How to get a job right out of college.

[kmiller8]

This is my personal experience, and your results probably won't vary.

Step 1. Don't pick a stupid major.
Step 2. Graduate in engineering.
Step 3. Turn down job offers because you have so many.

This guide brought to you by the letter S.

[keymaster]

inb4 ****storm

[hwood34]

sounds about right

[user 18]

Glad to know you're doing well for yourself. Reject all the jobs that won't allow you to bring your own keyboard.

[noisyturtle]

How do you reject offers that are non-existent?

[hwood34]

How do you reject offers that are non-existent?

didn't you hear? he had so many

[rowdy]

How do you reject offers that are non-existent?

didn't you hear? he had so many

A shame he can't share them around.

[Belfong]

But he picked a wrong major!

[anoxy]

A job where I have to sit down all day? lol no thanks.

[roaduck]

After graduating from college with science and engineering qualifications in 1982, I knocked on doors and gave my CV before the  company even advertised for vacancies.I even offered to work free for a week on probation...can`t say fairer than that.

I got hundreds of rejections...it only made me more stubborn and single-minded to get the job I wanted.

I got a commission only sales job and had to relocate 200 miles from home...but I did it; it is possible but you have to have dogged determination, self belief and confidence...all virtues that can be improved upon by reading on-line books and going to specialist forums.

I know it`s harder these days but there`s the net to research things which didn`t really exist 34 years ago.

I would join forums specialising in similar skill-sets to myself and get my CV on as many job sites as possible.

Find your USP...your unique selling point and emphasise your pros and say you are actively working to improve your cons which is refreshing honesty and will be appreciated by any manager worth his salt.

If you can prove to a potential employer that you have been learning on-line or doing voluntary work in your particular field at least it shows that you`ve applied yourself and will give you a better chance of success.

Find a potential business partner or venture capitalist firm and  go self-employed.

I got a grant to start my carpet-cleaning business in 1986 from the Princes Trust.

Set up a free business bank account, did spreadsheets, feasibility studies and sales projections, got in with the masons, the Federation of Small businesses and the Local Chamber of Commerce.

Whilst I was doing that I had a gardening job...pushing a petrol lawnmower on the road for 15-20 miles and working from 5am to 10pm in the Summer.

I had no phone and no car and I still managed to do it, I got big contracts with the aid of a cheap paper notebook and being affable, approachable, reasonable and easy-going helped immensely.I was using public telephone call boxes to communicate to confirm appointments etc...I had no excuses.

I walked miles to affluent areas to get better jobs with a heavy 30 year old 12" cylinder ATCO lawnmower; I bought it in the local ads paper for £50.

The loud racket the roller made on the road was bleedin hilarious and that was when the engine was off LOL!

I was on more than my step father and he worked for the Parks and Recreation Department of our local council for 20 years.

I was doing gardens that nobody else would tackle...total jungles and forests...I never turned any work down and gradually my reputation and my diary grew and filled up.

[hwood34]

But he picked a wrong major!

mesopotamian literature

[roaduck]

But he picked a wrong major!

mesopotamian literature

Lol hwood34 - If you`re niche is too esoteric; you`re doomed.

I`ve had to retrain many times to change careers.

I know so many people with humanities degrees and they are struggling to gain employment.

I think students go for them because they are much easier to learn than the sciences and engineering.

[hwood34]

But he picked a wrong major!

mesopotamian literature

Lol hwood34 - If you`re niche is too esoteric; you`re doomed.

I`ve had to retrain many times to change careers.

I know so many people with humanities degrees and they are struggling to gain employment.

I think students go for them because they are much easier to learn than the sciences and engineering.

get a philosophy degree, so you can ask people why they want fries with that

[kmiller8]

Today is not "more difficult" to find a job. I literally applied to 6 places, got 3 second interviews, and two job offers.

It's all about location. sure if you go live somewhere popular where there is competition you won't find ****, but there are tons of cheaper places to live with way more jobs than where people like to live.

At the end of the day it comes down to pride... Live in sunny, beautiful california, or make more than minimum wage. It's that simple. people who ***** about not finding jobs either 1. really are terrible people who employers really don't want, or 2. aren't willing to make sacrifices in their immediate life to prosper in the future. To say "I can't find a job" really means "I don't want to work at a certain job because I'm too entitled and proud, and instead will go complain at other people instead of making changes or sacrifices in my life."

