Hard Time Finding Employment

mslychee · #1 10-29-2008, 09:23 PM

I'm currently in the market for a job, and I'm finding it to be extremely difficult. I recently graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Business Management, and I was naive to believe that it would be easier for someone with a college degree to get a decent job. I do have some experience under my belt, but it's not what companies want. I don't have any experience in a specific industry (besides realty), and I don't have the required 2-3 years of experience in a specific business field. All of those entry level jobs aren't really entry level. They're all looking for specific experience. I'm also looking into internships (something I never had the time for while I was in school), but I get rejections because I'm no longer a student. I've gone to job fairs, careerbuilder, monster, and even individual corporate sites to look at their career section. I've had a few interviews but came out with no luck. I'm not picky and have tried pretty much everything within reason.

My question goes out to anyone who can help. What resources are out there for people like me to find a job? Am I looking in the wrong places? Is anyone else in the same boat? Is the economy solely to blame?

Thanks. I really appreciate any input you guys may have.

Green Lantern · #2 10-29-2008, 09:26 PM

welcome to Talkdelaware mslychee.

sorry to hear of your misfortune. i hope that you find success soon.

M.Opaliski · #3 10-29-2008, 09:52 PM

Welcome to TalkDelaware. I would suggest all the places that you're already looking so you're ahead of the game there. Chances are that like many College graduates you might have to consider employment that has nothing to do with your chosen field until something presents itself ...

Jessica · #4 10-29-2008, 10:39 PM

Welcome to the board.

I graduated in the Spring of 2003, and had the same problem as you. I worked in retail banking as a Customer Service Representative making beans. It was frustrating and scary because I thought I would never get ahead or get a decent paying job with any future. I feel for you, because I know our economy is a lot worse now than it was back then.

I have three pieces of advice. The first is: take what you can get. I don't know your situation and what bills you have to pay, but if your financial situation allows, take a job for the resume experience. Go as far as you can. That's pretty much what I did. I took a job that paid horribly, but I worked it. I got every promotion and certification I could. I joined work related groups and committees and volunteered for non-paid events. Even working in a bank's branch opening accounts could add the experience jobs look for.

That brings me to my second piece of advice. Apply for anything you're even remotely qualified for. If it says 3-5 years of experience and you only have 1, apply anyway. The worst that can happen is that you never hear back from the employer. Best case scenario, you get interview experience - or even an offer! I once went through the interview process for a non-profit company specializing in alternative transportation. I had absolutely no experience relating to the position. I didn't get the job, but I got invaluable interview experience, and in an interesting twist of fate they called me months later (after I'd left the area) to offer me the job after the person they'd hired didn't work out. Trust me, there is no database that tracks all the positions you apply for but never receive. If there was, no one would have given me an interview! I was inspired when I heard Rachael Ray respond to criticism about her cooking show. Some famous chef had quipped that she was unqualified to teach people about cooking. She said something to the effect of "I haven't been qualified for a single job I've ever had, but that hasn't stopped me." I had no experience for the job I hold now, but I was able to show that I had the drive to become experienced. I've been here for 15 months, I'm making twice what I did, and I love it.

Last bit of advice, and this is just my opinion, forget Monster and Career Builder. I tried them for years with no luck. I was contacted by a bunch of sales jobs and work from home businesses, and not much else. I researched and found the company I wanted to work for, looked at their HR page, and applied for my job directly. I was hired within a month.

Best of luck to you, and I hope this helped!

__________________
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
--Eleanor Roosevelt

hockey · #5 10-30-2008, 01:16 AM

What kind of job are you looking for? What are your goals? Which companies are you interested in? I suggest hiring a local headhunting company.

This one has a good website and they operate here in Delaware...

Job Search | Career Information | Recruiting Service | Staffing Services | Spherion

tricksterde · #6 10-30-2008, 06:47 AM

Don't discount Temp Agencies. They can be wonderful. Not wanting to sell my soul back into the corporate world (ie banking where I worked for many years with the same soul sucking company) I decided to try "temping", I had hired temps for positions I had in the past, some were good, some sucked. I know from experience some companies only hire from agencies because it allows them to test drive potential empolyees before actually hiring them. I staffed a whole call center in Arizona that way. I did a 14 month stint with JP Morgan and was offered two positions, still not wanting to get tied down I left there when the contract was up. Got a spot at GM working for Ryder the transportation company took their offer. Been here three and a half years, waiting to see what happens there now. I have know alot of others who started as "temps" and got good offers to stay with good companies. Randstad and Integrity are two good ones I have hired through and been hired by. Good luck.

Spyder08 · #7 10-30-2008, 06:50 AM

If I were you I would try going through an agency. It seems alot of employers these days go through agencies so they can kind of test run a person before committing to hire them. The bank I work for seems to go through agencies alot. Best of luck in your job hunt.

__________________
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. -Sir Winston Churchill

TattdMom · #8 10-30-2008, 09:41 AM

I agree with Spyder & Trickster, temp agencies are the way to go. Before getting my job with the State 8 years ago I worked for Kelly Temps for 4 years and loved it. I got a wealth of experience in many different fields and built my resume. Recently my daughter graduated from UD with a Bachelors in History & Criminal Justice; about 2 months after graduation and after sending her resume to every lawyer in Baltimore (her bf lived there and she thought she would move there), she decided to sign up for Exclusively Legal. It took them about a month to actually find her something but what they found her turned into a gold mine for her. She started working for a firm in Wilmington on a Wednesday while they interviewed for the position she was temping in. By Friday of that week before the end of the day they asked her if she would consider taking the position. They offered her $30K a year to start.

In a nutshell I would definately start calling temp agencies and getting your name out there. You never know what will happen.

JoeyCat · #9 10-30-2008, 09:45 AM

I can't say I agree with the Monster/Career Builder website thingy. I posted my resume on both and was called by employers for a well paying temp job and the job I've had for the last three years.

I worked at major car finance company as a temp for 2 years before a position opened up. I had worked in the same position for a car leasing company for 7 years before going to the finance company. I was told I had a great shot at getting the position as it required 3 to 5 years experience in auto finance contracts. Guess what! They hired a kid who was temping, just graduated from college and had 2 months experience with auto finance contracts. In fact, I had trained him! So, the college degree is extremely important to some companies, even more so than experience.