Job Hunt Thread

[dasox24]

So, this was in the catch-all thread, but Russ brought up a good point about the job/internship thread he started last year being pretty solid. Considering a decent % of Soxtalk users are in college or just out, I thought we could bring this back...

 

Anyway, I interviewed with 4 companies last week for a full-time job in a Logistics/Supply Chain role after I graduate:

 

ExxonMobile

Cummins

Whirlpool

Chep

 

Does anyone know anything particular or have any advice on working for these companies?

[HuskyCaucasian]

I've officially decided to start looking for a new job early next year. I am going to get my A+ certification in late winter/early spring and then start looking for an IT job. I need to find a same or higher paying job, or else I'm not leaving my current one.

[RockRaines]

Actually looking to open my own small business in Chicago on the side in the next few months.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Actually looking to open my own small business in Chicago on the side in the next few months.

oh cool. what are you looking at doing?

[southsideirish71]

I've officially decided to start looking for a new job early next year. I am going to get my A+ certification in late winter/early spring and then start looking for an IT job. I need to find a same or higher paying job, or else I'm not leaving my current one.

 

IMO, A+ isn't really a respected cert. Its good if you want to get into basic helpdesk or fix PCs but no networking group worth their salt with vet any of the + certs. You would be better off getting a Cisco/Microsoft cert than the A+.

Edited October 6, 2010 by southsideirish71

[HuskyCaucasian]

IMO, A+ isn't really a respected cert. Its good if you want to get into basic helpdesk or fix PCs but no networking group worth their salt with vet any of the + certs. You would be better off getting a Cisco/Microsoft cert than the A+.

you'd be surprised how many jobs i"ve seen were A+ is a required cert. With that being said, I'm planning on doing a series of certs.

 

Any advice as to a course of action would be appreciated. I am pretty much "self taught" when it comes to computers. So, I dont have any real degree or certs to prove to a company what I know. I'm above average in my general computing and networking knowledge and I have very rudimentary experience in Windows Server.

 

After years of debating what career path I want to take (I majored in radio broadcasting, and currently work as a technology coordinator at a church), i think I'm going to go the IT route. I just enjoy it more.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Athomeboy_2000

[RockRaines]

you'd be surprised how many jobs i"ve seen were A+ is a required cert. With that being said, I'm planning on doing a series of certs.

 

Any advice as to a course of action would be appreciated. I am pretty much "self taught" when it comes to computers. So, I dont have any real degree or certs to prove to a company what I know. I'm above average in my general computing and networking knowledge and I have very rudimentary experience in Windows Server.

 

After years of debating what career path I want to take (I majored in radio broadcasting, and currently work as a technology coordinator at a church), i think I'm going to go the IT route. I just enjoy it more.

Would you consider a sales-type role in the field? Sometimes people get their start there and then the company pays for you to get certs. You also get nice comp while doing it.

[RockRaines]

oh cool. what are you looking at doing?

Cant reveal that on a public forum quite yet since I dont have my space leased yet and its in the beginning stages. But I will say I am only looking to open this business because I think it benefits the residents of my neighborhood and I want to continue to be a part of the development of the west side.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Cant reveal that on a public forum quite yet since I dont have my space leased yet and its in the beginning stages. But I will say I am only looking to open this business because I think it benefits the residents of my neighborhood and I want to continue to be a part of the development of the west side.

That's really awesome of you. Big thumbs up to you!

[HuskyCaucasian]

Would you consider a sales-type role in the field? Sometimes people get their start there and then the company pays for you to get certs. You also get nice comp while doing it.

I could never be a sales person. It's just not in my personality.

[RockRaines]

I could never be a sales person. It's just not in my personality.

What if you were a technical resource for a sales team that worked with customers to do installs or configuration? Meaning you were only brought in to work with a customer to either prove something works the way it should or to actually implement something they purchased? The reason I ask is because alot of my technical folks in that role work the job for a few years to gain experience while getting free certs and then take that experience and go and run IT depts or a director role.

[HuskyCaucasian]

What if you were a technical resource for a sales team that worked with customers to do installs or configuration? Meaning you were only brought in to work with a customer to either prove something works the way it should or to actually implement something they purchased? The reason I ask is because alot of my technical folks in that role work the job for a few years to gain experience while getting free certs and then take that experience and go and run IT depts or a director role.

That's absolutely something I would do.

[Flash Tizzle]

I sympathize with anyone seeking employment during these times. While attending graduate school I spent, what seemed like, every weekend attending written examinations, orientations, even though every opening presented a similar formula -- too many applicants, too few openings. Mid summer I had made my way through the process (background investigation, polygraph, medical, several interviews, etc.) with one employer only to be set aside at the end in place of another applicant. It was devastating; especially since the person I interviewed with had all but assured me the position.

 

However, two months ago, that same employer who previously rejected me called to give a conditional offer of employment. Anyone who knows me knows what that job is, but I'll say this -- do EVERY little thing you can to improve yourself. Just think, before entering a room, what sets you apart from other applicants. Even if it means volunteering somewhere several times a month, look at the bigger picture -- it'll set you apart, provide additional information to talk about in an interview, and perhaps give someone an impression that this person genuinely cares about other people.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Flash Tizzle

[The Beast]

Seeing as though people might view a Business degree from a liberal arts institution as weak, I may consider going to graduate school for the MBA or just go work at an entry-level job. I have no idea what I want to do for a living, and it is really competitive for even just a sports related internship. I impressed some people at the Quad Cities River Bandits, but I don't think that a bachelor's degree, work experience in sports communication and an internship will get me the job that I want. I couldn't do sales, it isn't in my personality either and I really don't know what I have to offer a company as some of the business courses are kind of bulls***, especially the ones about theory. Jobs I've considered are as follows: paralegal, random non-profit job, a management-trainee b**** at a car rental company, a technician in a hospital, a public relations specialist (which doesn't work well because of my personality) or really anything else. I'm open to a lot of options, I just don't know what to pursue and with the economy I'll just be happy to have a job.

[RockRaines]

Seeing as though people might view a Business degree from a liberal arts institution as weak, I may consider going to graduate school for the MBA or just go work at an entry-level job. I have no idea what I want to do for a living, and it is really competitive for even just a sports related internship. I impressed some people at the Quad Cities River Bandits, but I don't think that a bachelor's degree, work experience in sports communication and an internship will get me the job that I want. I couldn't do sales, it isn't in my personality either and I really don't know what I have to offer a company as some of the business courses are kind of bulls***, especially the ones about theory. Jobs I've considered are as follows: paralegal, random non-profit job, a management-trainee b**** at a car rental company, a technician in a hospital, a public relations specialist (which doesn't work well because of my personality) or really anything else. I'm open to a lot of options, I just don't know what to pursue and with the economy I'll just be happy to have a job.

The problem is dropping 100k on an MBA. I have yet to figure out how the f*** to afford something like that.

[Whitewashed in '05]

I'll be graduating in the spring of 2011 with a degree in IT and will probably be looking for a new job. I haven't really thought of where I'll be applying since it's still a while away. Been thinking more about what exactly I want to do.

[kapkomet]

The problem is dropping 100k on an MBA. I have yet to figure out how the f*** to afford something like that.

 

It ain't easy. At least I worked somewhere I could get part of it paid for.

[bigruss]

It ain't easy. At least I worked somewhere I could get part of it paid for.

Im hoping the place I interned with last year and will be back again this summer will hire me fulltime because they cover $5000 a year, and anything over that they cover 50%. Helps out quite a bit.

[maggsmaggs]

The problem is dropping 100k on an MBA. I have yet to figure out how the f*** to afford something like that.

Yeah, it's hard, but the ROI on those things are great. But you don't want to take out loans and be in huge debt afterward.

[RockRaines]

It ain't easy. At least I worked somewhere I could get part of it paid for.

My company just revoked it. They pay for pretty much any other degree except an MBA now. Still i think they only gave us 6k a year. Its f***ing expensive. I was looking at UIC, Depaul, etc and I just cannot fathom how to pay for it. I cannot get a student loan with a full time job at my income level and I cannot afford it on my income.

[The Beast]

What does that mean? I know you said previously you didn't think you would fit in sales, but PR is quite different...

Would it be appropriate for a Business major with work experience in journalism to fit into PR? My written communication is great in a journalistic context and for class work, but I don't think I could think on my feet very well (though I am comfortable giving and writing speeches). However, I like what I see in the job profile. Excellent growth, despite keen competition - there's nothing that an internship or some continuing education classes can't do. Now if I could only get an internship with a sports organization doing something I'm good at - I'd be set. It seems like internships are really hard to come by.

 

RockRaines - would you try a private school in the Chicagoland area? They might pay for it. Also, which MBA is best: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Strategic Management?

Edited October 7, 2010 by MuckFinnesota

[sircaffey]

My company just revoked it. They pay for pretty much any other degree except an MBA now. Still i think they only gave us 6k a year. Its f***ing expensive. I was looking at UIC, Depaul, etc and I just cannot fathom how to pay for it. I cannot get a student loan with a full time job at my income level and I cannot afford it on my income.

Go to a school where you can get a graduate assistantship. I'm getting 66% of my tuition paid for in the first year, and if they invite me back to be a GA in the second year, they'll pay 75% of year two's tuition. All for 10-12 hrs per week helping a professor with research.

[bigruss]

Go to a school where you can get a graduate assistantship. I'm getting 66% of my tuition paid for in the first year, and if they invite me back to be a GA in the second year, they'll pay 75% of year two's tuition. All for 10-12 hrs per week helping a professor with research.

You probably have to give up your fulltime job then, and that's pretty costly by itself.

[sircaffey]

You probably have to give up your fulltime job then, and that's pretty costly by itself.

Yeah. I'm talking about if you want to go to school full-time. I am not sure if part-timers can get GA's. Probably not.

[RockRaines]

RockRaines - would you try a private school in the Chicagoland area? They might pay for it. Also, which MBA is best: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Strategic Management?

I want to try whatever works. I cannot leave my job since its very lucrative, but I want to further my education so make it into executive management someday or even just learn more about business so I can run my own successfully with confidence. Turns out my Psych degree with emphasis on child dev didnt really prepare me all that well.