Job Search Help

[C_Miller]

Hey all, this is hands down the best community I belong to in terms of successful people and knowledgeable of the world, so I figured I'd best ask my question here. There was no way for me to phrase the question to fit Google.

I'm about to graduate college (in May) with a degree in Political Science. I'm not entirely sure where I want to go with this, but it's a broad enough degree to where I have some options (unlike my friend who got an education degree and hates teaching). So, I decided to withhold on grad school until I figure out what I want to do. So it's off to the work force for me. Now, the one thing I've learned is that knowing people is key to success and my grandfather was a well connected man in some fields that I'm looking into.

Now my question is how do I invoke that in the job search. Of course, I'm not looking for nepotism where I get a job just because of my grandfather, but it think it will open up some opportunities that would be helpful in landing something that I could do long term.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Well, besides the obvious having your grandfather put in a good word for you, you don't have to necessarily "do" anything to take advantage of this. The fact that your grandfather is in the field means that he will be aware of job opportunities that an outsider may not, and he will pass these along to you. That is the hardest part of the job search in my experience - actually finding the openings to apply for and getting an interview. Once you've gotten an interview it's all good from there, it's the finding them that's difficult. So just let your grandfather know to be on the look out for opportunities and to let you know about them. For example someone may say off-handedly to him that they were feeling overloaded with work and looking for an assistant to help out, and your grandfather can immediately interject with, "oh, I have a grandson in the field who just graduated and would be perfect for that, I can vouch for him being very trustworthy and a hard worker," and then the guy may call you or your grandfather may pass you his phone number. Something like that wouldn't necessarily be advertised online for anybody to apply to, so having someone who works with or is friends with people in the field will be to your advantage without you having to do much at all.

 

[RoJoHen]

The thing to remember about today's job market: employers want people with experience. Your degree will probably not get you as far as you think. It sucks, but you should be prepared for that.

 

[Timby]

Pretty much ... we're reaching the point where a bachelor's degree is the new high school diploma (i.e., the bare minimum for even remote consideration) and a master's degree is quickly becoming the new bachelor's.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

You need to get your grandfather to introduce you to people in the field you want to enter.

Once the introduction is made - from the point of view of "my grandson wants to go into this field" - it's on you to continue and nurture the relationship so that you can learn what it takes to be successful in the field, as well as be in a position to learn about and take advantage of any opportunities.

If the people your grandfather knows are successful and intelligent, they'll know why you are there and will probably be willing to help you out as a favor to your grandfather.

 

[Myasishchev]

Do not repeat do not go to law school.