Graduate desperately searching for a job

KrazyKel

There are so many people in the same situation! I also graduated last year doing Interactive Media - Mainly Web Design and myself and a lot of others have struggled to find web jobs.
Im still applying for what i can, but also working part time (As i have done for the past 5 years and all through Uni) So at least i have some money coming in and adds to my CV too.
Also gives me spare time to design sites for friends/family and small business for free/cheap to build up my portfolio.

Ideally i would like to get a web job around where i live, but in a years time if im still struggling im going to move to london and try there!
Would prefer to get some more experience here first tho!

GrammarGirl

TheBex wrote: »

Oh and by the by, I massively regret going to uni and so does Mr Bex, who has a first class degree. It's career suicide.

How does that help any struggling graduate? For one thing, it's clearly not true as it is proven that graduates earn more than non-graduates. And for another, most people work really hard and are proud of their university achievements. Not everyone will walk straight into their chosen career, and in the current climate it's even harder. But that doesn't mean university was a waste of time or 'career suicide' at all. Anything you can do to better yourself and improve your skills, knowledge and experience is worthwhile.

PARIS_5000

minerva_windsong wrote: »

No offence, but if I were you I'd start looking now. It is my big regret that I didn't spend more of my final year job hunting, and I've seen a lot of people with that attitude who are now struggling - my boyfiriend graduated in July 2008 and is still in the temp job he went back to after uni, so you may be waiting longer than you think. If nothing else at least apply to the graduate schemes opening up in the autumn, depending what your predicted final degree classification is - a lot will ask for a 2:1 or higher but the Civil Service grad scheme opens on the 21st of September and only wants a 2:2.

Thank you for your advice I will start job hunting now.

TheBex

GrammarGirl wrote: »

How does that help any struggling graduate? For one thing, it's clearly not true as it is proven that graduates earn more than non-graduates. And for another, most people work really hard and are proud of their university achievements. Not everyone will walk straight into their chosen career, and in the current climate it's even harder. But that doesn't mean university was a waste of time or 'career suicide' at all. Anything you can do to better yourself and improve your skills, knowledge and experience is worthwhile.

It helps to know they aren't alone. If I had my time again I'd get my qualifications through the open university alongside a job.

You may be right though, it was career suicide for me because I left a good job to study and am now back in a very similar one. I suppose not every other graduate feels like that.

I would be proud of my degree if it had been difficult, but the truth is that engineering degrees are so "dumbed-down" that it's near worthless - and employers know that. For instance it is no longer possible to charter with a bachelor's degree and experience, because it's still not enough. My Dad (same subject) chartered with an HND and experience. I'd have a stronger skill set from 3 years taking two evening classes a week! :eek:

I appreciate that not being able to get into one's chosen career is a fact of life these days, but I am trained to do a specific job partly because of the opportunities in the industry. There is supposed to be a shortage of engineers and the average age for a railway engineer in this country is 54. However there have been very few entry level jobs advertised that weren't looking for some industry experience.

The job I just accepted is in analytical chemistry. I have a year and a half of experience in the industry, but not even a GCSE. :rolleyes:

toby3000

GrammarGirl wrote: »

How does that help any struggling graduate? For one thing, it's clearly not true as it is proven that graduates earn more than non-graduates.

I would actually like to know what this is based on... I have always assumed that the claims about graduate earnings are based on previous generations, when the number of graduates was much smaller and so was a more valuable thing.

Based on people I know, a degree hasn't really helped get a job. Five years after graduation, I'd struggle to thing of anyone from my school who is doing a job they couldn't have done with A-levels

Going to uni might be a great experience, and might improve you as a human being, but I would question it's value in the jobs market

Sorry to go off topic!

GrammarGirl

toby3000 wrote: »

I would actually like to know what this is based on... I have always assumed that the claims about graduate earnings are based on previous generations, when the number of graduates was much smaller and so was a more valuable thing.

Based on people I know, a degree hasn't really helped get a job. Five years after graduation, I'd struggle to thing of anyone from my school who is doing a job they couldn't have done with A-levels

Going to uni might be a great experience, and might improve you as a human being, but I would question it's value in the jobs market

Sorry to go off topic!

