My Sad Situation - Help :)

epsilondraconis

I agree with Oldernotwiser et al. It's essential to tailor your CV to the postion for which you're applying. When I've received lots of CV's for our fairly unique and specific technical roles, I'm not looking at whether someone received a first class honours, I'm looking for experience in the field where possible and for the applicant to get me interested in who they are and what they have to offer.

Ensure you get others to proof read your CV and covering letters before sending them out. Also try to identify say 3 - 5 key points that you want the prospective employer to take on board (ideally points that are specific to the job / organisation). Ensure that when they are scanning the covering letter / CV these key points are prominent.

If there is a specific company you would like to work for, perhaps you could contact them and say that you will be willing to spend say 1 week with them unpaid to let them see your potential.

When applying for jobs try putting yourself in the role of the person that will review these CVs and covering letters and try to think what they would be looking for. If you were them, what would make you sit up and take notice?

Good luck.

P.S. I also got a first class honours; however I don't think that made a blind bit of difference to me in my working life. Its all about application.

Bismarck

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you have a small number of CVs, each aimed at the different employment areas you're applying for, it only takes a few minutes to "tweak" each one to target it at a specific job. Sending out identical CVs across the board is a total waste of time and postage.

and it's a killer for your morale.....

I'd rather send out 20 specific applications in a week with a higher chance of success than 100 "one CV fits all" applications that don't tick the employers boxes, as shown on the job spec.

Francesanne

My friend has just completed the course and she enjoyed doing it. She's 54 and had worked for the same company for 20 years before being made redundant a few months back . She's working her butt off looking for a job and is finding it so hard. Her age doesn't help matters. Good luck to everyone out there looking for work. Really wish everyone all the very best.

Bobby1985

Thanks for all your replies. It’s good to know that there are people out there in the same situation as me, sucks huh?

I’ve been applying mainly for office based roles because I have got some experience in that field. I have sent CV’s and Cover letters mainly by Email which seems to be somewhat of a mistake because you never really get a reply, very frustrating.

I have two CV’s. One specifically outlining the skills and achievements at University and the other for my experience and the skills I have learnt in my working history. Both are about two sides of A4.

I actually applied for the PGCE and was offered an Interview. I didn’t attended because I realised I had only applied to become a teacher out of desperation and it’s not really a career I want to choose, not with extensive experience first.

I’m now thinking that my Geography degree is completely useless. There are very little specific jobs that require a degree in Geography, and the jobs that are out there require a master degree which i simply cannot afford.

I’ve also joined with numerous agencies but they are sending me no employment. They say that the books are full of better candidates for the jobs advertised, which I imagine is true because of the current unemployment situation.

epsilondraconis

If you have uploaded your CV on internet based job sites (monster etc), ensure you modify your CV slightly each week and upload it again. CVs that have been on these job sites for too long are no longer searched (largely because people think they have found employment).

Try not to get too down about your situation.

jessicamb

Lamby1985 wrote: »

I’ve also joined with numerous agencies but they are sending me no employment. They say that the books are full of better candidates for the jobs advertised, which I imagine is true because of the current unemployment situation.

Have they given you any ideas about where you might be lacking skills? If you could get an idea on that then maybe you could seek to get some experience in that area - say if they wanted evidence of strong organisational skills you could do some event organising for a local group. If they think you lack work experience maybe you could take any job just to get something on your cv and build up some experience.

It might seem harsh but if there are better candidates then you will have try and somehow become a better candidate yourself to beat the competition. That or change your job expectations do include other areas - are there any jobs in care homes, call centres or supermarkets? From an entry level job you could then work your way up to more senior roles or internally apply for other jobs as they come up. Its just my view but I firmly believe that good companies will do their upmost to keep and develop their very best employees as they are one of the best assets a business can have.

mintymoneysaver

Lamby1985 wrote: »

I actually applied for the PGCE and was offered an Interview. I didn’t attended because I realised I had only applied to become a teacher out of desperation and it’s not really a career I want to choose, not with extensive experience first.

.

I'm so glad to hear that...I really hate it when people fall into teaching because they see it as the only option available to them and then change their mind once they realise it's not actually what they want to do! Good luck in your job search!
( from a teacher!)

Bobby1985

I dont think there is any specific area where I have very little expereince. I just think that there are better candidates out there. People who have been in the industry for 10 years + and now being made redundant.

I now face the challenge of competing with graduates of this year who will start applying for jobs now.

onlyforboards_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

The people to whom this advice has been addressed are unemployed, so time shouldn't be an issue. I also doubt that many people have made hundreds of applications just to supermarkets!

If you have a small number of CVs, each aimed at the different employment areas you're applying for, it only takes a few minutes to "tweak" each one to target it at a specific job. Sending out identical CVs across the board is a total waste of time and postage.

Er people are spending all their days looking for and filling applications, time is an issue!
You clearly do not realise what the situation is for many people in certain parts of the country at the moment and they certainly are racking up towards hundreds of applications to supermarket type employers with exactly the same job spec.

Bismarck

Here's my take on it:

You have a fantastic degree result that will open more doors than you let yourself believe. A First is still a first and there aren't that many people who have got one. You're understandbly fed up and I think sending the same CV out time and again gets to you...it's even worse when you get the interview and you're bored of yourself and your CV cos you've seen it so many times!

Can I suggest a field to work on and that you use your time as a balance of applying and re-skilling if it's needed.

If I wasn't working I'd be looking to make myself bombproof by picking some transferable skills and being the absolute bees knees at it...the confidence form having that fire-power will kick in when you apply for jobs and get interviews.

I've got interviews where I said I've made myself good at stuff and that can make all the difference. Getign the interview and sitting there saying you've self-taught yourself "XYZ" in your "spare" time is going to sound pretty good...and it does wonders for your confidence to keep the ball rolling.

I can't emphasise enough the need to keep each application as fresh as you can, as though that application is all that matters to you when you send it and give it your all until you send the letter/email. If you tick all the employers boxes on a regular enough basis, you'll get the rewards you deserve.

Then move on to the next one. Remember, none of this is personal - your degree has a hell of a lot of positives going for it.

Good luck!