9 answers
McKenna
Student
Bella Vista, Arkansas
1
Question
Asked
1717 views
How do I go about finding work, preferably full time, near me?
I just recently graduated college in May, and have been applying and hearing nothing back from almost every job I apply too. Are there any steps I could take or things I could do to make the job search any easier? I’m very lost, and am unsure of how to proceed!
9 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi McKenna. There are some practical steps you can take to improve your chances in job search. First, you need to update your resume and cover letter. Make sure your resume is clear, professional, and highlights your education, skills, internships, or part-time jobs. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for as employers like to see that you're interested in their company specifically.
Next, expand where you're looking. Use job search websites and local job boards. Also, check the "Careers" pages on company websites near you. Use filters to find full-time roles close to your location.
Networking is also important. Many jobs are filled through connections, not just applications. Reach out to former professors, classmates, family friends, or people you met during internships. Let them know you're looking for work. You can also attend career fairs, local events, or join LinkedIn groups related to your field.
Don't be afraid to start small. If you're not getting responses for your dream job, consider applying for entry-level roles or internships that can lead to full-time work. Experience is valuable.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. Job searching takes time and can be tough, but keep learning, improving your approach, and staying positive. You've already achieved a lot by graduating, the right opportunity will come with persistence and patience. All the best.
Next, expand where you're looking. Use job search websites and local job boards. Also, check the "Careers" pages on company websites near you. Use filters to find full-time roles close to your location.
Networking is also important. Many jobs are filled through connections, not just applications. Reach out to former professors, classmates, family friends, or people you met during internships. Let them know you're looking for work. You can also attend career fairs, local events, or join LinkedIn groups related to your field.
Don't be afraid to start small. If you're not getting responses for your dream job, consider applying for entry-level roles or internships that can lead to full-time work. Experience is valuable.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. Job searching takes time and can be tough, but keep learning, improving your approach, and staying positive. You've already achieved a lot by graduating, the right opportunity will come with persistence and patience. All the best.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I would look at finding potential employment at a local county or state career center.
These centers offer resources like job listings, workshops on resume writing and interviewing, access to computers, and career counselors who can assess your skills and refer you to suitable positions.
You can also use statewide online job boards and resources like the federal CareerOneStop website to find local American Job Centers and opportunities.
Colleges and universities normally also have job centers, where students can browse opportunities, internships and volunteer employment options, to help them gain more experience
So, these might be options to consider.
These centers offer resources like job listings, workshops on resume writing and interviewing, access to computers, and career counselors who can assess your skills and refer you to suitable positions.
You can also use statewide online job boards and resources like the federal CareerOneStop website to find local American Job Centers and opportunities.
Colleges and universities normally also have job centers, where students can browse opportunities, internships and volunteer employment options, to help them gain more experience
So, these might be options to consider.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, McKenna !
In what I am seeing there has never before been a time in which so many are having a hard time hearing back in response to their resume. I started to wonder about what may be happening.
Although I have received work as an actress through applying online, I have to say that I think that online applying for work in most fields is probably the issue. By applying through a website or via e-mail directly to the company, there seems to be a mystery more than if one delivers or snail mails their resume, cover letter or other materials. You can put a link on your resume if your field of works deals with having a portfolio. But I think employers used to take more consideration when it was just a hard copy that they'd review, I don't know. I could be wrong, however a great number of people are experiencing applying to a lot of places and not hearing back when the norm now is to apply via technology.
I believe that whatever field of work you are referring to, you definitely have to make an in-person presence. Networking, attending every Job Fair you can find, mingling is still very important to make an impact and be memorable to employers. You can also network by attending any trainings related to your field of work to learn of more employers that you can apply to.
If you are applying via employment websites, specifically Indeed, there are usually a couple of qualifying questions before you complete applying. The questions are usually something like how many years experience in that field do you have or what college degree do you have. I think if those questions are not answered to the employers' liking, they automatically disqualify the resume. It seems much easier to get lost in the crowd applying online, but on the other hand, people do get work by applying online.
Are you including a cover letter or, in the case of via e-mail, an e-mail equivalent to a cover letter ? The cover letter should state why you're qualified for the position and that you look forward to the opportunity.
