How to Address Unemployment Gap: New Grad (job application, credit, application)

[OrganicLove]

Long term lurker and I thought I would pop in for some expertise about a problem I seem to be running into lately. About myself: I am a fairly recent grad-graduated in June. Had a contract job for a few months in the summer. Lately, on phone screens I have been asked, so what have you been doing?? I have recently started to volunteer so I mention that.

Another problem that I have also been running into is some recruiters and hiring managers mention my positions as being of a short duration. Yes, some were short but were internships and students positions that are intended to be short. Not sure what is going on there with that?

But from this forum, I have seen some new grads take as long as one year to find an entry level position so I feel that the right job is out there, patients I guess.

Thanks in advance for reading and for the advice!

[eastcoastguyz]

Originally Posted by OrganicLove

Long term lurker and I thought I would pop in for some expertise about a problem I seem to be running into lately. About myself: I am a fairly recent grad-graduated in June. Had a contract job for a few months in the summer. Lately, on phone screens I have been asked, so what have you been doing?? I have recently started to volunteer so I mention that.

Another problem that I have also been running into is some recruiters and hiring managers mention my positions as being of a short duration. Yes, some were short but were internships and students positions that are intended to be short. Not sure what is going on there with that?

But from this forum, I have seen some new grads take as long as one year to find an entry level position so I feel that the right job is out there, patients I guess.

Thanks in advance for reading and for the advice!

How are you listing your experience on your resume and in job applications? Are you making it clear they were internships and contracts? If not do this,

Member of technical staff - Contract Employee (6 month assignment)
Internship - Temporary worker (3 month assignment)

Something like this communications you were not a permanent staff employee.

Also, what field is this?

[powerobject]

Also, volunteering experience would help. You could get great references from volunteering.

[OrganicLove]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I have listed them as short term and internships. I graduated with a degree in Communications. The fields I have experience with are varied and range from marketing to social media to basic web assistance/ publishing.

I'm trying to focus my sights on jobs pertaining to web production and have some experience in that field so far.

About volunteering, yes it can be a great way to cover gaps and get recommendations. In fact, the head of the place where I am volunteering says that they can provide recommendations and that your work will be credited!