Im a recent college graduate, and recently moved back in with the parents in Queens. I must find a job now! Ive tried Monster, Hot Jobs, the Times classified, etc., but so far, Ive got nothing. Where else can I look?
Unemployed, Flushing
Perhaps an especially relevant question in light of the recent Apprentice finale. The good news is that you don't have to put yourself through a reality show to find gainful employment, but we understand the frustration of mailing out resumes in bulk and not getting any feedback. So here are some ideas for finding a job that maybe you haven't tried yet.
For starters, where you look really depends on the industry. Most trades have industry-specific market places online (for instance, if you work in publishing or media, check out Media Bistro). Those websites usually feature job postings and/or advice for finding jobs in your industry. Also, different industries handle job searches differently, so the steps youll need to take to find a good job may vary.
Generally:
Go back to school, or your schools career center anyway. Your alma mater likely has a career center with a website that will offer more tips for finding jobs, and likely has job postings divided up by department. A career counselor there might also be able to put you in touch with an alumnus in your intended industry.
You can do some information interviewing. Find companies that youre interested in working for and send them letters. Dont ask for a job, but do say that youre interested in learning more about the industry, entry-level positions, and the general atmosphere of the company. Clearly indicate your contact information and then put your resume and cover letter in the envelope, too; if your information interview goes well, whoever you talk to will likely pass the resume on to HR with some kind words.
If you need help finding contacts for information interviews, again go back to your college and check out the alumni association. Most have searchable databases where you can find other alumni from your school who work in the industry youre interested in. You can send letters to alumni and ask to do an information interview.
The key is to make contacts. The job market is pretty competitive now, so getting to know someone at a company youre interested in will help get your foot in the door. Youll be considered first when new positions open up, or can let you know if they know of positions that might be a good fit for you.
You should also check out company websites. Most companies are now posting job listings on their own sites. This is also an excellent way to do research about a company youd like to work for, and employers are impressed if you already have some information about what their company is about when you arrive for your interview.
Good luck with the job search!
Im a recent college graduate, and recently moved back in with the parents in Queens. I must find a job now! Ive tried Monster, Hot Jobs, the Times classified, etc., but so far, Ive got nothing. Where else can I look?
