How to Ask Someone for Help Finding a Job

[RNadine21]

So I've graduated with my sparkling new degree. I currently have two temporary part-time jobs in my field, one in research and one in education (which I honestly love - the combination!). However, my life will be back to a huge question mark come the end of September. I've been constantly applying to jobs but I'm thinking of reaching out to my undergraduate advisor to catch up/see if she has any leads. I can't figure out how to word the email...I guess what it really comes down to is this sense of....guilt(?) I have about emailing her when we haven't communicated in two years about help with the job hunt. But people do that all the time right?

 

This is basically the first time in my life I don't have my next step perfectly planned out and I'm freaking out internally.

[sarab]

You could email your advisor telling them you wanted to let them know that you've finished your M.S., ask how they're doing, etc. They'll probably reply asking how you're doing, and in that response you could say something like "I'm doing fine. Currently looking for some jobs in the field since the one I currently have will end in September. If you know of any leads, please let me know. It's good to know you're doing well" (or something like that).

[Guest |||]

Ask your supervisor "Eh you I gotta earn some bread, you know any baking positions if u kno what i mean?"

 

 

 

Or, tell your supervisor you are looking for a job and if he/she has any advise

[free_radical]

I've found that most people don't mind helping you out when you're looking for a job - because we've all been in that position before.  However, you're much more likely to get useful help if you know what you need, in other words, a general question will get you a general answer.  If you say "do you have any advice for how I can find a job," the response will probably be "check these job boards."  And maybe that is what you need at this stage...just a push in the right direction.  However, if instead you know the types of organizations you're interested in and the type of work you want, and say, "I'm interested in this (insert specific type of work), would you happen to know anyone in the area"...then who knows, you might get an introduction.