YAJobT: When to apply?

[WhiteKnight]

I'm going to be finishing my master's in mechanical engineering this spring and I've started looking for jobs. When should I start to actually apply and try to get interviews? Would it be normal procedure for me to apply and/or interview now even though I won't be available until the summer? Could I get a jump on the competition this way or will most companies just tell me to come back in the spring? It just seems that a number of employers only want applications for the current openings they have listed, and I imagine that they'd want to fill those positions as soon as possible, not have to wait 10 months.

 

[minendo]

Start now.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i looked in the fall as a may grad. most places did say come back in the spring. one however offered me a job, which i took. i would start now. fall recruiting > spring recruiting in my experience

 

[Hankerton]

The sooner the better, the economy is still soft.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
i looked in the fall as a may grad. most places did say come back in the spring. one however offered me a job, which i took. i would start now. fall recruiting > spring recruiting in my experience

So they offered you a job in the fall for spring/summer start? That much have made your last year a bit less stressful. 🙂

 

[WhiteKnight]

^
Anyone else out there with early application experiences?

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: minendo
Start now.

agreed. all the other may grads will be doing the same thing. if they don't, you'll be ahead of them.