Let the Job Hunt Begin
Question: Where to look for jobs right outside of University?
Hello My Dear Readers,
Job hunting close to Post-Grad is partly terrifying. I have student loans, credit card debt, and the fear of hating my life if I choose a job that makes me unhappy is all too real. This is why I am starting the hunt seven months early. What is the process and how do we get educated on how to find a job that will pay more than a retail position, while also making these cruel years of education worth it? This shouldn’t be a tall order except that Universities promise you high paying careers, and then often fail to deliver the bridge to make this easier. In my case, I have internship experience under different fields, but nothing much to do with Human Resources yet. I don’t have many connections in this field at all, and Networking is proven to be a big push in the right direction. Now what?
My short-term goal is to find myself a part time job until I graduate in order to get away from working at a grocery store. My body can’t take the heavy lifting for 8 hours a day without a break… so much for being part of a Union. After graduating, I want to find myself a full time position that has a consistent schedule and has all of the ‘real world’ job benefits. Human resources is an interesting field for me, so I want to start there. That being said, a ‘real world’ job can be the wrong choice for a lot of people. There are many ways to make an income and the biggest mistake you can do is stick to only a W-2. Like in investing, the idea is to diversify your income and create multiple streams. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that the rug could be pulled from under you in a matter of weeks. Having a good savings is no longer enough to ensure a secure future. Stay tuned to the next blog post because I will be talking about the work I am doing to create my multiple income sources.
So on to the question asked. Where do we look for job openings and what to look for before applying?
A quick Google search will most likely send you to websites like Indeed or even Glassdoor. Companies pay sites like these to add their job listings in order to find candidates, and they are completely free for job searchers. You may however come across positions that are regulated by a Staffing Company. A Staffing Company is a bit like a match maker. They too are paid by companies, except they do all the leg work in order to find you; the candidate. A Staffing Company sometimes is associated with poor job candidates who are late for work, put in minimal effort, and are only there for the paycheck. For your sake, don’t use Ryan from The Office as a reference here. A Staffing company can save you time and is wonderful for both temporary and full time positions. I am currently working with a company like this at the moment and plan to let you all know about my experience in the near future.
Post-Grad internships are also a way to get your foot in the door. Start by figuring out what field you want to go into. I want to work for a software or tech company so I first search for a list of companies under this industry in my town. Then I take the time to look into each of the top companies and see if they offer Summer Internships. Starting this process in the Fall or Winter is best, as many companies begin their search for interns and begin posting their job posts during this time.
Remember to also look at the pay rate and location. Take this from an experienced driver, the closer the office location to your home, the less stress you will have over time. I am aware that there are internships that do not pay in the medical field. I personally am extremely against this. It should be illegal! Do not get a job or internship just for the experience if there is no pay. Your time is worth more than you realize.
Wishing you all the best this Sunday,
Gergana