STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kel · Coach

Your first "real" job

kahluamilk · Dooney & Bourke

RE: Your first "real" job

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

RE: Your first real job

Lilykind · Hermes

RE: Your first "real" job

ILoveChoo · Hermes

my first out of college job, I found on the HR page of the university I was going to grad school at (I figured I'd look for a job to take advantage of their employee tuition benefit- smartest idea ever!).

I'm starting a new job next month that will be my second out of college job (and my first out of grad school job). I got it by asking an old internship supervisor if he knew of anything. He had me send him my resume and he gave it to a friend who immediately knew of someplace for me. I also just got another lead (unfortunately too late) from my uncle- someone that he went to high school with works in my field so he called hik up (after not talking to him for 20 years!) to talk me up and they guy said I sounded like just what they were looking for and to give him a call.

So based on my last experiences, I'd go to your career center, talk to old supervisors and friends and anyone you know that might be able to help and let them know what you're looking for. It's really all about networking!

Kitty · Hermes

My first real job out of college was a marketing job for an engineering firm. I found it on craigslist. I actually got the job before I even graduated...so that was pretty coo!

HeatherLynn · Gucci

I found my first real job after college through career services at my school. But I also looked through Monster to see who was hiring and then went to that company's website and applied, used hotjobs.com, and several of those website. I also looked in the paper and most areas have a local job site. Good Luck!

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i went to the careers section on the website of the company i wanted to work for. i look through monster/craiglist occassionally to see what's out there, and to be honest, most job that are available are not listed there, they are listed on individual company websites.

also, i know on my school's career services page, they list all the companies where last year's class got hired, so that's a good way to see what companies hire out of school grads especially from your school.

good luck!

jacL · Coach

I work for a large hospital in Chicago that actually had one of the HR reps come to my school (in a different state) to recruit us. Two of us were looking to move here, so we were both on board right away.

I also went to company web sites and applied to many other places, and got a few more interviews, although I was never too serious about any of them.

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

I worked as a pharm. tech in an HMO hospital to get through school. When I graduated a position opened for an OTC Marketing Coordinator, I applied, and suprisingly, they hired me! I had absolutely no marketing experience and my degree was NO WHERE near marketing. I had worked in the pharmacy for a long time, and was knowledgeable in RX drugs and OTC drugs. I loved it, but it was A LOT of work. I left the position when I got married so I could focus on my family.

So, look at your strengths whether they come from you degree or not. Oh, and, GOOD LUCK!

Kel · Coach

Thanks all, for the advice. I have been going to companies websites and applying. I have been applying to anything that sounds intresting. I just feel like I am over qualified for some jobs and under qualified for ones that I really want. So i feel kind of stuck. But we will see, I just applied to two more this week that actually sound intresting. But as for my school career resources, they are not much of a help. They haven't built up contacts yet, which stinks. Plus, I am moving 4hrs from my college, so I don't think they will be all that useful. But thanks again for the advice everyone.

Ally S · Kate Spade

My first "real" job was as a Creative Writing teacher for HS students. I was NOT cut out for that!

nikkib222 · BCBG

My first real job was as an analyst at a consulting firm. I found out about the job through contacts I made while networking.

I agree with everyone else that career services can be a big help and also let everyone know that you are looking for a job and let you know if they know of anything. Finally, I also did a lot of informational interviews which helped me meet a lot of peole and kind of helped me figure out what I would/wouldn't want to do.

Good luck!

kenzie · Chanel

My first 'real' job in my field out of college came three years after graduating. It's a marketing/event planning/graphic design job.

After searching, networking and interviewing for several years and working in jobs that I hated, I finally found this one. And here's the kicker--- my mom was actually the one who found the job. She sent me a link from Monster about a job I might be interested in. I reluctantly applied b/c it was in an area where I didn't want to live for an extended time. I never thought I'd get the job b/c it wasn't entry level, but after two interviews and a ridiculous personality profile test, I got the job. And I'm glad. I love it and I'm getting great experience. I build my portfolio of professionally published design and writing every week. I guess sometimes mothers know best.

Kitty · Hermes

Ally S wrote:

My first "real" job was as a Creative Writing teacher for HS students. I was NOT cut out for that!

Okay, you peaked my interest...why not?

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

I guess my first real job (admin/clerical) would be working for the State, and that's what I've been doing ever since a few years after I graduated HS back in '90.

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

I start my first real job in a few weeks. I just graduated from Law School and I'm going to be the Risk Manager for a hospital. I don't think it's a very legal related job, and I kind of have no idea what I'm supposed to do...Any other Risk Managers out there? Any tips??

NCshopper · Hermes

I interned for Time Warner Cable for 6 months after college. They liked me and kept me on as an intern far longer than was called for, but when no permanent positions were available, my boss hooked me up with a non-profit where he was a board member, and that's where I am today.

I'd look into internships, personally. I had a great experience with mine (they treated me more like a permanent employee than they did an intern) and it led to another great opportunity.

Kel · Coach

NCshopper wrote:

I'd look into internships, personally. I had a great experience with mine (they treated me more like a permanent employee than they did an intern) and it led to another great opportunity.

I am doing an internship right now with a nonprofit. It is there slow season and there is a lot of different things going on. They hired 2 interns, when I feel like all they needed was one. Needless to say, I don't think I am getting the experience out of it, like I thought I would.

But I am taking everyone's advice and I am starting to network. I am also reading this book, I forgot the extact title I got it off the B&N sale section. It is something like the Big Sisters Advice for work or something. So far it is really good. I am going to try to take their advice and see where it leads me.