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About to graduate college... resume has nothing....

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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
Did anyone else graduate college and not have any internships?

I have a decent GPA (3.5) and am a Business major.

I graduate in May and am starting to worry about landing a real job.

Can anyone give insight based on experience?

What you got NS!
Feb 28 2015 12:13AM
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leprechaunsissy
Posts: 645 - Karma: 237
Go to dc, intern for your congress person, and things will develop from there.
Feb 28 2015 1:14AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -676
THe problem is not just your resume but in interviews you'll be expected to talk about experiences in work places and such. Honestly find something and milk it I would go volunteer immediately at anywhere relevant and try and pawn it off as an internship.

IDK what you're like in real life and if you could pulll off lying on your resume and using your friends as references its tough to pull off right out of college I couldn't have done that stuff when I was younger but then again you have nothing to lose since your career is just starting and its an easy lie to not get caught on cause it isn't a full time job. Just be thorough if you decide to lie about an internship lying is all in the details and don't use a fancy famous company.
Feb 28 2015 1:19AM
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
That's what they invented graduate school for.
Feb 28 2015 1:33AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -676
iFlipThat's what they invented graduate school for.


Maybe he doesn't want to accumulate additional debt and stay in school any longer??? If he wanted to go to grad school don't you think he'd have started a thread on grad school and not his resume?
Feb 28 2015 1:35AM
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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
iFlipThat's what they invented graduate school for.


MBA Programs want 5+years work experience first if you're a business major...
Feb 28 2015 1:55AM
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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
MCsugarcatTHe problem is not just your resume but in interviews you'll be expected to talk about experiences in work places and such. Honestly find something and milk it I would go volunteer immediately at anywhere relevant and try and pawn it off as an internship.

IDK what you're like in real life and if you could pulll off lying on your resume and using your friends as references its tough to pull off right out of college I couldn't have done that stuff when I was younger but then again you have nothing to lose since your career is just starting and its an easy lie to not get caught on cause it isn't a full time job. Just be thorough if you decide to lie about an internship lying is all in the details and don't use a fancy famous company.


Yeah for sure, I have summer volunteer experience in hospitals and others. On the lying, a buddy of mine always refers to being captain of the baseball team as leadership, he didn't play baseball. He works a Boeing now
Feb 28 2015 1:58AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Don't lie. Employers aren't stupid.

Look back at your experience so far - what skills have you gained from your projects and classes and volunteering? What sets you apart and makes you unique? If you can twist your story from "I have no internships, I iz generic bizniZz major" to "I took a unique route to get to this point and bring with me unique skills and perspectives" you'll be just fine. Unfortunately for you, that requires a lot of thought and self reflection. It ain't easy, but it's doable.
Feb 28 2015 3:37AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
MCsugarcatMaybe he doesn't want to accumulate additional debt and stay in school any longer??? If he wanted to go to grad school don't you think he'd have started a thread on grad school and not his resume?


OG_lockMBA Programs want 5+years work experience first if you're a business major...


His joke went right over both your heads lol.


OP, have you not had any jobs...ever. Like no part-time, no summer gigs? Seriously?
Feb 28 2015 3:44AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Did you do anything? Were you involved in any business clubs, organization, weird side jobs? Anything? If you did just beef that shit up to sound like the most important shit anyones ever done.

When I graduated I had been a Camp Counselor, Referee, and worked marketing events. I made that shit sound so important. My resume said I trained people at my first two jobs, management responsibilities. It said I planned events and executed them, wrote weekly newsletters, all kinds of shit that I maybe did once at each job. Your first resume out of college is about stretching the truth. Don't lie on there, but exaggerate as much as you can make it believable.

One important thing to remember, only put something on your resume if you are prepared to answer a question about it. If you put down that under your "Skills" you have "Communication Skills", you better be ready to explain that. And explain everything else on there.

