Graduate desperately searching for a job

barbara_anne

Also, if you are going into interviews with the attitude that you 'got 12 websites up and running in 3 months' and your prospective employers 'only did 10 in a year' then I'm not surprised you are not getting jobs. Looking down on people/businesses who are interviewing you will get you nowhere. Neither will being arrogant.

Anyway, I would say when it comes to designing websites, it is quality and not quantity that is important! I think you need to get a job of any sort just to ride out the recession and then when the economy improves, follow your dream then!

myothercarisaferrari

why do some graduates think they are above everyone?

Girl in my office with a degree in summit or other and she i on the same as me, does exactly the same job, same job title etc. However as she has this degree she seems to think I am inferior to her and she will be CEO before year end :rolleyes:

Xeorix

barbara_anne wrote: »

I think you are being very fussy. Very fussy indeed, and slightly snobby when you refer to your friends handing out 'food on a business park' you really need to remember that we are in a recession here. I think you need to get a job of any sort, and be realistic about what you can earn. Outside of work, continue to work on your own projects, see if you can get some work commissioned. A degree won't allow you to walk into a job these days. As for student loan repayments, I paid approximately £50 a month off my student loan when I was earning £16,000

Why is it everyone on these forums seem to think that students are lazy, cba to work etc etc.

For a start. "food on a business park" was to show what type of jobs JSA appear to be dishing out to get people off JSA instead of helping find a job thats relevant. I know were in a recession, but going to University, getting a degree etc and then ending up with a job like that. I know people who don't have any GCSE's with a better job than that..

As for quality over quantity, I have been told on several occasions from various web companies that my work is at a high standard and is very creative, so snobby is the last thing I am. It just shows that I am able to work to deadlines and am a hard worker. I do have a part time job which is just helping me run my car, however they cannot give me more hours and when I do get them they don't pay me so I always end up chasing them for a month or two until I do get paid.

As for "being above everyone else" thats far from it. A degree counts for something a) when your applying for a job and b) when you want to advance in a job. My friend who left school at 18 without a degree and low A-Levels has a very well paid job however he cannot advance any further without a degree.
We don't think were above everyone else, however I don't think it helps with the sort of impression you are given whilst at school. The way Universities make it appear is, you get a degree and you can go into a high paid job etc, when this is not the case.
We were constantly told at University that 95% of their students get a job with a well known company on a starting salary of at least 18k etc etc. To anyone, that sounds appealing, however this is not reality and they just haze you. My Universities alumni network, I know a lot of people who just graduated at the same Uni as me all with various degrees. From what I know, how many of them have a job revelant to their degree or what they want to do?
Three of them. Three out of about 150

Jomo

GregHesp wrote: »

Why is it everyone on these forums seem to think that students are lazy, cba to work etc etc.

For a start. "food on a business park" was to show what type of jobs JSA appear to be dishing out to get people off JSA instead of helping find a job thats relevant. I know were in a recession, but going to University, getting a degree etc and then ending up with a job like that. I know people who don't have any GCSE's with a better job than that..

As for quality over quantity, I have been told on several occasions from various web companies that my work is at a high standard and is very creative, so snobby is the last thing I am. It just shows that I am able to work to deadlines and am a hard worker. I do have a part time job which is just helping me run my car, however they cannot give me more hours and when I do get them they don't pay me so I always end up chasing them for a month or two until I do get paid.

As for "being above everyone else" thats far from it. A degree counts for something a) when your applying for a job and b) when you want to advance in a job. My friend who left school at 18 without a degree and low A-Levels has a very well paid job however he cannot advance any further without a degree.
We don't think were above everyone else, however I don't think it helps with the sort of impression you are given whilst at school. The way Universities make it appear is, you get a degree and you can go into a high paid job etc, when this is not the case.
We were constantly told at University that 95% of their students get a job with a well known company on a starting salary of at least 18k etc etc. To anyone, that sounds appealing, however this is not reality and they just haze you. My Universities alumni network, I know a lot of people who just graduated at the same Uni as me all with various degrees. From what I know, how many of them have a job revelant to their degree or what they want to do?
Three of them. Three out of about 150

Isn't that telling you something then?

