Strategies for finding jobs in Ann Arbor, MI? (sales, insurance)

[DwellerofCities]

I'm wondering if anybody has any tips for finding jobs in the Ann Arbor, MI area.

Of course, there are the usual options (Indeed, Monster, etc), but I feel like my options are a bit limited through these avenues.

It's been suggested to me that perhaps I should seek out great companies of interest and simply approach them with my resume. I have no problem doing this, but my question is:

Any other tips? Does anyone who is familiar with the Ann Arbor job market have any input that should be considered, particular to finding a job in the Ann Arbor area? Should I seek out a recruiter? Or any advice of a general nature?

I'm a recent graduate with a Bachelor's in Psychology.

Thanks!

[craig11152]

Are you looking for a job in the field of Psychology? If so I am guessing that you may need a masters degree to find something in this town.

On the other hand my oldest daughter was a former supervisor at Whole Foods (Washtenaw Ave store) and when she was there virtually ALL the employees had college degrees. She was a theater major. It wasn't a requirement but so many college grads applied they got most all the jobs.
My son-in-law graduated from U of M with a degree in Psychology and he is a cop, Washtenaw County Sheriffs deputy. The Whole Foods daughter, a theater major is now a cop too, same place.

I am rambling a bit but my point is, if you want a job in your field, your options are very limited without an advanced degree but if you want a job to move to town its a lot easier.

[DwellerofCities]

Originally Posted by craig11152

Are you looking for a job in the field of Psychology? If so I am guessing that you may need a masters degree to find something in this town.

On the other hand my oldest daughter was a former supervisor at Whole Foods (Washtenaw Ave store) and when she was there virtually ALL the employees had college degrees. She was a theater major. It wasn't a requirement but so many college grads applied they got most all the jobs.
My son-in-law graduated from U of M with a degree in Psychology and he is a cop, Washtenaw County Sheriffs deputy. The Whole Foods daughter, a theater major is now a cop too, same place.

I am rambling a bit but my point is, if you want a job in your field, your options are very limited without an advanced degree but if you want a job to move to town its a lot easier.

Thanks Craig! I probably should have clarified that. I'm totally open to jobs in different fields -- so I guess I'd fall into the "want a job to move to town" category. :-D

And the examples given were definitely helpful! I guess I'm largely trying to get a better idea of what options exist for me in the area (and how I should go about pursuing them), so any suggestions or specific examples are greatly appreciated!

[Coldjensens]

1. Go to U-M.

2. Get a PhD. (at least one degree from U-M)

3. bring some amazing skill with you.

4. Start a company and hire yourself.

5. Know someone.

6. Work in the trades (e.g. electrician, drywall, carpenter - all the trades are short handed).

7. Learn 8 languages and become conversational in all of them. (That is how my SIL got a job at U-M).


A BS in Psych is not all that useful these days. For one, they seem to be dime a dozen and second, there is no real job for a BS in psych. Get an advanced degree in IO or maybe in clinical and you have a great shot, especially IO. Try insurance companies. They are usually looking for and degreed persons to learn to be adjusters or underwriters. IT is a pretty terrible job, which is why they are always looking, but it is a job. Banks also hire a lot of random any degree persons, however you usually have to start as a teller, but if you hang around for two years you should be a VP. You could also go into sales. There you might use some of your Psychology learning. Sales pays well if you turn out to be good at it (A friend makes $250,000 - $450,000 a year selling the metal boxes that computers come in. Of course he did not start at that level and he is selling orders of millions at a time, but he likes his job)

[craig11152]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Try insurance companies. They are usually looking for and degreed persons to learn to be adjusters or underwriters.

Another son-in-law, the one married to my cop daughter is an insurance adjuster. He likes his job and after 4 or 5 years at it he makes very good money and helps train other adjusters.

[hhwtm]

There are quite a few jobs but not always easy to get. Maybe you need to narrow your focus down a little. This is a very educated community; the joke is that your restaurant server probably has a Master's degree. The cost of living (rent) is pretty high too.

[MaryleeII]

No one has mentioned--


Try University of Michigan


UMMC = University of Michigan Medical Center


Veterans Hospital


All major employers for the area.

[DwellerofCities]

Thanks a lot everyone! These have been very helpful so far!

Originally Posted by hhwtm

There are quite a few jobs but not always easy to get. Maybe you need to narrow your focus down a little. This is a very educated community; the joke is that your restaurant server probably has a Master's degree. The cost of living (rent) is pretty high too.

Thanks hhtwtm! Do you mean I should broaden my focus? I'm basically just trying to get an idea of what options exist in the area, so I can go from there. I would definitely be open to applying for jobs that aren't directly related to my Bachelor's degree.

[DwellerofCities]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

1. Go to U-M.

2. Get a PhD. (at least one degree from U-M)

3. bring some amazing skill with you.

4. Start a company and hire yourself.

5. Know someone.

6. Work in the trades (e.g. electrician, drywall, carpenter - all the trades are short handed).

7. Learn 8 languages and become conversational in all of them. (That is how my SIL got a job at U-M).


A BS in Psych is not all that useful these days. For one, they seem to be dime a dozen and second, there is no real job for a BS in psych. Get an advanced degree in IO or maybe in clinical and you have a great shot, especially IO. Try insurance companies. They are usually looking for and degreed persons to learn to be adjusters or underwriters. IT is a pretty terrible job, which is why they are always looking, but it is a job. Banks also hire a lot of random any degree persons, however you usually have to start as a teller, but if you hang around for two years you should be a VP. You could also go into sales. There you might use some of your Psychology learning. Sales pays well if you turn out to be good at it (A friend makes $250,000 - $450,000 a year selling the metal boxes that computers come in. Of course he did not start at that level and he is selling orders of millions at a time, but he likes his job)

Extremely helpful post, thanks so much Coldjensens! Do you advise any area-specific strategies for finding work in the trades? I haven't done this before, but I will definitely consider all opportunities. Thanks again!

[Coldjensens]

To find work in the trades, the easiest was to go is to go through one of the unions. They have training programs. Getting them to call you back can be a bit tricky. There is some speculation they like the current labor shortage because it drives up wages, so they want to keep it that way. No idea whether there is any truth to that. The other option is to get in through non-union. There you just have to find a job with a company, start at the bottom. If you stick around, you will move up quickly.

You can stay int eh trades (maybe make $75k a year, but work fixed hours and have no responsibility) of you can move into management (figure on working 50-60 hours a week and being loaded with responsibility/stress, but you cna make more $150,000 is not an unreasonable expectation. Frankly, you can end up running the company at some places).