I just graduated from college and am having trouble finding a job. Any ideas?

Question

I have a B.A. in Art History from one of the best colleges in Virginia. I have applied for a museum job, but they never called me for an interview. I would like to apply to grad school in the near future, but I need to study and take the GREs. In the meanwhile, I need to get a job, preferably related to art history and museums. I have checked local organizations but have had little luck. Does anyone have any good ideas? Serious answers only, please!

Answer 1

most people do not hire people that have little or no work experience. A BA is great, but having work experience is necessary to prove to them on your resume that you are competant.

One thing you can do, is try and apply for internships. Usually these pay little or none, but it gives you experience in the field.
When I was getting my undergrad degree, I had to be an intern to 4 companies and I was immediately hired as a full time designer once I had that on my resume.

Also, now that I changed career paths as a teacher, I had to volunteer many hours and work for free for months just to get the work experience on my resume. Believe me , when they hire people, and you are competing against 10 other people with a BA, the interships or volunteer works make a difference in decision.

Trust me, I have been in your same boat, but you need to get the extra edge and show that you are eager to volunteer and work for little or nothing in internships.

Also the quality of the college may look nice, but overall it doesn't mean squat when it comes to hiring someone. People choose experience overall. Last semester, I took an art history class. 95% of the students in there were graduates of art history because they could not find a job in their field and they went back to grad school to make their title sound better.

Also , these days unfortunately it's not what you know , but who you know, so by volunteering, you will meet people that will recommend you and help you find a job.

When I had no experience, nobody would hire me. When I volunteered, people saw my work ethic and I receive calls all the time for extra work.

Answer 2

As an HR I can tell you is that you need to speak to the hiring manager face to face. I get so many online applications every day that I have my secretary look though them, I also screen my calls. So in order for you to speak to a HR directly you must ask for them by name (do a little research). Once you have them you have to have a 1-2 minute pitch ready for them on how you would benefit their company.

Now most employers today will tell you to apply online. So the key here is to apply online before you call or go into the company. Then bring a hard copy of the resume to hand to the HR, so it sits on their desk and reminds them. Another key is if you can get referred. I was reading a book called "Am I Really About to Graduate?: How to Get a Job Like a Boss" recently and it said "It may be startling to some that referrals are now the #1 source in hiring volume, as well as #1 for new hire quality." I myself set up a referral reward program for my employees because its so much easier finding good people who are referred over those that just apply online.

Volunteering can be an EXCELLENT way to go about getting a job. It can help you connect to a specific industry as well as allow you to do some good in your community.
Source(s):
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Answer 3

I graduated in Dec 04, got my first real job out of college Auditing Insurance companies, did not like it...quit...now I am back in the water with the rest of the fish, I did apply and got accepted to an MBA program, but looking at the situation I would just be a more educated and a more in debt individual, so I am going back to the Jr. college and am becoming fluent in a second and third language while I am working towards a EU citizenship and am applying to, "bank teller" jobs until I really figure out what I want to do.... why did I tell you this?.... I want you to take away these simple concepts which I felt I have learned taken from the path that I took... 1. Don't quit your first job out of college until you secure your second as down time is quite madding 2. On the flip side you have time to reevaluate your true desires... still quite madding 3. It is tough swimming in the water with all of the other fishes unless your a shark. 4. You may have to take a lessor position then what you are going for which will give you some flexibility to explore your field and study for the GRE- I should be looking at the CPA but I am still not sure if this is what I want to do. Also the best job opportunities that I have found have been on Craig's list (bay area- California) but I am not seriously looking anymore. Good Luck!

Answer 4

It's probably going to be tough to find something really spectacular at first. How about volunteering for a local museum or working in a children's museum. Volunteer experience can work wonders in beefing up a resume too. My husband did a ton of volunteer work while in college and just out of college and it made the difference between a starting wage no responsibility job and a substantial wage with some more serious resume-building projects.

Don't give up. Just look around. Many jobs can have potential and you can add to that by volunteering on the side somewhere. Make contacts with your professors from your department. That can really help. Not many students will do this and therefore when info about jobs and projects comes their way they will remember you and your interest. Volunteering also sets you up for some potential job and experience contacts. Getting your name and face out there is the best thing you can do.

Just get out there and don't worry if you can't work doing the perfect thing straight away. Keep your eyes open and you can do it.

Answer 5

Why don't u do some substitute teaching while u apply for other jobs.? U can pick how little or often u work. By the way I hated the GRE lol. I only had a week to study and lets just say I did BAD....Make sure to give yourself at least a good three months of studying. Good Luck!

Answer 6

i hate to break it to you but you should have majored in something else. yeah, if you love art history that's great and all but where did you think you were going to get a job? even if you went to harvard you'd still be having the same problem. sure you can apply to all the museums in your area and hope one of them gives you a job, but realistically how many positions are there that are open for new grads?

if you are planning on going to grad school, DON'T study art history there. you will be hugely in debt and without the means to pay it off. if i were you i'd start waitressing now and save up for grad school, and when you can actually afford it with loans and scholarships, study something worthwhile that you think will open up more opportunities for you. (hint: think science, math, engineering.)

you've done the art history thing and gotten it out of your system, now go do something that will give you a secure future.

Answer 7

What does your resume look like? Try only apply to jobs that are in need of new employees. That will save you time. In the meantime you should get a minimum wage job, apply somewhere you know they will hire you if you haven't already. This way you won't be completely broke and look like your trying. I suggest a temp agency or something. You need to build up your resume with jobs that relate to your interest no matter how small they are.

Answer 8

America Job Bank. Virginia State Employment Agency,
your colleges Human resources.
Google search.
Dubai Jobs, etc etc-

Answer 9

Perhaps if you volunteered part time and did another non-related type job to pay the bills until you get into Grad school it would help. That way you can meet people in the museums and get to know them...because unortunately its usually not what you know but who you know in the business world.

Answer 10

Art history? Ouch. But to the question./..what do you enjoy doing? That should be your point of departure. Find something you enjoy..where you are anxious to get to work and where you really don't look forward to leaving. Then go on your job hunt. Know yourself and that knowledge (and accompanying enthusiasm) will help you land your job. Good luck.