Any unemployed Grads here?

sashybo

I graduated in 2006 with a 2:1 in English Literature and have been working in retail since then. To be honest I have just drifted along as I still don't really know what I want to do with myself.

I sympathise with everyone struggling to get a job but I think having a clear idea of what you want to do would be helpful. I've recently really started to look for better jobs again and know that I really need to push myself more to get anywhere.

Having a degree isn't really much of a bonus now so having any job is better than nothing in my opinion.

martyp

Sharon87 wrote: »

I have been trying to get Runner posts! Although I don't want to go into post production, which last year had many advertised jobs compared to office and production runners. I've got a non-career job at the minute, but there's a promising job working for a Channel 4 show that might just swing my way (my brother works at the same company ).

I hope you do better than I did, I worked on a peak time TV series on my sandwich year from Uni and part time during my final year but after finishing Uni I got told by the producer he wouldn't offer me a job. I tried to get back into it afterwards but it was so hard I gave up. TV work is really great, I had a lot of time and flexibility to dedicate to it when I did it.
My job was really as a runner/field assistant and although credited in the first series, I wasn't in two other programmes I worked on.
I got in through doing two weeks work experience at the BBC and made contacts through there. Sounds like you've got it sorted if you're brother's already there though.

martyp

sashybo wrote: »

Having a degree isn't really much of a bonus now so having any job is better than nothing in my opinion.

I ended up working in a very different area (IT) to what I got my degree in (Environmental Science), purely because of such huge demand for the so few jobs in the latter area of work. I've been out of work since August (graduated in 2000) and finding it difficult getting work in either area, one I don't have qualifications in, the other I don't have experience in. Funny thing is my Uni is trying to contact me to ask for voluntary contributions or something! I guess they're thinking I'm a successful high paid manager now or something (still got £200 student loan to pay off).

Sharon87

martyp wrote: »

I hope you do better than I did, I worked on a peak time TV series on my sandwich year from Uni and part time during my final year but after finishing Uni I got told by the producer he wouldn't offer me a job. I tried to get back into it afterwards but it was so hard I gave up. TV work is really great, I had a lot of time and flexibility to dedicate to it when I did it.
My job was really as a runner/field assistant and although credited in the first series, I wasn't in two other programmes I worked on.
I got in through doing two weeks work experience at the BBC and made contacts through there. Sounds like you've got it sorted if you're brother's already there though.

I know and thanks to him I got an interview at the same company he's working at Although it's working on a different production. I'm so happy I haven't even started the job at the cinema yet that I was offered! Although this job I'm being interviewed may not start for a while, so I can start work at the cinema, leave, then go to a TV job.

The contract is 8 weeks for, so even though it's not that long, it's still worth it.

If I get the job do you think it's worth quitting the job at Vue or try to reduce my hours to my contract length (8 measly hours). Do you think that classes as mucking them around I may just turn around and sing 'I Quit' by Hepburn lol.

Sazzyukrafc

I left uni two and half years ago and walked straight into a job, I had a two week holiday and started the following Monday. This was a PR job and my degree was in Journalism.

My advice for a graduate or student is to apply for jobs before you finish university. Don't just apply for jobs, send your CV to companies that appeal to you. My first job wasn't advertised, I sent my CV and they decided they needed someone else.

If you can't find a job, do work experience to have on your CV, I had to do this to get into my university and also did some in the summer, and all my employers have loved this because it shows willing and interest.

Varying your interests...my degree is in Journalism, but I've worked at a football club as a media officer, PR agency, copywriter and proof reader, and now within an SEO role.

Sharon87

I agree in doing work experience whilst at uni if you can get it. The only problem is some people work at uni. I almost got more work experience with Granada but they phoned me at the exact wrong time! I was swamped with uni work and lectures! Talk about bad luck eh?

martyp

Sharon87 wrote: »

I know and thanks to him I got an interview at the same company he's working at Although it's working on a different production. I'm so happy I haven't even started the job at the cinema yet that I was offered! Although this job I'm being interviewed may not start for a while, so I can start work at the cinema, leave, then go to a TV job.

The contract is 8 weeks for, so even though it's not that long, it's still worth it.

If I get the job do you think it's worth quitting the job at Vue or try to reduce my hours to my contract length (8 measly hours). Do you think that classes as mucking them around I may just turn around and sing 'I Quit' by Hepburn lol.

Sounds like a good plan, as long as you can cope financially just in case. I think that was one drawback for me, when I was trying to get TV work I was on the breadline pretty much and had to pay rent so had to risk messing employers around doing temp jobs whilst all the time trying for the TV jobs. What I found difficult was one good TV company offered me 2 weeks unpaid work experience. If I had of left my temp job to do it I couldn't be sure that it'd lead to another TV job (wasn't really indicated that it would) and I couldn't be sure of returning to a temp job after the two weeks.
I reckon if the Vue would be willing to let you work the 8 hours that'd be great if you've got a nice boss. With any luck you'll make contacts in the TV job and move onto other productions. Uni made it difficult for me to get to make more contacts but my colleagues moved onto other productions.
I Quit? Haven't heard that song for yeeaars...!

martyp

Sharon87 wrote: »

I agree in doing work experience whilst at uni if you can get it. The only problem is some people work at uni. I almost got more work experience with Granada but they phoned me at the exact wrong time! I was swamped with uni work and lectures! Talk about bad luck eh?

The colleagues I worked with moved to Granada when it took over United News & Media which is who I worked for. One of them still works for them as far as I know but that's in Bristol not London though...