Hi Mike,

I recently went through a job search under similar circumstances - 2 years of grad research experience but no formal full-time EE work experience. I found that prospective employers DID take my grad research into serious consideration, especially when I detailed what it involved (design of an autonomous helicopter). You can "spin" such experience as equivalent to work experience, I think, in  many circumstances.

I would also urge patience and the importance of getting your resume into the right hands. I had about two months of NOTHING (no responses to my resume, etc.) and then when I did more research and found out whom I really should send my resume to, it was a matter of days until I had an interview. I finally got three offers. One of them was through my old grad school advisor and is the one I eventually took. You should check into connections you have through school.

Don't be afraid to send additional material (including color photos of projects you have done) with your resume. That made ALL the difference (I was told after the fact) in my getting the offer I eventually accepted. It took my resume from the "maybe he would be OK" stage to "he's the perfect candidate" status.

Sean



-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist