Job hunting/Medical/dental health plans advice

[mjolnir117]

Whew! Finally found a job! Not the best wage, but a good starting point for my career. Now I have to worry about purchasing medical and dental insurance in BC. I keep getting ads from HBC offering dental and medical insurance. Does anybody have any advice regarding that or any advice regarding anything now that I'm new to the working world? Crash course on medical insurance?

Thanks




---original---

Hi,

I've been job hunting for a few weeks now after my graduation and only got one interview after apply for half a dozen or so jobs. My instructor suggested that I try to get my name out there by going to the human resources department of companies and submitting my resume without a cover letter for a specific job. Does that strategy work anymore? I've also looked up a bunch of companies that interest me in the yellowpages. Any suggestion on how to apply without a specific position to be applying for? I'm looking for a microcontroller/firmware/embedded systems programming type job.

Thanks in advance.

[sh0n]

To the OP

I think you would want to focus your strategy on the specific type of industries you had mentioned.

On a side note,

My GF who recently graduated and is looking for a job as well. She has done everything form sending out 50 copies of her cover letter (tailored to each company) and resumes. Out of those 50 she was only able to land 2 interviews. I'm not sure if its the Vancouver job market thats the problem. I'm guessing since its the New Year and the Olympics are coming soon, there should be many hirings. But this isn't the case.

If you want to discuss a little bit more about the Vancouver Job market and your experiences please message me. Let's think about it as helping each other out.

[Jucius Maximus]

I would be very very pleased if I was able to get a 1 in 10 response rate for my applications.

<--- Gainfully employed

Showing up at the place to submit a resume without a cover letter does not sound like a winning strategy to me. Most companies (almost without exception) want a web submission now. You have to focus on making your resume and cover letter really good. I always personalize them to fit every application. Go look at www.collegegrad.com, which IMO has some of the best jobsearch info on the net.

My last jobsearch run was in 2005. I applied for 169 jobs and got a total of 10 interviews between 8 companies. Actually the first interview of those 10 was the one that led to my employment... it simply took them a long time to extend the offer!

[iamfat]

For the UofT campus, some recruiters get 1000s of applications.

I've heard from applicants that the ratio of resumes to responses (either interview or reject) is something like 50 resumes to 1 response, roughly.

[mjolnir117]

wow...had no idea the situation was that grim...guess I should increase my application rate...thanks all for the feedback, especial sh0n ;)

[Mulder and Scully]

A 1 in 12 response rate is incredible! Realistically, if you're applying for jobs you're actually qualified for then a 1 in 20 response rate would be really really good.

[cui5]

well, i am in the same shoes as the OP. I only applied for those fit my qulifications and related to my major. I almost hit the ratio like 2/10 for around 40 jobs.

BTW, i am so panic and want to know if my stragety will work in any sense.

I just resend my resume to those who interviewed me before and ask them whether they would by any chance have new position fulfill my qualification. its almost like not-so-cold call

Is this a good idea? THanks for yall inputs

[65505201]

All I have to say is to keep plugging at it and don't give up. All of the jobs in my industry are down in the States, and I've finally gotten 1 interview after about...10 months and 80 applications?

Another thing that you may have to consider, is to continue advanced studies in a city full of your targeted companies. Personally, I'm hoping that I'll get into the University of Minnesota so that I'll be considered a local candidate while attaining my Master's degree.

[mjolnir117]

All I have to say is to keep plugging at it and don't give up. All of the jobs in my industry are down in the States, and I've finally gotten 1 interview after about...10 months and 80 applications?

:eek: You had no income for 10 months?

[rockthecasbah]

Can I ask those of you recent grads who actually GOT a job (not just any job but a job you can see as relevant to your career), how long did it take from graduating to getting that job? Not counting jobs that were offered even before graduating (i.e. I have a friend in accounting who went to a career thing for E&Y at his university and was offered a job... we didn't have that at my university but definitely not for liberal arts majors)

I graduated in June 2006. I went on a longish vacation afterwards, got back in November and started the "real" job hunt soon there after.

