Trouble finding a job after college

[sitzlejd 0]

I graduated university about 2 months ago and I'm having a really difficult time finding a "real" job. I know the market is supposedly really bad right now but I'm starting to become very frustrated. Any other recent grads having trouble finding work? Any advice from those who are veterans in the "real world?"

btw I graduated with a double major in Journalism and Human Geography.

[forbs02 20]

When I graduated (history and exercise science) I found a retail job right away as a "fall back" job until I could find a real job. Ended up staying for 3 years going from sales associate to store manager. The skill set that I honed at there helped me to get my current job. It pays the bills, has good benefits, and I enjoy doing it.

My boyfriend is an athletic trainer and he just finished his masters degree/ graduate assistantship. He is currently in a job search, trying to get a foot in the door somewhere. In that profession you need to get that first job, which can be a challenge, before you can get your ideal position. This is the case for a number of young professionals (or otherwise).

The long story short is that sometimes you need to work somewhere that may not be your ideal in order to get that coveted "dream job" later. There are recent grads that get lucky and find the job they want right away, but most people I know had to work at something else for a couple of years before they were able to be where they wanted.

[hockeysc23 0]

I think it took me 2-3 months. It can be very hard with the current market and convincing people that you need to be given a shot and can prove yourself.

I had a part-time job during that time as well. And I also took a job not in my preferred field. In hindsight I wish I had done some internships but the thought of not earning money in the summer at the time was not appealing.

[AWE46M3 0]

I was a business major and had 3 offers by the time I was taking my last final. I just finished in the spring/summer. Most people I know have had little issues, though there are few like you, however, some people graduating next year I know already have jobs lined up for next summer with some big companies...

Also, like it was mentioned, internships would have been good. That was how I got one of my offers...

[number21 3]

After college, i did a year of 2 part-time jobs (one graphic design, one janitorial) then moved to chicago with a friend who had a job out there, it took me 3 months to land a job after several interviews, right when my cushion money was about to run out.

Keep applying, but work something to pay the bills. Good Luck.

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

I was a business major and had 3 offers by the time I was taking my last final. I just finished in the spring/summer. Most people I know have had little issues, though there are few like you, however, some people graduating next year I know already have jobs lined up for next summer with some big companies...

Also, like it was mentioned, internships would have been good. That was how I got one of my offers...

Way to shit in his Cheerios. ;)

The market's tough, some people are fortunate, but I know TONS of people who have degrees and can't find work in their field.

While a degree in the hockey business doesn't exist, I'm going to have to work at something I don't like doing and waiting for my chance to jump back in.

[starskie 0]

I recently graduated and am working for the meantime, until I find a better job or decide if i want to go back to school. But I have a few friends in your situation. One landed a manger job at Hollister and he is enjoying his time there, making money, and applying to other jobs he wishes to pursue as his career. On the other hand, i have another friend that is just waiting for his dream job to come around, wasting money and time.

My suggestion is find a simple job for now, it can't hurt. You'll be making money, gain another recommendation, and maybe even gain important qualities (ie leadership). You never know, maybe this simple job you take is enjoyable and has an opportunity to climb the ladder or even a department that you can move to that'll be more enjoyable/fitting for you.

[Gwyren 0]

I was a business major and had 3 offers by the time I was taking my last final. I just finished in the spring/summer. Most people I know have had little issues, though there are few like you, however, some people graduating next year I know already have jobs lined up for next summer with some big companies...

Also, like it was mentioned, internships would have been good. That was how I got one of my offers...

Way to shit in his Cheerios. ;)

The market's tough, some people are fortunate, but I know TONS of people who have degrees and can't find work in their field.

While a degree in the hockey business doesn't exist, I'm going to have to work at something I don't like doing and waiting for my chance to jump back in.

He could have said much worse, JR.

Some of the reason (probably a large portion) is that AWE46M3 had a number of job offers was because he had a buisness degree. From where I sit it seems that people with buisness degrees and degrees in technical fields have less issues finding that first job. Of course, like everyone else, it is not easy to find the job they want to have long term.

[mack 44]

I had internships throughout undergrad and some offers coming out of it, but I went post-grad. Same story there and I worked for the company in the summer until I was completely done with school. The economy wasn't the complete ball of shit that it is now though, which is obviously making things tougher for grads right now. The grocery store nearby has a few of them working there till they can find something better/someone hiring.

[eric42434224 1]

Unfortunately, or maybe not unfortunately, things are different today than tey were a generation ago. People will change careers, not just jobs, many times in their lifetime. The chance that you will end up in the career that you studied for in college isnt very high. Use college for what it should be used for....to learn how to learn. Become flexible intellectually, and be able to adapt to the ever changing employment landscape. Try different jobs in different areas that relate to your field....or some that dont. I have a degree in architectural Technology, and one in Vocational/Technical Education. I am now an Investment Advisor.

