Trying to find work this summer - nightmare!

goaround

minerva_windsong wrote: »

How old are you? The hotel I worked in last summer was desperate for over 18s because all its waiting on staff quit when they were going to uni so they couldn't train them to work on the bar. Plus now you would be absolutely rolling in work (wedding season).

I have heard bad things about Office Angels, if there is a Reed or a Hays near you try there instead. And you have to harrass them constantly - literally, first thing every morning phone them and ask if anything's come in. Recruitment agencies have huuuuge books of candidates and unless you keep putting yourself at the forefront of their minds it is quite easy for them to forget about you.

Oh crap, really? they have been a bit iffy with me, I worked for them for a year before uni and they got me some decent jobs (a few sh*tty ones mind) but at least it was something. However at the moment I haven't from them in a fortnight. I kept calling them every day and they basically told me to stop calling and that they would contact me when they had something:rolleyes:.

Tell me your horror stories, i could do with cheering up.

Fire_Fox

McGuiver wrote: »

Hush your mouth, oldernotwiser! Once again, you demonstrate the meaning of your namesake by using words you do not know the meaning of. The remark made is certainly not racist; it is XENOPHOBIC. :mad: I believe you can use Google, so look it up :rotfl:

I'd suggest it's you that is in the wrong. Where is the 'fear' element in what was said? Ignorance/ prejudice, yes, but I don't read any fear in Naykon's ramblings.

McGuiver

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I'd suggest it's you that is in the wrong. Where is the 'fear' element in what was said? Ignorance/ prejudice, yes, but I don't read any fear in Naykon's ramblings.

Fire Fox, thank you for your comment, and for your challenge towards the correct classification of what the supposed offensive poster said. From an interpretivist perspective, even just a qualitative descriptive angle, can't you read the fear?

Let us take a closer look...

too many people not enough jobs...i think its about time we took a leaf out of Australia's book and closed our damn borders.

I graduated last summer.... Believe me there's very few jobs right now and it's EXTREME competition for graduates.

I've highlighted what I think is relevant to the definition of xenophobia based on the comment that was made. Now, does that not suggest fear, even hatred, towards foreigners. Essentially, there are just too many people, we must close our damn borders [because of all these foreigners, which are causing the problem of] extreme competition. It's xenophobia, Fire Fox, let us make no bones about it. Thanks for looking closely at it.

Take care now

McGuiver

Fire_Fox

McGuiver wrote: »

Fire Fox, thank you for your comment, and for your challenge towards the correct classification of what the supposed offensive poster said. From an interpretivist perspective, even just a qualitative descriptive angle, can't you read the fear?

Nope. Antidisestablishmentarianism? Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

fizzle2006

I finished up my 2nd year on 28th May and have been applying for jobs everyday since and still nothing! Have had a few interviews, contacted agencies that i'm registered with and NOTHING! It's really getting me down.

So glad I don't rent a flat, and instead live with my parents as i'd be out on the streets by now! I think its ridiculous that students aren't given any form of support over the Summer, especially when some people on jobseekers who have no intentions of finding work are supplemented

Dajoruna

common problem up and down the country - myself and my girlfriend are post graduate law students (my girlfriend has just finished the LPC, I have just finished the CPE) and neither of us have been successful in finding work. The local tescos had a number of posts but has filled them with people who at a guess are in their 40s+. I have no problem with that as at the end of the day it probably suits them to have people who are going to stick around AND in the current economic climate I have no issue with people with families/mortgages to pay getting a job ahead of students!
anyway back to the original point, it is a terrible temp market at the moment in my opinion. joined multiple agencies and they have all said the same - little work and 100s of cvs a week. I worked for a year in accounting/finance prior to returning to do a law conversion so I do have experience before someone raises that point
all in all difficult times for EVERYONE, i can only suggest you plod on and hope something comes up.

