My Ongoing Job Search. What else can I do?

Storm

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 1999
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Being one of the possible many unemployed comp sci/comp eng recent graduates. Im wondering what else can I do to facilitate getting a job. In the beginning, like early this spring before I graduated, I went to my school of engineering carreer placement office. Got my resume critiqued and all that fun stuff, supposedly got it published in a big resume book to be sent out to employers. Guess that didnt quite work out ;). Also during that time and up until recently, I surfed around the web and either sent out resumes to companies that were looking for entry level engineering or used snail mail. Slowly from graduation til now I went down the list in my head of possible jobs I thought I could do. Going from entry-level engineering through IT and down to the lowest level of tech support. All this to no avail ;). Also since about this the start of this month, I've been looking at regular old jobs in retail stores, seasonal work. It would be something to keep my hands busy and to make a little money. I wouldnt say I'm the kind of person that is so prideful that I couldnt stomach a job like this, but given the kind of state of the comp industry it would give me a chance to make a little money DOING SOMETHING. Ahahaha but again to no avail, Im guessing Im over-qualified with a comp eng degree. I've tried retail chain stores like Target and working part-time as a bank teller but I havent heard anything from either. As for grocery stores no openings. So right now Im wondering what else could I possibly do to land any sort of job ;). I've tried looking for good job placement companies but I really havent found any. Im in the northern New Jersey area, so if anyone that knows of any ones in Jersey or New York that are good feel free to tell me. Oh yea right now I've had family and extended family try too hook me up with something anything but so far nil ;). Man I gotta say this situation sucks big time, but hey Im learning patience if anything maybe I have bad luck or something. But if any one offer any intelligent suggestions feel free to reply. No I will not be out being a male gigolo :p.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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You could get your CNA (Certified Nursing Aid), not Novel Administrator ;) and basically have employers climbing over each other to hire you.

But, it's a thankless job, doing rather nasty work, at crappy hours, with crappy pay. But hey, there's a good market for it! :)

Seriously though...healthcare is where the jobs are. Pull up the website for you regional hospital and see what jobs are available.
 

Storm

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 1999
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
You could get your CNA (Certified Nursing Aid), not Novel Administrator ;) and basically have employers climbing over each other to hire you.

But, it's a thankless job, doing rather nasty work, at crappy hours, with crappy pay. But hey, there's a good market for it! :)

Seriously though...healthcare is where the jobs are. Pull up the website for you regional hospital and see what jobs are available.

Hrmm havent tried the hospitals

Thanks
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
You could get your CNA (Certified Nursing Aid), not Novel Administrator ;) and basically have employers climbing over each other to hire you.

But, it's a thankless job, doing rather nasty work, at crappy hours, with crappy pay. But hey, there's a good market for it! :)

Seriously though...healthcare is where the jobs are. Pull up the website for you regional hospital and see what jobs are available.
That's fine and good for a guy if he's given up on trying to get an IT job, but I don't think storm has given up on that yet.

 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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That's fine and good for a guy if he's given up on trying to get an IT job, but I don't think storm has given up on that yet.

He can at least look for a job to pay the bills at a hospital until a position finally opens up in the tech market. Hospitals have tons of jobs available that will allow you to pay the electric bill and put food on the table.

I've got several friends that had to take menial jobs for 4 months to 8 months till they found a job in their field. It's brutal out there. Really about the only way you are going to get a tech job that isn't a high turn over job like an $8 an hour tech working in a huge call center is to have a connection from the inside.
 

Storm

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Nov 5, 1999
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
That's fine and good for a guy if he's given up on trying to get an IT job, but I don't think storm has given up on that yet.

He can at least look for a job to pay the bills at a hospital until a position finally opens up in the tech market. Hospitals have tons of jobs available that will allow you to pay the electric bill and put food on the table.

I've got several friends that had to take menial jobs for 4 months to 8 months till they found a job in their field. It's brutal out there. Really about the only way you are going to get a tech job that isn't a high turn over job like an $8 an hour tech working in a huge call center is to have a connection from the inside.

Nah I havent given up yet, but Im living at home :( and it would be nice to be doing something to make some money.
 

hungrypete

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Aug 4, 2000
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Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: axelfox
its all about networking :)
Translation: If you don't know anybody you won't get a job.

This is painfully true. Keep trying to get those lower end jobs at Best Buy etc, and once you do hopefully you can continue your search for a real job. I know I had to swallow my pride and take a pretty crappy job for a while. Let's hope the mega azz kicking interview I have next week goes somewhere :) Highest paying job I've ever been interviewed for an I'm qualified too! ;) It would be very cool to be making close to 50k at 22 when I haven't even finished my Associates. But I won't get my hopes up too high. ;)

BTW the Comptia A+ and Network+ certifications are lifetime certs and they WILL help you get a job, I encourage you to get them.
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I agree that having connections really helps. So go get some connections!

Surely in your area there are user groups or organizations that are set up just for networking purposes. Join them and attend the meetings. That's how you get connections. Too many people think that if they don't have a family member or friend to hook them up they have no chance. You just go and make your own contacts.

Is your resume the same as everyone else's who just graduated? Find some way to make yours stand out from the crowd. Do volunteer work in your field for a non-profit organization. When you put that on your resume, you don't have to say you did it as a volunteer. Instant experience!

Keep in touch with your school's placement office.

Search google for "user group" and "new jersey"
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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Check with your state employment office

Get ahold of some of the engineering neewspapers, EE Times is one.
There will be a lot of head hunters listed in there.

Also consider looking out of state.