Dream Job vs Settling? Rd. 1

Apparently, Stafford’s column about unemployed college grads was picked up by a few news wire services, and you can find it on multiple sites across the World Wide Web. Now, it appears I am becoming the national poster child for unemployed grads. At any rate, Janese Heavin, from the Columbia Daily Tribune contacted me today to discuss my current “situation.”

As I was talking to Heavin I realized something about the evolution of my current job search:

I have now come to terms with the fact that right out of college, no matter how hard I worked in undergrad, I am not going to land my dream job. At the same time though, I am also not going to settle for a job in which I have no interest. I know that if I don’t care about what I am doing, I will hate my life. I also think that in a cover letter and subsequent interview, no matter how much you sweet talk a future employer, if you don’t care, it will come across.

Although I get the impression that some of my peers share a similar viewpoint on their job search, I do recognize that I am idealistic and many people don’t have the ability to wait a few months to find a job they are interested in. Perhaps though, the current job search is just one more indicator of generational differences. For my parents, not having a job by graduation was not an option. Moving home with mom and dad was out of the question. For my peers (not necessarily me) moving home and continuing the job search after graduation is not only acceptable, but often suggested.

Regardless of how I got here I know that for now (or at least the next few months), I don’t want to settle. Even if I don’t find a job I am initially enthused about, I know that with time I will be able to develop and harness a passion for my job, no matter what it is.

Location, Location, Location

I have known for a long time that I didn't want to move back to Kansas City after graduation. Even though I have only been back at my parents’ home for 2 ½ days, I am even more sure this is true. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and loved growing up in Kansas City, but I know that I need to try something on my own. If I don’t take a risk now, it’s possible I never will.

I am quickly discovering though, that relocation during a recession is not that easy. It seems like employers just aren’t looking outside their companies or cities. Through discussions with many of my friends, we have come to the conclusion that many employers don’t have the resources to fly in applicants or relocate them if hired.

I recently applied for a job with an organization in another city. I felt I was a great fit for the job because I had been involved with the organization as chair of the student executive board and also had extensive experience relevant to the position on my college campus. But, the organization conducted an internal search and ultimately hired someone internally. While I don’t know all the details of their search, it seems that when resources are tight and a company has two comparable applicants, it doesn’t make sense to spend the money to fly in one of the applicants.

So the obvious conclusion here is that you put yourself in the city you want be hired in. My problem is I don’t know what city that is. My next step to is research cities I am interested in and research their job markets. Then, once I narrow it down I will set up shop for a few days, visiting potential employers. Any tips on great cities with (any) job opportunities? I am thinking east of Missouri.