The NM CareerMatch Web site, www.nmcareermatch.com, allows verified graduates of University of New Mexico, Central Community College of New Mexico, Santa Fe Community College and now UNM-VC to look for jobs being offered by more than a thousand New Mexico companies.

The local campus joined the service on March 1.

After their graduate status is verified by their respective schools, graduates may search job positions, upload their resumes, use a cover letter builder and check tips for job hunting and resume writing, through the Web site.

Hank Vigil, associate director of UNM-VC student services, said the new program was a win-win for the students and the employers of New Mexico. And whether you sported cherry and silver might be the deciding factor for some employers, Vigil said.

"If there are two potential employees, and everything is equal, being a Lobo might make the difference in some cases," Vigil said.

The program has already put two local students to work, according to Vigil.

"We hired two student interns to market this to our student population," he said. "This is the second week the site has been available, and I think by next week we will see out first successes as far as people applying and making matches. Whether they get the job or not is a different matter."

The main UNM campus in Albuquerque will act as a clearing house for verification of UNM-VC graduates, Vigil said.

There is no need for students to hunt down transcripts or proof of graduation after they register on the NM CareerMatch Web site.

The site requires graduates to provide their full name, permanent address, which college or university they attended, their major, grade point average, graduation date, degree level and what type of work authorization they have in the U.S.

Vigil said the site can be accessed from any computer with Internet access. Because about 50 percent of UNM-VC's student body has limited or no Internet access at home, Vigil said there are open computer labs across campus and computers in the library for students to register on the site.

"UNM-VC is excited to be part of this project that supports all our graduates, who have earned a degree at our institution and want to find a good job in New Mexico," he said. "We look forward to enrolling as many UNM-VC graduates as possible on NM CareerMatch within the next few months."

Linda Lockett with Rick Johnson and Company, the firm doing the PR push for the program, said the Web site can be used by any graduates, new or old.

"You don't have to be a brand new graduate. If you are unemployed, underemployed or just looking for a change and are a legitimate graduate of one of these three schools, you can use the Web site," Lockett said.

More than 1,200 employers in the state, including KPMG, HP and the U. S. Attorney's Office, are currently enrolled to post job openings, free of charge, on the site.

New Mexico employers who would like to participate in the service can go online at www.nmcareermatch.com and register.

"Our ultimate goal is to stimulate business and employment growth throughout New Mexico by helping to link employers with skilled graduates," said Mikelynn Romero, program manager for NM CareerMatch.

"Through NM CareerMatch, we're also working hard to encourage New Mexico university and college graduates now living out-of-state to return home for good job opportunities," she said.

"Also, we anticipate adding more New Mexico employers and schools to NM CareerMatch so that we can serve more job-seeking graduates."

Funding of $400,000 for NM CareerMatch is being provided from a $5 million grant from U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation in Regional Development (WIRED) and administered by New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

The WIRED grant serves the eight counties of Bernalillo, Los Alamos, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance and Valencia.

Additional funding for NM CareerMatch is being provided from a $50,000 donation from French Funeral and Cremation Services in recognition of the company's 100-year anniversary of serving New Mexico.

For more information about the program, graduates and employees can visit the web site or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .