Hi all,

I have been posting on 6speed for quite some time, and have had the pleasure of actually meeting some of you in person. This post may be somewhat different to all the previous ones - stepping aside the automotive passion, however I feel as I could reach out to our regional online community with something that I have been working on for quite sometime.

As a recent graduate of UMD Robert H. Smith School of Business, I along with many other graduates am having a tough time with work placement. Having a quite extensive work background (starting since High School), many volunteer and community involvements, cultural adaptability (fully bi-lingual English and Russian) I seem to always come across companies that will interview me, and then later on tell me how fantastic of a candidate I am, and that unfortunately they don't have space for another individual on their team at the moment, but will keep me in touch. This exact thing happened again to me yesterday; I interviewed with a consulting firm approximately a month ago, the HR rep told me in the beginning that currently they are not hiring for any specific position, however if something DOES come up, and if I do well in the phone interview, they will invite me back for further processing. I did well in the phone interview, and about 2 weeks later received an invitation to come in for a day in the office and 4 more interviews with management and presidents. I attended the day obviously thinking that I am interviewing for a position. I did very well in the interview and the case study, and was told that they shall be in touch in the next week or so. I followed up with an email, and did all the proper things a candidate should do. I received a call yesterday and the HR rep told me that they were all impressed by my interviews and case study, and look forward to staying in touch with me, however unfortunately after looking at their business opportunities, they are not able to offer me a position as they are not able to support an another worker at the moment.

Needless to say, quite disappointing considering all the time spent.

Anyhow, I suppose the point of this post is not to "vent" but rather to kindly ask for any possible assistance anyone here may be able to extend my way. The occurrence explained above is not the 1st, nor the 2nd that I have experienced in the past 2 months. I do understand that many companies are attempting to keep their "hire pipelines full", but didn't imagine for this to happen with so much time wasted into interviewing, going back and forth in correspondence, etc, just to hear they are not exactly hiring at the moment, but rather tasting the waters... I honestly feel as I would be less dissapointed if I was told I didn't pass the interview, and someone else landed the position.

Just to give a quick background on myself:

• Recent International Business graduate from the University of Maryland, R.H. Smith School of Business with a 3.78 GPA.
• Completed a Georgetown University summer-live in program as one of 75 students selected worldwide.
• Background as an international, analytical, strategic, creative, and problem solving leader in school as well as work.
• Diverse business field experience throughout my education (starting from high school)

2007-2008 - Service Advisor for a 30 year established automotive business
2008-2011 - Service Manager
2011-Intern (Business Analyst) - Government Contracting company providing development, consulting, operations, logistics services to governmental and non-governmental agencies and companies
2011-Intern (Govn't Affairs and Int. Trade) - Part of a summer Georgetown-live in-continuous study program I was chosen for as 1/75 candidates selected worldwide.
2012-Current - Business Analyst (part time) at a previous internship.

I have had experience in many business aspects not only through education but also work and internships. This spans everything from research, presentations to colleagues and also CEO's of some of worlds largest companies; Proposal writing/editing; Extensive experience in running a full business - data analysis, strategic operations, assessment of operational performance, establishment of value adding procedures, day to day management, human resource functions, sales, marketing, customer service, relationship building with other businesses, leading teams to structured goals, etc.

I have interests in strategic planning, transformational management, organizational structure and processes, and thus aiming for management/operations/management consulting positions.

This is quite a lengthy post, and I do apologize for that. However, if anyone would be interested in chatting with me, I would be extremely thankful for any and all advice and connections. I would be glad to forward my resume to anyone. In the mean time, I keep "applying on".

I thank you all for reading this.

-Paul

 

Paul, OK as you can imagine. You are not alone in this predicament and it will not be getting better for a long while. So, you need to do something different. First of all, I am thinking that you have about 5 years experience in the workforce and most of it was not - well, let's say - really a career move and pretty useless if you want to get into business. Secondly, you need to figure out how to build a network in the field or business area you want to get into ( I guess this is what you are trying to do in this forum but this is just a long shot for you so perhaps not the best approach especially because the forum folks are scattered all over the USA( and further) and the chance of getting a "bite" are - well, extremely small. And lastly, get used to the idea that the employer now has ALL the aces and wants the direct " shoe-in" for any kind of job they might have open. That includes, having worked and having proven results that you have been successful and made " the numbers" and all that good stuff. That is not where you are right now. You have been an Intern. Sorry to say, but that means getting coffee or diet coke for co-workers and your boss in the minds of all the people to talk to during an interview. So that is the real issue. How to get from intern to someone that has proven achievements. The reality is that you will need to become visible . Kinda brutal he???
So, send me your contact info and let me look at your LinkedIn profile and I will give you some advice. I do not need your resume at this time.... in fact, I do not WANT your resume at this time. But, I do not want you to make ANY changes to your LinkedIn profile at this point.

