Finished school - Beginning Job Search
 

Just wanted to get an idea of other people's experiences when they began their job searching process. I'm finished school and have been looking for a job since the end of August. I want to enter my career and have started applying for jobs. It seems quite daunting so far, as not very many entry level positions seem to be open.

I'm not overly pessimistic as I have close to 2 years of experience in my field through work experiences/ CO-OPs. Also, it looks promising as there are many intermediate level positions opening even through these "times". Just not any entry level positions.

So I'll throw it out there, how did you all find your experiences finding a job. I'm lucky I'm working part time and am considering just getting a full time job now while I look for my career job.

Discuss.

it might help if u tell people what area do u wanna get into

He's not looking for advice to get into his career. He's asking what our experiences were in finding a career job.

have you ever considered re-applying for the co-op/field schools you did before?

It took me about 4 months after graduating to find my current job. I applied to a bunch of places, however I ended up getting the job through a co-worker of my dad's who "knew a guy".

My best advice to come from this: networking, networking, networking.

Agreed. I didnt get a solid job in my field for about 8 months post graduation.
I applied to tons of places, had a few interviews but it seemed hopeless after a few months.

One guy even took the time to chat with me about how hard it was to find work. He even said its not what you know, its who you know

this year
only 30% of SFU bachelor graduates found a career related job within 6 months so don't feel bad

Another word of advice,

even with the above people comments about applying to tonnes of jobs and only getting a few interviews, MAKE SURE YOU ARE THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE COMPANY, and what you want to do.

I've seen way to many x-collegues, or Uni friends jump into a job just cuz it's desperate and "sort of related" to their field.

You have to enjoy the job to succeed at it.

business administration is a dead end btw

Great input from everyone. Ya I graded in June from SFU and really only started looking end of August. It's getting to the point where it's very daunting and quarter life crisis seeds have been planted. But hearing some of your responses and just talking to friends who have also just recently finished, it seems like the process is what it is and you just have to go through it with persistence.

I don't find that too surprising. Job market is shitty. For example, I ended my schooling with a co-op work placement with the BC Secretarait which is in government and in May they had about 60 job openings posted. If you look now, with all the cutbacks theres only 17 posted. They were ready to hire me when my contract ended, but there was no money left to hire people, and they just continued using Co-ops which is also cheaper for them. I got unlucky.


So during your job searches (3 months, 5 months) or whatever, were you guys working F/T or P/T, like what did you guys do? I'm thinking I need more hours at my job or get another full time job.

Also, I think getting a job through a old co-wreorker, or friends, or past employers is a great way. A lot of people I've asked seem to say about there first job, "I was lucky to get it and something along those lines.

What do you guys think of submitting resumes to a company like Angus where they send out your resumes to companies:? In past experiences does it help?

Unfortunately for me I was jobless, so when it started to seem like it just wasnt meant to be I started applying for retail jobs out of desperation lol

most graduates work at service sectors making slightly higher min wage/hr

This may be better served in the Employment forum.

^

No, the thread would be locked there, bc the OP posted something about himself finding a job. LOL. Silly rule IMO, since 99% of the posts there are posts disguised about finding a job about themselves.

that's why i am still in school getting another degree.

it's good to get paid for doing grad school. muahahahaha

took me a year and 8 months to find my first job in my field of study. after that my next job took a few months. once you get in there and have more experiences it gets easier. i didnt have coop experience.

so dam harrd

not the best time to be graduating

how much do you get paid for doing grad school?

Job searching is frustrating and pissing me off now. Been like 5months now, still nothing. Landing that first job is the hardest.

experience and who you know do wonders when searching for a job.

I agree, you have to sometimes sign up with the company submit resume online fill out your skills ...rinse repeat..etc.. It's the cover letters that kill me, cause you try and make them catered towards the specific position.

I want to do a MBA too, but I'd rather get 2-3 years under my belt first of solid work experience..

It sucks that collectively some of us are having a hard time landing that job, but at least I'm not the only one feeling it..lol

and the reason is?

a lot of people go partying/super long trips after they're done their undergrad and dont get into a serious job search until late august early september

If you made this thread few months back i probably would've suggested finding the jobs then and beat them to it

I know what you mean, when my co-op ended in May and i graded in June, my thinking was, ok start looking now and beat the people who start in September. Instead, i opted for the go to Montreal and party idea. :cry: