Job searching

[Blackmask]

When you are looking for work how do you go about it? Read news papers? Send off resumes? Word of mouth? Phone calls? Internet? Any tips, suggestions of what to do, what not to do?

[MSFixR]

Originally Posted by Blackmask

When you are looking for work how do you go about it? Read news papers? Send off resumes? Word of mouth? Phone calls? Internet? Any tips, suggestions of what to do, what not to do?

Marry money, then you don't have to work.

To be perfectly honest, I haven't had to look for a job in a very long time and in my whole career I've only been between jobs for a total of a month. However I would suggest networking - go to professional meetings, seminars, etc. let people know you are looking. Even at recreational or sporting events, talk to people, you never know what may turn up. Sending out resumes blindly is a waste of money - most get trashed without being read. Do not blindly call anyone. Only low level jobs are advertized in the newspaper around here. I don't know about the internet. Good luck.

[Blackmask]

I've decided to go into consulting so searching for work will now be a permanent way of life. The networking is the key thing in that as well. Just keep talking to people and things will happen. I have never actually got a job through advertising and application. I've seen jobs I liked and applied, but all the jobs I've actually done have been through word of mouth or being in the right place at the right time.

[Samson The Cat]

There was this contact fair at university, where students could talk to representatives of companies. It's cool.

[open32]

This is a good question because its a very difficult thing to do. I have always hated the process of looking for a job. Im going to have to take some of this advice as well very soon.

[SilverSpoon]

Originally Posted by Samson The Cat

There was this contact fair at university, where students could talk to representatives of companies. It's cool.

There was one that my school had some time ago, and people in the lower years were complaining that the companies showed disinterest in them because they wouldn't be getting out of school soon to start a career.

[Bill5461]

Generally, it's just finding someone you know to get you in somewhere. At least that's what I've always done.

[Blackmask]

Originally Posted by open32

This is a good question because its a very difficult thing to do. I have always hated the process of looking for a job. Im going to have to take some of this advice as well very soon.

As part of my redundancy package I'm receiving career management sessions, which have been really helpful. Firstly, don't wait for the jobs to come to you. If you don't have a job then you have time. Contact people and companies and ask for help, don't ask for a job. If you ask for a job, then unless by some miracle there's one there, people have to say no to you and the conversation is then over. Ask for help, would they mind checking over your resume, can they suggest any good contacts, every face to face meeting you can get is practice for an interview and the more people who know you exist the better your chances. For contacting people it's preferable to have been given a name, family, friends, people from clubs, all know people. If you are just looking for help, rather than expecting a job, then people will help, eventually something comes from it.

What is it you will be doing Rory?

[open32]

I dont really know what ill be doing, which is kind or scary. Right now im a bit bogged down with classes and have a very awkward schedule but I graduate May 3rd. Just sent away to buy my cap and gown Friday .

[MSFixR]

Originally Posted by open32

I dont really know what ill be doing, which is kind or scary. Right now im a bit bogged down with classes and have a very awkward schedule but I graduate May 3rd. Just sent away to buy my cap and gown Friday .

Big, scary, step, going from the relative safety of the academic world to the harsh glare of the dog-eat-dog, everyday world. From some of your previous posts, I would guess you are majoring in computer science. If so, there will be jobs awaiting you. Just think, there will probably be 10,000 people out there, who, when they turn their computers on this morning, will not have the foggiest idea of how to change the time.

[open32]

Im a Business Major, Ill have a BS in Finance, Minor in Computer Information Technology, and a Minor in International Business. I was an IT major but switched. The IT will eventually become a major, I have more then 3/4 of the classes done, but I've been in school for a while and a bit sick of it. I have seven years to complete the IT classes otherwise I have to start over again.

[MSFixR]

With a couple of diversified degrees you shouldn't have any problem finding a job. The IT should be a real plus with the business/finance degree. Stay with it.

[Blackmask]

Rory, with those qualifications and study, you have real opportunity to open doors with contacts. You can contact any industry, food, metal, banking, and just try and arrange face to face meeting to start to understand what kind of roles are out there in these industries. It doesn't matter if you already know the answers, the point is to network and let people know you exist.

[Captain Beefheart]

Ah the unfullfilled lives of cubicle workers, desperate to be unrestrained by the crushing slavery of health-care, vacation/sick time and internet access. Those thin freaking walls that don't make me you feel like you're part of the team until dropping a line of salt to keep the evil spirits out.

Someday you will find your dream job getting paid to be creative with other peoples money!.

Not that i'm trying to lash out at anyone in particular, i'm just taking a general stance, the sentiment ( and yes the job hunt is an exercise in humiliation) but sounds like some perspective is needed.

PS: People who have had their careers outsourced or skilled labor that is simply no longer needed. THOSE people have a right to ***** about things...

[Wolf]

And what do you do?

[Captain Beefheart]

I kill people, generally I top them off with a chainsaw and down the stairwell they go. One of the more interesting/humorous perks of my job is when I get to analyze Phil Collins and Genesis records with hookers.

Yup that's me B-e-e-f-o, representing so many vicious and evil things present in america then (mid eighties) and now.

Really I "free lance", not because i'm an independent soul or anything, i'm one of those with little motivation to work in an office environment other than to earn money. While I would benefit from the idea of someone else supporting me I couldn't do it on a moral basis.

Lizzy: Ever felt like looking for a job is much like a job itself?

I was doing sum work for a lawyer this past week and she told me about a normal day at her office: a resume comes through the fax machine, someone answers the phone, she needs a piece of paper to write somethin.. so she rips the resume and writes it on a shred.

HAHAHHA. Not to mention the personality tests you have to take. You can't just lie on them and tell them what they want to hear and pass. It doesn't matter how you answer, when someone has bipolar disorder, and other select s!hit, there is a statistical pattern to their answers, it is in the way they think. No matter how you answer, they'll know 90% of the time. INTP in the house!