The Job Hunt

"Under_Score" (tomtheatum) 04/26/2020 at 18:07 • Filed to: None

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I graduate college this Saturday. As I think I’ve shared before, I’m a marketing major interested in the automotive industry. Looking back, I really dodged a bullet not simping for corporate automotive jobs (ex. Manufacturers, rental companies). I’d shifted my focus to dealers once I realized that was the best way to enter the industry. There are still several dealers hiring locally.

Dealer talks were going well, but most of them run on a commission-only model. My mom decided to drop on me last week that she’d only co-sign a vehicle for me if I had a salaried or hourly job. As much as I was thinking about a dealer job, I needed to shift my focus. Even earning a confirmed $10 an hour is more stable than no bucks an hour.

So, I’ve applied to a lot of jobs. I talked to a marketing firm that I felt confident about , only to get an email that afternoon saying they chose someone else. It’s a firm with a lot of young people.   I then had a realization: hourly stocking jobs at $15 per hour pay the same annually as the salary that this job would. The money is the same, but that makes me feel weird . I spent three years in college to come out working at a grocery store like I could’ve done for the past few years. At the same time, I graduated A YEAR early. I need to take advantage of my “extra year.” Once I earn some more  money, maybe I can pursue a dealer job. Or even better, a corporate job.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 18:31

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That is indeed a strange realization. However, stocking shelves has nowhere to go while a corporate or franchise job always has room for promotion, sometimes with great rapidity in the right circumstances.

Congratulations about graduating, but man is it a weird time to do so. Will you get to go back for later ceremonies or are you just put the door forever?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 18:31

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 Consider Amazon. Once you get steady inside of a big company, then you can look for other opportunities.

smobgirl > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 18:33

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Not a bad idea to do the “money” job full time and freelance/temp in the marketing side until our economy isn’t stewing in the toilet. it sucks that you put in the effort to graduate early just to luck into this mess.

Under_Score > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 04/26/2020 at 18:40

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That’s a plan, too. I could’ve grown with my grocery chain a lot since I was appreciated there, but I always had school. Their HQ is in North Carolina.

Under_Score > smobgirl 04/26/2020 at 18:43

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It’s not a bad thing. Like I said, there’s still a billion job postings. I’m just applying late, and I’d been chasing dealer jobs until my mom told me she wouldn’t co-sign a car.   If I applied in January, places don’t want someone that they can’t have for another four months. It’s just whether they’ll reach out to me. I’m pouncing on jobs with less applicants, and I’m extremely flexible with working.

koawaft1 > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 18:44

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Commission jobs are not all bad. It depends a lot on how driven you are.  I took one earning 26k to 126k. My motivation was having a kid on the way. It can be done. That was 15 years ago and I have relaxed and not increased my income much. If you want it bad enough and you are willing to work your ass off you would make more in commission than the other options. 

dogisbadob > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 18:47

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Are dealers even open? Some states are only allowing the service departments to be open, not the sales.

You could possibly spend the next year in grad school with a masters degree. Some of them only take a year to complete.

Regardless, good luck

Under_Score > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/26/2020 at 18:50

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Thank you! For the ceremony, it’s not a big deal. I personally think the media and all way overreacted to all this nonsense, hurting a lot more people than the lives that are saved. Some people were super involved and are bummed about graduation, but I don’t care about the ceremony. I just wanna visit people and say goodbye, but too many are scared  about seeing other people right now.

Personally, not dealing with in-person school has saved me a LOT of stress. My car buying saga (that I created) was stressful, but the car I want is still for sale.  Now, I just need a job to bounce to. Our boy Brian is letting stuff open, and since most places already had their dining rooms open and not blocked off, I just need to enjoy sitting in a restaurant again. It’s small, but it’s something I’m excited about. I never used the other “non essentials” and a lot of them are still voluntarily closed.

Under_Score > dogisbadob 04/26/2020 at 18:55

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Dealers are still open, thankfully. I live in Georgia. A lot of people are mad at Kemp about letting other stuff open, but I’m just happy that stuff is starting to open again. I know a lot of people that don’t comment online are happy about the switch, too. The only thing keeping me home is school work; my current  job is online.

Under_Score > koawaft1 04/26/2020 at 18:56

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I definitely wanna work. It sounds selfish, but I kind of want this specific vehicle now for reasons, so I’m going towards that. No coronavirus, I’d wait till August to ditch the RAV and see how far I’d go in sales. The potential is huge and exciting. I’m young, I can provide extra  with my job.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 19:00

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And I hope lots of non essentials continue to be closed. My health has always been precarious so I won’t be seeing anyone for a while longer but I don’t know but people being sissies for being overcautious. Personally I think everything was opened too soon but I understand relaxing rules on smaller gatherings. It's the lack of a proper goodbye that will really sting.

