desperate - need some help please re work

markelock

you need someone else to look over your CV.

just my opinion.

Oldernotwiser

courtney_jacks wrote: »

I only said that I was performing well at interviews because that's what the recruiters always tell me before they reject me, I am most certainly not an arrogant person, I'm just aware that I perform to my best and that I've had a lot of positive feedback from them.

I have been doing work experience all over the place since graduating, schools, the BBC, and been trying to save up money to fund some kind of home learning course. Thank you for your help

I didn't mean to suggest that you were being arrogant, just that your interview technique could perhaps be improved as you're getting interviews but not jobs.

As far as voluntary work goes, I didn't mean the odd week or two here and there, more of a commited couple of days a week over a long period, in something like the office of a charity or local organisation (as these are the sort of jobs you're going for). This will give you time to prove your worth and could lead to your being offered paid work. Any organisation looks to its volunteers first when they come to recruit.

Again, good luck.

london0207

I think you'll struggle in the current market, a 2.2 is low pass and there are lots of people with 1's and 2.1's looking for jobs.

GrammarGirl

london0207 wrote: »

I think you'll struggle in the current market, a 2.2 is low pass and there are lots of people with 1's and 2.1's looking for jobs.

So the OP will go on forever without a job, just because they have a 2:2? Not very helpful...

Volunteer work is a great idea, and we've discussed work experience. I don't think journalism is an unrealistic goal - it's really not the glamorous career people think it is. It's just a job, like any other.

Oldernotwiser

GrammarGirl wrote: »

So the OP will go on forever without a job, just because they have a 2:2? Not very helpful...

Volunteer work is a great idea, and we've discussed work experience. I don't think journalism is an unrealistic goal - it's really not the glamorous career people think it is. It's just a job, like any other.

But you're competing with people with journalism degrees, post graduate journalism qualifications, better degree classifications and people who've spent 3 years working on their student newspaper; none of which applies to the OP.

3plus1

courtney_jacks wrote: »

all the radio stations, heart, galaxy, kerrang, brmb,
beacon, have all turned me down for both paid and voluntary work.

Have you had any replies/feedback? If you can't get paid/voluntary work in your chosen sector, any kind of work would be useful at this stage as presumably your CV is getting more and more out of date with a big gap where you've been out of work. Charity shops are always looking for more volunteers to help them sort stock and ring up sales - it might not be relevant, but it's something. And you'll get 'transferrable skills' out of it.

courtney_jacks wrote: »

2 marks
off a 2.1 isnt something u can say on an application form online

Irrelevant. I don't mean to be harsh, but the sooner you stop regretting that 2:1, the better. I have a friend who was 0.1% percent off a 2:1 and who got a 2:2. It was incredibly hard for her to let go, but you need to. Unless you had horrible mitigating circumstances (bereavement, serious illness, etc), an employer is going to see the 2:2.

courtney_jacks wrote: »

the people who have reviewed my cv are about three of the agencies im on,
reed, katie bard and bell cornwall associates, as well as my aunt who is a
teacher and has a friend who works at connexions.

Have you asked a friend to look at your CV who has actually landed a graduate job? They would probably have a better idea of what an employer is looking for.

courtney_jacks wrote: »

yes, dont feel at all bothered to say that
my degree is USELESS because i kno it is! i wish i knew then what i know
now but hey, thats life right?? sucks but im totally realistic about it,
hindsight's killing me at the moment tho!

A 2:1 would have opened more doors, but with a 2:2, there are still graduate schemes open to you. Try not to let it get to you, and make the most of what you've got.

courtney_jacks wrote: »

with the russian and french, its surprising how the HM revenue and certain
other companies dont want these languages, well, from my brief experience
of applying anyway. the main languages were german, japanese, punjabi
and spanish

I can relate to that. I did languages at uni and am in a totally unrelated job now. Out of my graduating year, I only know about 3 people who ended up in jobs where their language skills are necessary!

courtney_jacks wrote: »

iv always been in work since i was 16 and so im not shy of hard work!