Since you've graduated recently, return to your campus and visit the Career Center. They may have places to apply to in your field of work and they could also evaluate your resume to see if additions or changes are needed. In the meantime, go for some certifications that are connected to your field of work to boost your experience and qualifications. You can get more specific advice about this if you mention what type of work you're applying for when you inquire on how to increase your chances for obtaining interviews.
You could also return to your Major Department and interact with a couple of your former professors. They know you and would be able to accurately assess what you need to do.
Another consideration may be location - how far are you willing to travel to and from a job ? Are you applying for only jobs in your town and county ? Think about expanding the region you send your resumes out to.
In conclusion, you will need to explore what the issue may be. It's helpful to show someone in person your resume, especially someone in your particular line of work and consider what you can do to increase your chances for interviews.
I wish you well in all you do !
In what I am seeing there has never before been a time in which so many are having a hard time hearing back in response to their resume. I started to wonder about what may be happening.
Although I have received work as an actress through applying online, I have to say that I think that online applying for work in most fields is probably the issue. By applying through a website or via e-mail directly to the company, there seems to be a mystery more than if one delivers or snail mails their resume, cover letter or other materials. You can put a link on your resume if your field of works deals with having a portfolio. But I think employers used to take more consideration when it was just a hard copy that they'd review, I don't know. I could be wrong, however a great number of people are experiencing applying to a lot of places and not hearing back when the norm now is to apply via technology.
I believe that whatever field of work you are referring to, you definitely have to make an in-person presence. Networking, attending every Job Fair you can find, mingling is still very important to make an impact and be memorable to employers. You can also network by attending any trainings related to your field of work to learn of more employers that you can apply to.
If you are applying via employment websites, specifically Indeed, there are usually a couple of qualifying questions before you complete applying. The questions are usually something like how many years experience in that field do you have or what college degree do you have. I think if those questions are not answered to the employers' liking, they automatically disqualify the resume. It seems much easier to get lost in the crowd applying online, but on the other hand, people do get work by applying online.
Are you including a cover letter or, in the case of via e-mail, an e-mail equivalent to a cover letter ? The cover letter should state why you're qualified for the position and that you look forward to the opportunity.
Since you've graduated recently, return to your campus and visit the Career Center. They may have places to apply to in your field of work and they could also evaluate your resume to see if additions or changes are needed. In the meantime, go for some certifications that are connected to your field of work to boost your experience and qualifications. You can get more specific advice about this if you mention what type of work you're applying for when you inquire on how to increase your chances for obtaining interviews.
You could also return to your Major Department and interact with a couple of your former professors. They know you and would be able to accurately assess what you need to do.
Another consideration may be location - how far are you willing to travel to and from a job ? Are you applying for only jobs in your town and county ? Think about expanding the region you send your resumes out to.
In conclusion, you will need to explore what the issue may be. It's helpful to show someone in person your resume, especially someone in your particular line of work and consider what you can do to increase your chances for interviews.
I wish you well in all you do !
Walter Chacon
People Manager
5
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Walter’s Answer
The best way is to customize your resume in a way of capturing all of your skills related to the job that you are applying for.
The resume is a powerful tool to get a new job. It opens the door for the hiring people to pay the attention you need.
The resume is a powerful tool to get a new job. It opens the door for the hiring people to pay the attention you need.
Armando de Jesús Herrera
Sr. Project Engineer
33
Answers
Roswell, Georgia
Updated
Armando de Jesús’s Answer
Thanks for sharing this. You're not alone in feeling lost after graduation. The job search process can be tough, especially when you're putting in effort and not getting responses. I’d like to help you move forward, but to give you the most accurate advice, I’d need a bit more context. For example:
Which platforms are you using to apply (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed, company career pages)?
Are the roles you're applying for entry-level and aligned with your degree or experience?
Are you tailoring your resume and cover letter to match each job description?
Have you looked into the salary range for the roles you're targeting and made sure your expectations match your experience level?
That said, here are a few general tips that might help:
1. Tailor your resume for each job: Use keywords from the job description and highlight relevant skills and achievements. Recruiters often use software to scan resumes, so matching the language helps you get noticed.
2. Build your LinkedIn profile: Make sure it's complete and reflects your strengths. Connect with professionals in your field, join relevant groups, and engage with posts to increase visibility.
3. Network actively: Reach out to alumni, attend local career fairs, or join professional associations. Sometimes opportunities come from conversations, not applications.
