Job Opportunities for Recent College Grads (Seattle: job market, universities, minimum wage)

[TUseattle]

I recently moved to the Seattle area and have had a hard time tracking down leads for entry level jobs in the accounting/finance fields. I've been looking on Craigslist, Monster, Careerbuilder, the Seattle Times website, etc. Is this just due to everything being slow during the holiday season or is the market hurting here? I've seen a good bit of job postings, they just all seem to require experience.

[Tony1790]

Most jobs require experience, from accounting to dog catching, just the nature of the beast. Just try to get an interview and dazzle them with a little in person confidence and can do attitude, you'll do fine. But just remember, there are thousands of recently laid off Wash mutual people looking for work right now and we are in a bit of a financial services area downturn, so just look hard and don't give up.

Take care

Tony

[Jennibc]

Maybe Citygirl 72 can add something to this. She works in finance and actually does some hiring.

[ElektroDragon]

My wife is a recent grad and a pro with Photoshop and other graphics programs, has an Associates with honors in Commercial Art, even some Maya experience, and will work for minimum wage. Any takers?

[MaikeerinWA]

It's probably a little bit of both, with the WaMu factor increasing competition among job-seekers and making the "hurting" worse. There does tend to a spike in corporate hiring in most years after the holidays, with requisitions opening up with new budget years, etc.

Originally Posted by TUseattle

I recently moved to the Seattle area and have had a hard time tracking down leads for entry level jobs in the accounting/finance fields. I've been looking on Craigslist, Monster, Careerbuilder, the Seattle Times website, etc. Is this just due to everything being slow during the holiday season or is the market hurting here? I've seen a good bit of job postings, they just all seem to require experience.

[TUseattle]

Originally Posted by Tony1790

Most jobs require experience, from accounting to dog catching, just the nature of the beast. Just try to get an interview and dazzle them with a little in person confidence and can do attitude, you'll do fine. But just remember, there are thousands of recently laid off Wash mutual people looking for work right now and we are in a bit of a financial services area downturn, so just look hard and don't give up.

Take care

Tony

I have some experience, the problem is that my experience is in equity research (analyzing financial trends from public companies and writing investment research reports) and that industry is basically dead right now. I think the accounting companies see that experience and assume that I'm more interested in the financial field. Hopefully I can find something soon or I'll be working at a grocery store to pay my bills while I keep searching.

[AzDreamer]

You might benefit from getting to know some people that already do your kind of work and use them as your starting point to get your job search moving. With the job market slowing down you need every advantage you can muster. I'm sure there are groups for accounting folks where you can make a few inroads.

[CityGirl72]

HI there!

Any experience can be used to find a job - you just need to tweak your resume to fit the certain jobs criteria. And Analysis work is always +

Jobs in Finance should start to pick up - they usually do from Dec - March (because tax time is coming up and companies need all sorts of finance needs) and then mid Summer - because budget crunches will start.

Try to first get a hold of the local universities, and get on their job postings boards. You'll see many entry level - or college level jobs available.

Next is network like crazy. And get to know many recruitors (Robert Half, Accountants Inc, Ajilon)

Then cold call stuff - do you know what you want to do? Research find the people find the decision makers - sway them with your skills.

Job hunting isn't just sitting around and sending out emails - it's about who has the most personality AND skills to bring to the table.

[CityGirl72]

PS - some managers care more about your educational background then experience - some the opposite. Don't think that it's a lost cause. Your resume isn't a list of your accomplishments - it's a tool to SELL YOURSELF.

Use it to answer their question : Why should we hire YOU?

[sno522]

Any ideas for finding entry level engineering from out of town? I'm at college on the east coast but a Seattle native.

I've already tried the online job boards and personal contacts. Any other ideas on places to look?

Thanks!