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Finding Jobs are hard
- Thread starter dukebound85
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i feel like i could never live up to that, thanks for making me fee like the lazy teenager i am
I just realized that I'm a horrible person.
Not smart either.
lol sorry guys
but by the time you finish college, you will have similar things to put down on yours im willing to bet!I feel your resume looks fine. Just keep at it and you will land your first job out of college. It's not easy I know. Congrats on your accomplishments so far! Very impressive.
Many good replies, but I think JohnNotBeatle had the best suggestion on the Uniformed Services!
Good luck my friend. You'll be fine. Oh how I wish I were back in college
thanks i hope you're right
and yea i already miss the atmosphere of school as well and ive only been out for a month
Maybe that sentence is why finding jobs are hard for him.
probably lol
Hell, you've worked so hard for 8 years plus, why not relax a grammar on the little?
Wait....
The job market is very tough right now. I worked all throughout college and advanced up the ranks until I was told I could no longer advance because I had a relative in management, ever since then it has been a downward spiral. I have been searching for something in the financial field for the past 7 months but haven't been able to find crap in my area unless I want to work for $14 an hour and sit on the phone all day selling mutual funds and insurance. Everyone seems to be cutting jobs or holding back on hiring until they see where this economy is going (especially in my field).
I didn't graduate at the top of my class and am told I need at least a 3.5 to be considered for a lot of the jobs I want (work experience doesn't really matter).
I didn't graduate at the top of my class and am told I need at least a 3.5 to be considered for a lot of the jobs I want (work experience doesn't really matter).
The resume looks cleaner and more professional than most folks with twenty years in the trenches.
Here's the critique: de-emphasize the education (move it to the second or third position) and more on the practical experience. I know you don't have a ton right now, but that's the level you're competing at. Quantifiable examples of demonstrated skills or accomplishments--even as an intern--are worth gold. Make sure you don't kill yourself with weakening words like "basic." You gained knowledge of a process or you didn't. Nothing to be gained by telling someone how little.
Remember, too, that the resume doesn't get you a job, only past the first 20 seconds of "trash, or second pass." Over-reliance on the education and ancillary activities will turn off a lot of businesses. They're going to find out about the side things in an interview.
Look at your resume as a one-page ad (which it is, really). You have those 93.5 square inches and 20 seconds to make them hesitate long enough to put you into the "2nd Round" pile, instead of the round file.
If you'd like, I can rewrite it in a way that may be a little more competitive. PM me if you'd like. No guarantees, just a different view from someone who's written & read a few thousand of them.
Here's the critique: de-emphasize the education (move it to the second or third position) and more on the practical experience. I know you don't have a ton right now, but that's the level you're competing at. Quantifiable examples of demonstrated skills or accomplishments--even as an intern--are worth gold. Make sure you don't kill yourself with weakening words like "basic." You gained knowledge of a process or you didn't. Nothing to be gained by telling someone how little.
Remember, too, that the resume doesn't get you a job, only past the first 20 seconds of "trash, or second pass." Over-reliance on the education and ancillary activities will turn off a lot of businesses. They're going to find out about the side things in an interview.
Look at your resume as a one-page ad (which it is, really). You have those 93.5 square inches and 20 seconds to make them hesitate long enough to put you into the "2nd Round" pile, instead of the round file.
If you'd like, I can rewrite it in a way that may be a little more competitive. PM me if you'd like. No guarantees, just a different view from someone who's written & read a few thousand of them.
thanks for the tips
ill tinker around with it tonight.
by all means, feel free to edit it how you like. ill pm you my aim name so i can send the file directly. thanks once again, always grateful to see anothers point of view
ill tinker around with it tonight.
by all means, feel free to edit it how you like. ill pm you my aim name so i can send the file directly. thanks once again, always grateful to see anothers point of view
Please note, this is just from my experience of applying for IT jobs in the UK, your job market may be very different...
If you are applying alongside other graduates you will need something in your interview to separate yourself from the others and make you stand out. You have to remember that everyone else there has a degree, and if you are applying to big companies they probably have a good degree. Being top of your class and having a high GPA isn't really going to push you that far ahead. At the interview process, you are probably all on fairly level footing.
In your interview, the company you are applying to want to see what you have above the others and then whether you are going to fit in with their culture. You will want to try and get up a rapport with the interviewer and win him/her over. If they like you on a personal level then that's only going to help you. If the interview process is similar to the UK there are a few other things you will probably be asked about or be asked to do to demonstrate this
Have you had any experience of giving presentations or working in group activities in a job interview? Do you have other interests outside of your course at university that you can talk about? These things make the difference. In the job I am in now I failed the maths test that they require applicants to pass. However, they were so impressed with my group working skills and my confident presentation skills that I got the job. In sciences/engineering it can be that these simple business skills are enough to get you the job as they are not common amongst the nerdier types these subjects attract.
