Gamecock Alum advice

[gamecock_alum1117]

Not sure if this is allowed (sorry if it's not) but I am currently looking for a job. I have applied for probably 50+ positions through different apps/websites and can't even get replies. Here are some of my credentials:

-Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of South Carolina.
-5+ years experience as Plant Manager of a manufacturing company.
-10+ years experience as Sales/Marketing Manager.
-7+ years of entrepreneurial experience.

Any advice from fellow Gamecocks to help me find something? I haven't had to search for a job since before college, so this is a new process for me.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn.

 

[ctgarric]

Not sure if this is allowed (sorry if it's not) but I am currently looking for a job. I have applied for probably 50+ positions through different apps/websites and can't even get replies. Here are some of my credentials:

-Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of South Carolina.
-5+ years experience as Plant Manager of a manufacturing company.
-10+ years experience as Sales/Marketing Manager.
-7+ years of entrepreneurial experience.

Any advice from fellow Gamecocks to help me find something? I haven't had to search for a job since before college, so this is a new process for me.

Don’t rely on an online application. Use LinkedIn. If you are applying for a job, search for alumni that work at the company you’re applying to and reach out.

Best advice I ever got was from a head hunter that was dating a friend of mine. He said to never fear asking for help. Reach out to someone that works at the company and explain to them that you’re really interested in working for that company and why. Then ask if they can help you by telling you about their experience with the company and what they like about working there.

Most of the time they’ll offer to help in the application process.

People like to help others. It’s in our nature.

On a side note, I’ve always been disappointed how our school doesn’t do better to support alum and graduates in this manner. For having such a great business school, I’d expect better.

 

[gamecock_alum1117]

Don’t rely on an online application. Use LinkedIn. If you are applying for a job, search for alumni that work at the company you’re applying to and reach out.

Best advice I ever got was from a head hunter that was dating a friend of mine. He said to never fear asking for help. Reach out to someone that works at the company and explain to them that you’re really interested in working for that company and why. Then ask if they can help you by telling you about their experience with the company and what they like about working there.

Most of the time they’ll offer to help in the application process.

People like to help others. It’s in our nature.

On a side note, I’ve always been disappointed how our school doesn’t do better to support alum and graduates in this manner. For having such a great business school, I’d expect better.

Thanks for the advice! I've never dealt with LinkedIn but I'll setup an account and see what I can find!

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

ZipRecruiter has never failed me. I post my resume and instantly start receiving texts and phone calls, sometimes from the president of a company. When my boss was named president of our company he named me the Manager of Engineering although I had only been there 3 weeks. Two longterm engineers who thought they would be named quit in disgust. My first priority as the new manager was to hire two new engineers. Using ZipRecruiter. I also have a business degree. But not from Carolina.

 

[golffan]

Not sure if this is allowed (sorry if it's not) but I am currently looking for a job. I have applied for probably 50+ positions through different apps/websites and can't even get replies. Here are some of my credentials:

-Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of South Carolina.
-5+ years experience as Plant Manager of a manufacturing company.
-10+ years experience as Sales/Marketing Manager.
-7+ years of entrepreneurial experience.

Any advice from fellow Gamecocks to help me find something? I haven't had to search for a job since before college, so this is a new process for me.

Reach out to me. Looking for someone to lead a new production line, possibly 2 shifts, In the Newberry area.

 

[Forkcock]

Network, Network, Network.

 

[golden spike]

My daughter worked as an intern for three years at Carolina. She acted on advice from a Todd Ellis visit to her class when he suggested that students find a meaningful internship as opposed to excessive nightlife activities. She found an internship that week with the instructor of that class. When she graduated her USC intern supervisor/former instructor gave her a terrific recommendation..."If you don't hire her, you will regret it." My daughter has had good jobs since she left SC and that same supervisor has offered recommendations each time. She is 36 now and gets calls / job inquiries from other companies that prompt job considerations.

 

[Cobie]

ZipRecruiter has never failed me. I post my resume and instantly start receiving texts and phone calls, sometimes from the president of a company. When my boss was named president of our company he named me the Manager of Engineering although I had only been there 3 weeks. Two longterm engineers who thought they would be named quit in disgust. My first priority as the new manager was to hire two new engineers. Using ZipRecruiter. I also have a business degree. But not from Carolina.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Probably showing age here, but I miss the days when you could go out and pound the pavement. Walk into a company/business, look someone in the eye, hand them your resume, shake their hand.