I used to be a recruiter, looked at a lot of resumes. Good luck OP.
Feb 28 2015 10:36AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
You must have some sort of experience. High school job? College job? Volunteering experience? Just look for anything you have done that might have some business application of some sort...communication skills developed through xyz activity?
Feb 28 2015 11:49AM
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RRhighrider
Posts: 2140 - Karma: 1,124
Have you made connections with your professors or other professionals? Connections you have are much more important than experience. I was a poor student, never did an internship and barely graduated college but I took some class that my Department Head taught. I did well in her classes and even though I had a low GPA she asked me to tutor for the Finance Department. From taking her classes and tutoring for the Department I got to know her pretty well. After I graduated, I applied for a job at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. On my first interview they saw I went to Cal Poly and one of the interviewers knew the Dean of the Hospitality Management College. He called the Dean who in turn called my Department Head and I got the job. After working there for several years I moved and started to apply for different jobs and it is very difficult to get your foot in the door without knowing someone. The job I currently have was set up by a Family Member informing me of new position at a company he works with. Connections even several steps removed make a big difference.
Feb 28 2015 1:40PM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
I don't know how you missed this message, but in today's world a college degree on the resume is not enough.

College is a networking opportunity. Having three professional colleagues be able to write you a solid letter of recommendation is almost mandatory. You are surrounded by experts in their fields doing research. College is literally the best time to make those connections.

I'm in the same situation as you, graduating this year, but have 3 years lab work in two separate labs (6 years to graduate) and an internship. Gotta think about the future carefully brotha!
Feb 28 2015 4:31PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
Get ready for the cubicle
Feb 28 2015 4:50PM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
I double post so much...
A super helpful interview tip my sister gave me (she interviews people a lot for her job) take it for what its worth...have two - three questions prepared to ask your interviewer about your job. Make the questions meaningful so your interviewer knows you have done some research.

This also seems super generic but make your resume unique. I try to do this with how the layout is. Can be with slightly different font sizes, ect, something subtle but stands out. Don't overdue it though.

You will stand out.
Feb 28 2015 4:52PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
OG_lockMBA Programs want 5+years work experience first if you're a business major...


This is a bold-faced lie. Absolutely untrue.
Feb 28 2015 6:29PM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,297
I would appreciate input on this as well. I have two semesters left with no intern experience. I do have plenty of part-time work experience (5 different jobs)
Feb 28 2015 7:30PM
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
iFlipThis is a bold-faced lie. Absolutely untrue.


LOL no it's not. Yeah maybe you can get by with three years, but any top 25 mba needs at least 3-5 years of work experience, leadership, etc..
Feb 28 2015 8:11PM
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
Also @ everyone that is graduating this year with little work experience and an average resume. Look up alumni that work at companies that you are interested in and email them to ask for a 15 minute phone call. Ask about their career, advice, and whatnot. Then maybe ask for a coffee chat or something like that in the near future. The goal is to build rapport between you and the person so they can bat for you when said company needs a new entry level employee. Networking 101
Feb 28 2015 8:16PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Granite_StateI would appreciate input on this as well. I have two semesters left with no intern experience. I do have plenty of part-time work experience (5 different jobs)


You will be fine. Its obviously better to get expereince in your chosen carreer field, but not mandatory.

Honestly, just be ready to grind hard sending out emails, coverletters, resumes, and hammering the phone calling HR departments. Then, make sure you have interviews dialed in.

Personally, i am freakishly good at interviewing- i have never not gotten an offer from a company once i stepped foot into their building for even a preliminary interview. Just make sure that when you do get the opportunity to interview, you absolutely kill it- prepare like your life depends on it: typically it is pretty easy to guess the questions they will ask you, and make sure you have some questions about them: company culture, carreer growth, upcoming projects etc. Personality is the thing that will set you apart, if you can blend analytical skills with gift of gab you will be in fat city. Just be at ease, and sound intelligent.


You will get a first job. Dont worry about that. Its only once you get into the workforce that you will have just as good of a shot as a harvard grad, or stanford grad to climb the corporate ladder. It all becomes about performance and politics. And managers know this. Many times they will look beyond a mediocre job and GPA if they get a good vibe from you- hardworking(where your shitty part time gigs come in handy), charasmatic, and intelligent.
Feb 28 2015 8:26PM
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veng_m
Posts: 1267 - Karma: 2,720
if and only if all else fails and you're a broke fuck, sell your ns account
Mar 1 2015 11:20AM
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killabees
Posts: 8558 - Karma: 494
you all are fucking sheep
Mar 1 2015 11:34AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Everyone expects to start a career worthy job out of college. Stop that. Now.

