Where are the jobs???

[osek206]

Honestly I have been without a job for 10 months now. I decided to leave the job I was at because I didn't want to deal with certain hazardous materials. But I'm starting to think that was a terrible decision. I was going to make good money due to no rent and bills except insurance payment. If decided to just get any type of job save for about 3 months and move back home. I though that was going to be easy, but NOPE. Not even mention that I have a 4 year degree with 7 years experience I can't snag a job for anything.

I typically use indeed/monster/careerbuilder, and in my experience these sites are a complete waste of time. Most of them are filled with scam's (Craig's list being terrible). There are numerous jobs out there that seek specialized skills that nobody has, or an extremely small percentage of people have. Jobs that have terrible job description written by clueless HR members. Companies that just collect resumes for a specific jobs, just to stall you out and never contact you for a interview.

I applied to a state job, eventually got a interview and was told I'd have to wait 3 weeks for their decision. Three weeks!!#*****, it actually turned into a month and 2 weeks. I didn't get the job of course, but talk about a stall!

Many people say create a network, well thats pretty hard if you don't know anybody. Sites like LinkedIn seem like a complete waste also, very seldom are their actual jobs that are hiring on that site. It's also truly amazing what many of these throw away jobs are requiring for 10-17 dollars an hour. How are people taking care of themselves on that salary with a family. WOW!

 

[rko2004]

What's your degree in?

 

[osek206]

Environmental Studies: Population and Health, 7 years experience Environmental Health and Safety Specialist.

 

[wj4]

Environmental Studies: Population and Health, 7 years experience Environmental Health and Safety Specialist.

Friend just landed a job in Irvine, CA last week as an EHS Specialist. Salary is $78k with $5k sign up bonus. She has 2 years of experience in the field. Other benefits include the usual: profit sharing bonus, annual raise, etc.

Like I've said before, EHS is a good field, man. A lot of my friends are making $90k+ in the field and they have about 3-5 years of experience. My professors always told me that you shouldn't be making $60k by the time you turn 30 in this field...that means you're not applying yourself. You should be in 6 figure or close to it by that age bracket. For what it's worth, I work in EHS currently as well, and found my current employe through Monster.com.

I certainly have my network in the field. I keep in touch with my colleagues, both from my undergrad and grad program in addition to professors, and other guest speakers that I met.

 

[romedadude]

The irony of this post

My uncle runs an asbestos abatement company, is that related to environmental to what you all are discussing?

I never really considered it due to having a degree in another field, but man, this post and a convo I had yesterday might be a sign.

 

[osek206]

Yep, thats what I stay away from but you can make major money with abatement. I remember when I first got my 40hazwoper, and abatement worker card there were companies offering 30.hr with no experience. This was almost 8 years ago.

 

[wj4]

The irony of this post
My uncle runs an asbestos abatement company, is that related to environmental to what you all are discussing?
I never really considered it due to having a degree in another field, but man, this post and a convo I had yesterday might be a sign.

It's not quite in the same field, but very close. Your uncle is in environmental consulting. You actually need ample experience for this where as an EHS position can be trained.

Jobs like your uncle's pay a lot. My professors and friends have their own firms, specializing in fields such as air, water, etc. One of my respected professors specializes in air, so anything from mold to chemicals whatever. I thought he charged by the hour, but he told me he charges by the square foot and he does a lot of big homes and estates. I always vibed with him because he had a taste for expensive stuff like me so I always asked about how much I should be making at certain stages in my career.

The pro is that well it pays a lot. The con is that, jobs like this only exist in 1st world countries where you have regulating bodies such as the EPA, OSHA, and CDC monitoring your firm. You really need to know what you're talking about though because you're liable for your action and can be pulled into court.

 

[drunken cow]

Real talk, anyone know any engineers,recruiters, or hr for engineering companies(mechanical, aero, or oil) that can help me find a job? Just graduated in may and still looking.

 

[crcballer55]

If you serious about your job search, sending out resume's and sitting at home are a complete waste of time. Find at least 10 companies and/or positions you REALLY want. Apply for them online and then mail a physical resume & cover letter to the HR person notifying them of your interest and that you've applied online. Notify them you'll be following up with them in the next week to 10 days at a specific time. Then follow up with them at that time so they know you're not only motivated but also that you're a person who will do what you say when you say it.

It might not hurt to also drive to the physical business as well and hand your resume to them personally so you can introduce yourself and let them put a face to the resume as well.

 

[jhawk826]

If you serious about your job search, sending out resume's and sitting at home are a complete waste of time. Find at least 10 companies and/or positions you REALLY want. Apply for them online and then mail a physical resume & cover letter to the HR person notifying them of your interest and that you've applied online. Notify them you'll be following up with them in the next week to 10 days at a specific time. Then follow up with them at that time so they know you're not only motivated but also that you're a person who will do what you say when you say it.

