Entry Level Job Application Process

The “poor college student” is a really common cliché, but unfortunately, it is a completely true one. College tuition and loan payments can really put a dent and one’s funds, and when you’re in classes all day, it can be really difficult to find a job that suits your busy schedule. Luckily, most colleges offer work-study as part of the financial aid packages they award students. These work-study jobs are on-campus jobs that are extremely accommodating to the varied schedules of students. Usually the pay is slightly more than minimum wage, but in college, every little bit counts. The average college student will earn roughly two-hundred dollars a month while participating in a work-study program. My favorite work-study job is the library. There is a lot of downtime, and I literally got paid for doing homework and fooling around on the computer. Working in admissions is also nice. The job usually just consists of answering phones and taking messages. You can meet a lot of interesting people too. Work-study is a great way to gain employment experience and time management skills. It also looks really good to have on your resume. I think that every student should participate in work-study if they have the opportunity. I’m really happy I did.

 I think there is a noticeable difference between how hard I had to work to get a job in 2007 versus 2011. When I was looking for a part-time job or internship in 2007 I filled out probably three applications before I landed a part-time job at a museum. While looking for a summer job this year, I filled out probably a dozen applications and got no responses despite having more education and work experience on my resume. Given our current economic situation, I would say if you qualify for work study you should definitely take advantage of that fact. Working on campus is more pleasant and convenient anyway, and it will be easier to find something than if you are looking for something off-campus.

A couple of things to remember about filling out your first real job application for a potential career. Be sure when you go into the establishment or business that you look presentable and professional. you never know when a manager will ask to speak with you on the spot. Also, interveiwers love it when you know a little bit about the company you are applying for. It shows that you have enough interest in getting to know the company, that you went above and beyond to find out who they are and what they offer. While in the interview, do not chew gum, have good posture, and even though it may seem difficult, just relax. The more personable you are, the better impression you will make.

My advice when looking for an internship opportunity is to use all resources available to you.  At Penn State there was a great career services center which helped connect students with potential employers.  Find out if a similar organization exists at your university and find out how they can help you find a job. Another thing that helps many students is getting involved with student organizations at your school.  Especially organizations which are affiliated with your major.  In the business school at penn state there are a number of student groups focused in marking, information systems, and investing.  Usually these groups will bring in employers from large fortune 500 companies to give information sessions on their organizations.  Use these groups to your advantage in your job search - not only can they help connect your with potential employers but they can also help bolster that resume!

I took eight months off between undergrad and grad. I was burnt out and wanted to get my feet wet in the real world before finishing my BA/MA. But I spent six of those eight months unemployed. Yeah, okay -- I was registered with a temp agency but they rarely called. Turns out they had a high number of associates given how terrible the job market is. Go figure. Before I received a job offer from my current employer, I filled out... drumroll... 113 applications. Each application took at least four hours to submit. I refused to adhere to a template for cover letters, and I always edited my resume to reflect what the organization was looking for in an ideal candidate. Of the 113 applications, I received 11 interviews. Of the 11 interviews, I received 3 offers. Of the three offers, I turned down two and accepted one. Why did I turn down the first two? Well, one wanted me to work for slightly above minimum wage, and the other wanted me to relocate to rural Montana. Finding entry level jobs can be a difficult process, but I guess that all depends on your expertise and major. Which is why interning and networking can be hella important.

1. I have been submitting a lot of applications lately. All of them were online, mostly through sites such as Monster and Snagajob. I've submitted maybe ten applications, since I've moved.
2. After filling out so many applications, I know what to expect. It takes me maybe 20 minutes to fill out an application, more if there's one of the questionnaires at the end.
3. I do a little bit of the research when I apply to companies. Mostly, I'll go for anything I feel that I'm qualified for. I check out what sort of qualifications they have.
4. I've heard back from one of the places that I applied for. It took them about a week to send me an email telling me to call them. However, I also posted my resume on Monster.com. This was a huge success for me. If you are desperate for a job, I recommend you put your resume online. I received an email, and a call from a large life insurance agency no more than a week after posting my resume. We've arranged a meeting in a few days.
5. I believe you should be as calm and professional as possible. Don't seem desperate.
6. As stated, if you are really looking for anything, that you can get, post your resume online. Get it out there. Let the employers find you.

I have done a lot of what you have talked about. I know every time I submit an application online, my mother tells me to walk into the place and to meet them, give them a face-to-name. However, a lot of places don't have paper applications anymore. I've walked into several establishments that advertise needing help, and they'll tell me I have to apply online. I have walked around with a pen and filled out applications for what seemed like ages. My current situation makes it a little difficult to do that. I just moved thousands of miles across the country, to a place I know almost nothing about, and the only place for me to look was the internet. I can scout thousands of potential employers in a matter of minutes. Let's face the facts: Technology is ruling the business world. The employers can sift through resumes simply by searching key words in the database of resumes and applications. This saves them dozens of grueling hours.

Yesterday, I went to an information seminar at Broker's Life and Casualty. I believe it would be an awesome opportunity for me to take. I believe that I can take the opportunity and work there throughout  the school, and sometimes after that just so I can earn enough money to get me well off. I can always do some graphic-design projects on the side, because the sales agent position offers flexibility in the schedule. The only thing is, it is a career, but it is not along the path that I am following on my major. I think to myself, that I am still young, and I'll have my whole life ahead of me to follow my dreams, but I need something now.

You're absolutely right, Ashlynn. It is the way of the world today to make everything a web-based enterprise. And with that it comes a lot of pros and cons. I like the places that still take applications in person, though. This is because some of the most talented and hardworking people out there don't have the best resumes. That is, if they're being honest. But most people I know who have good jobs admit that they lied on their resume about their past in some way. I guess that explains why theirs shone brightly above all others when they were weeding through emailed resumes... I just prefer that face-to-face contact. It suits me better.

