Any unemployed Grads here?

vixarooni

Im in the same boat. Finished my dissertation about 3 weeks ago so im a free woman! I work part time in retail but they have hardly any overtime hours to give me so during the week im doing nothing....literally.

I have signed up to the vinsipred website to do some volunteering. I think it will make my CV look a bit more appealing, and im trying to do work that relates to my degree. In the meantime im going to keep looking for jobs and writing to different companies. Worth a shot!

So im in a similar boat!

poddle911

Marcheline wrote: »

Hi OP, you've really just got to get your head down and keep at it. Apply for anything and everything. You should treat applying for a job as a job in itself i.e. do it from 9-5. I graduated Summer 06 and got a job within 2 weeks but I know the situation is so different now: my boyfriend graduated at the same time as you and he's only just secured himself a full time job a week ago, after applying for the past 6 months.

I would second the advice of others to get yourself some volunteering experience asap (either in the evenings or at the weekends) as it will look better on your CV.

I think this is really good advice, it's exactly what my dad told me.

I totally sympathise with you Snowqueen. I was made redundant before Christmas from my editor job and although I would ideally like a job in the same field, I've lowered my expectations and would be happy with a temp office job or even a shop job. I don't think other people realise quite how bad it is - i know some people think I'm just sitting around all day watching chat shows!

The only advice I have is to keep at it! explore every avenue - look in the local paper, friday ad, gumtree, ask friends and family, go into shops and offices, send speculative applications, make sure your CV is as good as it can be (have a different one for office and retail), get some experience if you can... I'm sure you're already doing all these things, but I reckon it helps to know that you're doing everything you can. Good luck!
:beer:

aurora_borealis_2

Have you all checked out the uni websites if you live close enough?

They advertise all sorts as academic posts. Look outside the box.

I've got a new History grad working as a data manager @ £25K - will be £35 in two years.

snowqueen555

Meh, my degree is in the humanities. got a 2:1, not that it matters. My degree isn't useful at all, and you can't tutor or do anything like that unless you are qualified above what you are teaching. I'd probalby need a masters degree, I couldn't teach college unless I did a long teaching course? ANywya, teaching isn't what I want to do!

Yes, just keep searching, the problem is that I am running out of money, I am not on jobseekers or anything like that, I thought that I'd find a job before my money runs out but I'm not sure now!

I'll tell you how it all goes! Currently trawling jobcentreplus website

reehsetin

Im in a similar position, except i stayed in retail, just keep applying anything and everything and hoping something will turn up!

snowqueen555

Meh, am applying for anything now. But no offense, if I start doing the minimum wage jobs, won't that look bad on my cv?

starsinmycrown

I don't know. Even leaving my degree off won't help entirely as i have quite good gcse and A-level qualifications! Well, if you can apply for min wage jobs as something working with people, I think its all for the better. I mean my last job was like, 50% wiping bums, but at least i could say i did it cos i loved working with people with learning disabilities. But if you do data entry.. well who looks as though they're doing it for the love of the data! You can put a positive spin on most things on a CV though, no matter what. I was a dishwasher/waitress once. If i'm asked, I say i'm not proud and i'm not afraid of hard work, and i don't think menial tasks that need doing are above me as a graduate. Although sometimes I feel like pacino in Scarface when i get asked: "Don't be callin' me no f**** dishwasher, or i'll kick your monkey !!!! I ain't no dishwasher!" :@)

I'm looking at volunteering too, so i can get some recent experience too. why not?

angel00079

snowqueen555 wrote: »

Meh, am applying for anything now. But no offense, if I start doing the minimum wage jobs, won't that look bad on my cv?

I thought that at first. I am job hunting at the moment. I have got a few months left of uni. I was debating whether to look for a part-time job or wait a few months and look for a full-time job. I am working full-time at the moment. I was due to leave in April but given the current situation they are letting me go early. I suppose it will give me some extra time to work on my final year project.

I have come to the conclusion that out of context it probably would look bad on a CV to have NMW jobs but given the current situation. I think it shows that you are not above yourself and that you are a grafter.

musclesza

snowqueen555 wrote: »

Meh, am applying for anything now. But no offense, if I start doing the minimum wage jobs, won't that look bad on my cv?

It wont look as bad as not having anything - take what you can its not going to get better overnight

CHARDONNAY_3

My apologies if this comes across wrong - but there are alot of graduates who think that by having a degree they have 'earned' the right to skip the bottom rung of the career ladder but it couldn't be further from the truth.

I have a couple of family members who are involved in recruiting professional level staff and most agree that they would not employ new graduates as they lack 'soft' skills and experience and tend to be of the attitude that they are just doing this job til something better comes along.

I think there needs to be a switch in attitude in this country when it comes to higher education - kids shouldn't be pushed in to it at 18 (anyone with remotely average grades was pointed in this direction at my school)

Out of the school mates I still stay in contact with, the ones who are happier in their jobs and earn more money didn't even go to uni while the ones who did go are unemployed, working in the customer service sector, or they did PGCE'S and became teachers (guess it's true what they say that those who can't, teach!)