I always think it is better to be in a job and looking for work than out of a job and looking for work.

Why not try self employment, advertise your services (if you are that good)

GrammarGirl

Was your IT degree technology-based or design-based? My OH is a web designer and I work in an advertising and design agency so I have quite a bit of knowledge of this area of work.

When it comes to web design, employers are looking for people with an eye for design rather than advanced technological skills. Anyone can learn how to code a website (obviously some have a talent for it, but it's a factual process that can be followed) but you need an eye for design. A design degree, in this case, would be more appealing to an employer when looking to recruit a web designer. Especially at junior level - employers are quite willing to teach someone how to build the back end of a site.

Another skill employers are really looking for is an understanding of SEO. More and more clients are cottoning on to the benefits of SEO and employers want people who understand how it works and how to implement it.

Are your skills up to date? Do you know how to use the most recent versions of Action Script and Flash? Does your coding always validate to accepted standards? Are you involved in social media (Facebook, Twitter)? This is all the kind of stuff you should know inside out.

Finally, think about building a portfolio. This will be where you're falling down. You say you have the skills, but how can you prove it? Contact small charities and local businesses, ask them if they want a free website, or a makeover, or some banner ads creating. Join the iPhone Application Development Team. Create an app for Facebook. Start a YouTube channel and bookmark interesting videos and make your own. You must be proactive because this is such a competitive field and obviously you're not quite hitting the mark.

I hope I don't come across as unkind. I just want to make it clear that there are loads of things you can do to make yourself more attractive to an employer, and you NEED to do these things, otherwise you'll always come up short. I completely understand how hard it is to get on in this field (took OH a good while to find his job, he wants to move on now and is still finding it tough, even with experience and all the stuff mentioned above) but you must take things into your own hands and go for it 100%.

Good luck!

GrammarGirl

Just to add as well, a degree doesn't and won't equal instant wealth and a brilliant job you love and want to do forever. I'm pretty sure university statistics are based on people who've worked their way up over the course of a few years. It's very rare to walk into your chosen career straight from uni. Having a degree means you'll earn more and be able to get to higher positions in the future, but not necessarily right this second. People work hard to carve out careers for themselves. For example, I graduated two years ago and am about a fifth of the way up that well-known ladder. And I think I've done amazingly well, if I do say so myself. Look for a job, any job, and once you've got money coming in and you're feeling more secure you can really start to hunt for your career move.

barbara_anne

GregHesp wrote: »

Why is it everyone on these forums seem to think that students are lazy, cba to work etc etc.

For a start. "food on a business park" was to show what type of jobs JSA appear to be dishing out to get people off JSA instead of helping find a job thats relevant. I know were in a recession, but going to University, getting a degree etc and then ending up with a job like that. I know people who don't have any GCSE's with a better job than that..

As for quality over quantity, I have been told on several occasions from various web companies that my work is at a high standard and is very creative, so snobby is the last thing I am. It just shows that I am able to work to deadlines and am a hard worker. I do have a part time job which is just helping me run my car, however they cannot give me more hours and when I do get them they don't pay me so I always end up chasing them for a month or two until I do get paid.

As for "being above everyone else" thats far from it. A degree counts for something a) when your applying for a job and b) when you want to advance in a job. My friend who left school at 18 without a degree and low A-Levels has a very well paid job however he cannot advance any further without a degree.
We don't think were above everyone else, however I don't think it helps with the sort of impression you are given whilst at school. The way Universities make it appear is, you get a degree and you can go into a high paid job etc, when this is not the case.
We were constantly told at University that 95% of their students get a job with a well known company on a starting salary of at least 18k etc etc. To anyone, that sounds appealing, however this is not reality and they just haze you. My Universities alumni network, I know a lot of people who just graduated at the same Uni as me all with various degrees. From what I know, how many of them have a job revelant to their degree or what they want to do?
Three of them. Three out of about 150

I have just spent 3 years doing a degree myself, I have just graduated! I'm now off to do a PGCE. I am not saying students are lazy, where did that come from? I think you just need to be realistic due to the current climate. I worked in a call centre up until last week - crappy job but you gotta do what you gotta do to get by.