But then again, what do I know, I'm just some entitled little white kid living with his parents to save up and buy a house before he's 22.

btw, my college GPA was only a 3.0, so yeah, if you have like a 2.5 in engineering, gg no re, go work at mcdonalds or some ****.

[noisyturtle]

btw, my college GPA was only a 3.0, so yeah, if you have like a 2.5 in engineering, gg no re, go work at mcdonalds or some ****.

I rarely hear about potential employers checking GPA. It's such an arbitrary number, like asking what you hire's IQ is. Usually they just care if you have that little piece of paper saying you finished something, unless you really impress them in the interview.
It's easier for concrete jobs like programming and such where soft skills and communication aren't really a priority because they can just assume you graduated so you already have active knowledge of something/skill that doesn't change rapidly.

[PointyFox]

WTF it took me 6 years to find a decent job after getting an engineering degree.

[Puddsy]

I'm 17 and what is this

[jdcarpe]

If anyone is seeking employment, come to Odessa/Midland in Texas. There are many jobs to be found here. Almost every opportunity is here in the oil and natural gas industries. The money is good, while this boom lasts.

[anoxy]

But then again, what do I know, I'm just some entitled little white kid living with his parents to save up and buy a house before he's 22.

That sucks. Not everyone wants to buy a house before they're 22. Lots of people, including me would rather save that money to travel and see the world. You're only young once, why settle down in one place so early.

[PointyFox]

But then again, what do I know, I'm just some entitled little white kid living with his parents to save up and buy a house before he's 22.

That sucks. Not everyone wants to buy a house before they're 22. Lots of people, including me would rather save that money to travel and see the world. You're only young once, why settle down in one place so early.

What's this buy a house before they're 22? 

[noisyturtle]

If it's just a house you're after, that's pretty easy now a days. Buddy of mine bought a foreclosed ranch home just outside of Boulder, CO for 16k. That's less than his car's worth
Personally I'd much rather rent. Being tied to one location when you're out of work is a bad idea.

[SpAmRaY]

If anyone is seeking employment, come to Odessa/Midland in Texas. There are many jobs to be found here. Almost every opportunity is here in the oil and natural gas industries. The money is good, while this boom lasts.

Don't tempt me JD. Maybe I need to trade one fossil fuel for another.

[IvanIvanovich]

Wrong. What you do is time perfectly finishing your degree in some uber obscure but still relevant field right at the time the last person that completed it dies. You will be like so in demand.

[tp4tissue]

you guys have to think exponentially..

the value of your mastery whatever the subject rises exponentially..

There are masters of Bull Semen for example.. and they're highly in demand jobs.. because it's tough to find someone who knows so much about it...

[HoffmanMyster]

A job where I have to sit down all day? lol no thanks.

Do you think that all engineers sit down all day?   )

btw, my college GPA was only a 3.0, so yeah, if you have like a 2.5 in engineering, gg no re, go work at mcdonalds or some ****.

I rarely hear about potential employers checking GPA. It's such an arbitrary number, like asking what you hire's IQ is. Usually they just care if you have that little piece of paper saying you finished something, unless you really impress them in the interview.
It's easier for concrete jobs like programming and such where soft skills and communication aren't really a priority because they can just assume you graduated so you already have active knowledge of something/skill that doesn't change rapidly.

In my field most jobs have a cut off of 3.0.  If you're below that they don't even look at your resume.  After you make it past that, they look at work experience - if you have none in the field you're tossed out.  Then they get to the real part of actually looking at the resume.

That said, it's actually pretty easy to get a job in the industry, it just might not be in your dream location or at your dream company.

[kmiller8]

Renting is incredibly stupid. Why pay the same amount to NOT own something instead of building equity into something that is growing in value year over year?

Besides, I don't have any desire to travel right now, I spent the first 18 year of my life doing that, I just want something I can say is mine. I want to be locked down somewhere, besides I'm probably going to stay here for the next 4 years to get my PE before even thinking about moving to another company.

[kmiller8]

another LPT:

"How to get college for 100% free"

Graduate High-school in Louisiana with a 3.8+ GPA and don't drop below a 3.0 throughout college

This tip brought to you by the letter F.

[iri]

It's all about location

oh yes. i graduated in moscow. after i started to look for work after graduation, my phone was exploding from calls for a week.

"How to get college for 100% free in 'Murica"

FTFY

[Beca]

engineering is soooo boring though.

[HoffmanMyster]

engineering is soooo boring though.