It might not hurt to also drive to the physical business as well and hand your resume to them personally so you can introduce yourself and let them put a face to the resume as well.

Does this really work? I've read that this only does nothing but give HR more incentive to trash your resume/CV because you're harassing them.

 

[frostythepoptart]

Does this really work? I've read that this only does nothing but give HR more incentive to trash your resume/CV because you're harassing them.

there are no rules. everyone is different. just keep grinding.

 

[crcballer55]

If you serious about your job search, sending out resume's and sitting at home are a complete waste of time. Find at least 10 companies and/or positions you REALLY want. Apply for them online and then mail a physical resume & cover letter to the HR person notifying them of your interest and that you've applied online. Notify them you'll be following up with them in the next week to 10 days at a specific time. Then follow up with them at that time so they know you're not only motivated but also that you're a person who will do what you say when you say it.

It might not hurt to also drive to the physical business as well and hand your resume to them personally so you can introduce yourself and let them put a face to the resume as well.

Does this really work? I've read that this only does nothing but give HR more incentive to trash your resume/CV because you're harassing them.

It's a lot better than filling out hundreds of applications. I haven't personally tried it, but I've had a career coach say that it works for about 40% of the resumes you send out and the chances are much better with smaller companies because they deal on a more personal basis and understand the necessity of being personable better than larger companies that are bureaucratic.

Also, contact companies that ARE NOT hiring. It's possible that if you're a good enough candidate that they will create a position for you. Or more likely, they haven't started publically advertised the position yet or it's not open. This is a good sign because companies you most want to work for don't have positions open very often and so you can get your resume in before the position actually opens. In these cases though, you'll need to keep in touch ever 2-3 months to let them know you're still interested, but don't do it in an annoying way. Think of it as networking or social interaction.

 

[fishm3at]

LinkedIn works regardless of what you think. HR at my job goes through company employees different connections and will try and schedule interviews with people. I got my job that I just started because a recruiter found me on LinkedIn. I graduated last December and I was putting in applications from December until March and none of the applications I put in called back. I got a call from a recruiter wanting me to come work for McKesson in March and it's been history since. I just keep my Linkedin updated and re-upload my Monster resume every couple weeks and the recruiters start calling me.

 

[kickmatic23]

Taking notes... useless degree and tons or random experience.. USAJOBS is my best friend because those are the only jobs where you hear back from the employer, even when its a denial. Not hearing back is the WORST

 

[balloonoboy]

Really great, helpful information in here.

 

[acidicality]

Real talk, anyone know any engineers,recruiters, or hr for engineering companies(mechanical, aero, or oil) that can help me find a job? Just graduated in may and still looking.

One way to utilize Linkedin is to search for recruiters of companies you really want to work for and send them an e-mail with your cover letter/resume. Yes, there's a chance they won't even read it but it's something that could definitely help.

Definitely find out about what small engineering companies are out there in your area. They may not offer as high a pay and/or as stable an environment as a big company, but it does offer you a lot more responsibilities a better way into seeing the day-to-day operations of a business. They're also more likely to hire quickly, generally speaking.

As an engineer myself, I graduated 2 years ago- spent ~10 months unemployed through a few temp/intern jobs I had. But I found a decent spot at a small company around my area and so far it's been good...been here for almost a year now. My advice would be to keep grinding and just apply to all jobs out there; it's tough but just stay patient, keep updating your resume, write out good cover letters for companies you really want to work for, etc. In this job market, finding a job basically is a job in itself, so you really do have to work for it if you don't yet have the connections (which most of us don't)

 

[wj4]

One of my colleagues just reached out to me for an open specialist position. I don't know anyone who is currently looking for that spot so in these situations, I forward the email onto my professors and they will tell the students who are about to graduate. These kids will get first dibs. It will take a week at the minimum before this job posting is even online since the request will have to be put into HR then sent in for approval and yada yada.

I also join a lot of professional groups correlating to my sector on LinkedIn to keep an eye out in the field.

 

[6 Rings G.O.A.T.]

Times are tough right now..

 

[SHERLOCK87]

truck driving.

 

[adiosburritos]

truck driving.

your goals in life gotta be pretty low to work as a truck driver in this day and age

 

[thunderchunk69]

truck driving.

your goals in life gotta be pretty low to work as a truck driver in this day and age

I don't agree with dude, but at least he's consistent with his attitude

 

[iheartboost]

Linkden works, at least for me.

Had a recruiter msg me out of the blue for an open position in Irvine. Had an interview too, now I'm just waiting. I hate my current job, hope this new one comes through.

 

[ksteezy]

I truly feel for you dudes out there struggling to get jobs man....hope you land something bro...

 

[finnns2003]

Monster is pretty annoying, nothing but subcontractors call and annoy you with the same cue card voicemails.

 

[jesusshuttlesworth34]

The jobs are in the DMV area...no signs of a recession here job wise. As long as the Government is up and running, there will be plenty of jobs in the DC metro area.