The fact that 3 out of 150 graduates you know have jobs relevant to their degree just shows how degrees are worth a lot less now than they were. It's more than just having a degree, it's about nous, attitude, common sense and the willingness to muck in and do tasks that are 'below you'. Realistically, the Masters is the new first degree in terms of getting you anywhere. Maybe you should use your savings towards further study instead of frittering it away?

Xeorix

barbara_anne wrote: »

I have just spent 3 years doing a degree myself, I have just graduated! I'm now off to do a PGCE. I am not saying students are lazy, where did that come from? I think you just need to be realistic due to the current climate. I worked in a call centre up until last week - crappy job but you gotta do what you gotta do to get by.

The fact that 3 out of 150 graduates you know have jobs relevant to their degree just shows how degrees are worth a lot less now than they were. It's more than just having a degree, it's about nous, attitude, common sense and the willingness to muck in and do tasks that are 'below you'. Realistically, the Masters is the new first degree in terms of getting you anywhere. Maybe you should use your savings towards further study instead of frittering it away?

It just seems to be the attitude reponse from a lot of members on here. Im working part-time in my local supermarket but it is only just helping me get by.

I would do a MA but I don't think I have it in be to do one right now. I mean, I decided to get a degree so it would help me get a better job. That appears to be what everyone had thought and now everyone has got one and is in the same position. So far I can't even get a job.
Now everyone can't get a job, goes for a MA, gets it and everyone is in the same position again where a MA isn't worth a lot.

I can't justify spending that amount of money on something that might not help me in the future, i've already spent £21k at University and it hasn't helped me as of yet (1yr's worth of job hunting)

Jomo

Advertise your services, go self employed!!

Xeorix

GrammarGirl wrote: »

Was your IT degree technology-based or design-based? My OH is a web designer and I work in an advertising and design agency so I have quite a bit of knowledge of this area of work.

When it comes to web design, employers are looking for people with an eye for design rather than advanced technological skills. Anyone can learn how to code a website (obviously some have a talent for it, but it's a factual process that can be followed) but you need an eye for design. A design degree, in this case, would be more appealing to an employer when looking to recruit a web designer. Especially at junior level - employers are quite willing to teach someone how to build the back end of a site.

Another skill employers are really looking for is an understanding of SEO. More and more clients are cottoning on to the benefits of SEO and employers want people who understand how it works and how to implement it.

Are your skills up to date? Do you know how to use the most recent versions of Action Script and Flash? Does your coding always validate to accepted standards? Are you involved in social media (Facebook, Twitter)? This is all the kind of stuff you should know inside out.

Finally, think about building a portfolio. This will be where you're falling down. You say you have the skills, but how can you prove it? Contact small charities and local businesses, ask them if they want a free website, or a makeover, or some banner ads creating. Join the iPhone Application Development Team. Create an app for Facebook. Start a YouTube channel and bookmark interesting videos and make your own. You must be proactive because this is such a competitive field and obviously you're not quite hitting the mark.

I hope I don't come across as unkind. I just want to make it clear that there are loads of things you can do to make yourself more attractive to an employer, and you NEED to do these things, otherwise you'll always come up short. I completely understand how hard it is to get on in this field (took OH a good while to find his job, he wants to move on now and is still finding it tough, even with experience and all the stuff mentioned above) but you must take things into your own hands and go for it 100%.

Good luck!

My degree was in Digital Media Technology, so it was mainly the technology behind things and from my degree one of my main strength is web design and development.
University helped me with the development process, however I have always had a creative eye.

One of the websites I have done is this one:


Whilst it has had a few changes, it shows what I am capable of in the design side of things.

I have also designed and made iPod Themes such as this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjXz41gE_lM

I do already have a portfolio which is my personal website. I am also up to date with a lot of the technologies and frequently use sites such as YouTube, Facebook etc.

Developing a Facebook application is something I could look into though as its something a little different and might make me stand out from the crowd a bit