Will graduation still be in person mid summer or is it off the cards completely?

Your next car probably won't be a Veloster N but I really hope it is a Veloster N. 

Nibby > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 19:02

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maybe write for jalopnik

Under_Score > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/26/2020 at 19:06

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Yeah, that was kind of mean, I’m sorry. It’s honestly how I’ve felt, though, and a lot of my friends feel the same way. I’m crazy healthy for as crap as my diet is, and I haven’t been (knocks wood) sick with a fever in years. Plus, the places that are open are booked with reservations for weeks now.

It’ll probably be in person during the summer. If a lot of people are still scared about coming, that just means a less stressful ceremony. As for the car, it’s something Oppo would like but it’s got an automatic. I’ll leave it at that. I really like it.

Under_Score > Nibby 04/26/2020 at 19:09

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I don’t swear enough and I literally just posted a comment that said “our boy Brian” in reference to Brian Kemp. I do have some spicy car takes, though, that would also wind up the GMG Union avi’s.  That would be fun haha.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 19:14

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Good to know it is Oppo approved even with a slush box (DCT?).

This whole ordeal is just so crazy that you can’t possibly please everyone. I just happen to have to be extra extra careful so no matter when things reopen I'm going to be late to the party.

Cash Rewards > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 19:39

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My brother-in-law graduated in 2002 with a communications or journalism degree. He worked his way through college working in Walmart. At the end of college, he realized that the assistant manager position he had worked himself up to in Walmart payed more than an entry level journalist would make, with better benefits and job security (lol, not shit in hindsight). He does very well for his family managing a Harris teeter now. Things like this happen, and it's all good.

412GTI > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 19:47

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Congrats on graduating, especially early - it’s def a weird time to be looking for a job but I’m sure you’ll find something. I’m a few years older than you but I’d recommend looking for the best position to help you grow/market yourself in future years.

I started in Car Sales right after graduation and while it’s not the easiest job (long hours, annoying customers, etc) it gave me good experience along with the opportunity to help grow our stores social & digital presence. That experience was very useful when I came to interviewing for my current position. The Grocery Store job could be good for the time but finding something that helps build your resume at the same time would be ideal too!

Good luck and if you have any dealer questions, feel free to ask. I did about a year in sales and am happy to help. 

Under_Score > Cash Rewards 04/26/2020 at 20:07

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That’s why my degree is so great. It’s super flexible. I’m actually leaning towards taking an hourly job for now so my mom can cosign a car for me I have some financial security, but then I might try to dive into the dealer bubble once I have the new car after at least a few months of security.

Also, I feel weird thinking about starting at $35,000, but living at home with no debt? That will be a cushy jump from the past.

BeaterGT > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 21:18

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As someone who graduated shortly after the last big unemployment period, I think you have the right i dea. I worked as a bank teller for 9 months post-graduation in order to help pay college bills until I eventually found myself a legitimate career position.

I say   keep applying to the dealer/corporate   jobs in the meantime. Don’t let the application process get you down either, I treated it like a numbers game . Good luck and c ongrats on graduating!

Under_Score > BeaterGT 04/26/2020 at 22:01

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Thank you! I actually applied to a couple more jobs after this post!

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 22:07

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I worked in a manufacturing plant through college as more or less an assistant to the floor manager they had some kind of title for me and went back after graduation for 4-5 months. And in my experience,  if you say to someone “I’m working this job to get me from graduation to what I consider the right first job” they understand. But I wouldn’t worry about your moms buying you a car- take the job that lets you get where you want to go even if it’s commission based.

Under_Score > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/26/2020 at 22:46

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That’s good!  The car is something I can’t put off if I want to stick with it. There’s reasons. I’ll have to think about others, but there are special things about this one.

just-a-scratch > Under_Score 04/26/2020 at 23:00

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Having jobs that are not what you planned for with your college study is not so strange. I did a few things before having anything close to my career field. Keep at it and you'll find something that's right for you, eventually. In the time between, do what it takes to pay the bills.

Captain of the Enterprise > Under_Score 04/27/2020 at 06:06

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Congratulations on graduating!! I hope to join you after the fall semester!

Under_Score > 412GTI 04/28/2020 at 16:33

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I got three “next step” emails yesterday! I  did one virtual interview and I have a phone interview tomorrow. I didn’t think it was worth it to make it’s own Oppo post, but that’s my update!