Job Searching

[D_Eclipse9916]

So as some of you know I am graduating this spring. I will be graduating Business Management with a Chinese Business studies Minor.

I have started applying to many jobs to get my foot in the door anyway. I have a job offer from a University in China to teach English, and although this has little to do with business, it would be a year in china to just dick around, improve my chinese language skills.
However, I want to see what my other opportunities are as I would like to get into a career path at some point. I figured some of you seem to be doing well, and you guys also have the experience of working career jobs so your advice would be more than just helpful. I have a resume I could send any of you if you know of a job that might be a match.

I really dont know exactly what I want "job" I want to do, howd you guys figure out what you wanted to do down to a job title?

I would prefer to work international or in the automotive industry, but at this point, its a job and id like to get working anywhere so I can get some more experience under my belt.

Also howd you guys find your current jobs? What sites did you use, career fairs, neighbors, friends?

I appreciate any advice/references you guys have!

[Apoc]

I really dont know exactly what I want "job" I want to do, howd you guys figure out what you wanted to do down to a job title?

Chances are, your first job isn't going to be your last job. These days, people seem to move around every 3-5 years but you will find people who love what they do right out of the gate. I think it's best to get your first job with a company that helps build a resume, whether it by name or by skills that will at least partially translate to the career you want. Title is less important... often they pick you and often they're not what they seem.

The best advice I can offer is that life is an interview. Let me explain... I got my first job from monster.com but my last two from people I knew. I'd either worked with them at my first job or worked with someone who knew someone. My current job came as a referral from someone I wasn't friendly with AT ALL at my first job. As it turns out, it was less about being friends with someone, but showing that I was sometime who was worth employing after he moved on. Knowing the right person can be a huge help and the more people that respect you, whether it be at the office or other contacts, the more doors you'll have open.

Combine these two facts and you have my recommendation. The first one doesn't matter as much, as long as it's teaching you something and allows you to start networking. If you're a hard worker, people will notice... even if your company doesn't, someone else will and hire you away.

edit: Don't be afraid to do the China thing. It's not a career but you're only young once.

[BLINGMW]

I have nothing to offer. But the teaching English in China thing for a year sounds potentially awesome. You'll have plenty of time later to start a career. :wink:

[Feersty]

I didn't take advantage of this when I was at JMU as much as I should of, but go to all the job fairs that you can that are held at Festival or at PC Dukes. It will allow you to distribute your resume, and talk to hiring managers. All companies can use someone with business knowledge, it is invaluable. Here is a shot in the dark, but find a company here in the US that has major offices in China, so you can use your multi-faceted degree. Good luck. We were all in your same situation, and don't worry that the pay for your very first job may be low.

[Steve85]

I would also recommend the teaching gig. It would be a great experience personally and for the resume.

Having immersed yourself in the culture and developed relationships with the people your future employer wants to do business with will be seen as a huge asset.

[REED]

yeah I'm trying to think of a good reason for you to NOT go to China and I can't - I say go for it, as people have said, no better time than now.

[Sijray21]

I would prefer to work international or in the automotive industry, but at this point, its a job and id like to get working anywhere so I can get some more experience under my belt.

Also howd you guys find your current jobs? What sites did you use, career fairs, neighbors, friends?

the obvious job sites: monster.com, indeed.com, careerbuilder.com

check sites for companies' career sites that you may be interested to work for: honda.com, mitsubishi.com

often companies have separate applications for entry-level or recent grads that can be very helpful if they have a boot-camp or something similar.

I also went to career fairs, but they were never helpful, i ended up getting spammed a lot with bogus offers of telemarketing positions and such. While they are helpful to some, i didn't benefit from them.

write your resume and make it public, refresh it every week to keep it at the 'top of the list'. i was approached by a technical recruiter for my first job as an associate consultant. i didn't know what i wanted to really do, but anything in IT i was interested in. This job sucked. I was basically an expensive secretary and i wasn't learning much. This led me to observe and learn whatever was on the project so i soaked it up. The project I was on had many consultants from different employers. One of them saw how i was being under-utilized and referred me to an opportunity with another company. I quit and joined the other company after about 14 months. This second job after college gave me a lot more opportunity to be successful by giving me responsibility.

