HELP! Job Hunting in Seattle

[chopsticker]

I was wondering if anyone can give me a few pointers on job hunting in Seattle. I'm a graduating senior of computer science from Maryland and I really want to move to Seattle. I've hit Monster.com and a bunch of other job listing sites but so far I have yet to receive an interview. I know the job market sucks right now but there must be something for a graduating student... I have 6+ years of work experience in software development and I can't figure out why no one is even willing to give me a chance. Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated and please no suggestions for Starbucks or McDonalds please.

-Lei.

 

[AreaCode707]

Go to grad school

<--- will also be job hunting in Seattle in a few months.

 

[AgentEL]

have you tried submitting to microsoft, amazon, expedia? they're in the area.

 

[GroundZero]

did you try going the obvious route and hit up Bill for a job?

 

[chopsticker]

I got 2nd round interviews with Microsoft and I thought I did pretty damn good on the interviews ( I had 6 of 'em) and I thought I got the job. Obviously, I didn't. I applied to Amazon and Expedia already but it's been a month and I still haven't heard back.

 

[BatmanNate]

Unemployement in this state is the 3rd highest in the nation, and the cost of living is pretty steep in Seattle. Good luck.

 

[43st]

Look up the local newspapers online and browse the classified sections.

 

[AgentEL]

Originally posted by: chopsticker
I got 2nd round interviews with Microsoft and I thought I did pretty damn good on the interviews ( I had 6 of 'em) and I thought I got the job. Obviously, I didn't. I applied to Amazon and Expedia already but it's been a month and I still haven't heard back.

wow, 2nd round. that's pretty good. i've had 4 first round interviews and nothin haha

 

[abc]

who is 1st and 2nd?

 

[chopsticker]

1st and 2nd refer to the stages of the Microsoft interview process. 1st stage is usually a phone interview or an oncampus interview and 2nd stage interview is an interview on Microsoft campus. They usually have you interview with 2 groups in one day with about 2 or 3 interviews per group.

Are there any computer professional groups in Seattle that I can join to network? Has anyone had luck with headhunters?

 

[DaveSimmons]

www.seattletimes.com for the local classified ads, but this is a pretty brutal area to move to without experience, given the local economy. RealNetworks has cut way back on R&D and Amazon is now a fairly mature unix shop. VC funding is pretty much non-existent so a bunch of local software start-ups have either cut back or shut down for lack of funding. Even the local biotechs are hurting for cash.

Rents have stopped going up, but living costs are still high -- expect to pay $1K+ for a one-bedroom, and to pay more for services as well.

Also, if you can't stand up to 9 months/year of gray skies, try moving to the Los Angeles area instead

 

[err]

yep hit seattletimes.com or nwsource.com

You should get tons of local job availability there.

That would be my first destination for job search in seattle area.

eRr

 

[Akira13]

If you're actually going to be in the Seattle area, there's a job fair at the HUB on the UofW campus tomorrow afternoon.

 

[abc]

Originally posted by: chopsticker
1st and 2nd refer to the stages of the Microsoft interview process. 1st stage is usually a phone interview or an oncampus interview and 2nd stage interview is an interview on Microsoft campus. They usually have you interview with 2 groups in one day with about 2 or 3 interviews per group.

Are there any computer professional groups in Seattle that I can join to network? Has anyone had luck with headhunters?

actually, just meant to ask which states are 1st and 2nd with most unemployment since Seattle is 3rd?

 

[chopsticker]

Do you think headhunters will help out a recent college grad? I understand they usually go after software engineers with 5+ years of experience.

 

[Steve819]

Originally posted by: chopsticker
Do you think headhunters will help out a recent college grad? I understand they usually go after software engineers with 5+ years of experience.

No. I've talked to 3 or 4 headhunters, and none will help me (a soon-to-be college grad). It is a waste of your time.

Develop a network of contacts and work them.

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

you sure you want to live in seattle? i was shopping around for an apt and the rent is like 1300 per month for a 1 bed room... i know there are cheaper ones but if you want a fairly new one with all the amenities it will cost that much and up.

 

[Willoughbyva]

Look on the usenet news groups. I don't know anything about what those jobs are like since people could post scams and stuff, but it might not hurt to look. There are a couple seattle job groups, they might have the same jobs posted for all I know. Don't know if they are agencies posting and wanting a cut of the action or not.

Hope you find something.

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

if you don't have luck in seattle go try tacoma it's "fiber-optic city"

 

[chopsticker]

I'm probably going to be sharing an apartment in Bellevue or Redmond so the rent should be somewhat lower. Does anyone know of any tech professionals group in Seattle that I can start networking in?

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

Seattle has one of the worst traffic. But I'm not blaming the great californian migration in the 90's.... *_^

btw i really wondered why so many californians move to seattle it seems nowadays when i ask someone where they are from originally they say california.... damn you californians for ruining I-5..... I use to be able to drive 15 minutes to downtown now it takes 45 minutes during rush hour

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Hatari Chic
Go to grad school

<--- will also be job hunting in Seattle in a few months.

Getting rid of the competition I see.

ZV

 

[chopsticker]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Hatari Chic
Go to grad school

<--- will also be job hunting in Seattle in a few months.

Getting rid of the competition I see.

ZV

No more school! I can't take it! the more people I talk to the more is seems like the job market in Seattle sucks.

 

[slycat]

how can u have 6+ yrs softdev exp when ur not graduated yet?

 

[bleeb]

The industry really sucks right now so it might be difficult to find work here. I suggest getting out of the computer field and go into something medical.