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Starting the job search...yikes.

H311oLHD

H311oLHD

Active Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
1,768
Location
Schaumburg, IL
I just started the job search, and damn it's scary out there! I am graduating in May 09 and obviously need to find a job. I currently work as a shift supervisor at Starbucks, so naturally I'm going to try to move up in the company. If that doesn't happen, I've got to extend my search. I am honestly thinking about sending my application to CAO and Reyes Family Cigars. I'm kind of in the "why not?" stage of my search since I've started early enough. I realize the market is tough out there, so I'm really nervous about this. Ultimately, I just want t work for a company that I enjoy working for. I have a love for Starbucks that goes beyond just a part-time job, paying the bills. I hope this works out, but have to be prepared for the worst. I have been working on my resume for a few years now, and while I'm not sure it's great, I don't think it's terrible!

I'm going to graduate with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications & a minor in Insurance.

Edit to add:: I'd really appreciate any advice anyone can give me about finding my first "real" job!

-Aaron

PS: Thanks for allowing me to share my nervousness & excitement. :thumbs:
 
Im graduating in August '09, unfortunately you and a million others will beat me to the Job market. :(

Good luck with the search brother.
 
BigJake6904 said:
Im graduating in August '09, unfortunately you and a million others will beat me to the Job market. :(

Good luck with the search brother.
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Jake, we have all of our lives to find jobs. While it may suck for a little while, I'm sure you'll be okay bro. I wish you the best of luck man, good luck with your search.

-Aaron
 
With those two as major and minor you should seriously look into getting your insurance license when you graduate (pretty easy) and look at some of the insurance companies out your way or even into becoming an agent. There is extremely good money in insurance and as a business opportunity there are some advantages.

1. No inventory to keep
2. Residual income (not just a sell once, get paid once deal)
3. Does not require a huge staff to manage (2-3 people is average)
4. Does not require a large office space
5. In most states, the law requires virtually everyone to buy your product.

Edited to add: Had I known more about the benefits of working in the insurance industry 20 years there is no doubt that I would have gone into it then.

Good luck to you

Danny
 
Well, interestingly enough, I work in the market research department of a large insurer.

From your major, Marketing Communications and minor in insurance, try the insurance underwriters, but also the marketing firms (not all underwriters have their own marketing arms, some sell through other firms), the ad agencies that deal specifically with the insurance market (think Mad Men), the providers of market research to insurers, health care, and pharma, etc.

Also, some organizations (AARP, etc) endorse insurance products without actually selling or underwriting them. They need marketing and marketing communications types, because the endorsement is their major value-add.

You might also want to take a look at a sales role. A lot of insurers use telesales agents extensively. Call center isn't a dream job, but it gives you a foothold, you'll get your certifications in place, and with a little extra effort you'll be able to move into a back-office job when things pick up.

Finally, there's always grad school. (Clearly the timing strategy didn't work for me, since I got my MBA and work permit just in time for the economy to tank, but it may for you.)
 
I took a sabbatical after I graduated and became a ski bum for a couple years in CO. My thinking was that I was going to be working for 30-40 years, so why not do something I wanted to do, before becoming tied down. It was a great decision for me, not 2 months later I was hired and I've been here 10 yrs this year.

Keep your head up during interviews and always be yourself. Don't form your answers on what you "think" they want to hear. You'd be surprised at how many people hire on honestly, rather then inflated/made up answers.

Good luck, this seems to be a difficult time for job hunting.
 
Marco-Polo said:
Well, interestingly enough, I work in the market research department of a large insurer.

From your major, Marketing Communications and minor in insurance, try the insurance underwriters, but also the marketing firms (not all underwriters have their own marketing arms, some sell through other firms), the ad agencies that deal specifically with the insurance market (think Mad Men), the providers of market research to insurers, health care, and pharma, etc.

Also, some organizations (AARP, etc) endorse insurance products without actually selling or underwriting them. They need marketing and marketing communications types, because the endorsement is their major value-add.

You might also want to take a look at a sales role. A lot of insurers use telesales agents extensively. Call center isn't a dream job, but it gives you a foothold, you'll get your certifications in place, and with a little extra effort you'll be able to move into a back-office job when things pick up.

Finally, there's always grad school. (Clearly the timing strategy didn't work for me, since I got my MBA and work permit just in time for the economy to tank, but it may for you.)
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Great point. I am actually a communications manager for United Healthcare and work for a division that solely markets AARP branded products. Its an interesting business and despite a tough economy our division continues to perform well despite challenges in other groups. So I plan to stay put for now and would encourage our soon to be grad to look in similar areas. I would especially recommend the larger providers with a nation presense and are better equipped to ride out tough patches in the market place.
 
Congrats to you and Jake on the graduation. Good luck in the job hunt. For the history major.... law school?
 
Public Servant IMO... Fireman... Cool uniform, drive a big red truck, chicks dig you, cops want to be you, did I mention that chicks dig you :whistling:

Best advice I can give is to be yourself in interviews. If you try and to fit yourself into a job thats not you, will you ever be happy? Sure money is great, but what is the point of being rich and miserable.
 
Breedy said:
Public Servant IMO... Fireman... Cool uniform, drive a big red truck, chicks dig you, cops want to be you, did I mention that chicks dig you :whistling:

Best advice I can give is to be yourself in interviews. If you try and to fit yourself into a job thats not you, will you ever be happy? Sure money is great, but what is the point of being rich and miserable.
Click to expand...

Something tells me you'd know that I'd read this Brandon.... My reply has something to do with a snowball fight in Hades, you bastard. :angry:
 
Thank you all! I'm trying to get a meeting set up with my district manager to discuss my future with Starbucks. We'll see if there's anything there. If not, the search will continue :) (and will....regardless)
 
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