A degree is a foundation to build on, not a ticket for an adult job. Its a sanity check for all employers that you're able to commit to something and complete it.

If you're just graduating and want to start working on actual job stuff (if you want to ski bum, nows the time) then look at what companies are HQd where you live or have large hubs and apply to be a phone rep. Every big company has customer service or technical support positions that really require zero experience. Its a foot in the door. Put in 1-2 year there and you can either transfer internally or have experience to then apply elsewhere.
Mar 1 2015 12:00PM
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Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
Don't be afraid to take an internship out of college. I took one after I finished my masters and used that to make connections for my current job.
Mar 1 2015 1:35PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
killabeesyou all are fucking sheep


Hows that?
Mar 1 2015 2:36PM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
killabeesyou all are fucking sheep


Mar 1 2015 2:39PM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
Wait you want to work when you are done college?
Mar 1 2015 2:55PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
CaptainObvious.Everyone expects to start a career worthy job out of college. Stop that. Now.

A degree is a foundation to build on, not a ticket for an adult job. Its a sanity check for all employers that you're able to commit to something and complete it.

If you're just graduating and want to start working on actual job stuff (if you want to ski bum, nows the time) then look at what companies are HQd where you live or have large hubs and apply to be a phone rep. Every big company has customer service or technical support positions that really require zero experience. Its a foot in the door. Put in 1-2 year there and you can either transfer internally or have experience to then apply elsewhere.


there is a lot of truth in this post. one of my best friends took a job in sales with a corporation while he was still in school. finished school and was able to transfer in to an entry level finance job. now, a few years later, he's pulling 6 figures as he's been able to climb the ladder. he wouldn't have ever gotten that entry level job had he applied from the outside.
Mar 1 2015 4:37PM
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Ghoster
Posts: 261 - Karma: 1,871
Hope you're good at flippin burgers
Mar 1 2015 4:46PM
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uvatrog
Posts: 55 - Karma: 61
killabeesyou all are fucking sheep

oh do elighten us you supreme being
Mar 1 2015 7:37PM
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Campeador
Posts: 7516 - Karma: -1,227
You are screwed, prepare yourself to work a shitty sales job, and that's if you're lucky.

Everyone has that "I have a friend" story about guys who climbed the ladder and makes 6 figures, but unless you're very, very well connected or have some challenging and indispensable skill, that simply is not the reality.
Mar 1 2015 10:56PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
BandoleroYou are screwed, prepare yourself to work a shitty sales job, and that's if you're lucky.

Everyone has that "I have a friend" story about guys who climbed the ladder and makes 6 figures, but unless you're very, very well connected or have some challenging and indispensable skill, that simply is not the reality.


I used exactly zero connections to get where im at right now. Im 26, and in October was offered a very large salary and a hefty relocation fee to move to Seattle. And hell, im not all that great at my job, just ambitious, intelligent, and can turn on the gift of gab when i need it. My roommate back in SF used zero connections other than his school's career fair, and he is a project manager at a firm doing hundred million dollar projects. There are more than a few others off the top of my head with similar stories.

Look, everyone has a degree these days. Being a college grad is not impressive. Being very smart, very hardworking, and very adept with interpersonal relationships is how you become that "rising star". You will get a first job, and even if it is not within the field you want, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can. There will be things that apply to all jobs. Dont sweat it man. Your career will be 40 years long. If you are good at what you do, you can go from entry level to managment in 10 years. If that happens when you are 36 vs 32, its really not that big of a deal. Just start busting your ass now, and good things will happen.

Life is competitive as all hell if you place a large value on your career. You gotta stack your priorities accordingly. For me, that is to be good enough in a super stable industry to allow me to live wherever i want. Ideally, in 5-10 years i will have developed enough relationships to be able to sustain my own one-man operation from my house.

I dont want to be a principal, or executive. IMO that life sucks. But i also want to live comfortably, have nice things and live aspects of the mountain bum life, but without having to live like one, ya know?
Mar 1 2015 11:40PM
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reneebetrand
Posts: 1 - Karma: 10
Best quality of writing with good vocabulary and high class concepts is an asset of professional essay writing services. Everything you compose and the story or circumstances you create in your paper tells that how well you can execute your ideas.The finest technique of writing an essay is the execution of your ideas, to provide new blend in an essay.
Mar 5 2015 3:26AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
reneebetrandBest quality of writing with good vocabulary and high class concepts is an asset of professional essay writing services. Everything you compose and the story or circumstances you create in your paper tells that how well you can execute your ideas.The finest technique of writing an essay is the execution of your ideas, to provide new blend in an essay.


