[MR_BIGGS]

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.

[tool001]

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

[JKam]

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

[bcedhk]

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

[Liquid_o2]

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.

[!Yaminashi]

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

[604Housing]

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

[Gt-R R34]

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.

[604Housing]

business administration is a dead end btw

[MR_BIGGS]

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.

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

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.

[MR_BIGGS]

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?

[!Yaminashi]

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.

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

[604Housing]

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

[El Bastardo]

This may be better served in the Employment forum.

[LiquidTurbo]

^

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.

[TRDood]

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

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

[GLOW]

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.

[Durrann1984]

so dam harrd

[goo3]

not the best time to be graduating

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

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

how much do you get paid for doing grad school?

[Euro7r]

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

[hotjoint]

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

[MR_BIGGS]

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

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

[Djiban]

business administration is a dead end btw

and the reason is?

[twitchyzero]

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

[MR_BIGGS]

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:

[MR_BIGGS]

Anyone thnk recruitment firms are helpful for entry level people? I know headhunters are good if you have an intermediate level of experience (3+ years).??

[bimmer91]

Work with the underground mafia, the guys who deal underneath the city.

[jello24]

i graduated last spring as well, and ive only ever had 3 interviews, none of them calling back for a 2nd interview... its weird since the companies im applying for are looking for entry-level positions as well, and ive been prepping for those interviews the moment they call me in... maybe because more experienced guys come in for those same interviews and knock me down their lists...

it doesnt feel good to be sitting around for months when ive got stuff to pay off. the job search engines are running dry as well... oh well, gotta keep going...

[StylinRed]

have you ever thought of looking out-of-province/country?

even if you love it here you could work elsewhere until you can get a job locally, and it'd be fun :)

[observer]

The best way to find a job is to go through an education with a strong emphasis on co-op/practicum.

This way, you can network, network, and network. The employers will be used to having you around, and if you are half decent, they would offer positions before you even finish your training.

We have seen many students getting hired this way.

[MR_BIGGS]

it doesnt feel good to be sitting around for months when ive got stuff to pay off. the job search engines are running dry as well... oh well, gotta keep going...

I hear ya. It sucks when you got stuff to pay off and the search engines or any other job search areas are running dry on entry level positions. But like you said, keep that persistence

have you ever thought of looking out-of-province/country?

even if you love it here you could work elsewhere until you can get a job locally, and it'd be fun :)

I have thought of it and I would be out of here so fast for a job opportunity, but I work PT at GM Place and VANOC gave us the contract to work during the Olympics so I have to be here for that month.

The best way to find a job is to go through an education with a strong emphasis on co-op/practicum.

This way, you can network, network, and network. The employers will be used to having you around, and if you are half decent, they would offer positions before you even finish your training.

We have seen many students getting hired this way.

I did 3 co-ops (crown corp, not for profit, and gov't) man I should have gone private, cause public service is dry!

[Nocardia]

In healthcare, job finds you.

[Teriyaki]

In Soviet Russia. Everyone haz job.

[aurorastone]

I got my first job about a month after I graduated. I thank my lucky stars that I was able to find a promising job in the field that I studied (although I had to move to Edmonton for a bit because of it =P). I have a B.Comm in HR btw.

I conducted some interviews lately for an assistant job in our office and there were quite a few people who had lost their jobs or they were recent graduates who have been unable to find a job. And I feel bad for the folks in their mid 40s who are already established in their career but have to look for entry level type positions.

[nns]

A bunch of you mentioned above how important networking is. Well, I was speaking to someone last week who mentioned how he knew somebody in a company, who was in a position to hire him, but couldn't. The reason was the position that was to be filled had candidates with Ph.D's - and since the guy I knew didn't have a Ph.D, it didn't matter that he knew somebody in the company, he still couldn't get the job. Now don't get me wrong, the guy I know is well educated, masters/bachelors, all that jazz. Although networking helped get his name in the candidacy pool for the position, in the end, the guy doing the hiring is ultimately responsible for his choice to hire somebody. How is he to justify to HIS boss that he passed on Ph.D's for someone with "lesser" credentials?

This is by no means how the world works all over, it's just food for thought. Networking helps to certain extents. I suppose what i'm saying is, those who are in school right now who are about to graduate, don't be jumping for joy thinking you're going to be landing a job straight out of school just because you know somebody who knows somebody. Be prepared to work for it.

Myself, I graduated in June of this year. Even before I graduated, I had already been looking for a job for maybe 2 weeks. I'm still looking for a job in my profession, and it's now been more than 3 months. The program I was in even had companies interviewing us while we were still in school, yet very few of us were hired by them.

I would say looking for a job now is the worst possible time. Look to be doing menial jobs barely related to your education.

[q0192837465]

shit, I'm looking for a CA articling job now. I hope i at leasst get an interview

[MR_BIGGS]

Are there any good agencys where you can submit your resume and they will send them out for you?