 

will you move to west coast?

 

My company is always hiring. Check out the site and if you see anything that interests you, let me know and I can refer you which will give you a slight edge.

http://corporate.troweprice.com/ccw/...s.html?lang=en

 

sucks dude. I feel your pain. I'll throw in the same career advice I give everyone....no one hires "a good athlete." They hire a good "pitcher" or a "running back" or a point guard." In other words, you need to apply all of your skills into a specific role or function. Spreading yourself all over the place - "I can play all of these positions!" - actually dilutes your value proposition to potential employers. "I have interests in strategic planning, transformational management, organizational structure and processes, and thus aiming for management/operations/management consulting positions." This is my field as well (specifically leadership development) and I can speak from experience on this particular industry. You'll be way ahead of most of your competition if you focus on how your skills apply to a particular function within the organization rather than just your skills themselves. my .02. good luck.

 

Good luck mate.

I'm an engineer with an expertise in Cassandra predictions.

My predictions always come true, but no one every believes me until it happens, no matter how much data I've got.

 

Thank you Tonk, I shall be in touch further.

My aim is to stay in the East Coast at this point, however, if the need arises; it's something I would definitely consider. Thank you.

Harry, thank you for the response. We're in touch via e-mail.

Thank you for the response. I understand the points, and absolutely agree; however, being a fresh grad and having limited work experience - it appears overwhelming and nearly impossible to chose a specific role and function especially in the larger companies. Applying for any position, I really attempt to go through and focus on key words from listings and aim my cover letter/resume towards the specific positions. It would really be fantastic to land a leadership development / management development program - which tend to be rotational; this would really allow for me to understand which roles or functions I really see myself in.

Thank you again

Thanks Fraggle, I wish I could predict some things right now

 

If you are fluent in Russian check some of the government opportunities as an analyst/linguist. It may not be in your direct career path, but it could possibly get you in the door which may allow you to eventually move into the line of work you want.

 

Sean,

I have messaged you. Thanks for the input.

-Paul

 

SempaiPaul...it's a tough market out there but try to keep your head up buddy. It's never too late for a change, Steve Jobs reinvented himself over 3 times and became a billionaire several times over in a short 55 years, although he was an outlier, an extreme exception to the rule. The commercial opportunities are there, however in the Federal sector there have been many changes, and not for the better.

I have felt the effects of the economy as well. Cutbacks in spending has forced downsizing, in a somewhat drastic manner, effecting operations folks as well as client site staff. Entire programs being elimated at a time. The market in our area specifically in federal contracting is bad, federal deficits, agency budget cutbacks, less utilization of constultants or contractors, more insourcing. The administration is not providing incentive to small business instead they are choking small business by aggregrating smaller contracting opportunities into larger Government wide aquistition programs competed full and open to large Prime contractors with expectations of a "trickle down" effect in work process.

 

Job market is super tough for everyone right now, as everyone has already told you and as I'm sure you already knew... Keep your options open all across the board for sure, I'm not sure if it's of any help at all, and it's certainly not in your field, but check Carmax.com and peruse our job openings... You may find something that would interest you in the interim. Our corporate offices are in Richmond, and I believe there are some interesting openings!

 

This brings back sooo many hated memories of searching and interviewing and searching and interviewing.... I gave up on that and searched for other options..... start a business.

 

That would be a start to getting the economy back in order...Obama has no interest in seeing you and your age group being successful which begins with meaningful employment. Success is frowned upon with that crowd. Sorry...could not resist the commentary, but I do hope things work out for you...good luck.

 

Thanks for the encouragement, Sunir. I'd have to agree, it really appears as many things keep plummeting even further. I am currently part time employed at a government contracting firm, and we're seeing a cancellation after cancellation or protests on contracts put out by gov't agencies.

Thanks airbrush, keeping options very much open - especially as I have quite some interests. But, matter is I really wish to get into something for the sake of getting into a career. I am really attempting to avoid "getting a job JUST for the sake of getting a job". I really want to invest myself - for the long run. I shall definitely look into CarMax. Thank you for the suggestion.

I'd love to be able to do that on the side ... along with having a secure - full time employment.

Thank you, tssci.

 

There's a section for this kind of commentary, and it's not "Mid-Atlantic." I'm not trying to speak in place of a moderator...but this kind of comment will only spark a debate that will get a thread closed for sure.