job seekers graduated in May 09?

I have been in the job market for 5 months as well and honestly applied to over 200 jobs. I have had 2 replies and 1 interview. It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I want to go into investor relations but I have no idea what more to do other than search job boards. Hopefully we will start getting jobs soon but now we have to compete with '08 grads and soon '10 grads. I feel like I wasted 4 years and $200,000 getting an education that can't even get me an assistant job.

I'm a May 09 graduate and I've been on several formal interviews with big corporations but haven't gotten anything yet. It seems that they really are choosing people with the more experience under their belt. I live in NYC and most of my interviews were in Midtown, Wall St., and a few in Westchester. I'm going to focus on getting temp. work for now.

I agree Smonedv. It gets really discouraging when you apply everyday and don't get many responses back. But yeah it is tough considering we are competing with not only the '08 and '10 graduates, but also people with work experience that are applying to similar jobs.

Sucks to hear that guys. I guess all you can try and do is enjoy the time off while you have it if you can, rather then let it get you down. Because eventually you will get a job and have to work 50 weeks for 30+ years. So try to enjoy

Any holiday time is slow for recruiting. MDs try to make time to be with their families and don't like to interview if they can avoid it. HR actually gets to take holidays as well, so I wouldn't count on much action.

So, don't worry if you take a vacation in Mid-dec to Mid-Jan. The likelihood of missing out on anything other than slush in the streets is low.

I feel bad for you guys. Have you considered going into the military as an officer? You could still do OCS. Military officers are respected (even if you get a non-combat role) and you could write your ticket to B-School in 3-4 yrs if your gmat is good.

May '09 grad here as well. Its pretty brutal out there. In my senior year, I had final round interview at a BB, a big econ-consulting firm and for a valuation position at one of the Big 4, but didn't get in. There were a few other initial interviews, but nothing worked out. I had an existing offer from a summer internship (research related, small firm) and decided to go with that while I prepare for grad school. I'm certainly not happy with the job (location/pay-wise - I live in a small town, which is exhausting for a big-city guy) but at least it pays the bill - 5 months out and still no job? I simply couldn't afford that.

I'm out of ideas on what else to do in terms of applying to positions. What other job hunt strategies are you '09 grads are using to search for positions. I'm concerned about the gap on my resume resulting from time spent on the job hunt, anyone share the same concerns?

Things will work out guys

I'm also a May 09 grad (NY area) and have been searching for the past 5 months. I've had a couple interviews but nothing has worked out. I'm definitely curious as to what others are doing - I feel like all I do is apply to jobs but no response. It seems to me like networking my way in is the only option at this point, especially coming from a non-target. Any advice would be much appreciated.

keep your heads up hi, dudes. A LOOOOOTTTT of people are in the same boat.

No one should be picky in this market, I know a Harvard grad that was laid off from a telemarketing job recently. If you can't find a job in the fields you're interested in within the first month or two, go all out and apply to everything out there. Just throw everything at the board and see what sticks. In the meantime, look at other means of supplementing your cash flow.

Well, my friend is in the same situation as all you guys but he also plays online poker to pay his bills.

Makes me feel better that I'm not the only one struggling,

luckily enough I can mooch off my parents for a bit without having to worry about expenses

I'm an 08 grad and I was in the same boat as you guys. I was applying everywhere and using what little contacts I had -- only had 2 interviews. The first one was an absolute nightmare at some hedge fund in Boston, but I was fortunate enough to land a position working with an angel investor the second time around. If that didn't work out, I don't know what I would have done because nothing was working on the job front.

What makes it even tougher for 09 grads is that a lot of 08 grads settled for jobs that may not have in line with the career goals. Therefore, they are still applying for better jobs, even though they may technically be 'entry level.' As 09 grads, your not only competing in a larger pool of applicants, but your also competing with people who have over a year of experience. Tough situation to say the least.

My best advice is to first enjoy the time off because you will work like a dog once you land something (which you will, give it time). Also, don't waste the time either. When your not applying to jobs, take the time to read business books, learn financial modeling, or start preparing for the GMAT if b-school is a possibility down the line. Continue to get smarter and don't waste the time playing xbox or something.

how're the job seekers / 09 graduates doing in the past week?

status report: one interview with a BB

how did you get a bb interview? lateral hire or for start date 2010?