What sort of work? Would your old employer(s) take you back on?

GrammarGirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But you're competing with people with journalism degrees, post graduate journalism qualifications, better degree classifications and people who've spent 3 years working on their student newspaper; none of which applies to the OP.

... I do agree with you. You're right, the competition is tough, it's a difficult industry to break into and you have to be completely dedicated to the cause to succeed. But I still think if you have the talent and the passion, you'd break through.

That's why blogs, short stories, work experience and any form of writing that people will actually SEE is so important. You might just get spotted!

Maybe I'm just being too optimistic? I'm drawing on my own experiences I guess.

chika

Hi Courtney,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but what do you actually want to do? I see you've mentioned being a teacher and a journalist. I've been a journalist and I'm training to be a teacher at the moment, its not impossible.

Re teaching, applying for a cover supervisors post is a good idea, it will give you vital school experience and you will meet school that may be prepared to take you on for the gtp. Otherwise there are a few ITT providers that will take PGCE candidate with a 2.2. I've just done a quick search on GTTR and here is a list of places that take people with 2.2 degrees
here

It might be worth giving the universities a ring and asking to speak to the people in charge of the course and explaining your situation. School experience is vital and if you're keen it goes a lot further than having paper qualifications. I got onto my course ith no experience simply because I was persistant and badgered the course leader. Being a mature student may alsi give you extra points!

Good luck with everything.

non_believer_2

courtney_jacks wrote: »

thank u non believer its so easy to feel like its personal, i did the first dozen rejections, but a million rejections later im kinda hard skinned to it! i dont mind, and i totally understand the situation that the employers are in, and ive had so many people telling me that theyre looking for people without much education and so many people have said that i wont stay in the job, like an admin assistant coz its just a stop gap job but how do i say dont be stupid no i wont!?!?!?! so frustrating. but i know im in the same boat as so many people out there

I know what you mean about employers suggesting you won't hang around in an admin job, I got that same reaction from many employers myself. I was thinking about your situation some more and I would suggest that you try and focus some attention on the charities/voluntary sector. I know this sounds strange in the current economic climate, but many charities and voluntary sector organisations are funded on e.g. a three year basis, so many organisations will now have guaranteed funding for the next couple of years and so be in a position to recruit if required. These types of organisations tend to be more aware of the skills graduates (and particularly arts/social science) graduates can bring to an admin role, largely, I think, because in these types of organisations admin workers tend to be a bit more valued and are expected to carry out a higher level/different type of work than, for example a sales company.

Also if you can relate your theoretical knowledge from uni in any way to the type of work they do, you will become a more attractive candidate. There is a good voluntary sector publication which features job ads as well as a voluntary sector jobs website here in Scotland. Unfortunately I don't know if there is an English equivalent, but it would be worth looking into.

Oldernotwiser

non_believer wrote: »

I know what you mean about employers suggesting you won't hang around in an admin job, I got that same reaction from many employers myself. I was thinking about your situation some more and I would suggest that you try and focus some attention on the charities/voluntary sector. I know this sounds strange in the current economic climate, but many charities and voluntary sector organisations are funded on e.g. a three year basis, so many organisations will now have guaranteed funding for the next couple of years and so be in a position to recruit if required. These types of organisations tend to be more aware of the skills graduates (and particularly arts/social science) graduates can bring to an admin role, largely, I think, because in these types of organisations admin workers tend to be a bit more valued and are expected to carry out a higher level/different type of work than, for example a sales company.

Also if you can relate your theoretical knowledge from uni in any way to the type of work they do, you will become a more attractive candidate. There is a good voluntary sector publication which features job ads as well as a voluntary sector jobs website here in Scotland. Unfortunately I don't know if there is an English equivalent, but it would be worth looking into.

Without wanting to be negative again, the OP needs to be aware that charities and the voluntary sector can be the most competitive areas to get into. I think you need to cast your net as widely as possible in a difficult economic climate, both in types of employment and also geographically.