Who on this forum is seeking employment?

[Drsatan]

As a student about to start his third (and final) year at university, I'm acutely aware that when I graduate I'll find it difficult not just to find a graduate level job, but unfortunately any sort of job. From what people I know have been saying, it's very difficult to find any sort of employment these days. Even I have attempted to find part-time work over the summer holidays without any success, along with many students

So I'd be interested to see whether there are any people seeking employment here. I'd be grateful to hear people's stories about looking for work and whether it really is the case that it's more difficult to find work than ever before.

 

[anthony263]

As a student about to start his third (and final) year at university, I'm acutely aware that when I graduate I'll find it difficult not just to find a graduate level job, but unfortunately any sort of job. From what people I know have been saying, it's very difficult to find any sort of employment these days. Even I have attempted to find part-time work over the summer holidays without any success, along with many students

So I'd be interested to see whether there are any people seeking employment here. I'd be grateful to hear people's stories about looking for work and whether it really is the case that it's more difficult to find work than ever before.

I am also in university and can say that it is getting a bit difficult out there, one thing i did was to get a part time job during year 1 & 2 so i could get some job experience. I know a lot of people who have never had a job and who have struggled a bit to find work as a llot of employers want people with experience.

Another point i would raise is that if you know someone at an organisation you ar working for have them put a good word in for you as it can sometimes help.

if you have the time available i would reconmend doing some voluntary work as i does look good on your cv.

I got my PCV licence after taking my test for the 2nd time when i was 19/20 about 2 years ago and despite having completed my HND an i am now doing my degree i am still struggling to find employment, one thing is also clear you can be overqualified as someone was telling me.


I am in a better position than some people as that i have no children or girilfreind etc so i am not worried about having to move to a different part of the uk to get a job. I currently live in south wales although i have applied for jobs in ireland, scotland and plaes in england such as birmingham, london etc where i can easily commuter too even if i have to travel by train for up to 3 hours each way.

One final point is that you will be turned down for a lot of jobs you apply for and it is easily to become disheartened but you have to keep trying

 

[Lampshade]

Me.

I've just graduated; problem is, jobs associated with my degree and career choice are almost exclusively concentrated around London. I found one in Sunderland (too far away) and one in Blackburn of all places but I was on holiday when the vacancy was filled

I had an interview today which I think went well, it's certainly related to my degree but not primarily.

 

[anthony263]

I drive buses at the moment but i would like a job in a management position which i one of the reasons why i went to university but i have found positions are filling up very fast when they are advertiesed and it can be very competitive.

In fact i have even thought about applying for such jobs outside the uk

 

[Eng274]

I've spent most of my student years working in bars. It's soul-destroying, thankless minimum wage labour at best, a role which is seldom respected by the public (though bad-egg customers are thankfully few and far between).

Even at this semi/unskilled level, competition is fierce. I once applied for a bar job which received over 100 applications, and in true railway style, they were quickly scythed by removing the inexperienced/unsuitable. This is a huge travesty, as a lot of interpersonal/public-facing skills can be developed from customer service jobs, which is a very valuable asset on the CV, as it shows you can interact with the public freely and confidently.

Careerwise, I did a one year industrial placement while studying, which was fortunately arranged through a university contact. Only five students applied for the job - pretty dismal, given that previous experience is usually the difference between getting the job or not in my line of work. I was offered the job on account of my "excellent attitude", and learnt a fantastic amount from it. The placement massively improved my employability when seeking graduate work.

With every graduate job interview I went to this year, the confidence in my own ability and control of nerves improved, to the extent that on two occasions I progressed from a field of 60 applicants to a single-digit shortlist.

While this post probably won't help you much with finding either graduate work or casual work, what it does say is that it isnt all doom and gloom out there.

Get a good degree and any related work experience - easier said than done i know. Network with companies in your line of work, keep a finger on their recruitment pulse. I wouldn't ever advocate taking on an unpaid internship, as it is an instant motivation killer; nobody likes working for no pay.

May I ask what you are studying at university?

 

[Drsatan]

Another point i would raise is that if you know someone at an organisation you ar working for have them put a good word in for you as it can sometimes help.

if you have the time available i would reconmend doing some voluntary work as i does look good on your cv.


