Dear New Engineers, Here's Why It's Taking So Long to Get a Job

Remember the times your engineering profs would say "All this hardship is gonna be worth it because when you graduate, you're all sure to get jobs quickly"? I remember the time when I thought that. It was around June of last year, and I had been expecting to have been employed by then, but instead I had just gotten another rejection--after flying to Clark for the job interview, nonetheless.

So you've hurdled over the board exam, next is the real thing: Finding a job. Which you haven't been able to do yet. And it sucks because you're the last among your batchmates who is still unemployed.  Why is that? You're all engineers. In fact, you performed better academically in college than X nga, you have more professional connections than Y naman, but why did both land jobs earlier than you did?


Hello all! It's been awhile since I posted on this blog. I have other posts planned, but I thought that this might be more relevant.

I've seen tweets from some of my new engineer friends that are bemoaning their joblessness, so I thought to write this post. I want to tell you that if you're frustrated that you don't have a job yet, you aren't alone in feeling this way.

First things first, let's get this out of the way: everyone has a different timeline. 

Real talk.

Whether you're a topnotcher, graduated with Latin honors or not, it's not a guarantee that you will quickly get a job. If you're a topnotcher, graduated with Latin honors from any of the best schools, or have had amazing internships and experiences in college, the best companies will definitely seek you out, but that's not a guarantee how quickly you'll get a job.

There are some people that can get a job immediately after the board exam. Some of my new work friends (who were topnotchers in their board exams) immediately got called A DAY after the results of their board exams were released.

For my friend Maimai, who got Latin honors upon graduating, it took her 3 months to get employed. It took some of my UP friends anywhere from 2 to 8 months before getting a job, and you'll be surprised to note that my friend who got hired in 2 months did not even graduate with Latin honors. In fact, she was delayed, like me. (Sorry if you're reading this mumsh, binuking ko story mo)

It took me 14 months to get hired.
(Yep! I'm finally employed by an engineering company na guys!!! And kaka-one month ko lang)

How long it takes for you to find a job depends on a number of things, including:

1) Employers Hiring Process

Despite automation, the recruitment process time has more than doubled from 30 to 68 days in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong. Aside from that, it takes longer to hire for specialized jobs like the field we're in.

Recruiters receive and review tons of applications, and shortlist candidates, eliminating ones that don't make the cut. And they're so busy that they don't even get to give the employees feedback whether they were accepted or not.

When you do get interviewed, try to build rapport with the HR personnel so when you do ask for updates, they will be more likely to reply to you. (I did this for the jobs I applied for and it worked--I got feedback for both good and bad news, which is great diba? I didn't have to agonize about the results)

Hiring is a process, and the more people it involves (getting an interview schedule with the heads/VPs/President/CEO, etc), the longer it takes.

2) Your own preference, conditions or circumstances

I had several trips planned for 2017, and each lasted longer than your usual long weekend so I decided that I would need a flexible job for the meantime. That is how I ended up freelance writing. At least I had something that occupied me while I waited to get callbacks from companies.

Some people are like me, opting to relax first--and because you're free from school now, how long you want to relax depends on you. On the other hand, some might have gotten thrown into unforeseen circumstances--like maybe they had to take care of a sick relative, migrate, etc--so that affects how long before you'll get a job as well.

Your own preference could also mean your preference for companies. I know we all have this standard or idea of where we want to work and how much we want to earn. I wanted to work in petrochemicals, oil/gas or cosmetics so I only applied to these companies. Looking back, this made my life a whole lot easier because I knew what I wanted and so I didn't apply to every job that came my way.

I'm older than the people I graduated with and am very introspective to begin with, so I know myself well. However, I do recognize that as fresh graduates, you may feel a little lost on what you want out of life (Kahit ano lang, basta may trabaho!). I advice you to set aside some time and take a few moments to really assess what you want out of life. Knowing what industry you want to work in can help you in the long run:

• It will make the job hunting process easier: You already know what you want. You can focus on crafting the perfect application for the companies you're eyeing. Let me tell you if you haven't realized it already: creating an application for a certain company is like a whole other job itself! I think I took a day to create just TWO applications.

When it comes to choices, people normally go for the cast-your-net-wide-into-the-ocean approach, thinking that since the ocean is bigger, there is a greater chance to catch fish. But, what if we had two bodies of water, one large and one small, but with the same number of fish, where do you think you'll be able to catch a fish more easily?

This is the power of targeting. Less choices, but greater chance of approval or acceptance. I truly believe in this; it's made my life simpler.

