tips for getting a real job

[why?]

So I'm sick of getting paid crap, I have a decent resume and should be able to find a better paying job, even in this economy. My only problem is that I've never really tried before. I have a college degree. Any comments or advice is much appreciated.

[Phaeton]

What do you have a degree in?
You should probably aim for a job related to your degree.
How old are you? How do you dress? Are you self confident?
All of these questions will have a big impact on you getting hired.
I hate to say it, but the biggest thing that keeps people from getting hired for a good job is appearance and attitude.

[why?]

My degree is in communications and journalism. Lots of public relations stuff, some pretty good experience in college in that. The only thing I don't really have on that list is confidence. I have some good experience in some other things that should help too.

[TinyGiant]

communications is what i called the "cop out" major.. one of those use all everyone goes for it if they dont know what to major in.. i did the ultimate cop out and just didnt go lol

do you have an interest in journalism? you could maybe start writing letters to the editor to the local paper and start a blog and try to get some attention to write for the paper? grab a camera and start taking pics and submit those to the local paper to :) keep you busy when you arent working and could be pretty fun.


if you dont actually a get a job in journalism i would say communications is basically going to give you better chances at management in retail stores. I say i hate retail but i find myself usually going for retail jobs. I do like selling stuff and wheeling and dealing .. so it seems to fit me okay.

its a tough job market out there . the crappy economy has sorta leveled the playing field in the lower range of jobs now that lawyers and such are now working at walmart lol


right now i work 2 day a week at a pet store then i screen print on the side (bought a press a year back and started advertising on CL and at local concerts.. have a few constant customers that help keep the bills paid)

whatever you do definitely have a backup or an exit plan. the way the job market is you need something to fall back on depending where you are you might be lucky to have a job at all

[TLyttle]

Well, creative writing is a skill that I have noticed in many of his posts, fabricating opposing opinions is a marketable skill in politics.

I spent a lot of time with young guys coming out of school, not knowing what they wanted to do for a career. My constant advice was "do what you really like to do", and it worked most of the time. One guy was told (by his school counselor) that playing his clarinet would never pay the rent: I told him to try anyhow. He pursued clarinet as a career, and is now first clarinet in a symphony orchestra. He did what he really liked to do...

If one does crap jobs, one gets crap wages. At the same time, happiness is wanting what you have!

[yaris-me]

It is a difficult time for new graduates. If you are serious, this is what you do. Make a list of companies that need your type of degree. Apply for any position in that company that you are qualified, janitor, messenger, mail clerk, etc... Once you have a job with the company, introduce yourself to the department heads and let them know your qualification. It is easier to move up in a company, once you're in. Good luck! :smile:

[JBougie]

Where do you live?

[nemelek]

So I'm sick of getting paid crap, I have a decent resume and should be able to find a better paying job, even in this economy. My only problem is that I've never really tried before. I have a college degree. Any comments or advice is much appreciated.

I have a crap job, however, I get paid well for what I do. The only reason I work is for the time I am not working. What time I get off, weekends, vacation, and retirement. My fulfillment in life comes from hobbies and other interests I do outside of work.

Do something you love and it wont be a job. Or make money and give up on the idea that the job is going to make you happy. That being said, find a job that offers advancement. Most places you will start at entry level positions. Try for your bosses job. Take a few days off and apply for various jobs in different fields.

[tomato]

I have a crap job, however, I get paid well for what I do. The only reason I work is for the time I am not working. What time I get off, weekends, vacation, and retirement. My fulfillment in life comes from hobbies and other interests I do outside of work.

Do something you love and it wont be a job. Or make money and give up on the idea that the job is going to make you happy. That being said, find a job that offers advancement. Most places you will start at entry level positions. Try for your bosses job. Take a few days off and apply for various jobs in different fields.

I would agree with ^

I also want to add that the vast majority of the people I know do not work in a field related to their major.

My advice: 1) find out what you like to do, 2) do it, 3) get good at it, 4) find ways to get paid for it regardless of what you just majored in.

You got a college degree, that's great. Now, what it is you really want to do?

In the meantime, work to pay bills, there is nothing wrong with that. You'd be surprised how even at a crappy job you can develop transferrable skills.

[why?]

lol, yea i'm not a new college graduate. I agree with TinyGiant that communications is a cop out degree, 90% of what i focused on in school was public relations stuff, which is fun.

Oh, I hate journalism. only had to take 1 college class on it, and that was too many, it turned into creative journalism for me.

I currently live in florida. I tried, or technically I am still trying the entry level thing, it doesn't work when the economy fails and there is almost zero upward mobility, I work for a extremely large corporation atm, and the pay is below entry level imo, i was paid more in high school.