There are many other things relevant to job interviews but the most important thing is to keep at it. You can be turned down for all sorts of reasons but some of them may benefit you as well as the interviewer. Don't be discouraged. I was turned down from Sun Microsystems because I seemed to them like I was more interested in software than the hardware role I applied for and they were 100% right. I wouldn't like to be putting servers together right now! Also, more interviews means more practice and your technique will improve with each one.
For info, I had my job after university secured before I had graduated. I work for a software company and I've now been working there for 2 years.
If you are applying alongside other graduates you will need something in your interview to separate yourself from the others and make you stand out. You have to remember that everyone else there has a degree, and if you are applying to big companies they probably have a good degree. Being top of your class and having a high GPA isn't really going to push you that far ahead. At the interview process, you are probably all on fairly level footing.
In your interview, the company you are applying to want to see what you have above the others and then whether you are going to fit in with their culture. You will want to try and get up a rapport with the interviewer and win him/her over. If they like you on a personal level then that's only going to help you. If the interview process is similar to the UK there are a few other things you will probably be asked about or be asked to do to demonstrate this
Have you had any experience of giving presentations or working in group activities in a job interview? Do you have other interests outside of your course at university that you can talk about? These things make the difference. In the job I am in now I failed the maths test that they require applicants to pass. However, they were so impressed with my group working skills and my confident presentation skills that I got the job. In sciences/engineering it can be that these simple business skills are enough to get you the job as they are not common amongst the nerdier types these subjects attract.
There are many other things relevant to job interviews but the most important thing is to keep at it. You can be turned down for all sorts of reasons but some of them may benefit you as well as the interviewer. Don't be discouraged. I was turned down from Sun Microsystems because I seemed to them like I was more interested in software than the hardware role I applied for and they were 100% right. I wouldn't like to be putting servers together right now! Also, more interviews means more practice and your technique will improve with each one.
For info, I had my job after university secured before I had graduated. I work for a software company and I've now been working there for 2 years.
I remember feeling the same way as you, when I finished my bachelors degree. I graduated with honors from my department, got amazing recommendations, and came off of an incredible student teaching experience.
I initially applied for 6 different high school choir teaching jobs, and was called in for all interviews at all 6 of those schools. Then after the interviews, I was called in again to do an "audition" in front of the music faculty and some of the students. I made the final two for every single one of those jobs, and then from each school, got the call saying that they really liked me, but they wanted someone with more experience. I eventually did find a teaching job the next month, which I'm still in, and which I absolutely love.
So yes, it was a little disheartening, but you also have to remember what/who it is that you're up against. Keep on doing what you're doing, and do the best you can, and eventually something will work. The summer after all of the rejections, I got several calls wanting to know if I wanted to come and apply for jobs at some other schools, as they had heard good things about me from some of of the people I had initially interviewed/auditioned for. It'll all come back to you in the end, I'm sure!
I initially applied for 6 different high school choir teaching jobs, and was called in for all interviews at all 6 of those schools. Then after the interviews, I was called in again to do an "audition" in front of the music faculty and some of the students. I made the final two for every single one of those jobs, and then from each school, got the call saying that they really liked me, but they wanted someone with more experience. I eventually did find a teaching job the next month, which I'm still in, and which I absolutely love.
So yes, it was a little disheartening, but you also have to remember what/who it is that you're up against. Keep on doing what you're doing, and do the best you can, and eventually something will work. The summer after all of the rejections, I got several calls wanting to know if I wanted to come and apply for jobs at some other schools, as they had heard good things about me from some of of the people I had initially interviewed/auditioned for. It'll all come back to you in the end, I'm sure!
Maybe that sentence is why finding jobs are hard for him.
No, no, you guys are totally missing the point. He's looking for "finding jobs," you know, your garden variety PIs, super sleuths, bounty hunters, closet organizers, scavenger hunters, treasure seekers, etc. It's a rewarding and challenging suite of professions, but in this economy, man, good luck "finding" work.
True.
Keep applying and doing interviews, and you'll eventually land a job. Good luck.
Dukebound,
I too graduated with an engineering degree at the same time with you! (Except mine is EE)
I landed my first job in February, a few months before I graduated and I've been extremely happy with it. But I also have a lot more experience than you. Our university we have a co-op program where you generally do 4 months school alternating with 4 months of paid internship (no summers off and takes 5 years). It work out great for me because by the time I graduated I had experience at 4 different companies and I was with one of the companies for the full year.
