Okay so here's the deal. I am starting to look for a job in Raleigh, and I am fresh out of college. Seeing as how I'm in Virginia and really have no experience looking for a career type job, I was wondering if anyone had any pointers.

My options right now are to work for my school and get a free education. I assume having a masters looks much better than having a bachelors, and especially with the way the economy is right now, it seems to me finding a job would almost be futile with the way the market is right now.

That being said, I've found Monster.com to be completely useless. I want to work in professional sports public relations, however my subscription to WorkInSports.com has yielded diddly-squat aside from a career fair that surprisingly ALSO yielded diddly squat.

Any tips on job-searching would be greatly appreciated. And if anyone knows of anyone looking for employees, it would ALSO be greatly appreciated.

Srsbsns.

3/16/2009 10:58:44 PM

network network network

3/16/2009 11:01:59 PM

How do I network in Raleigh when I live in Virginia?

And even then, how do I get a start in Virginia so that I can eventually network my way into Raleigh?

Not gonna lie, it's crazy frustrating.

[Edited on March 16, 2009 at 11:07 PM. Reason : -ed or -ing?]

3/16/2009 11:07:16 PM

2 things...

1) i found it much easier to get call bacsk with a masters. duh, i know, but it helps particularly in this economy.
2) gonna be harder field to get into i bet so any help u can get is good.

3/17/2009 12:01:41 AM

Quote :

"How do I network in Raleigh when I live in Virginia?"

linkedin. they have groups (discussion groups) that you can join. get involved in those for some raleigh groups and start to get to know some people. won't lead to an immediate job, but you'll start laying the foundation for those relationships

3/17/2009 12:17:58 AM

^

Thanks a ton. I really appreciate that.

Quality advice on tdub. Who knew?

3/17/2009 12:38:38 AM

Your probably fucked in all honesty. The only thing that matters now is a wealth of experience in a skill that is marketable or have a professional degree like Dentist, Lawyer, Doctor.

I too am looking for a job to move away from Raleigh, but it seems everywhere I apply has applicants in the 15 years experience range willing to work for less than I am

[Edited on March 17, 2009 at 9:25 AM. Reason : a]

3/17/2009 9:24:38 AM

i would cross lawyer off that list. doctor can stay. nurse could stay (it isn't on there, but there's always nursing). i don't know anything about dentists.

but the layoffs going on in the legal world are a) scary and b) ginormous.

3/17/2009 2:24:55 PM

I would advise you to find a JOB, any job and be willing to jump when given the opportunity to move up.

You will certainly not get the pay you feel like you are due immediately, but it is not as dire when you have your bills paid.

Since your field is sports marketing/public relations, if you find anything remotely related to your field, you are head and shoulders above anyone else.

keep your chin up...i know hockey is your dream, but baseball season is starting soon. the bulls and the 'cats might be looking for someone.

3/17/2009 6:02:59 PM

*cough*

3/30/2009 12:50:44 PM

friend of mine does the promotions stuff at rbc and she was telling me that UNC had talked to her about wanting to hire someone like that at unc. i don't know how serious they were about it. but there you go.

3/30/2009 1:57:13 PM

Awesome. Thanks.

3/31/2009 1:33:38 AM

The best thing that I can tell you is to find a "head hunter" (may be called career specialists or something, but that's how I've always heard it) that can forward your resume to employers that are actually paying them to find qualified people. You can PM me if you want and I can get you the name/e-mail of a good one from my parents. I'm leaning towards law school, but if I don't decide to do it then I'll probably do the same thing. In the end it's all about who you know, I've seen the biggest shitheads I know catch a break and just be set and I've seen some of the most talented and hard working people I know not find anything paying more than $11 an hour. At the end of the day it all comes down to the hands you shake and the impressions you make.

6/25/2009 12:29:58 AM

I lived in Virginia for two years. Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Charlottesville all have jobs in your profession. And, the entire "near-DC" area is teeming with opportunities. May not be the most desirable things starting out, but, it is something.

Quote :

"I assume having a masters looks much better than having a bachelors"

It does if you can prove the degree actually means something and you can produce quality work as a result of having that degree. Wait until you are employed and then think about if you are serious in pursuing this.

Quote :

"it seems to me finding a job would almost be futile with the way the market is right now."

More difficult, yes, but, employers always are looking for good talent to hire, even if they don't advertise it publicly. See networking.

Quote :

"How do I network in Raleigh when I live in Virginia?"

I quit my old job in VA and am at my current employer due to networking in Raleigh. A quick question though ... why Raleigh specifically for your job search? Why not FL, NY, CA, etc.? Limiting yourself to a geography when looking for your first job, unless you have a VERY strong reason to do so, will limit your options significantly.

[Edited on June 25, 2009 at 8:52 AM. Reason : .]

6/25/2009 8:51:28 AM

Since you're in VA, find a friend or family member in NC who will let you use their address on your resume. Some companies will throw your resume out immediately if you are not a local candidate.

6/25/2009 5:33:59 PM