Any job searching tips? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-13-2006, 01:44 PM

As we come up on the end of another work week, I am once again annoyed at another week or searching for a job with no luck. Unfortunately I've been looking for a while and I am getting increasingly anxious as my options are drying up.
So I'm wondering if anybody has any suggestions on different places to look or different angles at finding a job. I recently graduated with a biology degree from a top-10 university with an average gpa. Naturally, I have been looking for jobs in research science, but all of them seem to require much more school or experience that I don't have. In addition I have been looking at other work in various fields such as legal, etc. So far I have been looking on craigslist, washingtonpost, careerbuilder, and several other job search websites.

Does anybody know of any other job databases? BTW - I'm in the DC metro area

Thanks for letting me vent -

Peter

Larry Delor · #2 10-13-2006, 01:50 PM

Try this yet? http://www.alljobsearch.com/

#3 10-13-2006, 01:57 PM

ooh nice - no I haven't. Thank you.

I knew somebody would have some good ideas.

Peter

TX76513 · #4 10-13-2006, 02:05 PM

Here is another for your browsing pleasure: http://careers.the-scientist.com/

raymr · #5 10-13-2006, 02:28 PM

During a job search, networking is very important. The DC area is loaded with hospitals, medical schools, and research organizations. Try, however you can, to meet with a department head just to get your name out there. Make a goal of meeting one or two a week. That alone will make you feel that you are accomplishing something.

There are many research groups that do medical statistical studies for the Fed. One of them is the Henry M Jackson Foundation. Just call a bunch of them and say you would like to speak with someone for a few minutes, even if they don't have an immediate job opening. Along with valuable 'face time', it will give you a better idea of whats really out there. You are bound to jump from job to job for a while so don't be too worried if the first one isn't a perfect fit.

Bottom line is, you have to do more than send out applications to get anyone's attention.

Dee8go · #6 10-13-2006, 04:41 PM

Peter, I have found LinkedIn.com to be pretty useful to me. I'm a salesman, so I don't know if you would benefit from it or not. It's not limited to sales people, though. It's a professional networking website for anybody to use. If you're interested in trying it, send me your e mail address and I'll send you an invitation. It doesn't cost anything to use.

DuckMuck · #7 10-13-2006, 05:23 PM

...go to your university's career fair...although searching on job sites are okay, career fairs already have recruiters whose entire goal is to find new graduates...that is your best option...

Also, aim to submit 100 resumes...you will most likely get 1 or 2 replies...that is usually how many you have to submit on the web to get any results...

Maroon 300D · #8 10-13-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckMuck

...go to your university's career fair...although searching on job sites are okay, career fairs already have recruiters whose entire goal is to find new graduates...that is your best option...

Also, aim to submit 100 resumes...you will most likely get 1 or 2 replies...that is usually how many you have to submit on the web to get any results...

Yes, 100 resumes = one or two responses...that's been my experience.

Maroon 300D · #9 10-13-2006, 06:21 PM

Yeah, usually it takes more than resumes. The only thing worse than having a job is looking for one. Or not having one when you have no money.

edit: on second thought, though, if you're looking for a job in a university setting, you'd have to clear HR anyway, making the personal meetings less relevent. Still, it rarely hurts unless the person doing the hiring is a real hermit.

Hatterasguy · #10 10-13-2006, 06:36 PM

Its tough, the best way to get a job is to have an in. You need to know someone, I sudjest doing what Ted said. Head out there to the area in which you want to work and pound the pavement.

These days a college degree doesn't seem to mean much when it comes time to actualy get a job.

diametricalbenz · #11 10-13-2006, 07:16 PM

If you are in the bio research world it's uniquely competitive....start with your profs and or advisors for contacts and then contact your school's job placement office, they are getting paid to help you.

You'll likely have to intern at various locations as BA/BS'es are pretty useless right off the press like Hattie said.

#12 10-13-2006, 07:17 PM

Thanks for the great advice guys. Actually I am out in DC right now, I just haven't updated my profile. As it turns out, I think this thread was all that I needed - I just got offered a job today as a paralegal and I'm starting on Monday.

I'm very happy about this because I'm planning on applying to law school so this will be good experience before I go down that route.

Thanks again for the help

Peter

92497pmu · #13 10-13-2006, 08:52 PM

Peter

I am a sales guy also like Dee. You have to just meet people. Plain and simple. Read this book "never eat alone" by Keith Ferrazzi

A great book about the right way to network and find success.

PM me and I will add you to my linked in site as well.
One of my guys here is a tech recruiter.

Best of luck with your search.
Phil

Orkrist2 · #14 10-14-2006, 02:26 AM

Networking is the way to go. Taken further than just talking to people it is an artform, you may want to check out some books on the subject, I've gotten info from them on the past that I hadn't considered before. Also, I would avoid craigslist for jobs. I think some of them troll for for people looking for jobs and then send you spam with titles like "about your job search"...

That having been said, I've been looking for a job for seven months. Never looked this long. I've also run out of network connections and am creating new ones. Don't get frustrated and don't doubt your abilities. Thats the hardest part!