I'd love to get a job in politics, or in writing fiction in general. That is one of the avenues I am trying to figure out.

I'd take retail management atm. It pays a heck of a lot more than I make now. I was never really into the job as identity thing, I'd just like to earn enough money to have the ability to afford a hobby or two, something I really cannot do now.

[TinyGiant]

as far as going for manager positions start finding as many open manager positions and apply for them all and find one you like and take it. if you like retail .. get into it. be confident and outgoing. I find the thing that kept me from manager positions regardless of how well fitting the job was for me and the business..age tends to be a huge factor. problem really with working for anyone is the fact that people can inhibit your ability to get the job based on anything .. they dont feel you're old enough , shouldnt just start in the company in a high position.. its like everyone in a workplace is upset if you dont go through the same crap they went to to get to thier position. for this reason I usually seek out SMALL mom and pop stores i hate the corporate ladder. its a waste of time and is really based on brown nosing and egos lol

my wife and I work 2 days a week managing the pet store on friday/saturday then the rest of the week we work on out screen printing business and i do a ton of trading and bartering on craigslist for hobby money :)

a caution about doing what you enjoy for work.. make sure you really enjoy it because once it becomes a job.. you probably wont like it .. unless its a passion and not a hobby :)

[Wattz]

If you're looking into politics as a career, you might consider joining the military. I know, I know... It's not for everyone. But, look at where you stand already:

1. If you have your bachelor's or better, you'll enter the military as an officer. Officer's get paid decent money, and the opportunity for growth goes as far as your willingness to kiss ass.

2. The benefits are great. If you want to get your masters, or another bachelor's, whatever, the opportunity is there. Healthcare is thorough and guaranteed. You can live on base for free, or get an allowance to live off base.

3. Your career in the military is good for politics, and also teaches you A LOT about politics! Half of your military career is based on how well you fit into the hierarchy and use it to your advantage.

Don't turn your hobby into your work. Turn your DREAM into your work. For example, if your hobby is playing video games, don't become a video game programmer. But, if your dream is to build Mars rovers, become an engineer. It's easy to ruin your hobby or become bored by trying to turn it into a career. It's very hard to ruin a dream by pushing toward it. Worst case scenario is your dream doesn't come true, but you aimed so high that where ever you end up makes you comfortable.

If you consider the military, go for the Air Force. They want your willingness to learn and your ability to be trained, NOT whatever your degree is. Any degree is a huge advantage, but it doesn't have to be for the job you choose in the service.

[why?]

I wish I thought of the military about a decade ago. It is a great way to get great experience. At this point though I am too out of shape, if not too old. But politics is much more than being a candidate. They all need speechwriters. Now that I could excel at.

[YarisSedan]

I been searching for a better job for over a year. In my field as a auto technician or service writer. There are NO jobs. Posting my resume on craigslist every week i get no calls or emails. Sometimes ill get a random one out of a blue for a job thats way out of the way and for less pay?! So right now im just happy that i have a job. Hopefully things get better. Few years ago u could walk into any shop and get a job if you were a good mechanic.

[kac]

the economy does have a lot to do with it, whether you feel you should be able to find a good job in this economy or not. I'm SURE you can.. keep at it.

[specialeducator]

soft skills

[127.0.0.1]

lol


you want money ? immediately get any old stinking job, and save up for
Oracle DBA courses (maybe 3 to 5 grand for a 1 or 2 week course)

go to the bookstore and get all the oracle dba info you can and hit the books
and study hard. if your kung fu is strong (it is up to you, no one is holding you back)
you can be making 6 figures in 5 years. [you need to have a brain though....]

are you a bad enough dude to step up to the plate ?

[KCALB SIRAY]

http://www.spartech.com/images/mcdonalds-sign-large.jpg

[MadMax]

Whereas I strongly agree with the military option—mainly because it benefitted me so much—it doesn't sound like it's an option in this case. Still, there are other non-military government jobs you can apply for. With a degree in communication I would recommend the State Department as Strategic Communication (basically international diplomacy through information) but your skills could also have use in the Department of Defense, and I am not talking about marketing/recruiting but in what is now termed ‘Influence Operations.’

Be creative in your job search and you will be surprised at some of the doors that open up! Also, don’t think that your college degree is the end of your academic life; I have two grad degrees and numerous certificates that have been very beneficial in my career field. Remember, you are competing against everyone, and everything that you can do to distinguish yourself from the crowd will serve you well in the long run!

Good luck!