(Note that I am not forcing this belief down your throats. If it makes sense to you, follow it. I do know some people that might oppose me on this, thinking "where's the greater chance at approval if the company I'm eyeing receives a large pool of applications, etc", and more questions about the what ifs. I honestly don't know how to answer that. Me kasi, I really waited on the companies I wanted. But, if it makes you happy or more reassured to cover all your bases, then go do you too)

• It will prevent you from quitting and splitting: As in, moving from one job to another in 3 months or less, a mistake many fresh graduates make!

3) Economic Conditions

Self-explanatory.

Although I don't believe the Philippines is lacking in engineering jobs at all. When you look at Jobstreet, there are so many posted! What the Philippines lacks is engineering jobs that pay well.

How I wish I could unsee some of those salary figures on Jobstreet. In my head I'm like, I didn't study 5(+) years to get paid this little! Why are some companies (especially private ones) so barat? :(

Sometimes, we feel the lack even more because the jobs available aren't up to OUR conditions. Finding a job in a field you want, with the salary you want and at the place you live in is like finding the perfect guy/girl for you also: they don't exist. But if they do, para sa mga kapwa perfect lang din.  (Wow)

So mere mortals like us sometimes have to make concessions.

But even if you do have to make compromises, you gotta have your set of non-negotiables, be it location, industry, specific company or a salary amount you're not going to go lower than, etc. to also make your job search easier.

For me, the field was non-negotiable, and you already know how I feel about the salary, so it was location that I was flexible with. I have friends that were intent in staying in Davao, so getting a job in any field there was fine with them.

4) Lack of Job Search Knowledge


Did your school ever teach you how to apply to jobs? It's funny how they teach us the knowledge we need for a job, but never how to get one. Here are some questions at the top of my mind.

What to put on your resume? It depends, but NO, you don't send the same resume to ALL companies; you read through the job description and specifically tailor your resume to highlight the skills they're looking for. HR personnel know whether you just mass-sent your application, especially through job search sites.

What's the best way to apply for a job? Online job portals, email or walk-in? In my humble opinion, email is the best option for larger companies, and walk-in for smaller ones. Or para sure, both. If you have professional contacts for the company you're eyeing, try to get the HR's email, but if you don't, you can use LinkedIn to search for HR personnel and send them an InMail to ask for their email, telling them you saw one of their job posts and that you're interested in applying.

You can also look for jobs on LinkedIn. There are companies that often do not cross-post hiring notices on their website, Jobstreet and LinkedIn so always check those three.

What to wear to an interview? Something smart casual, because HELP, some HR personnel told me that there are people that still actually wear JEANS going to an interview.

I haven't heard from the HR, should I check back? Uhhh YEAH. But wait til like, a week or two to check back in, especially if they said they'd call you back. I did this with my current company and Thank God because now I'm here. If I hadn't reached out, I don't know where I would be.

So yeah, ask yourself if you might've made any wrong calls and correct them for next time. While waiting to get called back, start practicing what to answer during interviews. Interviews are meant to be prepared for, not thought about on the spot.

5) Your Experience

It's funny how many positions advertised online say they need fresh graduates but require you to have two years of experience. If you're a fresh graduate, saan ka huhugot niyan?? In that aspect, I take it to mean that experience doesn't always mean longevity. Afterall, you're a fresh graduate nga.

That's why I always truly believe that school (or grades) isn't everything.

Holding leadership positions, joining organizations and conferences, doing research and personal projects are all tantamount to something, and shows HR personnel that you're human and not a study robot. Companies want to know that you'll have a well-adjusted, well-balanced life outside of work, and that you have hobbies to keep you preoccupied. These things will have taught you how to deal with people and stressful situations, which you will inadvertently have at work.

There are also jobs that require specific experience talaga, like leading people, having research experience, marketing, etc. They might say that they need a Chemical Engineer, but the role may be for research, or marketing, or technical service (interacting with customers) so if your resume says you don't have that experience or skill, then even if you are a Chemical Engineer, they won't consider you for the role.

So yeah, always specify your resume for each role you apply just so it's clear.

---

So, there! That was a long post.

I hope that I was able to help in some way, but please know that I'm not an HR expert or what (engineer nga, LOL), just sharing some stuff that I read about while I was applying around that may help you get hired faster.

Don't worry about how long it takes to get a job. Remember, it varies for everyone. What's important is that you'll eventually get one.

Break free from the cocoon of idealism you're still surrounding yourself in and accept that not everything you want will go your way. If you want to get to where you want to go but cannot just yet, take a detour and start making compromises.

Know that there are tons of jobs out there. Make the necessary adjustments to any of the wrong practices you're doing. Be persistent. Believe you will get hired and you will.

Good luck!



PS. Any other reasons you can think of on why it takes so long to get a job? Let me know what you think. Would love to hear them in the comments! :)