Finding a job after graduation.

[Seamus123]

.....

 

[tanyachrs]

Doesn't your college offer any help?

 

[Seamus123]

Of course they do; I've been spending a lot of time in the careers centre, and they're great. I just thought that I'd gather information from other people and sources, see if anyone has any stories or tips or advice that they think would be useful.

Don't you offer any help?

 

[skizbees]

Of course they do; I've been spending a lot of time in the careers centre, and they're great. I just thought that I'd gather information from other people and sources, see if anyone has any stories or tips or advice that they think would be useful.

Don't you offer any help?

Get to know the desk assistants at the CC. Don't just network online. People remember faces better than e mail addresses. If you don't have the right "look" for a certain place, forget them, and their prejudgements toward you. You'll be able to find your fit. I've had 11 unsuccessful interviews that were face to face. My first "real" job I got through three emails, and two phone calls. Turns out the interviewer guy lived in the neighborhood I'm currently in and attended the same college. Small world. But that job has yielded zero income, since I'm in one of their recently acquired regions. So now I know: contract jobs are a joke, if you are a music teacher. So in the mean time, I'm in the process of applying for grad school, and will seek a job elsewhere.

My advice is keep your eyes open, go for jobs that you personally find interesting that you actually WANT to do, and always have an updated resume of relevance. It's okay to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. Not all skills will transfer to each job the same as another. Some employers will hire (or even prefer) an internal candidate = someone who is already employed at said company will be given an exam of sorts and trasferred to that job, even as the company interviews outside candidates. Most jobs are won and lost during the interview. If something seems off, walk away.

If you can afford it, intern or temp at a place for a few months. That could lead to a permanent hire and better pay. Carefully read through the job description and prior skills required, if any. If it fits, go for it. Ask friends if any openings are available. Do your research.

 

[naamplao]

How did you do it? I'm currently looking at that sort of thing pretty in-depth, and it's kind of worrying. Did you arrange a job before you graduation, or wait until graduation and then look around and apply? I'm a bit clueless as to this sort of thing. Thanks in advance.

You don't give us much information to go on Seamus.

What type of degree do you have when you graduate?
Is it a general Arts or Science degree? or is it in a specialized profession like engineering or medicine.

Why did you take this degree in the first place? Simply because it was time to go to college or university? (many do that, you know) or did you have a plan where getting this degree was the first step? (don't think so...but maybe you did)

What aspects of the education did you like? Hate?

You got to answer these questions or we are just guessing

Sometimes you have to start at the bottom rung of the ladder. You know me from another post. I said I had 5 careers in my time. My longest (15 years) was in Industrial Sales....my BSc(Hons Chem) degree was pretty well useless...to get in the door, though it was useful later in my career.

I had been an analytical environmental Chemist for 3 years before I decided to leave that and be a salesman. I was going to use my chemistry background in my future sales career and I liked to demonstrate processes. I always made it to the final interview selection...2 other people to beat. I always lost because of one question I could not answer properly...that question was:

"Yes, we see that you have the technical skills to do the job....but what makes you think you can sell???"

At the time I thought it was a totally unfair question....Give me a freaking chance at it, for Christ sake!!! After losing 3 contests...I decided my only negative was lack of selling experience. I started at the bottom rung....I sold vacuum cleaners, door-to-door for 3 months....I hated it.

But in that very next interview, when that question came up...I looked the guy straight in the eye and said.

"I know I can sell...I am doing so right now selling vaccum cleaners door-to-door. It certainly isn't what I want to do all my life and it certainly doesn't make use of my qualifications, but I am successful at it and have learned a lot about selling in the process.....I know I can sell your products."

I got the job....that is all it took to break into that field.

Gone are the days when a university education garuanteed you a job....that stopped in the 1960's. You need to decide what you want to do and then form a plan as to how to achieve it...and if it means paying your dues at the bottom for a short time....well it has to be done.

Unless of course if you have a unique skill...then it is a simple matter of door knocking till you find someone who needs the skill.

 

[only_more_so]

How did you do it? I'm currently looking at that sort of thing pretty in-depth, and it's kind of worrying. Did you arrange a job before you graduation, or wait until graduation and then look around and apply? I'm a bit clueless as to this sort of thing. Thanks in advance.

I remember the time to start applying for jobs was a few months before graduation, that way you can have a job ready for right after work. This is especially nice if you are going into a field where they pay to have you moved and find a place to live.

When you are applying, put down when you'll get your degree. When you are interviewing say when you are available to start and that you'll have a transcipt of your final grades ready (usually they'll ask for that anyway).

 

[tanyachrs]

Of course they do; I've been spending a lot of time in the careers centre, and they're great. I just thought that I'd gather information from other people and sources, see if anyone has any stories or tips or advice that they think would be useful.

Don't you offer any help?

Since I live in a different country, graduated 20 years ago, and have no idea what field you work in, I have a feeling your school's help will be more relevant than mine.

I got my first job, after a 2-year degree, from an interview my school arranged. When I got my 4-year degree, I stayed with the same company. The one time I've switched jobs since then, I answred an old-fashioned newspaper ad. I've been looking recently and have tried Monster and as far as I can tell it's like throwing your resume in the trash bin.

