I am a recent graduate and am currently seeking employment... I'm not doing very well in finding a job, tips?

Question

I just graduated from a university with a B.A. in Mass Communication/Public Relations degree and am having a hard time finding employment. I have been looking in many different locations. I am also finding it hard to get anyone who is far away to look at my resume. Why is it so hard to relocate/find a job after college? What should I do? How can I get experience if no one will give me a chance?!

Answer 1

I predict that we're about to enter a recession - I'm not alone in that prediction. For that reason, some employers are being very cautious right now.

There are jobs to have though. First step, have a human resources professional (not cousin Tom) critique your resume and cover letter before you send another.

Then, send resumes to companies you're interested for jobs you'd like to have whether they're advertising right now or not. Don't forget small companies that may have a job you want. You'd like your resume to hit the desk before they advertise that open job.

Anticipate that you'll get one interview for every ten resumes that you send out. You'll get one job offer for every ten interviews. That's 100 resumes to get a single offer.

Anticipate that it will take one month of searching for each $10000 in income you want. Want a $30K job, give it 3 months. Want $60K (forget that with no experience), give it 6 months.

It's hard to find a job because there are other people who want a good job too. You're in competition - go into competition mode. You need to play offense in this search because nobody is likely to just call you up and say "hey, want a job?"

Shotgunning resumes (sending out to everywhere) is frowned on by some counselors but HR people will tell you that it works. If I get a resume in my office that fits a job that opened this morning, I may not even advertise that job and spend that time and money.

Keep your options open. Communication relates to every industry.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Look for graduate position jobs - with a lot of those positions, it doesn't matter what you have graduated in, just that you have graduated with a degree.
Look for jobs with the government.
Put your application in everywhere you can - also, if there is anywhere close to you that you can take your resume and have someone look over it to make sure its set out right, and if there is anything you can do to adjust it - because you might just need to tweak it a little bit depending on the type of positions that you are applying for and it may be that you are just missing something.
Good luck with getting a job, because I understand how hard it is because I am also searching at the moment and its not easy when places won't give you a look in because of lack of experience etc.

Answer 3

This is a tough time to be graduating and seeking employment. Don't get discouraged. Take advantage of any career services your college or university might provide. Make sure you have a current resume posted and active (searchable) on some major job boards like Monster or Dice.

If all else fails, go back and get an advanced degree.

Answer 4

My first job at 16 years old was at a place like McDonald's called Red Barn. As I recall I made $1.65 an hour ~ the same price as our biggest burger. My next job a year later I worked Saturday and Sunday, 8 hours each day, and brought home $22 a week. I was still in high school and $22 a week was plenty for whatever I needed. A Rolling Stones concert ticket back then was $6.50 for floor seats! And yeah... I used to go out about every other night too. No problem! lol Those were the days.

Answer 5

Before you graduated with your degree, did you have any companies in miind that you plan to work at? If not,, then start searching. Perform informational interviews with someone in that company. Talk to someone who works there that you would like to get some information from that company and that person's background. Maybe he or she have an idea of where to work. Once you finish that informational interview, you already got a contact for that company. Continue informational interviewing until there is an opening at one of the companies that you choose. Chances are that you will be hired. Good luck.

Answer 6

Here's a guess: if you are using some program or model for your resume you might be getting screened out by programs that search for standard formats, keywords, etc.

Employers often believe they get too many resumes from unqualified people.

In your field creativity would be a big plus -- finding your own unique way to communicate your potential will prove you can do the job. I don't believe you are in a profession where experience trumps talent.

Also focusing on a job that allows you to develop your skills is vital, even if it means you work for some non-profit or some such for a year or two (not longer or business people will think you don't understand private enterprise).

Answer 7

Its that old double standard. Places want you to have that degree, then they also want you to have 5 years experience. How are you suppose to have the experience if you have been going to school for the past 3-4 years for a degree?
You just have to keep trying until you find that right place willing to take in the new guy with no acutal "on the job experience" and give him a chance.
Good luck - something will break sooner or later and you will land a job.

Answer 8

Have you thought about teaching Engish overseas? Go to daveseslcafe.com for a listing of jobs. It is very easy to find work, many companies are looking for people, and some are quite desperate. There is a lot of work in China, for just one example--especially with the Olympics coming.

Email me if you want to know about Taiwan. This is my fourth year, and I'm loving it. (I don't get paid and I'm not a recruiter, by the way).

Answer 9

I Am A Graduate

Answer 10

try for jobs which gives trainings,
U do not have experinece that is why it is unlikely that u will get a job which requires experence personal,
I started my career as a leaner without pay, for almost six months, then the promoted be to support engineer and started paying me, i also started to get good offer form other organizations.

Usually i was given a job when someone refered to the boss about me.