When to apply for jobs (Masters Degree)? (bachelors, skills, school)

[superseiyan]

So when should one start applying to jobs or getting in job-searching mode? Should one wait until they finish their masters degree or should one start applying around the middle?

Also would the answer be dependent on the following categories of jobs?
- Graduate degree Required
- Competitive candidates will have a Graduate degree[but it's not required]
- No Graduate degree required [say, there's no education requirements needed or a Bachelors degree is the highest education requirement listed]

[Tracysherm]

I'm sure it's all different based on the field you're in. But here in NJ and PA in community mental health, we expect a lot of resumes to come in during March-April, from people who will graduate with their MA/MS/MSW in May. We know the candidates won't have the actual degree until May, but our hiring process can take a while, with multiple interviews and allt eh background checks, and we have all kinds of mandatory orientation training, so if we hire them in March or April, we hope they'll be able to start actually working in May when the degree is in hand.

We have a lot of positions in this field with the Master's degree required, and we can't get the person credentialed with payers (Medicaid, HMOs, insurance companies). So it wouldn't do us any good to hire the person earlier, as we can't have them provide any billable services. (The exception is interns/field placement students placed with us during their graduate program).

If the position you're looking at says MA preferred but not required, then I'd say apply any time there's an opening advertised, or even if not. At least in my field, when we say MA "required," it's beyond our power to make exceptions.

[marigolds6]

Apply even if an MA/MS is required. Let them make the determination of whether or not you count.

[Snd485]

I'd suggest you start applying now if you're graduating in May. For all of those job categories you mentioned, start applying around April. Like TracySam mentions, employers will recognize that you are preparing to graduate with your grad degree if you indicate that on your resume. I think if you apply earlier than March, you won't be considered since employers might want to hire before you graduate.

[ragnarkar]

The answer to the FAQ "When should I start looking for a job?" is Yesterday.

[superseiyan]

It's a strange situation as I'm already working full-time but going to school part-time (good school and doing well), but I'm in the middle of my masters program--and I've taken some "hard skills" type workshops along with the regular courses.

[marigolds6]

The only thing you have to lose is time. If they choose not to consider you, that is all you have lost. If they do consider you, then it was time well spent.