Your school and people you know are your best bet.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

A number of years ago when I graduated from college, several of us had a bet going on to see who could get the most job offers before graduation day. I had 17 and lost.

Today it's different. It very much depends on what field you plan on going into. If you want to be a Doctor, Psychologist, Sociologest, or the like, there are a lot of jobs around. I checked with the University Job Placement here. They have employers screaming for those, as well as Engineers, Architects and so forth. Jobs for Accountants, Marketing and Managers are not as available. Sales people are always in demand.

If you are looking at anything in Production, move the Mexico or Canada.

 

[DV81]

good luck with that. I graduated and tried to find a job in the graphics field (for nearly 2 yrs) with no results so I did freelance projects.

 

[emptynester]

Most colleges and universities sponsor a "business expo". At least that is what our university calls it. Ours is typically the week after spring break. Local businesses and even some that are within about a 60 - 100 mile radius send a representative to the expo. Students who are graduating and even some who still have a year or two of school can meet with various company's offering positions/internships in their field of study.

Check with your college/university and see if they offer something similar. Be sure and have a resume ready. They like to see that you are prepared. As a graduating senior, they expect you to be seeking full-time employment.

Also, your advisor or the department head within your major is a good source of information. Company's looking for students graduating know to call and leave information with them for potential job placement.

Good luck.

 

[Evil Kirk]

How did you do it? I'm currently looking at that sort of thing pretty in-depth, and it's kind of worrying. Did you arrange a job before you graduation, or wait until graduation and then look around and apply? I'm a bit clueless as to this sort of thing. Thanks in advance.

You should arrange a job beforehand. Assume everyone else is, and they're taking all the jobs.

 

[intruder52]

Well I was a non traditional College student as I was married with a child at graduation and It really was important to have a job, well at least for me. So, I did all the interviewing available at the College and sent out hundreds of resumes cold to any company that appeared to have a need for my skills.

Today I would also post on job sites that cater to job hunts. Good luck in your search.

 

[Grizzman]

I got my first job out of college at the campus career fair. after a year there, i was unsatisfied so i took a position i heard about from a friend of my moms. a year later and i was looking in the paper something more up my ally. i happened upon an ad and within a month I was hired. still here after 7 years.

 

[lik_m_ade]

One of the key things to do is to let everyone you know (and everyone they are willing to let know on your behalf) that you are looking for a job and what sort of job you are looking for. This is *not* the time to be coy. If you want to paint streetlights, tell them that. You'll be surprised at how specifics will spark people's minds with regard to who they know or what they recently heard about that industry.

The other thing you need to do is figure out what a potential employer needs from you and realistically assess what you can give to them in exchange for a job. Then if an introduction or an opportunity comes your way, you will be prepared to talk about it intelligently.

There's nothing that pisses someone off more than being told that you are "dying" to work in the field and then discovering you've taken no time to understand what is involved in doing so. I blew an in-the-bag job with Mobil years ago because I did that. In hindsight the job wasn't for me, but it made me feel like crap at the time, embarrassed the person who suggested me and wasted the time of the person who spoke with me.

Beyond those two points be polished, be professional and give a damn. Those are the qualities that make the most difference to a potential employer that you'd want to work for.

Good luck!

 

[andylow]

Find a job after graduation

Good job, keep on posting. Now I am a graduate and want to get a job. So I have the same views with you, but I would like suggest good tips on how to get a good job. free resume templates and career builder. Do you have any other suggestions, if you want to learn sports items, I would suggest course golf.

 

[WST]

One bit of advice, do not move here to the states in hopes of prospering. As our economy sucks more and more every day, finding a job of any sorts has become quite a challenge.

 

[laughingeyes]

I'm in the same situation

I'll be graduating at the end of the year with a Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis on Intercultural Communication and Communication in relationships. I'll also be getting a minor in Spanish by studying abroad this coming fall in Costa Rica.

I honestly have NO clue what I will do after graduation. I'm kind of scared shitless because I have never been a "working-type" which is sad for my age. I took the communication degree because it seemed like the most interesting option, and shortest one, that would get me out of college with the least amount of debt.

I have had my eye on a teaching job sponsored by the Japanese government which pays so well that I'd have my student loans paid for within two years. Lately I have been rethinking this job opportunity because I know that the Japanese are VERY strict about timeliness, which I have been working on for years but still haven't gotten a hang of. My biggest fear is that I'll go over there and end up getting my contract cancelled which would leave me stuck in a country with no way back home and no idea what anybody is saying.

On the brighter side of things I have been trying to prepare for this job opportunity and possibly others by taking leadership positions around campus such as being a talent recruiter for an international talent show, being an orientation leader for international students, being a speaker at an Anti-violence conference to speak about a project I am doing to find out what college students know/think about sexual abuse and available resources, and also making powerpoint presentations for a professor of an industrial tech. college at a local university.

I know these are all good skills, but I have absolutely no idea how to go about finding a job that lets me do things of this nature. All I know is I have a huge desire to travel before being stuck in a full-time 30-40 year career, and that I enjoy helping people.

I'd really just love to have a job that lets me travel and help/direct people. I've thought about the Peace Corps but a 2 year commitment is quite daunting.