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Despite the fact that I have a job and have been working to sharpen my skills in my free time, I'm getting no responses from the dozens of applications I've sent in over the past month. I know why: The hiring manager sees my resume and thinks,
"Here's a guy with an employment gap after college graduation, followed by employment in a podunk role. It's already been verified that he's not good enough for this type of role that we're hiring for."
I'm permanently relegated to 2nd-class employment.
Do mock interviews twice a week for 1.5 hours in a career development group. You should be able to do 10 people a week easily. Keep submitting the resume in a small batch of 10 a week. After the resume has been torn apart 100 different ways, note the difference in response rate.
It's too much work, so you will not do it.
Last edited by move4ward; 05-03-2014 at 05:53 PM..
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Not likely. They are probably just putting you toward the bottom of the pile because so any experienced people are applying for the same job. As more people start to retire in the next 3-4 years it will improve, but we are still requiring 3 years experience for even the lowest level positions. Most places that advertise little or no experience required will still take someone with 5 years over someone with one year or no experience. Many that used to accept related experience now hold out for exact experience, because they can. It may take time, but you will get there. Meanwhile try to sharpen your resume to be specific to each employer, research thoroughly and in the cover letter let them know that you want to work for them, and cite some facts about them that make you want to work there. Sometimes enough enthusiasm for a company makes up for lack of experience.
Not likely. They are probably just putting you toward the bottom of the pile because so any experienced people are applying for the same job.
But here's the thing: I actually got more responses when I had just graduated college. There's a noticeable difference. I don't believe it's a statistical anomaly.
Despite the fact that I have a job and have been working to sharpen my skills in my free time, I'm getting no responses from the dozens of applications I've sent in over the past month. I know why: The hiring manager sees my resume and thinks,
"Here's a guy with an employment gap after college graduation, followed by employment in a podunk role. It's already been verified that he's not good enough for this type of role that we're hiring for."
I'm permanently relegated to 2nd-class employment.
I believe we are rowing the same boat. I have most certainly lost my new-grad glow and feel relegated to 2nd class employment as well. I've sent out tons of resumes, had several interviews, and still cannot get an offer. Based on your username, I'm assuming you are looking for software engineering positions.
Not likely. They are probably just putting you toward the bottom of the pile because so any experienced people are applying for the same job. As more people start to retire in the next 3-4 years it will improve, but we are still requiring 3 years experience for even the lowest level positions. Most places that advertise little or no experience required will still take someone with 5 years over someone with one year or no experience. Many that used to accept related experience now hold out for exact experience, because they can. It may take time, but you will get there. Meanwhile try to sharpen your resume to be specific to each employer, research thoroughly and in the cover letter let them know that you want to work for them, and cite some facts about them that make you want to work there. Sometimes enough enthusiasm for a company makes up for lack of experience.
This is exactly why I cannot find an opportunity in this area. I've been hoping my enthusiasm for specific companies would make up for lack of experience, but it has not worked yet.
Permanently? Wow, that's a good piece of pessimism right there. You're way too young to think what you think. How many years of career do you have ahead of you? I be a lot of time.
Be more chipper and think about what yo need to do to get to first class employment. Then start doing it. I was once in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. class of employment. I'm at 1st class now. I'm 40 BTW and began my rise to firs class in my early 30's or so...depending on when one considers the beginning of the rise. But have only actually been in first class for the last 5yrs or so. You have lots of time for oth good and bad things to happen in your life. Move, better yourself through education, make connections, etc.
But here's the thing: I actually got more responses when I had just graduated college. There's a noticeable difference. I don't believe it's a statistical anomaly.
I wish I had better news, but there is some truth in what you are saying - some job openings that are set up just for "new grads" aren't interested in folks who graduated a few years earlier. It is insane, but that's the economy in which we are working.
Permanently? Wow, that's a good piece of pessimism right there. You're way too young to think what you think. How many years of career do you have ahead of you? I be a lot of time.
Be more chipper and think about what yo need to do to get to first class employment. Then start doing it. I was once in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. class of employment. I'm at 1st class now. I'm 40 BTW and began my rise to firs class in my early 30's or so...depending on when one considers the beginning of the rise. But have only actually been in first class for the last 5yrs or so. You have lots of time for oth good and bad things to happen in your life. Move, better yourself through education, make connections, etc.
Best of luck.
It's not a pessimistic outlook per se, it's just frustrating. You do what you're "supposed to do" and things don't work out for one reason or another.
People who are frustrated like this, most likely want to work and willing to put in the effort necessary to fill in their knowledge gaps.
But, all the good intentions don't give people the necessary "3-5 years experience required"
Part of the "new grad" phenomenon is that some companies recruit directly from colleges and new grads have the advantages of those connections. Additionally, there are jobs that are in a "new grad only" pool, whereas a few years out you're in the general applicant pool, but do not yet have enough experience to qualify and compete with senior personnel.
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