One final point is that you will be turned down for a lot of jobs you apply for and it is easily to become disheartened but you have to keep trying

I've been able to find some voluntary work this summer at a charity shop in the town I live, and I've also stood outside my local station and Winchester station collecting signatures for the Fares Fair campaign, which is something to put on my CV.

I've spent most of my student years working in bars. It's soul-destroying, thankless minimum wage labour at best, a role which is seldom respected by the public (though bad-egg customers are thankfully few and far between).

Even at this semi/unskilled level, competition is fierce. I once applied for a bar job which received over 100 applications, and in true railway style, they were quickly scythed by removing the inexperienced/unsuitable. This is a huge travesty, as a lot of interpersonal/public-facing skills can be developed from customer service jobs, which is a very valuable asset on the CV, as it shows you can interact with the public freely and confidently.

Careerwise, I did a one year industrial placement while studying, which was fortunately arranged through a university contact. Only five students applied for the job - pretty dismal, given that previous experience is usually the difference between getting the job or not in my line of work. I was offered the job on account of my "excellent attitude", and learnt a fantastic amount from it. The placement massively improved my employability when seeking graduate work.

With every graduate job interview I went to this year, the confidence in my own ability and control of nerves improved, to the extent that on two occasions I progressed from a field of 60 applicants to a single-digit shortlist.

While this post probably won't help you much with finding either graduate work or casual work, what it does say is that it isnt all doom and gloom out there.

Get a good degree and any related work experience - easier said than done i know. Network with companies in your line of work, keep a finger on their recruitment pulse. I wouldn't ever advocate taking on an unpaid internship, as it is an instant motivation killer; nobody likes working for no pay.

May I ask what you are studying at university?

I'm studying History at the University of Exeter. As much as I enjoy the subject, unlike Economics or Law History doesn't guide you along the career path; if you study Law typically you get an internship over the summer with a big law firm and upon graduation you fight for a junior position at such a firm. I am looking at a career on the railways (probably something to do with transport planning), I have tried to get part time employment with one of the TOCs, with Network Rail or even with the transport planning department of a local authority, but without much success. I nearly got a work experience placement with Transport for South Hampshire (a partnership responsible for advising on public transport provision on the area) but that fell through at the last minute

Like you, I've managed to get some part time work at university as a catering assistant, but you have to put in very long hours and it doesn't really count on your CV.

Lots of students are in a similar position to myself - you can't get a job because you lack work experience but yet you can't get work experience in order to get a job. It's a Catch 22.

 

[Clip]

What you must remember - and ive said this to a few mates while they have been out of work - is that you treat being unemployed and job seeking as your job.


Yes its soul destroying getting KB'd by everyone - even though you may be able to do the job - but you cant let it get you down. Every day should be a routine:-
Get up
Breakfast
shower
Go to work(thats job hunting)
lunch
Go back to work
Go shower and change into somethign else.


Its very important to keep the mind busy with a routine or else you can fall into a slovenly trap without noticing it and next thing you know your 6 month unemployed and it looks worse on your CV.

If that happens - go travelling

 

[strange6]

I really do wish all those who are seeking employment at the moment the best of luck. Unfortunately there are a lot of employers now who expect to get skilled people for not a lot of outlay. In my opinion this is largely down to the last Labour govenrnment who, when they had the opportunity to do so, didn't place any restrictions on the freedom of migrants who came to this country seeking employment. In my opinion this has cause BIG problems for your generation and I wholeheartedly feel very sorry for you.

 

[Drsatan]

Yes its soul destroying getting KB'd by everyone - even though you may be able to do the job - but you cant let it get you down. Every day should be a routine:-
Get up
Breakfast
shower
Go to work(thats job hunting)
lunch
Go back to work
Go shower and change into somethign else.


Its very important to keep the mind busy with a routine or else you can fall into a slovenly trap without noticing it and next thing you know your 6 month unemployed and it looks worse on your CV.