So far, I only have gotten ONE interview for a job that's more geared to non-university grads but at least was relevant to my career goals. Also, I should probably add that I [double] majored in programs that didn't streamline into an obvious career (i.e. accounting, business, engineering, etc) and I'm trying to get into the media industry, so it's probably more competitive.

My mother is nagging me day and night about this fact and says there's something problemmatic with my resume (but really, it's not like a recent grad will really even have that much of a stunning resume with relevant job experiences). But this thread makes me feel better.

I find that there are PLENTY of jobs I apply for that I am really well-qualified for. But they won't even give me a CHANCE by at least offering me an interview. It's so disheartening. :( Of course, most job requirements also tend to have so and so years of related experience and it's kinda hard to get that experience if I can't even get a foot in the door.

If worst comes to worst, I think I'll just apply for more education. Maybe a certificate or get my Masters... :|

[cui5]

[B]
If worst comes to worst, I think I'll just apply for more education. Maybe a certificate or get my Masters... :|

Well, my suggestion is to get some advance degree while you are looking for the job. My resume after undergraduate school was nothing but a plain paper

[weedb0y]

Can I ask those of you recent grads who actually GOT a job (not just any job but a job you can see as relevant to your career), how long did it take from graduating to getting that job? Not counting jobs that were offered even before graduating (i.e. I have a friend in accounting who went to a career thing for E&Y at his university and was offered a job... we didn't have that at my university but definitely not for liberal arts majors)

I graduated in June 2006. I went on a longish vacation afterwards, got back in November and started the "real" job hunt soon there after.

So far, I only have gotten ONE interview for a job that's more geared to non-university grads but at least was relevant to my career goals. Also, I should probably add that I [double] majored in programs that didn't streamline into an obvious career (i.e. accounting, business, engineering, etc) and I'm trying to get into the media industry, so it's probably more competitive.

My mother is nagging me day and night about this fact and says there's something problemmatic with my resume (but really, it's not like a recent grad will really even have that much of a stunning resume with relevant job experiences). But this thread makes me feel better.

I find that there are PLENTY of jobs I apply for that I am really well-qualified for. But they won't even give me a CHANCE by at least offering me an interview. It's so disheartening. :( Of course, most job requirements also tend to have so and so years of related experience and it's kinda hard to get that experience if I can't even get a foot in the door.

If worst comes to worst, I think I'll just apply for more education. Maybe a certificate or get my Masters... :|

Try going to Company's Career Fairs. Plus, get any entry level at a company that you are interested in, its easier to switch to position of your choice after minimum tenure within the company as opposed to applying externally.

Keep something going on the side though. What kind of pre-graduation experience do you have?

[iamfat]

Can I ask those of you recent grads who actually GOT a job (not just any job but a job you can see as relevant to your career), how long did it take from graduating to getting that job? Not counting jobs that were offered even before graduating (i.e. I have a friend in accounting who went to a career thing for E&Y at his university and was offered a job... we didn't have that at my university but definitely not for liberal arts majors)

I graduated in June 2006. I went on a longish vacation afterwards, got back in November and started the "real" job hunt soon there after.

So far, I only have gotten ONE interview for a job that's more geared to non-university grads but at least was relevant to my career goals. Also, I should probably add that I [double] majored in programs that didn't streamline into an obvious career (i.e. accounting, business, engineering, etc) and I'm trying to get into the media industry, so it's probably more competitive.

My mother is nagging me day and night about this fact and says there's something problemmatic with my resume (but really, it's not like a recent grad will really even have that much of a stunning resume with relevant job experiences). But this thread makes me feel better.

I find that there are PLENTY of jobs I apply for that I am really well-qualified for. But they won't even give me a CHANCE by at least offering me an interview. It's so disheartening. :( Of course, most job requirements also tend to have so and so years of related experience and it's kinda hard to get that experience if I can't even get a foot in the door.

If worst comes to worst, I think I'll just apply for more education. Maybe a certificate or get my Masters... :|


You mention media, without providing enough details, I would HIGHLY suggest you try to apply for CBC's internship programs. Since they are government funded (at least partially) they typically will spend more time to interview candidates.

[NeoEsper]

I would suggest going into a internship program like

www.careeredge.ca
www.gradworks.ca

These are low paying jobs at first however 80% of the time it lends into a position within a couple of months or after the internship. I would suggest finding a job asap, after the one year mark it becomes alot harder to get a job.

