best way to job seek?

[Cj104]

i'm looking for a job to start in December/January after I graduate, and i'm wondering what ways you guys have had success in looking for jobs. I of course know about monster.com and careerbuilder.com. and i've searched some other job websites. but i'm either not finding the right thing or i'm finding way too many to even sort through. do ya'll know of any other methods to look for jobs? do the local universities have job centers that help the students look? any help is appreciated.

and in case any of you know of anything, here's the long and short of my resume:

Graduating in December 2007 from Clemson University
Major: Business Management
Minor: Engineering (focus on Mechanical)
GPA (as of the beginning of this semester): 3.42
I have one year of experience with Timken (bearings manufacturing) as a Mechanical Engineer. At the time I graduate I'll have 7 months of experience as a Process Improvement engineer at a local Milliken Dye and Finishing factory (Textiles, Chemicals, and Textile applications company). I also have experience as a whitewater rafting guide and as the coordinator of a mentoring program, both of which developed my leadership and interpersonal skills.

Thanks,

Gareth

[scottycards]

Network. Call a person who is in the field you're interested in and ask if they will spare an hour and you'll buy them lunch. Tell them you're graduating, and want to bend their ear, learn about their job, etc.

You'll get to meet people, they will get to know you, swap emails, and they might come up with something for you, or one of their buddies at another company might.

Start with decent size companies, and get someone in a management position, who would likely be a person you would report to (or would be a person that would be a part of your hiring process within the company).

Sales manager, regional manager, I don't know if VP of engineering would be too high, but generally go for management, not just worker-bees.

Good luck! With your practical experience, your biggest problem is going to be deciding WHICH company you wil bless with your presence. :thumbsup: ;)

[OrangeCrush]

linkedin.com

[Cj104]

thanks for the encouragement Scotty. i'm a long way from CO right now so it'll be hard to do lunch with any contacts, but i'm trying to figure out who i do know that's in a position to help.

my first choice would be a company in the offroad, hunting, or fishing industry. if anyone has any contacts i'd appreciate it.

i'll check out that link, OrangeCrush. ya'll keep the suggestions comin'.

-Gareth

[scottycards]

Having worked in the outdoor industry, be prepared to take a huge pay cut, work long hours, and never get to enjoy the sports you love.

I was a ski rep for years. I got to ski a lot of days, but it was only for short periods, and always with customers- not out ripping it up with my buddies. As a young guy out of college, it was great, but the quality of my ski trips has greatly improved since I got out of that industry. Did a stint with an ourdoor gear (north-face type stuff- clothing, backpacks, tents, etc.) as well. Same thing. High cool factor- low wage factor.

My recommendation- and what I've learned (the hard way)- job is for money, money buys the killer Alaskan fishing trips, African safaris, and Rubicon trips.

[BlazerZR2]

Do you want to presue mechanical engineering or even engineering management? I would say you need a minimum of a BSME to get into that. I wouldn't want a manager that dosent even have his BSME. If you have a minor in it already I dont think it would be too much of a strech to finish it out and double major. jmo

As far as the job search, you can use a headhunter (recruiting agency) but dont expect them to do you any favors. The best I have found is find the company(s) that you want to work for and contantly check their websites for openings or even find the HR contact/ management and send them your resume. Even if they dont have any openings if your cover letter and resume is good enough they might make some room or know of somebody else looking

The biggest advise I can give..... START NOW!!!! I waited till after I graduated to send out even one resume. And well, don't do that, cause it sucks.

[clemsonkrawler]

Hey Gareth-

Nice to see another Clemson guy around here. This is Justin, I lived over on Issaqueena when I went to school down there, in fact I was at Gulches the day you flopped your junk. Im out here in CO now. I live in Grand Junction. The job market is booming out here right now....and the wheelin is a lot better than SC. Drop me a PM and Ill get you my number. I know a few people out here and I can prolly get you rollin.... at least with a crappy temp job.

[IoN6]

linkedin.com

Not sure if someone has x2'd this or not but I have recently filled out my profile and had an eMail within 2 days wanting my resume. Don't know if it actually works as I was busier then a one legged man in a 'kickin contest this week. :(

[Cj104]

thanks for the replys guys. keep 'em comin if you've got anything else to add.

justin - i'll PM you. i'm pretty sure i remember you -- didn't your YJ used to (or still does?) have the PSC rear stinger tire carrier and avalanche rockers? and the flop at gulches.... not my proudest moment.

[MinesJeep]

Here's a link to Colorado School of Mines career fair information. It was just last week. Lots of companies looking for Mechs and Business types and have offices in Denver.
http://www.mines.edu/stu_life/career/cd_students.htm

[Oscar]

aerotek.com

[1973CJ5]

I do the hiring for my division and I can tell you that when I post on Monster or Career I get an unbelievable amount of submissions. Most are complete crap, I think people just sit there and apply to every listing.

1. Have a professional write your resume, tailer it for the job you are looking for. It MUST stand out!
2. Do send a cover letter that is written and worded correctly.
3. If you have contact information, follow up with a phone call (or several).
4. Network, network, network -- If someone can get you an interview or call with a good reference it is worth more than all of the above IMO. I will always take the opinion of a valued peer.
5. Be patient - sometimes the hiring process takes a while. I cannot stand the people that call 5 times a day wanting an update.

Just my .02 -

[bsaunder]

Networking is the key - using the main job posting places will work some (hot jobs, career builder, monster, dice, craigslist, etc) - biggest advice I would give with them though to setup some temporary email accounts and use those as they will be picked up by spammers.

Get a good resume together - you need to tell the perspective hiring manager why they should hire you, but leave enough information off that they will have questions that they want to follow up with you on.

Search out any company that you think you are interested in and check their job postings. If it is a company that you would really like to work for, but there aren't any openings - send them a resume anyway, but be sure to include a good cover letter as well.

Use your universities career center to help you out, including the alumni office. They may have contacts at the companies that you are interested in to help get a foot in the door. Also use your professors, most students overlook the fact that many professors are great resources for finding jobs through.

Think about everyone you know through clubs, organizations, work, etc and build a list of where they work. LinkedIn.com works well for this - IF they are on there too or you can get them to sign up.

If your university offers interview classes and practice sessions - take them. Interviewing is a skill. Most people have a hard time selling themselves, and that is exactly what an interview is, so it takes practice.
When you do get an interview, do research on the company before going in. Know the area and job you are going for well and get to know the history of the company etc - this will help in two ways. It will make you look informed and prepared to the people interviewing you (a must) and it will allow you to go into the interview with many questions. One of the worst things you can do in an interview is have no questions to ask your potential employer.

[RebelRescuer]

Get a wealthy husband and spend your days playing poker. :flipoff2: HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!

(Ok, so that might not work for you...)