Lots of employers will immediately discount applications from non-graduates. Whether right or wrong, many have a preconceived idea about graduates being more qualified, more responsible and more able to do the job.

I do take your and The Bex's points - I'm quite one-sided in my opinion because I know my degree helped me get my job, I have no regrets about going to university and I am proud and happy with what I achieved. My OH thinks his degree was a waste of time, but that's more to do with the subject he chose rather than degrees in general.

I hope when the recession passes and jobs are easier to come by, more graduates will look upon their degrees fondly and be happy that they're well educated and have strong skills. Best of luck to anyone job hunting at the moment.

TheBex

GrammarGirl wrote: »

Lots of employers will immediately discount applications from non-graduates. Whether right or wrong, many have a preconceived idea about graduates being more qualified, more responsible and more able to do the job.

VERY good point this actually, I've heard a few times of this happening for jobs that only require GCSE skills, so the subject is totally irrelevant.


Been talking about this whole thing in the pub tonight, and the group thinking is that in 20 years the degree might have paid for itself. The massive difference that mine has to make up to me owes a huge amount to circumstance. Many of us do feel though that the whole having a degree thing is misadvertised, and I think that's the core issue for a lot of people.

FlareStar

i have recently graduated (june) and have not found a job yet.....just before i everyone says im being fussy...im not i have applied for all kinds of jobs - some relating to my degree ( science) and some admin/ retail shops etc, perm & temp.

i loved my course and believe i have got alot out of it - i now see that in this current climate a postgrad would help -as someone mentioned earlier that this is more n more being seen as a first degree - i would love to do one but financially cant. i understand how some believe that uni was a was of time (i.e. financially & with lack of jobs available) but i think u need to look at it long term .... in the long run who do you think would be offered a job a graduate or non -graduate? IMHO everyone is so low because of the recession and the fact there are having difficulty getting a job - which in turn is making them think that uni was a waste of time - no -one new we were gonna hot recession in 2009 ( although some say they predicted it?!).....:o

anyhoo, on the job front i have heard nothing from the jobs i have applied to in the last 3 months - i will be applying for more - but by the looks of it i be waiting for xmas recruitments! i try to keep in positive spirit about this.....because if your not positive then ur gonna be negative and negativity gets u nowhere..... im gonna keep applying for any job in my area and try an organise some voluntary work, and hopefully we get out of recession sooner - seeing as some countries are out of it!

Good Luck everyone

Vodafone_User

Hi Greg

I too am a graduate and graduated July 2008 , i have been looking ever since. I go through about 40 job sites every day religiously as well as applying directly to companies speculatively.

The best thing i would suggest that has helped me get a few interviews is to get some work experience. It is usually unpaid but i think it will be worth it in the long run and boost your CV. That way you will have more experience and skills and emphasise that on your CV rather than you are a graduate. The way to do this is find the contac details of a company you want to intern at and offer your services for free, or find direct emails to managers/account execs and ask to shadow them.

Yes there will be people who have more experience, i think all us graduates have to expect that. I also suggest networking with businesses you want to get into/local business on LinkedIn and also Twitter.

Also I am on Job Seekers Allowance and find that i only get £50 a week but its better than nothing. The only thing i woudl say NOT to do when on JSA is to take up their offer of 'Travel to Work Scheme'. This scheme means they pay your expenses to get to interviews, They gave me £16 once wich was alot more than my petrol cost! But DO NOT do this because (I didnt relise at the time) they phone the company to check up how u did and that you actually went. Not only does this make you feel stupid but also lets your prospective company know you are on benefits which i think is a bit degrading and makes you look like you cant be bothered to pay to travel to the interview for them.

I hope this helps
Good luck and keep going, even through low self esteem moments keep your head up!!

Miss-spent_2

I sympathise, it's unbelievably hard out there. However I wouldn't turn down interview money. As long as you turn up and do your best there is nothing to be feared by it being checked. TBH if the Jobcentre didn't people could abuse the system and that would bring an end to it. There is no shame in seeking a job seekers allowance if you are actively seeking a job.

This is the 3rd ressesion I have lived through as an adult. They do end.