beginning my job search: your input wanted!

[nodakfan17]

I am beginning my final year of college and will be starting a job search very soon. I would like to invite anyone who has recently graduated from school or has started a new job to share their experience with me and other posters who might be in a similar situation. When did you begin your job search? What resources did you find to be the most helpful? What would you have done differently?

 

And on a related note ... I would like to obtain a full-time position with a business in Green Bay by next May. My studies have focused on the collection and analysis of economic data, but I am open to just about any opportunity that will allow me to gain experience with a reputable company. If anyone has information on possible job openings for me, I would greatly appreciate your help (even if you just post a link). I have very solid graduate and undergraduate GPAs and 2+ years of professional experience in an intern capacity.

 

Thanks for your input, BrewerFan!

[FVBrewerFan]

Ever here the old adage "it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know?" Well, it's true. You probably know by now most jobs aren't posted publicly. Companies often hire from within, or hire people referred in by current employees, business partners, etc. In fact, often times a company will create a position if they think they've found a good person.

So start networking now. Don't be embarrassed to ask family (even distant family), friends, etc. if they know of anyone you can talk to about a job.

 

With that said, I'll admit I have no idea how "collection and analysis of data" relates to specific jobs and/or companies. In fact, that's something you'll need to concentrate on when searching. You'll have to frame your eduction and experience to fit the specific opportunities that come your way. Employers are less concerned with what you've learned, than what you can do for them- specifically.

 

i know that's general info, but it's all I have... Good luck!!!

[GAME05]

Informational interviews. just ask for 20 minutes to go in and talk to a manager from a handful of companies you really liked but aren't hiring. maybe offer to buy him lunch. say you understand they aren't hiring, but that from what you've researched, you like the company and just want a quick chance to get some more information about them. emphasize that you won't take up much of their time. but don't go in and be asking if they're hiring or they'll think you're just trying to sneak in a surreptitious job interview.

 

it's a good way to build up some weak contacts, plus they can sometimes be good sources of information about the hiring economy within the economics-job industry or other companies. and when a job eventually opens up at the company you talked to, you've already got your person from within that maybe will help you out if he liked you (just don't ask for it directly).

 

at least you're in a decent spot that the 1st Quarter isn't too far away, and that maybe hiring will start to pick up around then.

[stoops17]

I have just ended a long unemployment spell by taking a contract position. Hopefully somethings I have learned can be of use to you. A site like linkedin (think careerstyle facebook, good for linking with past colleagues, professors, professional contacts & groups; and showing that you are looking and what experience/background you have). I found milwaukeejobs.com to be one of the better job boards for the state. Another avenue is get involved with networking groups, you will be one of the younger folks there, but they are great opportunities to meet people who do what you might want to do or work/ed where you are interviewing. Not to mention they may know people with opportunities that match what you are looking for. The two groups I participated in were Lumen Christi Employment Network & 40+ Wisconsin but they are southeastern wisconsin groups. A good way to find local groups to where you are is through the local workforce development center in you area. Any questions, you can message me.

[lodiness]

Just because you'll have a degree, don't expect to be making big bucks right away. You might need to take a lower position just to get your foot in the door. A lot of the people that I know that are unemployed right now are too proud to take a lower position. Getting your foot in the door could open up possabilites a little bit down the road.

[dabrew141]

get an internship, i graduated just over a year ago and my internship pulled me up full time

[Oldcity]

It's great that you're starting now. I got in over my head senior year by being lazy at first, and then all my energy was just focused on school when it should have been on the job search.

 

Have you had internships in the past? Utilize those connections. If you can't get hired full time at that company, you can still use a recommendation to get a full time job somewhere else. That's how I got my first job out of school.

[stoutdude04]

Ever here the old adage "it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know?" Well, it's true.

I agree 100%. This is how I got my job. Make some contacts, who knows where it will lead. It cant hurt.