 

[Cobie]

If you have a few months to spare, I'd personally get educated in AI {within you expertise(s)} as you have a good background to work from.

This would put you ahead of 99% of applicants and you would frontrun the inevitable transition..

Or go with a an AI start-up (SaaS, etc.) within your field.

Platform	Why It's Good for You	Tips
LinkedIn	Top for professionals; filters for management roles in manufacturing/sales.	Set job alerts for "Plant Manager" or "Sales Director" + "manufacturing." Network here first.
Indeed	High volume of ops/sales jobs; easy ATS integration.	Use advanced search for "manufacturing" + experience level.
Glassdoor	Company reviews + jobs; great for salary insights in manufacturing.	Filter by location/seniority.
ZipRecruiter	AI matching for sales/marketing; pulls from multiple sources.	Upload resume once—it auto-applies.
Monster	Strong in manufacturing/blue-collar management.	Target "operations manager" roles.
American Marketing Association (AMA) Job Board	Niche for sales/marketing; less competition.	Ideal for your 10+ years in that area.
Wellfound (formerly AngelList)	Startup-focused; good for entrepreneurial ops/sales roles.	Pitch your 7+ years as a founder.
Manufacturing-specific: CareersInManufacturing.com or iHireManufacturing	Targeted to plant/ops managers; fewer applicants.	Search for senior roles.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Probably showing age here, but I miss the days when you could go out and pound the pavement. Walk into a company/business, look someone in the eye, hand them your resume, shake their hand.

You can still do that. But ZipRecruiter seems to be their go-to these days. I can pound the pavement. Or let these offers come to me. Of course, in a metro of 8.6 million there were plenty of jobs.

 

[18IsTheMan]

You can still do that. But ZipRecruiter seems to be their go-to these days. I can pound the pavement. Or let these offers come to me. Of course, in a metro of 8.6 million there were plenty of jobs.

I suppose it depends on your field. Last time I had to job hunt a decade or so ago, you couldn't get face-to-face with anyone. Always directed to go online through their website, etc.

I've never done much with LinkedIn, etc but I know people have great results with it.

Off topic, but the last job hunt I had, I landed 2 interviews. First was brutal. All the questions I hate...what are your strengths, weaknesses, tell us about a time you resolved a conflict. Etc. Just generic questions you could ask any person at any job that don't actually tell you anything about the applicant. I bombed that one in spectacular fashion. Never even heard back from the people. Next interview was 100% questions related to my specific experience/qualifications/knowledge for the specific job. Got the offer on that one within a few days.

 

[gamecock_alum1117]

If you have a few months to spare, I'd personally get educated in AI {within you expertise(s)} as you have a good background to work from.

This would put you ahead of 99% of applicants and you would frontrun the inevitable transition..

Or go with a an AI start-up (SaaS, etc.) within your field.

Platform	Why It's Good for You	Tips
LinkedIn	Top for professionals; filters for management roles in manufacturing/sales.	Set job alerts for "Plant Manager" or "Sales Director" + "manufacturing." Network here first.
Indeed	High volume of ops/sales jobs; easy ATS integration.	Use advanced search for "manufacturing" + experience level.
Glassdoor	Company reviews + jobs; great for salary insights in manufacturing.	Filter by location/seniority.
ZipRecruiter	AI matching for sales/marketing; pulls from multiple sources.	Upload resume once—it auto-applies.
Monster	Strong in manufacturing/blue-collar management.	Target "operations manager" roles.
American Marketing Association (AMA) Job Board	Niche for sales/marketing; less competition.	Ideal for your 10+ years in that area.
Wellfound (formerly AngelList)	Startup-focused; good for entrepreneurial ops/sales roles.	Pitch your 7+ years as a founder.
Manufacturing-specific: CareersInManufacturing.com or iHireManufacturing	Targeted to plant/ops managers; fewer applicants.	Search for senior roles.

Great information! Thank you! AI is very interesting to me as I am all about efficiency and streamlining processes.