God, Job search is demoralising

AzNMpower32 · #1 03-24-2010, 11:42 PM

Wow, so I'm graduating this year, which is good news! Unfortunately, with that comes with the pressure of finding a job to bridge the gap between a Bachelor's and an MBA.

It seems like every other day, someone has an interview or a job offer. A kid in my German class, a sophomore, got an internship in Germany over the summer. It's like all these kids have great networks that seem to work for them, whereas mine is almost nonexistent. I've only got a couple relatives (on the West Coast, a bit far to relocate) and missed out badly on internships the last two summers. The couple of folks that I frequently contact can't really seem to help me much in my career direction. As for friends and classmates......well let's just say this. The number of close friends I've made in the past 3 years at school can be counted on one hand.

I have reasonably solid credentials but no where to make it work for me, despite a lengthy search. Alumni directories can only go so far; it's better IMO when you've met face-to-face and known each other for awhile.

I guess this is the price I'm paying for going to the wrong school.......

Any suggestions to jump start the networking? I feel like blindly applying to jobs will be fruitless. I'm not an engineer, not a "techie" (don't ask me to design a website), and don't do sales. That's all that's really out there thesedays, it seems.

sethro · #2 03-24-2010, 11:50 PM

Did you take any internships? Alot of people I know worked for companies as interns in the final year before graduation and ended up being called back.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why not work with a start up firm or establish one yourself.

JCL · #3 03-25-2010, 12:05 AM

If you are going to spell demoralizing with an 's' then you should probably be looking for work in jolly old England, or they will think you are just unedumacated.

First recommendation is not to think of this as just a filler in between two degrees. The most (only) valuable MBAs I hired had learned something out there working, and not just put in time.

Figure out what you like to do, and then figure out where to look. Whether you like it or not, you are going to have to figure out how to meet people, network, and so on. You should also not discount sales; you may not want to sell products, but you will always need to sell ideas. Don't underestimate the importance of selling. Right now you need to sell yourself to potential employers.

Good luck.

Thunder22 · #4 03-25-2010, 05:07 AM

R8DX5 · #5 03-25-2010, 09:59 AM

Why don't you list what you actually DO. I'm sure there are a lot of folks here in various fields that will be more than happy to provide some insights based on their experiences.

Wagner · #6 03-25-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8DX5

Why don't you list what you actually DO. I'm sure there are a lot of folks here in various fields that will be more than happy to provide some insights based on their experiences.

motordavid · #7 03-25-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8DX5

Why don't you list what you actually DO. I'm sure there are a lot of folks here in various fields that will be more than happy to provide some insights based on their experiences.

...+2

And, excellent advice from JCL. The MBAs I hired were only considered if they had a modicum of knowledge/experience
in the industry I worked in.

Many companies today, (as have evolved from when I carried the bag), can be categorized simplistically, imo, as:
-"financial", with no real product produced
-manufacturing, some real kind of product produced, and sold
-"service industry", everything from working the counter at McD's to
fixing airplanes to helping StatDoc in the ER.
-"tech", which overlaps on most of the above and contains all parts of
the above, imo.

So, MM: you have to figure out where you want to dip your slightly depressed toes. That does not mean you are signing up
as indentured for life; it means trying things on for fit, and for experience gaining, and for maturing and learning in the real work world.

An MBA, which has become the high school diploma of the current over degreed/don't know much about real stuff brigade, is
a good goal, but
a real "skill" and interest in doing one's best for any company, still carries some weight, I hope.

Toss up some creds, some skills, some interests and your short-med term needs and desires. There are busloads of smart people
on this board, but it's difficult to offer more than general platitudes or start the "network" process, with a dearth of info about your situ.

But, I admit I would not want to be looking for a job/career in this current environment, even with the sales, financial and sales mgmt skills,
I used to have.
GL, mD

tijanaw · #8 03-25-2010, 01:33 PM

Matt,
I'm not sure the school you went to has anything to do with it. Own up and start changing your attitude. Remember a few weeks ago I told you at your age, you spend way too much time on this forum. You need to socialize more, get out meet people, friends. Networking is key to success nowadays, it's not necessarily what you know but who you know and your personality. College is a great time to experience new things and meet people, too bad you missed out on that.
However it's not too late, you just need to be a little more outgoing and make friends, that goes a long way in life. You also live in probably the easiest metropolitan area to find a job right now so don't loose hope.
List what you did in school, what you like, where you want to go in life and I'm sure plenty of people here will give you great advices but the ball is in your court to have a positive attitude, network and enjoy yourself. You are way too serious for your age.
My .002!

SANguru · #9 03-25-2010, 04:24 PM

school has nothing to do with anything.. you are looking at the wrong place and not taking to the right people. Sounds like you got some homework to do. The key word is learn how to leverage.

ravenheart · #10 03-25-2010, 05:04 PM

Have you considered contracting? Go to a contracting firm and let them know you are looking for experience. You may get placed for a few months at a time which will add to your resume or you can get lucky and find a company that will offer you a full time gig. Ofcourse having a specific skillset helps tremendously - but worth a shot if you are looking to get going. Ofcourse it is like any other job - you have to have something that gets you some notice ...