Have you had to overcome obstacles or difficulties in your job search?  Who hasn’t in
this economy?  Companies have cut back on hiring, decreased starting salaries and
even pulled back offers.  Learn how others have had to persevere in their search to land an internship or full-time position.

After picking up some tips from these guys, we’d love to hear your stories and ideas too. Post them in the comments section below.

Student Profiles:

Marcelo Rolim

Name: Marcelo Rolim

Year: Recent Grad

Major: Supply Chain Management

Company: The Hershey Company

Job: Supply Chain Development Program

Location: Hershey, PA

Home town: Midland, MI

1.       What have you done to seek employment in today’s job market?
I have gone to every career fair, and handed out my resume to every company that seemed interesting. I practiced my interviewing skills by signing up for Mock Interviews through myspartancareer.com. In addition, I maintained contact with every single one of the employers that I have met throughout my college years, in order to show initiative and perseverance from my part.

2.        What have been your biggest challenges?
The biggest challenges that I encountered were the limited  number of entry-level positions for various companies, and the uncertainty of businesses needs due to the economic situation. Another big challenge has been getting my offer rescinded over Christmas break. At that point, I had already made a decision on that company and started researching for housing in the area. Nonetheless, this experience has taught me that you never know what the future holds. Therefore, you need to be ready for whatever life throws at you. In this case, it provided me the opportunity to start searching again for an even better job.

3.        How have you kept from getting discouraged?
I have stayed positive throughout the entire process. I applied and interviewed for various positions. As long as I had another opportunity in sight, I remained focused and optimistic.

4.        What’s been the outcome of your search?
I have accepted a full-time position within The Hershey Company. I will be joining Hershey’s Supply Chain Development Program (SCDP) in June, and moving out to the east coast.

5.        What is one piece of advice you would give someone looking for a job?
I would advise them to start networking young, utilize all the resources available in your college, and get a jump-start on your career by attending career fairs and extending your knowledge with an internship experience.

Sonia Mediratta

Name: Sonia Mediratta

Year: Senior

Major: Human Resource Management

Home Town: Portage, MI

1.   What have you done to seek employment in today’s job market?
Network with family and friends, attend career fairs, and look for
jobs on-line.

2.      What have been your biggest challenges?
Facing rejection after having an amazing interview. I was very close in getting an offer from
a company but at the last minute, the company decided to hire a master’s student for the undergrad level position.

3.      How have you kept from getting discouraged?
Going after my dreams and never giving up.

4.      What’s been the outcome of your search?
Still interviewing for positions and have an interview coming up for a 2 year HR rotational
position with a company out in Boston.

Matt Dunatchik

Name: Matt Dunatchik

Year: Senior

Major: Supply Chain Management

Home Town: Livonia, MI

1. What have you done to seek employment?

I started to seek employment last fall by attending the Career Gallery in October.  At the time I was quite successful and received interviews.  I would constantly check myspartancareer.com for job postings that sounded interesting to me and that I qualified for.  I also used my network to get my name and resume out there.  I obtained two second round interviews from the fall, but to no avail.

In the spring I was a bit more proactive and began applying to company websites while continuing to use myspartancareer and my network.  I got a few interviews through myspartancareer and have still been applying and looking for a job that way.

2. How have you kept from getting discouraged?

It’s very hard not to take the rejection personally, but it’s something that you must get over if you are going to stay strong and positive in your career search.  When I first got rejected I took it very personally because I thought I did a good job on the interview.  In order to better myself I wanted to reach out to the company and ask why they went with other candidates.  I asked them to give me some feedback if they could so I could better develop myself and work on any area that wasn’t my strong suit.  Luckily the company gave me some feedback that I used to become a better interviewer.

Staying positive in this economic time can be tough, but maintaining a good attitude and knowing that it WILL get better is what helps me get through.  I know that I have a great degree from a well respected University and even though it might be harder than in the past, I will find a job if I remain positive and proactive.  It’s something you have to constantly remind yourself of, or you will get discouraged and not stay on the right track in your job search.

3. What is the outcome?

As of now I am still currently looking for a job, but I am not letting the worry get to me.  I won’t be fully graduated until the summer and I know if I don’t find anything by then, it won’t be the end of the world.  I have a second round interview with Coyote Logistics and I’m very positive about it.  I have been studying the company and really asking myself if this is a job that I will be able to handle, and a company I will fit with.  I want to be fully prepared for the interview and fully confident in myself.

If worst comes to worst and I don’t find a job by the end of the summer, I know that the Career Gallery in the beginning of October will be a great opportunity for me to pursue companies that are hiring, companies that I am interested in.   There are hundreds of resources out there and staying positive will only better yourself in this poor economic situation.

Resources and Related Links:

• 12 Reasons To Be (Economically) Optimistic
• Guerilla Job Hunting: Planning and Perseverence
• Job Hunt Motivation

Feel free to share your own story about persevering in your job search in the comments section!