This makes me feel that work experience is the most important part for landing your first job. However, these experience can also be obtain through hobbies/ home projects. I listed some in my resume and were asked about them during the interview.
I like the layout of your resume, especially the skill section (I got one too!). Also, don't be afraid to make your resume a little bit longer, most people don't mind reading more than one page resume. Just make sure that all the headings/ important information are easy to spot and only put in pertinent information. ALWAYS INCLUDE A COVER LETTER! And make them very personal.
Good luck!
I too graduated with an engineering degree at the same time with you! (Except mine is EE)
I landed my first job in February, a few months before I graduated and I've been extremely happy with it. But I also have a lot more experience than you. Our university we have a co-op program where you generally do 4 months school alternating with 4 months of paid internship (no summers off and takes 5 years). It work out great for me because by the time I graduated I had experience at 4 different companies and I was with one of the companies for the full year.
This makes me feel that work experience is the most important part for landing your first job. However, these experience can also be obtain through hobbies/ home projects. I listed some in my resume and were asked about them during the interview.
I like the layout of your resume, especially the skill section (I got one too!). Also, don't be afraid to make your resume a little bit longer, most people don't mind reading more than one page resume. Just make sure that all the headings/ important information are easy to spot and only put in pertinent information. ALWAYS INCLUDE A COVER LETTER! And make them very personal.
Good luck!
Dukebound:
I'm an environmental engineer with a number of years of experience. I'll be fairly direct. Might I suggest that you lower your sights a little bit? BMW and Lockheed are popular names I'm sure - but don't forget "lesser known" companies. Go on to the Los Angeles Times Career Builder website and type in Search Words like Mechanical Engineer and whatever field your interested in and see what comes up. You can search nationwide or locally; however, given your situation, I would encourage you to be geographically flexible to get that first job - just room with someone or find a bachelor and see where it takes you. Others are right -- GPA is helpful at the outset, but after a while, nobody gives a crap. Likewise, after a while, they don't care where you went to school or your GPA - just what your experience has been. But I know the drill - I have no experience so I can't get a job; I have no job so I can't get any experience - so what gives? Been there! Have you considered working in the railroad industry? Companies like Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, have training programs that teach you the industry over a period of time, usually leading to management/technical engineering positions. Just go to their website and check them out. Hiring had been fairly good until the downturn, but I would check them out and apply. Alternatively, have you considered working for a mechanical engineering consulting firm? That way you can get to know who the players (clients) are and get first-hand exposure to the work, get it reviewed and learn as you go. I'll check for some names. Consider the construction industry - or construction engineering firms, or find out who their contractors are and look on their websites for jobs. (Include Bechtel, Brown and Root, others in your search). Also, your job is to find a job - if you are not treating it as such, treat it as such - work at it 8 hours a day (or more) and keep pressing out those resumes until you find something. Not to be demeaning - but what's the saying "Beggars can't be choosers". I don't mean work for an idiot, but get that first job --- which can then lead to a more desirable job or position, etc. Internship idea is great if you can afford it (that's usually the problem). I'll check out some consulting names for ya. You're welcome to contact me at industrialauditing@sbcglobal.net
Greg
Go to google and type in Mechanical Engineering Consulting Firms and the first main entry gives a 3 page list of firms you could check out. I typed in Mechanical Engineer in the LA Times website and there are a lot of openings, 160 pages to be exact, so start looking. I'm not a fan of recruiters (the names that are repeated over and over), but given your spot, see what they can do for you (put them on the lower end of your time scale). Greg
Here's a list from http://www.csemag.com/info/CA497690.html
Links are on that page. Greg
I'm an environmental engineer with a number of years of experience. I'll be fairly direct. Might I suggest that you lower your sights a little bit? BMW and Lockheed are popular names I'm sure - but don't forget "lesser known" companies. Go on to the Los Angeles Times Career Builder website and type in Search Words like Mechanical Engineer and whatever field your interested in and see what comes up. You can search nationwide or locally; however, given your situation, I would encourage you to be geographically flexible to get that first job - just room with someone or find a bachelor and see where it takes you. Others are right -- GPA is helpful at the outset, but after a while, nobody gives a crap. Likewise, after a while, they don't care where you went to school or your GPA - just what your experience has been. But I know the drill - I have no experience so I can't get a job; I have no job so I can't get any experience - so what gives? Been there! Have you considered working in the railroad industry? Companies like Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, have training programs that teach you the industry over a period of time, usually leading to management/technical engineering positions. Just go to their website and check them out. Hiring had been fairly good until the downturn, but I would check them out and apply. Alternatively, have you considered working for a mechanical engineering consulting firm? That way you can get to know who the players (clients) are and get first-hand exposure to the work, get it reviewed and learn as you go. I'll check for some names. Consider the construction industry - or construction engineering firms, or find out who their contractors are and look on their websites for jobs. (Include Bechtel, Brown and Root, others in your search). Also, your job is to find a job - if you are not treating it as such, treat it as such - work at it 8 hours a day (or more) and keep pressing out those resumes until you find something. Not to be demeaning - but what's the saying "Beggars can't be choosers". I don't mean work for an idiot, but get that first job --- which can then lead to a more desirable job or position, etc. Internship idea is great if you can afford it (that's usually the problem). I'll check out some consulting names for ya. You're welcome to contact me at industrialauditing@sbcglobal.net
Greg
Go to google and type in Mechanical Engineering Consulting Firms and the first main entry gives a 3 page list of firms you could check out. I typed in Mechanical Engineer in the LA Times website and there are a lot of openings, 160 pages to be exact, so start looking. I'm not a fan of recruiters (the names that are repeated over and over), but given your spot, see what they can do for you (put them on the lower end of your time scale). Greg
Here's a list from http://www.csemag.com/info/CA497690.html
Links are on that page. Greg
i am also having trouble finding a job. of course, i'm not looking as hard as i should be though. i graduated last month with a Computer Information Systems degree.
