If you first don’t succeeded keep on trying, the odds are that you will not get a job on just applying to one job. Send out as many resumes and fill out as many applications as you can. The worst case scenario is that you will have a difficult decision to pick the best job for you. Also network, check out different sites many sites will have different jobs. Pick something that is give you experience this will make you more marketable in the future. Keep shooting your shot and don’t get discouraged or ever give up.
The job search process for a recent/soon to be graduate can seem a little daunting. Finding a a starting place can get a little confusing. I hope my blog on my experience will help a little.
I first started my search by creating a LinkedIn profile, and then had to create a resume to add to the profile. There are a lot of sites out there to help create resumes. I found one that did cost some money. I did the 2 week trial for $2.99, if I didn’t cancel before the 2 weeks was up I’d have to pay $23.95. The site i used was https://www.myperfectresume.com/. I was able to create a few different resumes and cover letters that I downloaded and used to apply to multiple jobs.
I also created an account on USAJOBS.com where I used their in site resume builder to create a government resume. A government resume is a lot different then your standard resume. A government resume has more detail and will be much longer. The USA Jobs site will walk you through it.
I guess I did good in my second interview with PathPoint because they offered me the position. The position is IT tech which will give me great experience and allow me to eventually get into a Sysadmin position in a few years. Thanks for following my journey. I already got the max amount of blog points so I did this in-case you wanted to know the ending.
In the last blog I was talking about applying to PathPoint and a GS position, I got a response from both. PathPoint reached out and wanted to schedule a video interview via Microsoft Teams. I also was contact by the USAF AFMC 520 squadron to interview in person for the GS position.
PathPoint
The interview with PathPoint went well, nothing was out of the ordinary. The interview lasted about a hour, they asked the standard questions like “Do you prefer to work alone or with a group?” and “How would you handle working on a project and then moving on to another with a higher priority?”. They set up a few role playing situation were I had to deal with a co-worker who had an IT issue. They wanted to see how well I handled it when working with an individual who had little or no computer skills. I believe I crushed all of them. They said they will be in contact with me if I was chosen to move onto the next phase, The next phase would be an in person interview where I would have to perform a standardized problem solving worksheet and a technical task. UPDATE: I am invited to do the second interview.
Space Work
The USAF AFMC 520 squadron had me scheduled for an interview and when I showed up, they said they just changed the hiring process. They didn’t want to cancel the interviews they had scheduled so they changed the name to a pre-interview. The pre-interview lasted about 30 mins where they provided me a bunch of information about what they did. They are just wanted to make sure that I was still interested. I am definitely still interested, this kind of position will set me up for the rest of my working career and allow me to be able to work on cool space stuff. We will see if I can get the call back. Hopefully I will have a difficult decision in the near future and that is to choose between two positions, this would be a good problem to have.
So the search continues I haven’t heard back from any of the companies I applied to.Kinda feel like after all that work I am back to square one. So since it feels like I am at square one I am going to treat it like I am at the beginning again. I searched LinkedIn for any new posting where I will meet the basic requirements. I found a company called PathPoint that is looking for a IT Technician. The requirements are a associate degree in computer science, technically i don’t have an associates but am 4 credits short of a bachelors so I applied.
For the Greater Good
One cool aspect about PathPoint is that its a non profit organization not only do I get a acquire IT experience if I get the position but I also am doing good for the community. PathPoint is a little bit outside the realm compared to many of the other companies I’ve applied to.But beggars can’t be choosers and if they are willing to take a shot on me I’d be willing to do my part back.
I Know People
Well technically I don’t know people but my wife has a friend. A person who my wife works withes husband, works for the government in a GS postilion. In case you missed my earlier blog talking about GS positions. The General Schedule (GS) is the predominant pay scale for federal employees, especially employees in professional, technical, administrative or clerical positions. Anyways he knows that I am going to graduate soon and his squadron is opening a few spots for new computer science graduates. You start off as a gs-7 and every year go up as follows gs-9,gs-11 and finally after 4 years a gs-12. This is an excellent opportunity and could be a chance of a life time so I sent my resume as fast as the packets will travel. Fingers are crossed.
The last few weeks I’ve had a few interviews, some phone some in person. I have reach back out to the companies and I could not get a hold of anyone that could provide me any update. I will take it as that I was not chosen to move on to the next stage of the interview process. I will remain hopeful that the process is slow due to the jobs being on the Space Force base. I guess I’ll continue applying for other positions I find on LinkedIn.
The cool Substitute
While I continue to look for a job where I can use my almost newly obtained degree, my wife suggested the idea of becoming a substitute teacher. To become a substitute teacher here in California you need a bachelors degree and need to take the CBEST test, along with a few other things like background checks etc. The CBEST test has 3 parts a reading, a writing and a math. They also cost $30 each to take.
Study No Thanks
The CBEST test has a first time pass rate of 69%, my wife tried to scare me into actually studying for it. Since I am actually spending money on the test you would think I’d study for it. Nope I just scheduled it and went for it, I took the Math portion 1st. I had 120 minutes to answer 50 questions. I then took the English part which was 50 questions in 100 minutes.Lastly I took the writing where I had to write 2 short essays. You need a total combined score of 123 to pass the test. I scored a 141 just think what i could of scored if I actually reviewed some of the material.
