I'm about at the end of my patience (job search)

[blusubaru]

I have a BA and an MA from a highly regarded University in the telecommunications field. I've been on the job hunt since last fall and have not found anything promising to this point. I've interviewed at another university and that didn't work. I scan the job sites daily, most come directly to my inbox.

What's the next step? Resume spamming? eBay, CL and freelance work bring in some cash, but not what I need to be making to help with the mortgage.

[C(-)ris]

I wouldn't put much faith in the job sites, tons of people apply for those jobs. What you should do is hunt down companies that you want to work for and check their job sites for openings, many times they post there before the go to other media outlets. Also check the newspaper. Most newspapers in major cities have their jobs online, but there are some jobs that are only in the newspaper. Lastly, Networking...get your name out there. Tell anyone who is listening that you are looking for a job in that field. They might know someone in the field or bump into someone in the field where they can casually mention you are looking for work.

One more thing, does your school offer job placement assistance? If they do, hopefully you have been using them as much as you can. I know several people who only hire graduates from their school. It took me 6 months to find my job after I graduated. I was searching all over within a 300 mile radius...ended up getting a job 5 blocks from my house.

[The UnDoug]

Are you willing to relocate? (probably not since you mention the mortgage). If so, be sure to look outside of your immediate area.

Other than that, all I can offer is to hang in there. Something will surely come your way, and when it does, it'll probably be just right.

[blusubaru]

Sorry, forgot to mention the other searches too... CL (posting and replying), Newspaper, individual sites of firms that I know of, word of mouth...

I could do level 1 phone support, but man, I didn't spend 6.5 years in college for that.

UD, no relocation possible. We'll be fine in a couple years when wife gets her license, so we're staying put because of her infinite future.

[davemchine]

I applied for 120 jobs before I found this one and this job wasn't particularly good at first! So my advice is to hang in there and be willing to take a lower end job that has the possibility of working up to something good.

I 100% agree with Chris that you should target companies you want to work for. Network network network.

Dave

[MikeF]

There's always "Would you like fries with that?"...

Pretty much agree with others -- apply to local big/small businesses that would have positions that you're looking for...

[MacMagus]

> What's the next step? Resume spamming?

I got a job by having my resume on the desk of the chief engineer just as he finished filling out a request for the HR department to fill.

How?

I call it the resume blast.

After you've gone through all of the job postings, make a list of every company that you'd like to work for, find the addresses of both their HR departments and the head of the department you'd like to work in and mail a resume and tailored cover letter to each of them.

Repeat every few months until employed.

Some people will say that this can easily alienate a potential employer. 'Thing is, how else are you going to distinguish your resume from all the chaff that comes in from online postings and over-enthusiastic employment agencies looking to make a buck on quantity instead of quality?

[kap]

[quote blusubaru]I have a BA and an MA from a highly regarded University in the telecommunications field. I've been on the job hunt since last fall and have not found anything promising to this point. I've interviewed at another university and that didn't work. I scan the job sites daily, most come directly to my inbox.

What's the next step? Resume spamming? eBay, CL and freelance work bring in some cash, but not what I need to be making to help with the mortgage.
damn, I KNOW the frustration!

[TLB]

[quote C(-)ris]I wouldn't put much faith in the job sites, tons of people apply for those jobs. What you should do is hunt down companies that you want to work for and check their job sites for openings, many times they post there before the go to other media outlets. Also check the newspaper. Most newspapers in major cities have their jobs online, but there are some jobs that are only in the newspaper. Lastly, Networking...get your name out there. Tell anyone who is listening that you are looking for a job in that field. They might know someone in the field or bump into someone in the field where they can casually mention you are looking for work.
Read the bold print. C(-)ris has the answer, but I think it is closer to first than last. Anyone means anyone, your barber, your doctor, the next door neighbor, basically everyone you have at least a passing acquaintance with... Consider joining a service or fraternal organization. Is there a professional organization for your field-- join and attend meetings. Are you a church goer? Spread the word there, too.

[SDGuy]

Another vote for networking. I couldn't do that much when I was fresh out of school (made the mistake of graduating just as the USSR went and gave up, so I found myself competing with thousands of laid off engineers, all with a lot more experience than me), but since then, I've changed jobs twice, and have had multiple offers to choose from each time, all as a result of "putting the word out" that I was looking. I suppose not needing to find a new job gave me some leverage, but the general principle probably remains the same - have to get the word out that you're looking. Hopefully, you know someone, somewhere, who can help.

Consider joining LinkedIn, if you haven't already.

Good Luck!