Can someone please give me some insight on what employers are looking for these days??? I’m not talking about retail or food industry employers —but those that can actually be considered a career for some people.
I’ve been a university graduate (with a business degree) for almost three years now and have STILL NOT FOUND A DECENT JOB. My expectations aren’t high, I’m not looking for a high level management position, just something that can give me good experience, relevant to my academic background and that I can get excited about! My cover letters are always customized and written from scratch to each employer, my resume is easy on the eyes and most importantly I AM A GREAT SMART TALENTED HARD WORKER!! All these qualities are clearly outlined but UNFORTUNATELY none of it is good enough, and no one wants to give an inexperienced graduate a chance. Instead they are looking for people with high school education but who also have seven years experience? Excuse me?? But, since when does my degree mean nothing! How am I supposed to get the three-seven years of relevant experience they all want if I am stuck working in retail!
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next 10 years when all of the experienced baby boomers are retired and they’re stuck with just a bunch of us educated 35 year olds with nothing but serving experience!
UGH!! —Maybe I Can Get a Job from This Bitch!
This article appears in Jul 11-17, 2013.
Yup! You bought into the you-need-a-university-degree-to-have-a-life-and-job scam, developed by universities and large corporations. The bottom has fallen though and now everyone complains…
Agree with Meaty, unfortunately. University is a place for doctors and scientists, I always cringe when someone tells me they’re in school for psychology or history or ART or even English.
Still unfortunate for you though, OP. I can see how that’s frustrating. I hate to say it but you’ll have a better chance of gaining that experience out west. If you’ve got a business degree, and know how to run a business, why not consider applying for a grant or something and starting you own? Even if it only lasts for a few years and you have to move on, there’s a bit of experience.
Have you looked at government job opportunities? There’s many spots being vacated by old boomers – even if it’s a casual or term job, apply for it. It could be made into a permanent position with benefits/pension plan.
I’m glad people aren’t so money driven and decide to pursue education in the arts, because it weren’t for them, Canada would just be a utilitarian wasteland with no culture.
“But, since when does my degree mean nothing! How am I supposed to get the three-seven years of relevant experience they all want if I am stuck working in retail!”
I wouldn’t hire anybody who didn’t now how to use proper punctuation.
“But, since when does my degree mean nothing! How am I supposed to get the three-seven years of relevant experience they all want if I am stuck working in retail!”
That there is an entitlement statement, There are no guarantees whether you have a university degree, community college degree, a degree from any number of private schools or even a high school degree, that you will get any job. The type of degree will help on the job market (MD, LLB, Plumbing and Heating, Mechanic, etc) but still doesn’t guarantee employment. One must be willing to go where the jobs are.
No one is entitled to any job.
Meaty is right. Your degree doesn’t mean as much as you paid for it.
That being said, three years is a long time for anybody. Your resume is the problem. Or you’re a bad interview. Those are probably your weak points. You may not want to hear that but the first thing you need to do is accept where your weaknesses are from people who ARE in the industry.
Sign up with a recruiting office. I did that when i graduated and while they didn’t find me work (I found my own) they DID help me tremendously with my resume (Which is what got me my first good gig)
Welcome to life me ol son ,,,,
Move – you will be respected and treated fairly in other developed parts of the country – I had more job offers come from across the country than I have ever had here in Nova Scotia.
To give you a short answer, to what employers are looking for here? Somone who doesn’t mind being raped on the salary scale, won’t ask for anything, won’t show motivation for change or improvement and preferably someone who knows the manager, owner / boss etc. Ie you need to be a 45 year old chain smoking mother of three named Flo who does nothing but bitch and complain and smoke two packs a day.
Sorry to tell ya OP, jobs here are more dried up than a nun’s va-jay-jay…
Today I received 11 emails from a university-studied chap who was looking to place an order. It took him that many to understand the first email I sent to him stating:
1. we didn’t have A in stock – that there would be additional charge to get it in; and,
2. we would invoice them directly
ELEVEN emails. Eleven. The guy has a university degree…
nothing’s changed over the years, and nothing is different here than anywhere else. because human nature remains the same. employers need a sure thing. someone who has already worked is a better bet than someone fresh out of school. re-read what you said ” I am a great, smart, talented hardworker – all these qualities are clearly outlined’. OK, so YOU say you are all that, but no one else has ever seen fit to pay money for those self acclaimed qualities. until someone does, you’re a pig in a poke. a wonder in your own mind. do ANYTHING to work. get your resume stuffed with accolades from people whose opinions count to potential employers. not teachers, who got paid to tolerate you. not yourself. the opinions of business owners who forked out money in exchange for your time and labour. it truly doesn’t matter if not in your field. if you were shovelling shit in a field, always on time, no malingering, no fights with other shit shovelers, and no stealing your employer’s shit to use at home, you’ve got an employee ‘rep’ for good work and proven value for the money.
if you are working fill-in jobs right now, and giving only 40% because you are unhappy about doing so, you are shooting yourself in the foot. go read a book on how really rich, self made people made it.
or just move to a place so labour hungry they will take anyone. they don’t do it by choice.