BeHereNow wrote: You're absolutely right, Ashlynn. It is the way of the world today to make everything a web-based enterprise. And with that it comes a lot of pros and cons. I like the places that still take applications in person, though. This is because some of the most talented and hardworking people out there don't have the best resumes. That is, if they're being honest. But most people I know who have good jobs admit that they lied on their resume about their past in some way. I guess that explains why theirs shone brightly above all others when they were weeding through emailed resumes... I just prefer that face-to-face contact. It suits me better.   Concerning the writing of resumes - I don't have any professional training, but I had one of the best teachers in the world last year that really taught me to produce a quality resume. He provided so many examples, and walked us through the entire process. He really taught us to hit on our finest points, and to market ourselves. Some way, some how, I have managed to make the short year I have of work experience seem like it counted. I highlighted all that I had learned and what I hope to learn. I mention that I am very eager to learn, and that I always have a smile on my face. I know a lot of people will say that, "Everyone lies on their resume". I pride myself with knowing that I am different; I know what is good in myself, and what people really want to see out of me, and I always impress.

My main concern right now is finding a job that will hold me over the next  few years while I attend college. I don't want to be stuck at some dead-end job in which I will be miserable the entire time. I absolutely hated working in fast-food for the nine months that I did. I mean, the work was not that hard, but the people I worked with were less-than-appealing. It seemed to me that none of them could even do the job right - but why try when you're working 30+ hours a week on minimum wage? I know other college students trying to scrape by on that pay, and it is next to impossible.

I have found myself in the unfortunate situation of having almost no money, and trying to find a job somewhere I have only lived for a month. There are a lot of places hiring seasonally, and, realistically, I am applying for everything that I can. Recently, I found that UPS is looking for driver helpers in my area, and I hope that I can get some work. It's only for about a month or so, but I hope it can hold me over until I can get another job. I've been under a little stress lately, but I hope I can pull it together.

As a job hunter (in graphic design and web development), it always seemed like there wasn't enough to work out there--that there's an overabundance of awesome designers/developers but very few employers actually looking for a quality designer/developer (as opposed to those looking to hire an entry-level designer, usually a high school student, whom they can pay minimum wage.) However, now that I'm running my own interactive agency, and the tables have turned. I'm actually finding it really hard to find good workers, even though I'm more than willing to pay $50/hr. or even more to add an effective designer or developer to our team. Though part of it is that I'm not in college anymore. Colleges by nature are a great place to network and meet really intelligent, passionate and talented individuals who aren't yet employed. But it may not be as good for finding clients and employers, since only larger employers have access to campus job fairs and on-campus job placement organizations. My advice to students is to make use of the opportunities and resources around you. If you're in college, especially a good 4-year university, then you're in the perfect position to start your own company. You've probably got friends and classmates who'd be willing to take the plunge with you, or at least be willing to work for you. And since universities are cultural hubs with an exceptionally high concentration of young people with very active lifestyles, you're also perfectly positioned to come up with "the next big thing". After all, college campuses are bursting with creativity and new & innovative ideas. You'll also be witness to the latest trends, as well as being in a position to detect or start future trends. Analyze campus life and listen to what your peers are saying. Maybe there's a need that isn't being met or an under-served market segment that could be capitalized upon. You could make more money by creating your own job as well as get more enjoyment out of your work.

Jamie, I definitely know what you mean.  As a high school graduate in 2006 I could get almost any job I wanted to.  Now I’m looking for a job, because I've been working in a temp-to-hire position, and the “to-hire” part isn't really happening for me. *side note grumble about unions. . . * Anyway, I've applied for at least two dozen jobs with limited interest.  Hopefully, I’ll find something in the next month. That said, the position that I’ll be in for the next month actually started out as a work-study position.  I would say that if you qualify for work study, do it!  Even if there isn't anything open in a department, faculty often need work study to assist them (especially if you’re at a smaller institution.)  It can give you amazing experience, and even if it doesn't turn into a staff position, you can get great references.  I've been able to use my boss as a reference, as I've been job searching.  I've had more luck than I imagine I would without the amazing references, I've been able to use.  How many 23-year-old can put the Vice President for Student Affairs as one of their references? I’m getting slightly long winded here, but my main point is that work study is definitely the best way to build up your resume and get good references for after you graduate.

In a past nine months, I have been happily employed part-time in an industry that is actually very close to my major (BINGO!), so I am maintaining a full time school schedule along with my work. The company I work for is very small, so the bosses think carefully before picking a new candidate. Fortunately, I was the right type for them. I have worked in many places since I came to the USA with food-industry jobs being the easiest ones to get into, but the hardest one to remain sane on. One day, I got fed up with it, and started working on my resume, so I could get another job.  Piece of advice I can give here, is to be true about one’s abilities and qualifications without downgrading or bragging; just state as-a-matter-of-fact what you are capable of, and the right employer will see it.  Also, make sure to follow up on your application, come to all the scheduled meetings without being late and always come prepared. I know that for the position I originally applied for, had some competition to it.  I had to come to talk to interviewers several times, and each time I did my best.  I came well prepared, dressed appropriately and behaved friendly.  Sometimes it gets frustrating to look for jobs, especially with this world crisis, but it is necessary to stay on a positive side. In addition, often times, there are employers who are looking for a particular gender/race/place of origin candidates, even if they write on their corporate statements that they do not discriminate – some employers do anyways. I have witnessed it many times before.  So, if you got rejected because of the employer’s certain preferences, well… you would not really want to work for them, right?