How resumes were sent out before you got a job?

Gundamtdk

I have started out sending out my resumes and cover letters looking for a job.

So far I have applied to 10 different jobs.

How many resumes did you sent out before you got yourself a job?

-EOS-

I can't remember personnaly, but don't give up and keep applying. Go on any interviews you may get offered, for the experience and to learn about the company itself.

NinjaBoy

Don't give up, it took me several years before I got my break (so I sent out several hundred CV's and joined several recruitment agency's). I applied for everything from software engineering field to the support field.

However once I got my break there was no stopping me

-ken

sprkymrk

I've always been fortunate. When I made the career switch from electrical to computers, I had 2 interviews set up by the career specialist at the MCSE school. I was offered both jobs. I turned down the higher paying job working with Cisco stuff at a company that would have grand-fathered me on benefits and vacation since I had worked at the company 7 years prior as an electrician. They bought out a small turn-key outfit that set up wireless cisco solutions for small cities throughout Iowa and Illinois among other things. The problem was the travel requirements (on the road 75% of the time for 3-4 months, then 25% for 3-4 months, and so on).

The job I accepted is the same company I still work for today as a DoD contractor.
So 2 resumes, 2 offers. I'm not complaining one bit.

kujayhawk93

I've had mixed success at different points in my career. When I first decided to switch careers 9 years ago, I applied for 2 jobs, and was offered both, with no actual work experience. I accepted the higher-paying of the two and was there for 2.5 years until I got laid off right after 9/11. Over the next 3 months I probably applied for about two dozen jobs before I finally got something. Unfortunately, it wasn't a job in the field I wanted to be in, but beggars can't be choosers sometimes. About two months after starting the job, I saw an ad for something way better, applied for it, and have been here for 4.5 years now.

Olajuwon

I sent my resume out hundreds of times. I got about 10 good interviews out of those times. I got about 3 offers. I canceled over 20+ interviews because I knew I was overqualified for the jobs in question. Be prepared to waste some time.

Jammywanks

Well most of my background is only good for desktop support/helpdesk, I don't even really have to go out applying for jobs, rather I post my resume on yahoo hot jobs and the next day I get calls... infact in most of my jobs, they gave me a call, and the ones that I applied for didn't really hit back at me

Desktop support and helpdesk I guess are positions that people are in and out, "they come and they go".

Munck

For my last two jobs, I only applied to that particular job. I takes a lot of practice to "perfect" ones CV/cover letter, and I usually keep old ones to learn from past successes/failures. Scary reading sometimes

Kaminsky

I don't think I have ever got a job by canvassing my CV/resume out. I always found that method to be a very resource hungry and inneficient way of getting a job personally. Not only that but the mental effect it has on you from the moment you put them all in the post box until you finally give up expecting a reply can be quite damaging to your self esteme and confidence.

My preference is applying for a job you see posted so you definately know there is a position available. If you don't get an interview then at least your ego can come to terms with the rejection.

This way there are three key factors you need to work on.

1) Styling your CV/Resume so it gets you interviews.
2) Finding consistent sources of IT Jobs to look through each day. (Jobserve in uk is great for this)
3) Working on your technical & Interview skills.

As others have said. It all takes time and practice and if you do it often enough you get used to doing it well. My current contract is due to expire in a few weeks. I already have the next one lined up starting the Monday after. (2 hour interview for this one... was a biatch)

garv221

alot

Gundamtdk

Job hunting feels like a buying lottery. You have to keep on applying in the chance of landing the big one.