How much time and money do college graduates spend search for their first jobs?

Answer 1

I spent a year looking for a full-time job, while working part-time jobs and living with my parents. That time was a blessing, though. I really needed that time off. It was so stressful my senior year. My first job, though, that I got after a year, was not in my field. About two years later, I finally got a job in my field. It was a long process. It's funny, because I really thought I'd get my dream job right after college. Didn't happen. I still am searching for my dream job actually. Who knows when I'll get it. The good thing is that Im finally in my field and am going in the right direction. Take care.

Answer 2

Allow me to geeze for a moment here. I graduated from college 20 years go (yeah, that seems like a long time now). Back then, in 1987, the country was still in a recession, so the employment outlook was only fair - not good. I took the "rifle approach" to finding my dream job. I sent a cover letter and resume to only one company, the month that I intended to graduate, and was able to interview the following month. It took 1 aptitude test and 3 interviews over 4 weeks time before I was finally hired.

Ok, now, that was then...and this is now. I am recently unemployed and let me tell you, times have changed! How so? Voicemail and email (something we did not have 20 years ago) have made it near impossible to reach the actual hiring decision makers. No offense, but human resource people are not that great at what they do, and they really don't do the actual hiring. However, if you want to get through to the decision-makers, you have to get past the gatekeeping HR people first. And, the would much rather sip coffee and eat donuts that answer your email, voicemail or letter.

So, as for how much time it takes in 2007. I am not sure. As for how much it should cost, I would suggest you invest in the following in case you have not already...

3 professional suits - dark blue, dark grey, light grey

answering machine at your home landline

Some quality paper to print your resume on.

Don't go overboard on any of this stuff! It is possible to look "too good". You don't need to spend the extra dough on a professional resume. THE INTERVIEW is what gets you the job. And when you arrive for the interview, you don't want to be dressed in a thousand dollar Armani suit; the interviewer will think that (a) you spend too much money that you don't have (i.e. credit card debtor, college puke) (b) you spend mommy and daddy's money lavishly (dependant personality type (c) you really don't need the job or the money because you are already independanty wealthy and probably won't want to do any "real work".

Dress like this! http://www.maui.net/~myndi/Business_Suit.JPG

Answer 3

I spent no money and had an offer within a month of graduating.