You never know. Just be open for different opportunities, and work hard when you get them. You'll be fine.

[D3nZ 0]

I had a job secured up before I had finished my studies. I finished my internship on the 14th of december and started working on the 17th.

[ktang 34]

To the OP: 2 months may seem like an eternity, but when you get your job you will quickly forget this time of frustration.

Yes, the economy sucks now, but it sucks for everybody, including middle and top management. You may need to look for jobs outside of your originally chosen field.

[Spreedizzle 1]

It all depends on the field that you are looking to go in, and how much of your degrees you are looking to apply in your future employment.....whether temporary until you find something in your desired field, or as an alternate career. Personally.....I'd broaden your career search and see if you can find a tangent career to your desired one. Narrowing your search too much I find will land you in your current situation. Broaden it out and see what you can find. ;)

Happy Hunting!!

[Rylake 0]

It all depends on the field that you are looking to go in, and how much of your degrees you are looking to apply in your future employment.....whether temporary until you find something in your desired field, or as an alternate career. Personally.....I'd broaden your career search and see if you can find a tangent career to your desired one. Narrowing your search too much I find will land you in your current situation. Broaden it out and see what you can find. ;)

Happy Hunting!!

That right there is the best advice you can possibly receive.

Remember that in University/College they make it out like you are guaranteed a job as soon as you leave - but the reality is that you are at the bottom of the totem pole right now. Most everybody I know has started a job and found something they liked about it, and persued that aspect to built themselves a nice career. See what you can find and challenge yourself to try out some different things - you will learn a lot more from work than you ever did in school - both about yourself and others.

Best of luck!

[Chadd 916]

He could have said much worse, JR.

Some of the reason (probably a large portion) is that AWE46M3 had a number of job offers was because he had a buisness degree. From where I sit it seems that people with buisness degrees and degrees in technical fields have less issues finding that first job. Of course, like everyone else, it is not easy to find the job they want to have long term.

I think we have a good answer right there. Journalism and Human Geography aren't the types of degrees most employers want their candidates to have. You might want to look into working as stringer or do some freelancing while you're looking for a permanent gig.

[tjl_48 0]

I am in the same situation. Graduated in May and am looking for a job. Haven't had to much luck either. Just a couple of interviews.

[fatwabbit 93]

Got a job 6 months before graduation. I kinda started on my final year research early during the holidays, and finished my project and experiments 6 months ahead. Decided to go for job interviews early.

The benefit of doing this (instead of slacking during the holidays) is that you can then concentrate on your final 6 months of school. I went to my lectures with classmates who were all dressed up for job interviews, and they would leave the lectures early in order to get to the interviews.

I was lucky in a way as well... was supposed to do my masters straight after graduation, but didnt meet the minimum criteria for grades. Not regreting NOT doing masters...

[Fury of One 6]

I was mired in retail for two years after graduating. I had freelance jobs for a couple weeks at a time and going on numerous interviews during that span until eventually landing a job in my field. I would check newspapers sending résumés almost every week as well as having my résumé on all the job sites. Get a job to hold you over and be aggressive.

[sitzlejd 0]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's nice to hear I'm not alone in this struggle.

I did two internships while in school and I also worked 30 hrs. a week as a manager at a local restaurant while taking classes. The journalism biz is especially tough right now as less and less people read print news. A lot of papers around here are scaling back their personnel big time.

My actual career goal is pr/marketing for a sports team (c'mon hockey...). My main frustration is that I have excellent credentials for a recent alumnus, but after applying to upwards of 100 jobs I have not even had an interview. I do have a bit of a black mark on my criminal history but it was supposedly expunged (nothing serious, just some underage alcohol and a weed charge, all stemming from one stupid moment about 4 years ago.).

For now I'll just keep at it and try to stay positive. Again, thanks for all the advice.

[mack 44]

A problem/snag I've seen is that a lot of companies want experience, but it's hard to get that as a recent grad unless you had internship. Even then some companies may barely recognise that. The company I work for has a different take on that and counts work experience as education and wasn't picky about what a candidate's degree was in relation to the position. Hell, the girl I hired as a project manager had a degree in, ugh, philosophy.

[Kevbeau 0]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's nice to hear I'm not alone in this struggle.

I did two internships while in school and I also worked 30 hrs. a week as a manager at a local restaurant while taking classes. The journalism biz is especially tough right now as less and less people read print news. A lot of papers around here are scaling back their personnel big time.