4. Follow up: If you’ve applied and haven’t heard back in a couple of weeks, a polite follow-up email can show initiative and interest.
5. Consider internships or contract roles: These can be stepping stones to full-time work and help build experience and connections.
6. Stay organized: Track where you’ve applied, follow up, and note what worked or didn’t. This helps refine your strategy over time.
Once I know more about your situation, I can offer more specific advice.
Just to give you some perspective, my first job after graduation was a 4-month internship. It wasn’t permanent, but it gave me valuable experience and helped me land a full-time role as a Project Supervisor. The relationships I built there eventually led me to a position as a Project Engineer at BASF, and things kept progressing from there. Sometimes the path isn’t linear, but every step builds toward something bigger.
Which platforms are you using to apply (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed, company career pages)?
Are the roles you're applying for entry-level and aligned with your degree or experience?
Are you tailoring your resume and cover letter to match each job description?
Have you looked into the salary range for the roles you're targeting and made sure your expectations match your experience level?
That said, here are a few general tips that might help:
1. Tailor your resume for each job: Use keywords from the job description and highlight relevant skills and achievements. Recruiters often use software to scan resumes, so matching the language helps you get noticed.
2. Build your LinkedIn profile: Make sure it's complete and reflects your strengths. Connect with professionals in your field, join relevant groups, and engage with posts to increase visibility.
3. Network actively: Reach out to alumni, attend local career fairs, or join professional associations. Sometimes opportunities come from conversations, not applications.
4. Follow up: If you’ve applied and haven’t heard back in a couple of weeks, a polite follow-up email can show initiative and interest.
5. Consider internships or contract roles: These can be stepping stones to full-time work and help build experience and connections.
6. Stay organized: Track where you’ve applied, follow up, and note what worked or didn’t. This helps refine your strategy over time.
Once I know more about your situation, I can offer more specific advice.
Just to give you some perspective, my first job after graduation was a 4-month internship. It wasn’t permanent, but it gave me valuable experience and helped me land a full-time role as a Project Supervisor. The relationships I built there eventually led me to a position as a Project Engineer at BASF, and things kept progressing from there. Sometimes the path isn’t linear, but every step builds toward something bigger.
Emily Bassett
2
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Browse job posting websites like Indeed or LinkedIn. Have a resume ready to go!
Jeremy Lin
Procurement Manager
7
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
Hi there! Here are two easy tips to help you succeed:
1) Get Out There and Network - Attend virtual or in-person events like career fairs and industry meetups. Reach out to people in roles you admire for quick chats; this can often lead to referrals.
2) Learn New Skills While Job Hunting - Use platforms like LinkedIn Learning to earn certifications that can make your resume stand out.
1) Get Out There and Network - Attend virtual or in-person events like career fairs and industry meetups. Reach out to people in roles you admire for quick chats; this can often lead to referrals.
2) Learn New Skills While Job Hunting - Use platforms like LinkedIn Learning to earn certifications that can make your resume stand out.
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello McKenna,
There are many different ways to find jobs that are full time in your location. I would say that you can look at different apps like LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter that can help you find jobs based on what you want to do. There are also things like job fairs that can help you meet people and look at possible future jobs that can consider. Keep applying to more jobs because it is not always easy to find jobs in our current economy and I know that you will be able to find a future job. Best of luck to you!
There are many different ways to find jobs that are full time in your location. I would say that you can look at different apps like LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter that can help you find jobs based on what you want to do. There are also things like job fairs that can help you meet people and look at possible future jobs that can consider. Keep applying to more jobs because it is not always easy to find jobs in our current economy and I know that you will be able to find a future job. Best of luck to you!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2397
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Below are suggestions that may help:
1. Keep an eye on the career board of the college you graduated. Some corporate may post intern or graduate program there.
2. Visit career portal of large corporates
3. Explore any opportunities on popular job websites eg linked in
4. If any corporate you have particular interest, you can send your CV to them
Also, identify decent CV template. Customize your CV that meet the Jon requirements.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
1. Keep an eye on the career board of the college you graduated. Some corporate may post intern or graduate program there.
2. Visit career portal of large corporates
3. Explore any opportunities on popular job websites eg linked in
4. If any corporate you have particular interest, you can send your CV to them
Also, identify decent CV template. Customize your CV that meet the Jon requirements.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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