nauticac

Hey everyone. Let me start by saying I wish I didn't have to start a thread about this, but I've been getting quite frustrated lately and I hope to use this as a means to vent as well as obtain some feedback from all of you. I just graduated college with my bachelors and I majored in marketing, minored in communications. I live and went to school in upstate NY and I am looking for jobs in California. I've been job hunting for about a month now, applying to approx. 4-5 vacancies per day. I've had countless professors review and critique my resume and cover letter and I've been told its top notch. However, I'm having trouble even getting a call back for an interview on these positions. I did a 6-month internship for Toyota in California, so It's not like I'm unfamiliar with the area. I know there are a lot of CA guys and girls here on Scionlife, maybe you guys could provide some insight on the current CA job market, and how us East-coasters are viewed because I for one, have no clue why this is so difficult!

sequel

I'm not much of a career advisor, but I can say this much...

Stay miles away from the car business.

1_kLEan_tC

Well, What types of job are you looking for? Also, what type of pay do you want? Make sure your realistic with what you want and will get. Also, the car business isn't bad, but don't be a sales guys...There is no money there, but I'm sure being corp has still some good things going

nauticac

Thanks guys. Right now I am looking in any industry, whether it be entertainment, financial, medical, etc. It would not be unreasonable for me to obtain a position as a marketing specialist, or a position as a market research associate to start off. I'm not really into sales. In the LA area, I'd start at anywhere from 50k-60k depending on the size of the company, etc.

CDogbert

The job market is awful right now, needless to say. A lot of companies are leaning their workforce out to cut costs.

Have you tried Monster?

nauticac

Hey Cdogbert. I have tried Monster. I have an account with my resume and contact information. I actually log in daily and check on positions. One thing I'm concerned about is the fact that Monster is such a high-traffic site. Whenever a new posting hits, I'd imagine the employers instantly receive hundreds of resume's.

1_kLEan_tC

this is what I mean starting in marketing your looking at 35k-45k you have to be real with yourself...you can make 50-60k but that takes connections... I was in the same shoes as you two years ago, you have lower the standards....If you want marketing you in the right town, but to break down the door is going to take time...I would research ant network marketing associations and groups. Make the connections and the bust the door down... That's what I did to get into finance and accounting...It paid off for me.

nauticac

From the sources I've researched, people in the positions already that I've spoken to, and from reading the job descriptions (A small few post starting salary) I've found that 50-60k is reasonable living in Los Angeles. I wanted to be sure that I wasn't overshooting my salary requirements. Full time associates in my internship position are making about 65k.

nauticac

I forgot to add, here's a sample job vacancy that gives a little more insight into the type of position I'm looking to acquire.

http://www.claritas.com/target-marke...tingSpecialist

Brande0408

have you checked nearby hospitals. There always hiring, the one I work at has 400 openings at any given moment. I'm a comm major so the job markets sort of the same. unfornately for u I don't know much about cali. If cali dosen't work for you move to the MW, cheaper costs of living and alot of the major companies, such as GE healthcare, are based in the MW.

RodC

It isn't easy to get a job right now no matter what line of work you are in. I consider myself very lucky to have a nice job.

RCZDesigns

Aww c'mon you know it's the big biz, rofl.


To the OP, your school didn't have any sort of career placement? I hear that alot with schools, but I guess it's specialty schools only probably.

Taking it slow is what I can definately agree on. I ALWAYS expect too much too fast out of every job, and hype myself up too soon and always feel let down. Treat your job like a girl. Er, one you really like.

IntegreS_350

Hey didn't that internship with Toyota lead to anything?? That is how I got my full time position at TMS, starting off with an internship (I think we talked before in PM)-
Anyway, I know here the job market isn't so hot right now- and specifically within Toyota I can say there is very little to zero movement going on- Pretty much the only openings are within the contact centers, which I'm sure you don't want- plus the starting salary for that is around $41-42k =/

nauticac

Hey Integres, thanks for your note. We have talked before in PM. the TMS internship hasn't really lead to anything concrete yet. I'm discussing current opportunities with my former boss but as you mentioned, movement within is slow at the moment. I suppose my only option for right now is to network more with CA people and keep plugging away with the resumes.

Oh, and your new 250 looks nice!

IntegreS_350

Thanks
Well best of luck to you! If you can get an opportunity at TMS, I'd say definitely jump on it, even if the pay isn't quite as high, because TMS is a great company to work for

nauticac

You're exactly right. I was on talent link earlier today and noticed a position open in the Lexus Call Center. Perhaps I'll submit my materials and see how that goes. For a starting position, I'm just looking for something that will be able to support rent, food, student loans, and a little money to save.

IntegreS_350

You should definitely try for that position in Lexus-- Its a good place to start ;)

Good luck!!!!

ERIK-TC

I work for IBM and we have a ____load of openings in alot of our coporate offices, although most of them are Account exec's or Tech support

RodC

At Boeing we are trying to fill a lot of positions with youngsters, because about 60% of the entire workforce is due for retirement in the next 10 years.

nauticac

RodC. That's a great suggestion. I knew Boeing has an office around the Seal Beach area. I'll stop by their careers page and check current openings!