sciencenerd

Who graduated in 2012 and still doesn't have a job?

What did you major in and what's your situation?

I have a degree in Chemistry, have been applying to a few places and haven't had much luck.

GoalsOriented

Graduated in 2011 - still no job. My degree was Business Administration with my major in Management Information Systems. Every once in a while, after it has become clear the last one is not working, I try a radically different strategy with job applications, using different advice/tips from many different sources. The results never change.

notaznguy

Dang that's rough to hear.

I think you guys shouldn't be so picky though. You can't just apply to "just a few places." You have to apply everywhere and anywhere, even in companies for job positions you didn't necessarily study for in college. I'm not talking about applying for a Software Engineering job when you were an English major, but as a Chemistry major, for instance, you can totally apply to HR jobs or administrative positions. They're not glamorous, but it's an entry level position. And besides, you'll gain experience and you can move on to your next step. It's better to be working and doing something than having a 2+ year unemployment gap.

So don't be picky, don't be afraid to relocate, and apply everywhere and anywhere you can.

chrisw

If either of you want to send your resumes and/or cover letters to me, I'd be happy to tear them apart for you. After someone did that for me, my results drastically improved. By the end, I had 7 interviews and 2 job offers out of 53 total applications in 5 industries (public and private sector) over the course of four months.

Also if you want to get some guidance, talk about where you want to work... there might be similar jobs in radically different industries.

acc182

I graduated in June 2012 and am currently looking for a job. I studied aerospace engineering and after going to my school's career fair, I'm not the only one in the same situation. I saw a few familiar faces looking for jobs that I thought would have jobs by now.

I guess it seems tough right now for the aerospace industry depending on government budgets. At this point, I am not sure how long I should stay in the job hunt or if I should go back to school to get a master's? I really don't want to be doing nothing for a year.

notaznguy

^ Are you only applying for aerospace jobs? Apply to other engineering related jobs. I know plenty of people that studied aerospace, but are doing other engineering related jobs (i.e. software, electrical, etc.)

emprex

Could you also please list what your college was? I think that may help out prospective or current students.

that1guyy

This is an interesting thread. I haven't graduated yet, but would like to read people's attempts at finding jobs after graduation (It'll happen to me in two years!) especially those with less lucrative degrees outside of STEM.

hzhao2004

Politicians keep saying 50% of recent college graduates don't have jobs. It sounds really scary.

ldavis

Great thread. Any student loan concerns?

OhioMom3000

"Could you also please list what your college was? I think that may help out prospective or current students."

I'm sure there are students from every college who could contribute to this thread. I like the advice notaznguy contributed.

GoalsOriented

Notaznguy's advice is well-intentioned, but it is largely irrelevant for most unemployed college graduates. I am sure some are being picky, but not the majority. There are many that are applying even to Walmart and McDonalds for non-degree jobs where they cannot even make enough to pay their living expenses, much less their student loans, and still cannot even get those jobs. I have applied to many locations all over the US across many different fields - the quantity / variety has not helped.

notaznguy

Heh, you'd be surprised. I think you overestimate the pro-activeness and dedication of unemployed college graduates. I can't speak for all, but many of my unemployed friends refuse to apply menial jobs because they think they're worth more than that, won't stoop down to "that level," and are entitled to a high entry level starting salary. Others, on the other hand, believe that jobs are meant to be fun, exciting, glorious, and something they look forward to with great joy every single day. In other words, if it is not their dream job in which they are passionate about, they wont' even waste their time looking at it.

The ones that are proactive, desperate, fearful, and hungry will always find something, one way or another. The ones that can afford to kick back, apply to a few jobs a day, see what happens in life, well, those are the ones who are complaining on internet forums.

Have you asked any of your friends if they ever considered going to a temp agency for work? I bet you they would respond, "Oh god, no. I graduated from _____. Who do you think I am?"

Emaheevul07

I graduated in 2011 and got my job in four months. I did interview at my company the first month after graduation, but there were six rounds of interviews and it just took that long to complete.

I am chiming in just to say that I sent out 200+ resumes, which were tailored complete with cover letters for each individual position. I went on maybe a dozen interviews and got one offer. You really have to make finding a job your full time job until you find one. It's tough, but don't get discouraged-- you only need one good offer. And even if the one you get isn't what you want, it's always easier to find a job when you have a job. I came across job listings that even said people who are currently unemployed need not apply.

SpacemanEd

Some good replies here.

As a recruiter that has hired some, placed some, and turned down many recent college grads, I'd say the difference between hired and not-hired candidates is that the former talks about what they can bring and where they want to go and the latter talks about what they need and what they want.