If that happens - go travelling

That is very true - looking for employment should be a full time job if you're unemployed. What really irritates me is people who think being unemployed is a good excuse to lounge on the sofa all day watching daytime TV. If you don't have a computer or access to the internet (now that many jobs are advertised online), there's nothing to stop you using a computer at your local library. Having said that, a lot of smaller libraries will close as part of Mr Cameron's 'Big Society':roll:

Alternatively, if you can't find paid employment, try volunteering instead - as mentioned in my original post I've been volunteering at a charity shop over the summer which is better than nothing. Of course, Mr Cameron's 'Big Society' may well take off now that unemployed people are expected to do work that was formerly paid, like being a lock-keeper on a canal (British Waterways has sacked its lock-keepers and hired volunteers to replace them according to Private Eye)

I really do wish all those who are seeking employment at the moment the best of luck. Unfortunately there are a lot of employers now who expect to get skilled people for not a lot of outlay. In my opinion this is largely down to the last Labour govenrnment who, when they had the opportunity to do so, didn't place any restrictions on the freedom of migrants who came to this country seeking employment. In my opinion this has cause BIG problems for your generation and I wholeheartedly feel very sorry for you.

I recall reading somewhere that the Labour government only expected 13,000 Poles to move to the UK following the accession of most Eastern European states to the EU in 2004. Turns out over 3/4 million turned up. And while they certainly work hard, I believe Labour made a grave mistake in allowing so many in because the arrival of migrants from Eastern Europe flooded the semi and unskilled labour market, pushing down average wages which meant employers preferred to hire migrants. This is why I've heard stories of employment agencies telling British-born workers, regardless of their ethnicity 'Sorry mate, but no-one will hire you because you're English'.

In my part time job, I've worked alongside international students from Poland, China and elsewhere and they certainly work very hard so I don't object to them at all. The only problem is universities will have to get more international students - and stringent visa restrictions will make Britain a less attractive place for international students to study...

 

[Clip]

That is very true - looking for employment should be a full time job if you're unemployed. What really irritates me is people who think being unemployed is a good excuse to lounge on the sofa all day watching daytime TV. If you don't have a computer or access to the internet (now that many jobs are advertised online), there's nothing to stop you using a computer at your local library. Having said that, a lot of smaller libraries will close as part of Mr Cameron's 'Big Society':roll:

The libraries closing is down to your local council. They are the ones who have made the decision not Mr Cameron - all he and the ruling party have done is told them they need to save money.

I do hope your Uni degree will actually help you to understand things a little bit better then just blaming it all on the big bad tories every single time funding is cut.

 

[SS4]

The libraries closing is down to your local council. They are the ones who have made the decision not Mr Cameron - all he and the ruling party have done is told them they need to save money.

I do hope your Uni degree will actually help you to understand things a little bit better then just blaming it all on the big bad tories every single time funding is cut.

So if I hired someone to beat up someone I didn't like I'd get away scot free?

 

[Minilad]

The libraries closing is down to your local council. They are the ones who have made the decision not Mr Cameron - all he and the ruling party have done is told them they need to save money.

I do hope your Uni degree will actually help you to understand things a little bit better then just blaming it all on the big bad tories every single time funding is cut.

A clever move by Cameron then. Order cuts but blame the local council for doing the cutting

 

[WestCoast]

A clever move by Cameron then. Order cuts but blame the local council for doing the cutting

It's the blame game again. The council has to decide where its priorities lie, and if libraries aren't thought to be an essential service, they get cut. It's both of them really, but then you have to think whether or not cutting a library is better than cutting other services.

 

[Clip]

So if I hired someone to beat up someone I didn't like I'd get away scot free?

Completely different scenarios and you know it - especially as yours is against the law. Must.Try. Harder.

A clever move by Cameron then. Order cuts but blame the local council for doing the cutting

As has been said - It is down to them what they cut back on. He hasn't said all local Libraries must shut has he? No. There you go then.

 

[thefab444]

As has been said - It is down to them what they cut back on. He hasn't said all local Libraries must shut has he? No. There you go then.

But it is directly because of him (ignoring the many indirect factors) that they are having to make the cuts.

 

[Minilad]

Completely different scenarios and you know it - especially as yours is against the law. Must.Try. Harder.