That was my first clue as to why it might be difficult for the OP to find a job. Make sure that your resume is grammatically correct! You would not believe some of the horrifying resumes I've read. Have someone check it for you if you are unsure about something. Check your spelling too. Sometimes it's the little things.
You're an attractive guy, so that's not the issue.
All I can say is keep on trying. I know it's hard, we've ll been there. I'm not familiar enough to know what the entry level position is in your field, but I hope that's what you're going for and not the higher position right away. Start small and dream big.
EDIT- just read the resume. While I see no grammar problems, there are definitely confidence/tone problems. PM me if you want to talk about it.
I can't find a job either, I graduated in May with a degree in Com. with a concentration in TV prod. and its not fun
anyone got any connections?
anyone got any connections?
I can't find a job either, I graduated in May with a degree in Com. with a concentration in TV prod. and its not fun
anyone got any connections?
Better start networking. The best way to get into anything in the entertainment/creative/production fields is knowing someone. You're in Boston or NYC? If you're near NYC, my suggestion would be to start hanging out at film festivals and volunteering. You'll meet a lot of directors and people inside the industry that way.
Finding a job is not that hard, you just have to be willing to work your way up from the bottom, and not be tied to your current location.
For the Engineers, find small companies that have poential and are growing quickly. An example would be the small UAV company Insitu in the Columbia River Gorge.
Or you find a company that has a problem you believe you can fix. Like Boeing, Locheed, or GM.
If you want to work in communications, you have to either start at a small local station, public broadcasting, or start as a "street teamer" even with a degree, no one will hire you at bigger companies until you cut your teeth in smaller roles.
TEG
For the Engineers, find small companies that have poential and are growing quickly. An example would be the small UAV company Insitu in the Columbia River Gorge.
Or you find a company that has a problem you believe you can fix. Like Boeing, Locheed, or GM.
If you want to work in communications, you have to either start at a small local station, public broadcasting, or start as a "street teamer" even with a degree, no one will hire you at bigger companies until you cut your teeth in smaller roles.
TEG
The guy is right. Experience, experience, experience....you need to get it at whatever level. The academics will prove that you function in a school environment and little else.
I am interviewing a graduate tomorrow. Phd Nuclear Physics so the academic achievement fits the work type in a generic sense but the poor guy has not even worked in Mackies so I don't even know if he can pour me a coffee let alone deliver a key tech report into a tight programme. I know that I will probably have to take him because there is a resource vacuum in our leg of the industry right now. He will come cheap..so I expect to spend time mentoring (which I do not mind).
I know you probably think you can take on the world at present, but take a step back, you are embarking on the first rung..if you jump to a higher rung you will fall. Might I suggest trying agencies or contract organisations. It is a good way to get varied experience quick. If you are a corporate type rather than a consultant type get out of contracting as soon as corps begin to take an interest in you..you will know when this happens believe me. If you stick at consultancy too long your salary will beat anything they can offer. So if you are a suit man..get out whilst the salary is low enough to be tempted by the health plan and unpaid hours
network, network, network
Your resume should follow you in the door, not precede you.
