Frustrated!!!

[GRNWNV]

I am recently graduated from College (as in today recent), and have been interviewing for a few positions.

The interviews go great (in my opinion of course), they check my references, then nothing,

I have had a friend at a recruiting firm check my references, and they all check out.

Would someone check my references if I wasn't short listed?

What else could be going on?

[deagle]

I am recently graduated from College (as in today recent), and have been interviewing for a few positions.

The interviews go great (in my opinion of course), they check my references, then nothing,

I have had a friend at a recruiting firm check my references, and they all check out.

Would someone check my references if I wasn't short listed?

What else could be going on?

they could just be still conducting interviews

wait a few days, and send out a thank you card to the interviewer and ask if you can answer any more questions that they may have

[Caster Troy]

You have no experience. I know plenty of people in their 30's who are college graduates, have years of experience and they can't get call backs either. This is the toughest job market for any generation the US has ever seen.

Like Gecko said in Wall Street 2, you're the NINJA generation. Which according to him means No Income, No Jobs, No Assets.

Start looking for entry level positions and good luck homey!

[Caster Troy]

Sad fact I just read on another board, and it won't help you feel any better:

Unemployment is at epidemic levels and the vast majority of the new jobs that have been “created” in recent years have been low paying jobs. Of those Americans that do have a job at this point, one out of every four works a job that pays $10 an hour or less.

[GRNWNV]

You have no experience. I know plenty of people in their 30's who are college graduates, have years of experience and they can't get call backs either. This is the toughest job market for any generation the US has ever seen.

Like Gecko said in Wall Street 2, you're the NINJA generation. Which according to him means No Income, No Jobs, No Assets.

Start looking for entry level positions and good luck homey!

Well I am in my 30's, and this is my second career, but I get the gist.
Luckily in Alberta, our unemployment is the lowest of the country, but I am looking for a fairly specialized position.

[Caster Troy]

Well I am in my 30's, and this is my second career, but I get the gist.
Luckily in Alberta, our unemployment is the lowest of the country, but I am looking for a fairly specialized position.

So you should have some experience, which unfortunately would make your situation even more frustrating. I've been unemployed since 2/10 and been looking since. I coached from 9/11 - present, but that doesn't pay much at all.

I kept at it and finally found an Asst. Manager position which will get me enough money to start paying off bills again. It pays a hell of a lot less than what I used to make but I've realized that what I will be making will be "just enough" to get me by and in the mean time that will have to be enough.

Just keep applying and keep interviewing. It will eventually pay off.

[Diamond Dave]

Would someone check my references if I wasn't short listed?

What else could be going on?

Any background information to help the group out? Degree, school, related experience, types of jobs you're applying for...?

In the grand scheme of things, candidates should have references verified prior to being "short-listed", otherwise, it makes no sense to soak up a VP's time meeting with someone that doesn't meet the criterion. I suggest two things related to references.

1) call your references about the positions you think they've been contacted and find out what line of questioning occurred.

2) in advance of handing your references over for verification, make sure you call your references and give them a heads up on the company, the type of job, why you like it, and any areas you think you might need their help in "pitching" you.


Aside from that, tell us where you're applying for work. Did you get a list of every company that has come to your campus for interviews in the last 5yrs?

Did you contact every recruiter on that list to discuss hiring trends at their company?

Have any of your friends gotten jobs that you could reach out to for openings at their new company?

Does every one of your professors have the latest version of your resume as well as a snapshot of the types of positions you are seeking?


There are plenty of companies that desperately want to hire a "recent college grad", but they face a handful of roadblocks.

1) They can't limit their job pool to "recent college grad" since that would discriminate against every person qualified for that role. You might consider changing the online title of your resume to "Recent college graduate - job title". Do the same on LinkedIn.

2) Universities don't exactly make it easy to access their students without charging fees to companies (hence my comment about getting your resume to professors), so some companies give up after learning that a "membership" to the career center costs $5K.

3) Once school is out and 85% of the students go home for the summer, most companies just don't have a clue on how to reach them. Your time is now to contact companies.

Above all, remember this, you are a recent college graduate. That's your experience. Any company that SHOULD be hiring you knows the value of this and they will hire you accordingly. A company that needs specific work experience or isn't sure you "have enough" isn't in a position to hire a recent college grad.

I know plenty of people in their 30's who are college graduates, have years of experience and they can't get call backs either. This is the toughest job market for any generation the US has ever seen.

It is a well known fact that the unemployment rate for College graduates is 5% or less.

[GRNWNV]

I graduated from a Communtiy College, about an hour outside of Calgary, where I live.

It is a Land Agent Diploma, which prepared me for a provincial Land Agent Licensing test (Which I passed).

This is a fairly specialized diploma, and the jobs available are all very similar (acquiring surface rights for well sites, pad sites, pipelines, utility corridors, wind farms, etc).

I have been in contact with all of my references (2 instructors, 2 family friends, and 2 former managers) recently, and they all know I am looking for work as a Surface Land (Right of way) Agent.

My LinkedIn is up to date, and I have been using it heavily, I have upgraded the account and all.
I have been requesting coffee meetings with some brokers with limited success. Most of them like an aggressive candidate, and almost none of the jobs in this industry are posted. It's all about who you know. Even the placement agencies I have contacted, have stressed that networking is the only way to get it.

I wasn't that close with many class mates, and the competitive nature of the business will preclude any contact sharing they may have.

I have a second interview with a major pipeline company tomorrow morning, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it goes well. Even though this job will pay less than a broker, and I will be moving 3 hours away from my spouse.

[GRNWNV]

Well I killed the interview today, they gave me feedback in the meeting, and said they were very impressed. I am now one of 3 candidates, so the odds aren't terrible I guess.
Checking references this week, so we shall see how it goes.

[Das Pike]

Like someone said earlier, the job market is the toughest it's ever been. And remember you're not only just competing with your peers who have also freshly graduated but also all the veterans that are coming back home. But try to stay positive and don't lose any confidence. Good luck!

[GRNWNV]

Finally heard something back today!!!
Now proceeding with a background check, and I am squeaky clean.
God I need a job!!!

[GRNWNV]

Sweet Potato pie!
I am finally employed!

[Egilbe]

Sweet Potato pie!
I am finally employed!

Congrats!