As has been said - It is down to them what they cut back on. He hasn't said all local Libraries must shut has he? No. There you go then.

So, like I said, they get the blame. Whatever they cut they still have to cut

 

[Clip]

But it is directly because of him (ignoring the many indirect factors) that they are having to make the cuts.

Only because , and you may have missed this, there was no money left when they took over from the last lot. Remember the little note left for them?


Mind you I remember the last government giving a big push for recycling to the councils and households - now im left with an alternative collection of my recycling and normal rubbish. They dont even collect glass bottles and i have to wait 2 weeks between collections of normal rubbish.

Do I blame this on the overlords or the local burghers who made this decision on the recommendation from the government? I blame the locals as its them who make the policy for what my council tax gets spent on.

I honestly believe more people snipe at stuff like this just because its the Tories and have no idea that the same wouldve had to have happened whoever was in power.

 

[SS4]

Back to the topic in hand I am looking for employment. Having 18 months experience with the Job Centre makes me better off than most 16-24 year olds I've still been unemployed for far too long and it is not helped by the media heavily implying that those who are unemployed are Untermenschen.

From application forms I've filled in I've noticed the few public sector ones are more describing your skills whereas private sector want experience in a similar role so perhaps the latter can learn something from the former
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I honestly believe more people snipe at stuff like this just because its the Tories and have no idea that the same wouldve had to have happened whoever was in power.

It's the speed of the cuts, not the cuts themselves. I note there is plenty of money to fund their pet projects though - Universal Credit, Big Society and HS2 to name three.

 

[strange6]

But it is directly because of him (ignoring the many indirect factors) that they are having to make the cuts.

Nup, it's because of the last Government and the banks that they are having to make the cuts

 

[SS4]

Nup, it's because of the last Government and the banks that they are having to make the cuts

Indeed, I think public discontent is because the banks haven't visibly being paying back the taxpayer. It's stupid, they should be paying back in instalments like I'd have to do with a bank loan!

Nobody is denying they have to make cuts, what is up for debate is the speed they're making the cuts (and will it harm the economy) and the way the Osborne (is there a "u" in there, I can never remember) is shifting the blame onto local authorities. That being said (much as I dislike the Tories) if he'd decreed services to cut then he'd be vilified just as much.

 

[thefab444]

Only because , and you may have missed this, there was no money left when they took over from the last lot. Remember the little note left for them?

You may have missed that I said "ignoring indirect factors".

The direct reason as to why councils are having to make cuts is that Cameron is cutting budgets. The indirect reason as to why councils are having to make cuts is that the last government created a huge defecit bailing out the banking system.

As for seeking employment, I'm just hoping the Tories' plan works and things are a bit better when I leave university in 3-4 years time.

 

[strange6]

You may have missed that I said "ignoring indirect factors".

The direct reason as to why councils are having to make cuts is that Cameron is cutting budgets. The indirect reason as to why councils are having to make cuts is that the last government created a huge defecit bailing out the banking system.

That defecit was only made bigger bailing out the banks. They were already much in debt because of their obscene overspending

 

[es373]

Problems getting a job?

There's plenty of cleaning jobs going around!

 

[anthony263]

I do praise the conservatives and lib dems for having the courage to push through these spending cuts. I would much rather be plodding along like we are at the moment than be in the position greece or ireland are in.

Hopefully while it may take some time the uk will be able to get itself back on its feet, as for the blame that should be pointed at the previous governemnt and the banks.

Things could be worse, at least the governemnt has invested some money into schemes which would benefit people, one such scheme is the GWML electrification which they could have easily scrapped.

 

[SS4]

I do praise the conservatives and lib dems for having the courage to push through these spending cuts. I would much rather be plodding along like we are at the moment than be in the position greece or ireland are in.

Hopefully while it may take some time the uk will be able to get itself back on its feet, as for the blame that should be pointed at the previous governemnt and the banks.

Things could be worse, at least the governemnt has invested some money into schemes which would benefit people, one such scheme is the GWML electrification which they could have easily scrapped.

The Lib Dems deserve more "praise" if you're on the right because they committed political suicide for the sake of power.
IIRC Ireland ended up in their current position because they cut too quickly.