Network with everyone you can, try professional organizations too, anywhere you can network. I got my first job out of college through a former colleague of my mom's. I found out about my current field through an informational interview, joined a professional organization and met all kinds of people there. Got my foot-in-the-door internship at one of their meetings. My boss for my first full-time job in my field was the instructor of a field-related class I took. My next boss was someone I worked with while with the previous company. It's all about who you know, and what you know only moves you forward within the position and gives your boss the flexibility to keep you in the organization when positions come and go.
The first 5 years do suck, but they pay off.
GPA is only good for getting into grad school; it's nothing to sneeze at but not all that...I think I had a 3.3 coming out of college, and no regrets, it's good enough and I had fun.
Your resume should follow you in the door, not precede you.
Network with everyone you can, try professional organizations too, anywhere you can network. I got my first job out of college through a former colleague of my mom's. I found out about my current field through an informational interview, joined a professional organization and met all kinds of people there. Got my foot-in-the-door internship at one of their meetings. My boss for my first full-time job in my field was the instructor of a field-related class I took. My next boss was someone I worked with while with the previous company. It's all about who you know, and what you know only moves you forward within the position and gives your boss the flexibility to keep you in the organization when positions come and go.
The first 5 years do suck, but they pay off.
GPA is only good for getting into grad school; it's nothing to sneeze at but not all that...I think I had a 3.3 coming out of college, and no regrets, it's good enough and I had fun.
Well I saw this thread pop up on forum spy recently and thought I would let you all know the status.
In the end, it came down to two firms, Schlumberger and Lockheed. Schlumberger had the advantage of being in Colorado (Grand Junction) and higher pay as well as a secure industry. Lockheed on the other hand, dealt in an area I was more interested in and had great career growth and stability (that being working with the Navy and sub/carrier nuclear power plants)
Cons were that Schlumberger dealt with oil (interesting but not as you would say "what I thought as cool growing up") and had very erratic schedules due to the nature of the industry. Plus the fact that you relocated every 3 years or so to small towns as career progresses. I like larger metro areas personally. With that said, it was a very attractive offer for a number of reasons but it really came down to a coin flip in a sense in terms of accepting or not lol
The con for the Lockheed job isn't really a con but it requires moving to New York. Guess I'm a bit nervous about it as it's so far from home but I'm used to living all over the nation so that's not the issue, just this time my family won't be near lol. Guess that happens as you get older huh lol. Regardless it will be exciting times for sure! Now just have to wait for my background check to clear. I also liked how Lockheed has a more "set" schedule and I have a friend from college who will be working there as well so that will be reassuring
That's all I have at the moment, now I just need to get my housing situation taken care of and the like. With that said, anyone that knows the Clifton Park, Nisakayuna, Latham area, feel free to offer input!
Thanks!
In the end, it came down to two firms, Schlumberger and Lockheed. Schlumberger had the advantage of being in Colorado (Grand Junction) and higher pay as well as a secure industry. Lockheed on the other hand, dealt in an area I was more interested in and had great career growth and stability (that being working with the Navy and sub/carrier nuclear power plants)
Cons were that Schlumberger dealt with oil (interesting but not as you would say "what I thought as cool growing up") and had very erratic schedules due to the nature of the industry. Plus the fact that you relocated every 3 years or so to small towns as career progresses. I like larger metro areas personally. With that said, it was a very attractive offer for a number of reasons but it really came down to a coin flip in a sense in terms of accepting or not lol
The con for the Lockheed job isn't really a con but it requires moving to New York. Guess I'm a bit nervous about it as it's so far from home but I'm used to living all over the nation so that's not the issue, just this time my family won't be near lol. Guess that happens as you get older huh lol. Regardless it will be exciting times for sure! Now just have to wait for my background check to clear. I also liked how Lockheed has a more "set" schedule and I have a friend from college who will be working there as well so that will be reassuring
That's all I have at the moment, now I just need to get my housing situation taken care of and the like. With that said, anyone that knows the Clifton Park, Nisakayuna, Latham area, feel free to offer input!
Thanks!
I'm a junior in college with good grades and I'm nervous about finding a decent job when I graduate. My main concern is that I have been looking for internships but I have not been fortunate enough to find one. I would prefer having at least two decent internships on my resume by the time that I graduate since it would be a valuable asset to me during my job search.
Seriously, we just got 84k jobs and the unemployment rate jumped to over 6 percent.
That said, I graduated in May, started a job by the end of June, and I had a 2.76 and barely any work experience (beyond the bar I used to work at and an internship). I'm making a good salary (for out of college).
My advice would be: GPA doesn't count, luck and connections are 95% of getting a job. Just keep plugging and be able to compromise: your first job will not be your only job, far from it. However, your first job will allow you to get to your ultimate goal, whatever it is.
Also: treasure your time off. Once you start working its almost impossible to stop unless you are friggin loaded.