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this.  I've never heard someone say engineering is boring.      

[Beca]

engineering is soooo boring though.

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this.  I've never heard someone say engineering is boring.   

The concept is interesting to me - using your knowledge to create new products/programs/etc.

The actual education in physics, chemistry, programming, math is just incredibly boring to me. I'm terrible at it because I can't be motivated to study or learn properly. I actually like math to an extent as well, but it just ain't my thang. Kudos to all who find enjoyment and are smart enough to thrive in engineering courses, but I can't handle dat ****.

I'm an economics major (coursework is highly irrelevant to any business-related job unfortunately) with a business minor. My university doesn't offer business majors, so this is the closest I could get. Not really sure what I want to do with my major yet, still in school and in the process of trying internships and seeing what I like. 

[noisyturtle]

engineering is soooo boring though.

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this.  I've never heard someone say engineering is boring.   

The concept is interesting to me - using your knowledge to create new products/programs/etc.

The actual education in physics, chemistry, programming, math is just incredibly boring to me. I'm terrible at it because I can't be motivated to study or learn properly. I actually like math to an extent as well, but it just ain't my thang. Kudos to all who find enjoyment and are smart enough to thrive in engineering courses, but I can't handle dat ****.

I'm an economics major (coursework is highly irrelevant to any business-related job unfortunately) with a business minor. My university doesn't offer business majors, so this is the closest I could get. Not really sure what I want to do with my major yet, still in school and in the process of trying internships and seeing what I like. 

My father got his masters in engineering from RPI. He worked as an engineer for 2 years before leaving it to become a freelance writer. He said it was the most unhappy two years of his life, so guess it's not for everyone.

[Belfong]

Tomorrow mark my 18 years of employment, ah I wish I am young and innocent like you all!

[Beca]

engineering is soooo boring though.

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this.  I've never heard someone say engineering is boring.   

The concept is interesting to me - using your knowledge to create new products/programs/etc.

The actual education in physics, chemistry, programming, math is just incredibly boring to me. I'm terrible at it because I can't be motivated to study or learn properly. I actually like math to an extent as well, but it just ain't my thang. Kudos to all who find enjoyment and are smart enough to thrive in engineering courses, but I can't handle dat ****.

I'm an economics major (coursework is highly irrelevant to any business-related job unfortunately) with a business minor. My university doesn't offer business majors, so this is the closest I could get. Not really sure what I want to do with my major yet, still in school and in the process of trying internships and seeing what I like. 

My father got his masters in engineering from RPI. He worked as an engineer for 2 years before leaving it to become a freelance writer. He said it was the most unhappy two years of his life, so guess it's not for everyone.

I feel like working in general will just make me unhappy.

my dream career: housewife.

[noisyturtle]

engineering is soooo boring though.

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this.  I've never heard someone say engineering is boring.   

The concept is interesting to me - using your knowledge to create new products/programs/etc.

The actual education in physics, chemistry, programming, math is just incredibly boring to me. I'm terrible at it because I can't be motivated to study or learn properly. I actually like math to an extent as well, but it just ain't my thang. Kudos to all who find enjoyment and are smart enough to thrive in engineering courses, but I can't handle dat ****.

I'm an economics major (coursework is highly irrelevant to any business-related job unfortunately) with a business minor. My university doesn't offer business majors, so this is the closest I could get. Not really sure what I want to do with my major yet, still in school and in the process of trying internships and seeing what I like. 

My father got his masters in engineering from RPI. He worked as an engineer for 2 years before leaving it to become a freelance writer. He said it was the most unhappy two years of his life, so guess it's not for everyone.

my dream career: housewife.

my dream career: housecat

[baldgye]

.

[Melvang]

Regardless of what you guys say I love coming up with ideas and trying to figure out how to the best quality product from raw materials.  I worked the restaurant jobs after high school and wasn't ready to grow up yet.  That changed when I joined the Navy as an aviation structural mechanic.  After I got out I started working as a millwright apprentice.  While I have a GED (lack of english and social studies credits in high school) I passed the apprenticeship courses with flying colors.  Only had one test each year with less than an 90%.  I was also the only person in my class to get 100% on the entrance test and the first year math test.

Currently working through my no compete agreement and planning on getting a job at one of the local John Deere plants doing maint work.  With that I will be joining a college for a degree in engineering.  This was my plan from when I was in the service.  Work in the field turning wrenches before I get a degree and work on the other side of the prints.  To date I have only had the privilege of working with an engineer that had a good amount of time in the field before going to college.  He was the best engineer I have ever had the pleasure of working with.  To bad he worked for a company that treats their blue collar employees like total dog ****.