My actual career goal is pr/marketing for a sports team (c'mon hockey...). My main frustration is that I have excellent credentials for a recent alumnus, but after applying to upwards of 100 jobs I have not even had an interview. I do have a bit of a black mark on my criminal history but it was supposedly expunged (nothing serious, just some underage alcohol and a weed charge, all stemming from one stupid moment about 4 years ago.).

For now I'll just keep at it and try to stay positive. Again, thanks for all the advice.

Unless you're telling your perspective employers up front about your "black mark" I can pretty much guarantee you that if you're not getting an interview, they're not spending the time or money to do any sort of background check.

When I came out of college, it was right before the internet boom took off. Like now, jobs were tough to come by then and I had a technical degree that I thought would be an easy sell. I spent 5 months driving fork lifts in a distribution warehouse before I got my first gig in my then chosen field. And you're right, it sucks. It makes you doubt every decision you made in college and you wonder if you just wasted the last four...errr five years of your life. Being heckled by my co-workers didn't help either...they loved the fact that I was doing the same thing that they were. I spent almost ten years in engineering before I knew that it wasn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Went back to school and earned my business degree. Now I'm involved in business strategy and I love coming to work again...and I hated my undergrad business classes. Nothing happens in life exactly the way we plan, so like other posters mentioned, keep your options open.

Also, as previously mentioned, getting your first job is the hardest. I know my company won't even consider recent college grads unless they have extensive intern experience.

The best advice I recieved career-wise was to make connections and establish a network (Friends, their friends, Alumni, Fraternity, etc...) . Usually the best jobs are the ones referred to you, not the ones in the want ads. Even in today's career world "Who you know..." is still the most powerful card. A couple examples, My dad (HR Director) will give anyone who has a military background at least a shot at a job, because that's where his background lies. Another good example is how Ivy league schools thrive off of their networks. In my experience, yes....Ivy Leaguers are very smart, but their connections is what sets them apart.

And don't knock whatever part time job you take now to make ends meet. A good hiring manager will look at your past/current positions to try and determine your skill sets. For example, I see someone who spent a number of years as a waiter/waitress, I think they probably have good personal skills and can deal with a load of sh@#. Conversely, I see someone who only spent three months doing that, I might assume that they couldn't handle it.

Anyways, I'm just rambling now, but good luck with your search and something will eventually come along.

[Chadd 916]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's nice to hear I'm not alone in this struggle.

I did two internships while in school and I also worked 30 hrs. a week as a manager at a local restaurant while taking classes. The journalism biz is especially tough right now as less and less people read print news. A lot of papers around here are scaling back their personnel big time.

My actual career goal is pr/marketing for a sports team (c'mon hockey...). My main frustration is that I have excellent credentials for a recent alumnus, but after applying to upwards of 100 jobs I have not even had an interview. I do have a bit of a black mark on my criminal history but it was supposedly expunged (nothing serious, just some underage alcohol and a weed charge, all stemming from one stupid moment about 4 years ago.).

For now I'll just keep at it and try to stay positive. Again, thanks for all the advice.

The Stars have an opening in their communications department. Keep an eye on this site or sign up for their alerts for the fields you are interested in.

http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/jobs/default.cfm

[sitzlejd 0]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's nice to hear I'm not alone in this struggle.

I did two internships while in school and I also worked 30 hrs. a week as a manager at a local restaurant while taking classes. The journalism biz is especially tough right now as less and less people read print news. A lot of papers around here are scaling back their personnel big time.

My actual career goal is pr/marketing for a sports team (c'mon hockey...). My main frustration is that I have excellent credentials for a recent alumnus, but after applying to upwards of 100 jobs I have not even had an interview. I do have a bit of a black mark on my criminal history but it was supposedly expunged (nothing serious, just some underage alcohol and a weed charge, all stemming from one stupid moment about 4 years ago.).

For now I'll just keep at it and try to stay positive. Again, thanks for all the advice.

The Stars have an opening in their communications department. Keep an eye on this site or sign up for their alerts for the fields you are interested in.

http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/jobs/default.cfm

Nice find! I'll definitely bookmark that site.

[hockeysc23 0]

A problem/snag I've seen is that a lot of companies want experience, but it's hard to get that as a recent grad unless you had internship. Even then some companies may barely recognise that. The company I work for has a different take on that and counts work experience as education and wasn't picky about what a candidate's degree was in relation to the position. Hell, the girl I hired as a project manager had a degree in, ugh, philosophy.

I always found that the most interesting thing when job searching for entry level jobs. The big request to learn by yourself and experience required.

Usually every ad even for entry level jobs asks for 2-3 years experience. Its crazy how they require this at entry level jobs.

[mack 44]

Some of them are nuts and the company would seemingly lose out either way. You're either rejecting applicants with a pertinent degree or rejecting people without a degree, yet have the work experience.