 

[Drsatan]

I do praise the conservatives and lib dems for having the courage to push through these spending cuts. I would much rather be plodding along like we are at the moment than be in the position greece or ireland are in.

Hopefully while it may take some time the uk will be able to get itself back on its feet, as for the blame that should be pointed at the previous governemnt and the banks.

Things could be worse, at least the governemnt has invested some money into schemes which would benefit people, one such scheme is the GWML electrification which they could have easily scrapped.

Bear in mind that Vodafone PLC owes the Treasury at least £7 billion in unpaid tax, and that News Corp has avoided paying corporation tax in the UK for several years right under Blair & Cameron's noses. Before we start swinging the axe we ought to force tax-dodging companies to pay up first.

While some spending cuts are necessary I believe they're taking place in all the wrong places. For instance, look at the 2010 Strategic Defence Review which axed the Harrier (still a perfectly good aircraft despite its age since it requires a shorter take-off distance than the Tornado) and both our aircraft carriers to see where the government has got its priorities wrong. Likewise lower-paid public sector workers are being sacked while the chiefs of QUANGOs still get big pay rises.

 

[HugePilchard]

There's plenty of cleaning jobs going around!

There are, and there's plenty of people going for them, too. Just because a job's advertised, it doesn't follow that you're going to get it if you apply! My other half was turned down for a cleaning job, because the successful applicant had an NVQ in cleaning.

What you must remember - and ive said this to a few mates while they have been out of work - is that you treat being unemployed

Couldn't agree more. The first thing I did when I lost my job was bought a load of furniture (and, most importantly, a kettle) and refitted the spare room; it then became a place I could work from rather than sitting with my laptop on the sofa and finding distractions in the living room. Routine really was everything - funnily enough, one of the things that helped me most was buying some of those socks with the days of the week on, as it meant that I'd start every morning knowing what day it was!

I spent months applying for stuff. Not experienced enough for some things, too experienced for others. Even minimum wage jobs are asking for vast amounts of experience these days. When I got rejected by KFC, that was a real kick in the teeth. I seemed to be getting plenty of interviews though, but sadly none of them turned into job offers - each time, I got something back mentioning phrases like "very strong set of candidates", "offered the job to someone we feel better suits the needs of the business" and what have you - nothing that I could actually read and take as useful feedback as to why I was failing to get job offers.

And then, a couple of weeks ago, my phone rang. It was an agency, and they'd seen my CV; they described the job to me, and it was like nothing I've done before in my life. However, they seemed to think I'd be alright, and put me forward for interview. I interviewed for it last Tuesday, and later that day got offered the post! Now, it's only a three month contract, but there's a good chance of it being renewed and I might be OK for the next few years if I play my cards right. I've not got a firm start date yet, but it does rather look like next week might be my last week of unemployment. And you know what? I'm not going to lock myself in the spare room for once; I think on at least one of the days, I'll go to the pub.

 

[142094]

Just finished my BSc in July, and going on to an MSc next month. Main reason being that the MSc course is more suited to what I want to do after university and also trying to find a job at the minute is very hard.

This summer I sent an email to a company to see what they could do. This resulted in a placement and now I am working there until I start the MSc. I was also lucky to have a placement in 2009 and worked the summers of 2006-08 to pay for university.

 

[RyanB]

Often when it comes to work it's not what you know but rather who you know. If you have someone who can put in a good word for you then things become a lot easier. Experience is hard to come by, for bar work, try looking at getting a job on a bar at a music festival, for retail best time to try to get a job there is at Christmas.

I'm incredibly fortunate in that I managed to get work in IT with a major supermarket bank this summer, and after my first year of uni turned into an exam disaster I'm now being considered for an internal vacancy on another team due to my experience and that I won't need to be paid too much.

The job market is saturated and as a result it's difficult to get a job. Hopefully within a few years the economy will begin to pick up again.

To all those seeking employment at the moment, I wish you the best of luck, here is hoping you get a job!

 

[Lampshade]

I had an interview on Friday, they got back to me this morning - I came second (out of six), effectively