/end rant

[paicrai]

wtf kmiller

[dustinhxc]

engineering is soooo boring though.

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this.  I've never heard someone say engineering is boring.   

The concept is interesting to me - using your knowledge to create new products/programs/etc.

The actual education in physics, chemistry, programming, math is just incredibly boring to me. I'm terrible at it because I can't be motivated to study or learn properly. I actually like math to an extent as well, but it just ain't my thang. Kudos to all who find enjoyment and are smart enough to thrive in engineering courses, but I can't handle dat ****.

I'm an economics major (coursework is highly irrelevant to any business-related job unfortunately) with a business minor. My university doesn't offer business majors, so this is the closest I could get. Not really sure what I want to do with my major yet, still in school and in the process of trying internships and seeing what I like. 

My father got his masters in engineering from RPI. He worked as an engineer for 2 years before leaving it to become a freelance writer. He said it was the most unhappy two years of his life, so guess it's not for everyone.

my dream career: housewife.

my dream career: housecat

   )

[JaccoW]

Renting is incredibly stupid. Why pay the same amount to NOT own something instead of building equity into something that is growing in value year over year?

Because, as the US housing bubble of 2007 shows that there is never any certainty that it will grow in value.
The moment you need to change jobs and move, not owning a house is a very smart move. You don't want to be tied down for example to an expensive house in a boom area when the market comes crashing down and the town runs empty.

I'm studying business engineering and the market is okay. Most have a job within a year and some even before they graduate.
I studied Philosophy for a while and though it is hard to explain to most people, the skills I learned there have helped me tremendously during the writing an reading of reports and in meeting/debates. There are few things more satisfying than calling your opponent out on his bull**** and pointing out why it is nonsense.

[rowdy]

Tomorrow mark my 18 years of employment, ah I wish I am young and innocent like you all!

18 years in one job?

[Melvang]

Renting is incredibly stupid. Why pay the same amount to NOT own something instead of building equity into something that is growing in value year over year?

Because, as the US housing bubble of 2007 shows that there is never any certainty that it will grow in value.
The moment you need to change jobs and move, not owning a house is a very smart move. You don't want to be tied down for example to an expensive house in a boom area when the market comes crashing down and the town runs empty.

I'm studying business engineering and the market is okay. Most have a job within a year and some even before they graduate.
I studied Philosophy for a while and though it is hard to explain to most people, the skills I learned there have helped me tremendously during the writing an reading of reports and in meeting/debates. There are few things more satisfying than calling your opponent out on his bull**** and pointing out why it is nonsense.

You may be correct here but I would still rather have my own home then rent.  For the simple fact of if I want to change something I can.  Also, if an appliance breaks that the land lord would be responsible for, I can put in what I want, not the cheapest thing on the market.

[osi]

The best way to get a job right out of college is to make connections WHILE you are still in school. Look for paid internships or unpaid internships if you have to. Making X amount of dollars should be secondary to gaining experience.

 A common complaint I see from fresh grads is how to break into the field with no experience. Internships are how to get around the barrier of employees having experience requirements on entry level jobs. Check with your school to see if they have job placement programs or something similar.

Having said that, even if a position calls for "3 years experience" and you don't have it, apply anyway. Part of the weed out process to steer those away who are intimidated by the requirements.

[JaccoW]

Renting is incredibly stupid. Why pay the same amount to NOT own something instead of building equity into something that is growing in value year over year?

Because, as the US housing bubble of 2007 shows that there is never any certainty that it will grow in value.
The moment you need to change jobs and move, not owning a house is a very smart move. You don't want to be tied down for example to an expensive house in a boom area when the market comes crashing down and the town runs empty.

I'm studying business engineering and the market is okay. Most have a job within a year and some even before they graduate.
I studied Philosophy for a while and though it is hard to explain to most people, the skills I learned there have helped me tremendously during the writing an reading of reports and in meeting/debates. There are few things more satisfying than calling your opponent out on his bull**** and pointing out why it is nonsense.

You may be correct here but I would still rather have my own home then rent.  For the simple fact of if I want to change something I can.  Also, if an appliance breaks that the land lord would be responsible for, I can put in what I want, not the cheapest thing on the market.