If you feel you want to try something (like going to China or backpacking in Europe), now is the time. A couple months ago i resigned from my job because i didn't like the amount of travel and i wasn't sure if i wanted to invest myself in what the company had to offer in the long-run. Now i'm contemplating going back to school and/or start working in another direction when related to tasks and industry. But my manager and fellow colleagues knew my work and how hard i'll try at it. I've received a couple calls from my former manager to see if i was interested in coming back and he's always said that i can have a job if i wanted to return. A couple former managers from my last job have also written letters of recommendation to grad schools that i intend on applying to. Just remember to work hard at whatever job you get (you'll get one) and people will recognize and remember it.

Just apply for whatever jobs you find that seem interesting to you and work well with the people around you. I hate when it's forced, but networking is your best ticket to getting a job quickly. Credible people who know your work and are a great friend and asset to have. Don't forget to keep contact with atleast one or more professors in case you need a letter of recommendation or have any thought of going to Grad school. While not necessary, they could prove to be very helpful.

[Mike]

I might have a job for you... if you can speak clucking chinese

Looking back, I'd say go for the China thing. It's unique, something you'll always remember...

I got my first job through a combination of family, friends, and internships.
I got my second job through friends.
I got my third job through Monster.

Your first job won't be your last... Don't fret too much on it being perfect. Get some money, get a good name on your resume, and you're set.

[Ole]

I might have a job for you... if you can speak clucking chinese

I thought it was clicking......

[D_Eclipse9916]

Thanks guys! It looks like the main thing is hoping there is a job with friends lol. I applied on a bunch of websites, especially automotive. I found actually a few jobs that I applied for on porsches Website that match my skillset and is based in Shanghai China, basically my dreamjob. I wish!!!! lol.

Keep your eyes open for me if you will guys!

[navin]

Hate to threadjack - but I know a lot of guys are IT people. Any entry-level, junior network admin, analyst positions you guys know of at your jobs?

Danks

[G.Irish]

Yeah I would push to get a normal career-building job in China first, then as a fall back do the teaching thing. I don't know what the deadline is like for getting the teaching job but I would try to get something like that Porsche job or something right up until the deadline.

The teaching job will no doubt be a great life experience and very rewarding but if you can live in China and build your resume clearly that would be ideal.

Either way I recommend going to China now before you start getting bogged down in commitments or catch a case of the golden handcuffs. I also think that living abroad will change you for the better and will make you more successful in everything you do afterward. Traveling for my first job definitely made me a different and better person.

[ScottyB]

I really dont know exactly what I want "job" I want to do, howd you guys figure out what you wanted to do down to a job title?

for me it was internships. once i figured out how the "system" in the company worked i saw what i wanted to do, which was simply be an artist. that said, my occupational field is really simple. you'er either an artist or a director, otherwise you're in marketing.

what also helped me was getting a feel for the company. whats the turnover like? whats the quality of the work environment and management? even if you're in a position you might not think you like, you may end up loving it just because the place is great and the work grows on you.

Also howd you guys find your current jobs? What sites did you use, career fairs, neighbors, friends?

i moved to atlanta strictly because my wife is in grad school. i have no family here and no friends after Chan peaced out *shakes fist* (although Jen has some family and some more moved down recently). so my work was cut out for me. to be completely honest i just spent a ridiculous amount of time on the internet searching roughly 6 or 7 job websites daily, and also hit the papers on weekends. some of the websites were occupational specific and others were the big far-reaching sites like monster, etc. i actually found my first job in the paper. my second job i found on an industrial design job site.

now that i'm established in a field i like and i have some professional contacts i will likely find my next job, whenever that is, by networking and word of mouth.

[JackoliciousLegs]

China +1. ESPECIALLY if they'll pay you US wages for something like that. That's SUPER rare. Normally english teachers get squat, but sounds like teaching at the university level might be worth some more moneys.

You have your whole life to be a desk jockey. Do something different.

[ultimagtrlover]

Hey DJ!!! I also agree that doing the China teaching gig for some time would be a great opportunity. Having knowledge of the Chinese language is enough to open major doors. Since everything is being outsourced to China these days, your future can involve you representing major corporations seeking outsourcing jobs in China, particularly automotive industries. I JUST landed an internship starting January 5th at an Advertising Agency in NYC. How did I finally get it? A combination of contacting companies that fit my skillset and learning from previous interviews. I wouldn't be afraid to interview with various companies simply to polish-up your interview skills until you've mastered the art of the perfect interview. "Knock'em Dead - The Ultimate Job Search Guide" helped out alot as well. Good luck and let us know what happens.