Summer looming...graduated...no work...no money...

Fire_Fox

Torby wrote: »

Uni careers depts don't offer advice on what to do if you don't walk straight into a job...how do you get what benefits you may be entitled to...where to turn for help...and possibly more important...how to "dumb down" your CV so you don't get rejected because you're over qualified....

Any student who thinks they can walk into a graduate position is either a super-articulate high achiever or living in cloud cuckoo land. I have two degree level qualifications from my mid twenties, and have never failed to get a job. The word that is frequently used to describe me is 'enthusiastic' - I approach every interview with this attitude and have never needed to dumb down my CV.

I can think of three people who were told they were over-qualified for roles; all were interviewed for more senior positions. Being told you are over-qualified without being offered a more challenging role means you have come across a little too much like the job is beneath you, like it's a stop-gap. It's not the CV that needs dumbing-down, it's the applicant who needs interview practise.

MrsManda

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Any student who thinks they can walk into a graduate position is either a super-articulate high achiever It's not the CV that needs dumbing-down, it's the applicant who needs interview practise.

I have known people to walk into graduate positions, even without a great degree (2.2 rather than a 2.1/1st) but they have been people who threw themselves into university life - not the drinking and partying so much as organising events, charity fundraising, joining clubs and volunteering. They've also taken every opportunity to practise interivew and assessment centre technique - this is why careers services offer practise assessment centres and interviews to all students, so you can start practising from first year.
From jobs interviews I've had in the past and from speaking to HR people at recruitment fayres, one of the things they've always said is the importance of researching the job and the company before you go for your interview, tailor each application to the job/company and ask questions which are not easily answered by simply taking some time to look at the company website.

- I just hope that I remember all these tips when it comes to my apply for jobs after graduation

alipops1986

Fire_Fox wrote: »

How many people do you think usually get interviewed for one job?? In my experience it's one to two full days of interviewing.

Oh yea, the interviews in most cases are a full day, with some schools have a cull so to speak half way through. In other cases it's an entire day and then you have to wait upto two days for a decision! So, either way it's a lengthy process.

Kiyo

I wish I was finishing this summer. Then I would be eligible for job seekers and housing benefit. As it is I've been looking for work for summer and haven't had one positive response yet. I'm trying not to let it stress me out because I don't want it to interfere with my revision but I am starting to get worried. I'm currently looking at not being able to afford my rent or my bills I saw a couple of cafes that had job offers in the window to check out tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Stubert

Kiyo wrote: »

I wish I was finishing this summer. Then I would be eligible for job seekers and housing benefit. As it is I've been looking for work for summer and haven't had one positive response yet. I'm trying not to let it stress me out because I don't want it to interfere with my revision but I am starting to get worried. I'm currently looking at not being able to afford my rent or my bills I saw a couple of cafes that had job offers in the window to check out tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Not to discourage you, but I'm glad I'm finishing this year and don't have to find a summer job. Always struggled to find something in the past 3 summers, but always eventually managed to find something fairly well paid. So glad I don't have to find temp work in order to support myself.

I don't really want to go home but I know I'm going to have to and then take up the slow arduous process of looking for jobs that might not exist.

Fire_Fox

MrsManda wrote: »

I have known people to walk into graduate positions, even without a great degree (2.2 rather than a 2.1/1st) but they have been people who threw themselves into university life - not the drinking and partying so much as organising events, charity fundraising, joining clubs and volunteering. They've also taken every opportunity to practise interivew and assessment centre technique - this is why careers services offer practise assessment centres and interviews to all students, so you can start practising from first year.
From jobs interviews I've had in the past and from speaking to HR people at recruitment fayres, one of the things they've always said is the importance of researching the job and the company before you go for your interview, tailor each application to the job/company and ask questions which are not easily answered by simply taking some time to look at the company website.

- I just hope that I remember all these tips when it comes to my apply for jobs after graduation

See I wouldn't class that as "walking into a graduate postion". Sounds like a lot of time and effort has been put into gaining experience and honing interview skills! :cool:

I had a job (actually two) lined up when I relocated to Bradford for college - some peeople said I was lucky ... what's lucky about sending out thirty CVs and covering letters, following up each with a phone call or personal visit??

MrsManda

Fire_Fox wrote: »

See I wouldn't class that as "walking into a graduate postion". Sounds like a lot of time and effort has been put into gaining experience and honing interview skills! :cool:
I had a job (actually two) lined up when I relocated to Bradford for college - some peeople said I was lucky ... what's lucky about sending out thirty CVs and covering letters, following up each with a phone call or personal visit??

OK, but you know what meant... taking relevantly small steps throughout your degree should hopefully make the final terrifying 'argh I need to get a job' time, alot shorter and less stressful than suddenly realising you're about to stop being a student and although you've spent three years gaining a lot of knowledge about a particular subject, you actually know very little about how to communicate that information and sell yourself in a work place.