I see where you are coming from. In the end it boils down to what stage of life you are in and how stable (you think) your future is.
Me? I don't know where I will be in a year let alone five years. I feel like working or studying abroad doing projects here and there. Buying a house does not fit into that picture.

I live in a house that we are renting. It's expensive with a family of four living there. The only appliance we bought from the corporation that rents out the house is the dishwasher... and we probably shouldn't have as pretty much all our neighbours bought and installed their own.
On the flipside, a couple of years ago we had a really cold winter but the sky was  clear and the sun was shining all the time so we had our curtains closed. Because of the temperature difference the 3,5 by 2,5 meter double glazed window cracked. That was a very expensive repair (€800 if I recall correctly) that was paid for by the owner. That is a risk that you carry yourself as a house owner as well.

What would you like to change for example Melvang?

[Melvang]

Renting is incredibly stupid. Why pay the same amount to NOT own something instead of building equity into something that is growing in value year over year?

Because, as the US housing bubble of 2007 shows that there is never any certainty that it will grow in value.
The moment you need to change jobs and move, not owning a house is a very smart move. You don't want to be tied down for example to an expensive house in a boom area when the market comes crashing down and the town runs empty.

I'm studying business engineering and the market is okay. Most have a job within a year and some even before they graduate.
I studied Philosophy for a while and though it is hard to explain to most people, the skills I learned there have helped me tremendously during the writing an reading of reports and in meeting/debates. There are few things more satisfying than calling your opponent out on his bull**** and pointing out why it is nonsense.

You may be correct here but I would still rather have my own home then rent.  For the simple fact of if I want to change something I can.  Also, if an appliance breaks that the land lord would be responsible for, I can put in what I want, not the cheapest thing on the market.

I see where you are coming from. In the end it boils down to what stage of life you are in and how stable (you think) your future is.
Me? I don't know where I will be in a year let alone five years. I feel like working or studying abroad doing projects here and there. Buying a house does not fit into that picture.

I live in a house that we are renting. It's expensive with a family of four living there. The only appliance we bought from the corporation that rents out the house is the dishwasher... and we probably shouldn't have as pretty much all our neighbours bought and installed their own.
On the flipside, a couple of years ago we had a really cold winter but the sky was  clear and the sun was shining all the time so we had our curtains closed. Because of the temperature difference the 3,5 by 2,5 meter double glazed window cracked. That was a very expensive repair (€800 if I recall correctly) that was paid for by the owner. That is a risk that you carry yourself as a house owner as well.

What would you like to change for example Melvang?

The quality of the components that are installed.  I know a few people personally that are land lords and including all of the land lords I have rented from every single one when as absolute cheap as possible on any and all repairs.  Such as last year when we had a bad storm come through.  I ended up having a hail damage claim on the shingles.  Had it been a rented house it would have been 5 or 10 year shingles that went back on if they even tore off the old ones.  Since I own my home I chose to go with 25 year shingles.  Granted insurance was paying for it, but even if I was paying for it out of pocket I would have gone with the same ones.

Take the furnace for example in locales that see snow on the ground at least 3 months a year.  A land lord will put in the cheapest furnace they can get their hands on because that takes out of their profits.  Making it my choice I can put in a much better furnace with a higher efficiency rating and lower my monthly heating bills and save me money surprisingly quickly.  The same applies to windows, air conditioner, water heater, and all other things that affect heating, cooling, electricity, and gas bills.

[slickmamba]

But he picked a wrong major!

mesopotamian literature

Lol hwood34 - If you`re niche is too esoteric; you`re doomed.

I`ve had to retrain many times to change careers.

I know so many people with humanities degrees and they are struggling to gain employment.

I think students go for them because they are much easier to learn than the sciences and engineering.

get a philosophy degree, so you can ask people why they want fries with that

elementary mistake.  The first question you ask is "what does it mean to want?"

[Malphas]

"How to go to a prestigious university for 100% free."

Be Scottish.

[noisyturtle]

Oddly on topic, what are peoples thoughts on cover letters? Always include? Don't bother? Only write one if they ask?

[iri]

Oddly on topic, what are peoples thoughts on cover letters? Always include? Don't bother? Only write one if they ask?

If it is required or you feel like it will help, then do write.  Otherwise don't bother. I think that a resume crafted for a specific employer could work better.

[Belfong]

Tomorrow mark my 18 years of employment, ah I wish I am young and innocent like you all!

18 years in one job?

yeah.. i am dumb and oddly loyal!