Job Hunting Tips?

[SD65]

Hi All,

I've been reading the forums for awhile, but recently joined up to ask for some advice on getting my first job out of college.

I graduated in May with a masters in structural engineering and have been applying to jobs since Jan 2010. I am struggling to find a job at a building/structural engineering design firm.

I've been on a few intervals (a smaller building engineering firm, the building dept. within a large transportation company, the structural group of a large water and waste/water engineering company, a small environmental engineering company, and a large company that does all kinds of structural engineering), but so far have not gotten any job offers. The people I have talked to at these interviews say that they are waiting on contracts to come through, just want to meet people for when jobs open up, or are struggling to just keep the people they have now. However, they all said that they liked my resume and would keep me on file, etc.

Lately, I have been cold-mailing cover letters and resumes to local structural companies that do not have specific job postings on their websites. I don't really think this is going anywhere and usually can't get past the secretary on follow-up calls.

So my questions are, does anyone have any advice on how to find and how to apply for entry-level structural engineering jobs.

Also, does anyone have any advice for finding job opportunities in other parts of the country? I'm not tied down and wouldn't mind a new place with better prospects for a couple years and moving back to NY when I have some experience.

Sorry for such a long post, I just don't really know where to turn. Many of the people that I graduated with are in the same boat and I do not have any solid networking contacts within the industry.

 

[Twoballcane]

In today's day and age, I would think global...even learn a new language...

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[rscassar]

Try cold-calling instead of cold-mailing. Ask reception the name of the person who you need to speak to regarding employment and to be put through to their line. Give them a good strong opening statement (first 15-30 seconds is critical). If they like the sound of you they will ask you to send through a resume and possibly come in for an interview.

I don't know how to relocate, I am weighing up that decision myself right now.

 

[ctopher]

I learned from layoff a year ago that the best way to find a job is to forget mailing/emailing resumes, you need to network.
Call friends, family, old acquaintances, etc.
Some companies will not show job openings, but doesn't mean they are not hiring. A friend at one of them could get you in.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[tygerdawg]

I assume you're in the US and if so, it is unbelieveably tough out there right now because of how deep is the recession and how unsettled is the economy. It appears that one advantage you have is that you are unencumbered with attachements, and that gives you a lot of flexibility. If I was in your situation I would probably try a strategy to make a few coins any way you can, start aggressively building your networks, and figure out a way to gain some useful experience for when hiring starts to pick up in earnest.

1. It may be necessary to stop seeking a full-time salaried position because you really don't have much to offer except an engineering degree. And the jobs don't seem to be out there anyway. But that makes you a trained problem solver so you have a bit of advantage. You might be able to apply those analytic skills to other fields (and be able to shine).

2. Locate all applicable professional engineering societies within driving range and start attending meetings, volunteering for activities, making contacts, networking. Keep a notebook and make giveaways for chance encouters (simple business cards, condensed resumes, or some form or info+contact item). Develop & rehearse your 15-second "Hi, I'm Joe and I'm looking for work" speeches.

3. Locate suitable non-engineering organizations to do volunteering and networking. My eyes were opened to this when my BSCompSci friend told me about volunteering at United Way, doing computer setup work. He made excellent contacts with all the up-and-coming young go-getter managers who were doing their "looks good on the resume" volunteer stints at UW.

4. Locate, and target, suitable engineering firms and propose they pay you for part-time EIT, intern work, or similar. Make it clear that you are seeking part-time (& possibly non-benefitted) work strictly in order to gain real-world work experience during the bad economy. It's much easier to get some contract work than it is to get a salaried position. Someone who is willing to do what is necessary in difficult times would impress me more than cold mailings seeking a full time job. Generally you are more likely to receive help if you show that you are willing to help yourself.

5. Get a part-time job to fund your job seeking efforts in the interim.

6. Take full advantage of all the internet job sites (indeed, monster, hotjobs, careerbuilder, and beaucoups more) to gather intelligence on what is going on in the job market and who is hiring and where they are hiring. You may even try using these services to send you resume, but keep in mind that by doing this you are particating in the tsunami of resumes that the hiring manager will have to sift through. I prefer the more direct, more personal, old fashioned way.

Just my personal opinion. But I feel that there is a world of opportunity out there. My personal experience after getting laid off in a recession was that there is work hiding under every rock if we have the stones and creativity to go out and find it. Good luck.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com