Can I make $10,000 or more per month while working part time too?!? Thank you oh wonderful spamlord for the career insight!
Mar 5 2015 9:39AM
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
californiagrownI used exactly zero connections to get where im at right now. Im 26, and in October was offered a very large salary and a hefty relocation fee to move to Seattle. And hell, im not all that great at my job, just ambitious, intelligent, and can turn on the gift of gab when i need it. My roommate back in SF used zero connections other than his school's career fair, and he is a project manager at a firm doing hundred million dollar projects. There are more than a few others off the top of my head with similar stories.

Look, everyone has a degree these days. Being a college grad is not impressive. Being very smart, very hardworking, and very adept with interpersonal relationships is how you become that "rising star". You will get a first job, and even if it is not within the field you want, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can. There will be things that apply to all jobs. Dont sweat it man. Your career will be 40 years long. If you are good at what you do, you can go from entry level to managment in 10 years. If that happens when you are 36 vs 32, its really not that big of a deal. Just start busting your ass now, and good things will happen.

Life is competitive as all hell if you place a large value on your career. You gotta stack your priorities accordingly. For me, that is to be good enough in a super stable industry to allow me to live wherever i want. Ideally, in 5-10 years i will have developed enough relationships to be able to sustain my own one-man operation from my house.

I dont want to be a principal, or executive. IMO that life sucks. But i also want to live comfortably, have nice things and live aspects of the mountain bum life, but without having to live like one, ya know?


Mind sharing what industry you're in?
Mar 5 2015 10:04AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
I have a year left but currently nothing on my resume except for kiteboard instructor and bike mechanic. And I'm a history major.

I'll hit you up when I graduate and we can go live in a box at the bus station together
Mar 5 2015 10:07AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
NotoriousT.S.EMind sharing what industry you're in?


Civil engineering/land development. I'm using it to make a good salary in an area purely of my choosing.

My point was that everyone will get there foot in the door. Once you do, the playing field is very level regardless of your alma mater or daddy. Performance is the name of the game pure and simple. To get your foot in the door you just gotta turn on some sales skills.
Mar 5 2015 10:57AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,362
californiagrownCivil engineering/land development. I'm using it to make a good salary in an area purely of my choosing.

My point was that everyone will get there foot in the door. Once you do, the playing field is very level regardless of your alma mater or daddy. Performance is the name of the game pure and simple. To get your foot in the door you just gotta turn on some sales skills.


This 100%

both my brothers are dentists and they have vastly different salaries. One is a salesman, the other isnt.

Regardless of what you do, you are selling something.
Mar 5 2015 11:25AM
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
californiagrownCivil engineering/land development. I'm using it to make a good salary in an area purely of my choosing.

My point was that everyone will get there foot in the door. Once you do, the playing field is very level regardless of your alma mater or daddy. Performance is the name of the game pure and simple. To get your foot in the door you just gotta turn on some sales skills.


Cool stuff, im looking to get into real estate development eventually but more on the financing side of things.
Mar 5 2015 11:53AM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2385 - Karma: 7,781
I'm a finance + business analytis major.

you can have a projects section on your resume.
simply talk about significant projects you have worked on in school.
Mar 5 2015 11:54AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Get your SPRAT level 1 certification for rope access work.
Mar 13 2015 9:30PM
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~~~~~~~~
Posts: 2345 - Karma: 2,104
learn accounting, gotta have a skill to bring to the table.
Mar 13 2015 9:40PM
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Casey
Posts: 7844 - Karma: 24,258
The only thing you can do is emphasize your skill set and take 2 or 3 of your biggest projects in college and translate them into work assignments, with particular attention to the stuff you individually did. There’s not a lot you can do about the fact you don’t have work experience, but you might be able to land a job where they pay you okay to get coffee for some dudes that can teach you something valuable.
Mar 2 2020 9:13PM
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