Fire_Fox

fizzle2006 wrote: »

I finished up my 2nd year on 28th May and have been applying for jobs everyday since and still nothing! Have had a few interviews, contacted agencies that i'm registered with and NOTHING! It's really getting me down.

So glad I don't rent a flat, and instead live with my parents as i'd be out on the streets by now! I think its ridiculous that students aren't given any form of support over the Summer, especially when some people on jobseekers who have no intentions of finding work are supplemented

It's fraud for someone to claim Jobseeker's Allowance with no intention of finding work - if you were willing to commit a similar offense you'd be able to claim JSA (and risk ruining your life with criminal record).

There are several reasons you can't be a full-time student and claim JSA: firstly you are not available to take on permanent work! Secondly most students do have the option of returning to the family home and often to a part-time role they have help in previous summers.

Thirdly the amount of money students are entitled to is VERY generous - £2800 grant/ support from wealthier parents, £3400 maintenance grant, exemption from council tax plus the option of earning up to £6470 per annum before any income tax is due AND without affecting other funding streams. Perhaps if student finance was spread out throughout the full year rather than the academic year it would be better but really, as adults, we should be capable of budgetting for leaner times.

goaround

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Thirdly the amount of money students are entitled to is VERY generous - £2800 grant/ support from wealthier parents, £3400 maintenance grant, exemption from council tax plus the option of earning up to £6470 per annum before any income tax is due AND without affecting other funding streams. Perhaps if student finance was spread out throughout the full year rather than the academic year it would be better but really, as adults, we should be capable of budgetting for leaner times.

I agree, when you look at it objectively, it is a lot of money. My problem is i cannot find a job. I REALLY want to work but I also really really need to work! I get 4 grand a year TOTAL from student loans etc, 3 grand goes on accom. Thats before bills, transport, etc etc. My parents simply cannot afford to supplement me at all. Its a difficult time for everyone, but I feel so frustrated because I am genuinely looking for work, eager to get a job and willing to do just about anything, but I just can't seem to get a break. I feel frustrated and really fed up. Sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring is miserable, and I have no money to even get the bus into town for a walk. Its not a fun time.

fizzle2006

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Thirdly the amount of money students are entitled to is VERY generous - £2800 grant/ support from wealthier parents, £3400 maintenance grant, exemption from council tax plus the option of earning up to £6470 per annum before any income tax is due AND without affecting other funding streams. Perhaps if student finance was spread out throughout the full year rather than the academic year it would be better but really, as adults, we should be capable of budgetting for leaner times.

Yes I agree it should be spread out over the year, but I rarely have much money left over to tide me over 4 months of Summer holidays without any income whatsoever.

As I am a law student my modules require me to purchase around 5/6 books each semester costing between £30-50 (and some of those prices are for second hand copies!), so that means about 12 books each academic year.

Then there is my travelling expenses of which only 1/3 is refunded by SAAS and unlike some with "wealthier parents", I don't have parents in a position to provide me with support financially. I am just glad they allow me to stay there, preventing me of the need to rent accommodation.

I feel the same as you goaround, i'm just so fed up of applying for jobs now and not even receiving recognition of my application/rejection of some sort. Feels like such a waste of time, but i'm trying to keep myself motivated by saying that I just have as much chance as anyone else I suppose. Its just very competitive right now, as most students are looking for work at this time

Fire_Fox

I do feel for the relatively few students who aren't entitled to a grant and their parents can't won't (there seem to be both types) help their children through university. I also feel for those who have been making every effort to find work and have not yet been successful.

There are always ways to make student life cheaper - you can make do with library books in some cases, buy second hand or share key texts with another student. Students are usually entitled to discounted public transport, something only kids and pensioners benefit from.

We all live to our means - if you had only JSA to live on and no parents to pay the utility bills you'd have to deal with it. Equally if you had £40K you'd probably have a mortgage and car to match. We all spend far more money on unnecessary stuff than we like to admit (even to ourselves!) - you may not remember but just fifteen years ago hardly anyone had a mobile phone. Bet you do ...