on the interviewee sizing up the opportunity as the interviewer deciding whether the candidate would bring value to the company," said Martha Delehanty, vice president — human resources for Verizon Wireless. "Winning employers offer high earning potential, great benefits, and growth opportunities. Recent college graduates and all job seekers should be diligent about looking for these factors in a potential employer to ensure they are starting their careers with a company that supports their personal goals and offers them the opportunity for professional growth."

For more information about Verizon Wireless career opportunities for recent college graduates, visit http://www.vzwcareers.com/college/.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 60.7 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 66,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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