Cheers! M2

[127.0.0.1]

Whereas I strongly agree with the military option—mainly because it benefitted me so much—it doesn't sound like it's an option in this case. Still, there are other non-military government jobs you can apply for. With a degree in communication I would recommend the State Department as Strategic Communication (basically international diplomacy through information) but your skills could also have use in the Department of Defense, and I am not talking about marketing/recruiting but in what is now termed ‘Influence Operations.’

Be creative in your job search and you will be surprised at some of the doors that open up! Also, don’t think that your college degree is the end of your academic life; I have two grad degrees and numerous certificates that have been very beneficial in my career field. Remember, you are competing against everyone, and everything that you can do to distinguish yourself from the crowd will serve you well in the long run!

Good luck!

Cheers! M2

military is an awesome option. chose air force, less chance of getting blasted

[*MAD DOG*]

I'm a strong beliver that if you are employed that you are more employable than someone who is not employed. So go out there, get a job, but keep looking and you'll find a good one.

[MadMax]

military is an awesome option. chose air force, less chance of getting blasted

Agreed, I spent 25 years "in the blue!" :thumbsup: Smartest thing I've ever done in my life!

I'm a strong beliver that if you are employed that you are more employable than someone who is not employed. So go out there, get a job, but keep looking and you'll find a good one.

I also agree with Mad Dog, never, ever quit a job without having another if you can avoid it! If you want to work somewhere else, get that job before putting in your notice. My company deals with a lot of potential applicants, and numerous resumes come across my desk; and anyone who is not currently employed usually draws suspicion. That doesn't mean you won't get a job, but it draws unwanted scrutiny.

Speaking of which, if a company is looking at your resume, see if you can get any feedback from them on it. That serves several purposes. First, it will (hopefully) get them to spend more time on it; and secondly if they can provide some constructive comments on it, it is always beneficial!

If you don't have that opportunity, try to find some professionals in the field in which you are applying to who would be willing to mentor you. Of course it would be preferable if they had a job to offer; but even if they don't they can always help you to focus on what the market is looking for. I got some great advice when I was preparing my resume at retirement, and it really got my CV read.

Also, there is no such thing as having "one" resume. You should have a "master" (mine is 18 pages long) and several variants (a one-pager, two-pager, ones focusing on specific skills, etc.) at the ready. Be prepared to build even more for specific jobs, in my current position I was given a copy of the Statement of Work for the contract and tied my specific skills to requirements in it. The more you can show how you meet the company's needs, the more likely you are to get hired.

Lastly, steer clear of some of these "career assistance seminars," I've found most to be useless. I am not talking about job fairs, if you have the opportunity to go to one of these than by all means do! They are great for getting your resume out to a broader audience and getting insight to what the market is looking for. But those scam sessions that make obscene promises ("guaranteed to have you making $100K within a month") are worthless. Usually they end up offering you a job driving convoy duty in Iraq with no security. No thanks...

Cheers! M2

[enobmort42]

does the school you got your degree from offer some sort of "career services" department? mine helped me out a lot and now, i'm definitely on the right track to getting a job within my degree.

[MadMax]

You may also want to consider creating a profile, posting your resume and doing research on jobs at Linked In (http://www.linkedin.com/)...

Cheers! M2

[SpaceShot]

Getting a better job takes both quantity and persistence.
Every 3-5 days, hit the job sites for your field, (trade mags and local newspapers even) and try to apply to at least 3.

For communications, journalism, PR, look to city and state governments, chambers of commerce and similar. If you look hard enough you can find non-profit institutes or public interest groups that hire PR types.

Larger technical software firms have communications departments pumping out press releases, generating promotional brochures and more. Similarly their dealer networks have 1 or 2 people in local offices doing the same thing. These positions generally look for a tech writing degree or at least a minor, but you may be able to sell yourself into it with the right experience and personality.

Large universities also have comms departments. Tough to get into and sometimes lower on the payscale, but great benefits and security. (free or discount tuition is just the beginning)
For any jobsite you review regularly, subscribe for the weekly email blast or RSS feed of new postings.

Good luck...

[RacerFreakXXX]

IMO you need just need experience and need to know the right people. You also need to do everything you can to get that job. First you need to find what job you want and see if you can get the job or get a job simular and then transfer into that position.

I have a semester left to finnish my accociates degree and of all my friends who just got out of college I have the best job. I have had 5 years of work experience and transfered into the company (dealership) as a salesman and transfered to customer service when the positioned oppened up. If I work this job for 5 years I can transfer into a job making doubble to tripple my salary. I'm only 22 by the way, but i've learned to be persistant and made everyone believe i am the best person for the positions i wanted. It's all about attitued, showing people you can do the job and make sure you know or will learn what it takes to get the job done.