[en]

I think a major reason is that Canada has way to many graduates for too few related jobs...and not much industry...

[NeoEsper]

Well it depends where you want to work in Canada. There are alot of Engineering/Trades/Tech jobs out in the boonies.

[mjolnir117]

There are plenty of jobs up North, I just don't want to go all the way up there. I thought my co-op experience would have given me an edge...guess not.

I just got another rejection letter. >:(

Well...at least I got closure.

[NeoEsper]

I'm in the same situation as you. I'm currently employed but will be moving back to Alberta after my internship. Been applying to alot of jobs and so far only 2 interviews. So you are not the only one.

[rockthecasbah]

I just got another rejection letter. >:(

Well...at least I got closure.

I like rejection letters. Well, obviously not "like" as in I aspire to get them but as in it's better than waiting around, wishing and hoping for weeks yet no word or worse, getting a rejection phone call.

Try going to Company's Career Fairs. Plus, get any entry level at a company that you are interested in, its easier to switch to position of your choice after minimum tenure within the company as opposed to applying externally.

Keep something going on the side though. What kind of pre-graduation experience do you have?

I try to keep a look out for career fairs but I haven't seen much, if any at all, for career fairs in the media conglomerates I'm interested in. And the thing about entry level jobs, I have been looking for them specifically but they tend to be sparse in job listings full of "managers" or "directors" or "supervisors"... and basically anything that sounds entry-level-ish, ends up still requiring that 2 years of related experience.

My work experience mainly consists of work/study jobs on campus in adminstrative support roles and community support (within a college). That kinda thing.

You mention media, without providing enough details, I would HIGHLY suggest you try to apply for CBC's internship programs. Since they are government funded (at least partially) they typically will spend more time to interview candidates.

I applied for that LONG time ago. No repsonse :(

BTW today I got a questionable call from "Revolution Marketing Group" saying they got my application from Workopolis. Except I never applied to anything like that. They said they ONLY had interview slots (10 mins) tomorrow and asked if I could start right away. It sounded fishy but I just said yes. I googled them and found out it's a scam, door-to-door Vector Marketing kinda company (which I once interviewed for when I was in high school. Yeah, going around selling sharp knives to strangers, that's smart). Just thought I'd throw this in here in case someone searches them on here. They target NEW GRADS and STUDENTS! Beware!

[65505201]

:eek: You had no income for 10 months?

No, I've been working full time at a place that does contract RnD work for the companies in the States. However, I want to be down there because that is where all the REAL work is. In my eyes, I still consider myself to be unemployed. 10 month of applying and only 1 interview *cry*.

[Firebot]

You can always get a more generic job at a company which is in the industry you are looking for, then once you land your generic job, apply from within for the job you are really looking for in a few months.

You not only do get a paycheck while 'applying for a job', but you get a leg up over other applicants since you are with the company already.

[metro]

:eek: You had no income for 10 months?

Ive had no income for 19 months...

[mjolnir117]

Ive had no income for 19 months...

How the heck did you survive?

[mjolnir117]

Soooo close but no cheese....my interview only put me 2nd place on shortlist...>:(

[NeoEsper]

I know that PMC-Sierra and Vecima Networks are hiring for firmware/embedded systems ect, have you tried them yet? I used to want to work in this industry, however in the next 10 years jobs like this will be out sourced to people in China and India.

[mjolnir117]

I've been checking their web sites occassionally and applied for a few with no response. Outsourced? That would majorly suck...

[Sylvestre]

Something few people consider - look at both professionand and industrial associations. A lot of companies post jobs on the associations' websites, as the pool is more targeted.

Depending on how desperate you are, go to your school's alumni websites and see where people are working. You may be able to find contact info and can try cold-calls.

[mjolnir117]

Whew! Finally found a job! Not the best wage, but a good starting point for my career. Now I have to worry about purchasing medical and dental insurance in BC. I keep getting ads from HBC offering dental and medical insurance. Does anybody have any advice regarding that or any advice regarding anything now that I'm new to the working world?

Thanks