When is it the right time to start applying for jobs?

Question

I am a graduate student in CIS, had BS in EE. I will be graduating next spring. This means I still have one more semester before I graduate.

I really don't want to start looking for jobs after I graduate. The problem is that I will be doing some heavy courses along with a project next semester. I really want to snag something this semester, but do you think employers would recruit candidates so early?

Answer 1

Here is my experience. I started looking for an apprentice job, some two or three months before graduation. Went on an interview, where we talked and decided it would maybe be a good compromise if I graduated on something they (the company) needed (related to their work), and the professor accepted that as part of my mandatory project and thesis. He didn't mind, quite the opposite ... (read: he didn't have to deal with my thesis problems :-)

Why not try that? No harm in asking, right?

Answer 2

It really depends on the company. My company recruited me 4 months before I started work. Some companies though, have a fixed number of vacancies and either need someone now (or to start during the next month or so), or don't need someone at all.

Answer 3

I was hired as an Associate Software Engineer at a pretty sizable telecommunications firm just a few months after graduating. A tip I can give you that pertained to my experience:

Start applying to jobs early. A number of the companies I applied for took months for my application to get through HR and to the Software Development Lead. I graduated last may and am still getting calls from companies I applied to months ago trying to set up interviews with me.

Answer 4

In my experiences - approximately one academic year before you graduate. Not all companies will be ready to hire at this point, but watch for companies that are recruiting at your university with information sessions, start learning about benefits, and reach out to companies that you are most interested in by reading their job postings and applying online.

For me, I started applying and interviewing for full-time jobs in the fall quarter of my senior year. I interviewed throughout the year with various organizations, some better than others. I ended up interviewing with what I thought was my dream job (until the interview and I had a chance to meet and learn about the organization) the week of graduation. I held off on companies that ended up pulling offers for that interview, but ended up at a very good company (that I co-oped with) a few weeks after graduation.

Answer 5

Start looking now.

Right now.

It doesn't matter whether or not you get the jobs you apply for initially, it matters more that you make the contacts that could lead to you getting a job.