Graduate Unemployed for one year - How do I get a half decent job?

kittykate_2

Yeah, good point grade15. When I was in my first year at uni we were often taught by post-grad students. It's worth checking out, anewman.

Voyager2002

kittykate wrote:

Yeah, good point grade15. When I was in my first year at uni we were often taught by post-grad students. It's worth checking out, anewman.

But these teaching assistants would have been PhD students, typically with Master's degrees. And in view of what Anewman said about his social skills, I'm not sure that he would enjoy teaching.

More generally, it is unusual for ANY university vacancy to be appropriate for someone who only has a BSc. It typically takes ten years hard work to get from a BSc to becoming a lecturer. And Anewman says he was unsuccessful in his applications for Research Assistant jobs. He makes it clear that he wants/needs to earn money, and academic jobs are very poorly paid, and require years of study first.

No, he needs to identify the jobs that match his personality and the skills that he has to offer. I would suggest some of the more technical parts of the IT industry, where people skills matter less than the capacity to think analytically and solve problems.

md_14uk

Interview tips:

I really struggled in the first couple of interviews I had after uni, the careers service at the university were really good in helping me get through this. They'll do mock interviews with you etc. Usually it doesn't matter how long it is since you graduated they will still help. They will also have graduate specific jobs which you can look at, with companies that take on a batch of graduates every year, these are highly sort after but often easier to get as they employers know you have little of know experience.

My tips would be to find out as much as you can about the company and more specifically the job beforehand. Try to prempt the questions they'll ask you. e.g give and example of when you have shown commitment, time management etc. Then think of this expamle and write it down. (I bought some prompt cards and put my answers on these). Take you're answers into the interview with you and don't be afraid to look at them.

Try to spread your expamles out across recent experiences, eg. your degree, your time volunteering, sports, orgainsing social events at uni etc.

If they ask you a question you don't have answer for say " I just need to have a think about that" Take a drink (always say yes if they offer you a water at the start) and then give them the answer.

The first interview I did after getting advice I was shaking all the way through but by staying calm and using the prompt cards I got through it. (they offered me the job after another two interviews!)

Good luck

MD

[Deleted User]

I found this website very useful before the interview for my current job:

http://interview.monster.com/archives/attheinterview/

Interviews are a matter of confidence, you've just got to have some and not be a jittery wreck...

dixie_dean_2

I think Kitty should go on a date with Anewman. Maybe help with his confidence, have a nice chat, get married, kids - just take it slowly.

emg

I may be way of track here, but if you really feel that you have significant difficulties with verbal communication ask your GP for a referral to a Speech and Language Therapist. They can assess your language and communication skills and may also be able to offer you some sessions to work on improving them. Most places you can actually self-refer directly to the speech and language therapy team and dont need a GP referral - just ring your local hospital to get the number.

DonGotti

anewman

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't lose hope. I graduated two years ago from a leading London uni having studied law. After graduating I was working three days a week at my local library. I was trying for all sorts of jobs but to no avail whatsoever. In two years of job hunting, I got only two interviews.

Never forget that you are capable of changing your life's course. As a practising Hindu that helped me get through a lot of difficulty during these two years.

Four weeks ago I began a job in the City which i obtained through a friend. It's what I wanted to do, but there are days where I wonder if a life in the city is for me. The point is that humans always believe the grass is greener elsewhere. My life is good...I have a great family, good health, etc.

All I'm saying is never forget what you've acheived. You obtained a first from uni, you obtained voluntary work (which stopped beyond ur control). Just keep trying.

I loved my library job. There are days where I reminise and wish I could work there again, but then I pull myself together and realised that is not what i busted my nuts for at uni.

Please keep us updated. I would strongly suggest you try for further voluntary work.

kittykate_2

dixie_dean wrote:

I think Kitty should go on a date with Anewman. Maybe help with his confidence, have a nice chat, get married, kids - just take it slowly.

I've just thought... is anewman actually a guy? their name could be anewman as in A Newman. lol.

I'd be too scary for them anyways, I'm really quiet at first, til you get to know me. mwah ha h.:T :A

anewman

Well firstly I went away for a week with my girlfriend. Also I was kind of afraid the thread would say bad things after the last post I made but just plucked up courage to read through it.

kittykate wrote:

I've just thought... is anewman actually a guy? their name could be anewman as in A Newman. lol.

My first name is Alan. And a previous interest was called Anita - Just think - Anita Newman. :rotfl:

emg wrote:

I may be way of track here, but if you really feel that you have significant difficulties with verbal communication ask your GP for a referral to a Speech and Language Therapist.

I think it is mainly a confidence/self-esteem/experience issue. I do have the skills – but I tend to be reticent in using them in a manner which at present is difficult for me to control. And I guess just like with other people – there are some people I find it easier to talk to and get on with – and I have difficulty with strangers as it is someone I do not know. As I have never been in an environment everyday where I am continually expected to interact with strangers I always treat people I do not know with caution.

Voyager2002 wrote:

More generally, it is unusual for ANY university vacancy to be appropriate for someone who only has a BSc.

The jobs I apply for – in the person specifications – usually state a degree in Psychology at 2.1 or above is essential – and a masters is desirable. I guess they can all too easily get hold of what is desirable. I have considered trying to take this issue up with human resource departments – i.e. that if only people with a Masters will be considered for the job then they should specifically request that – but I feel I’d be wasting my time.

I did recently apply for a job at Leeds University and even stated I intend to study there on the MSc course. The job itself was similar to what I did for my final year project so I thought I would be in with a chance – but as the Universities like to work there was no response to my application (at least ASDA sent a rejection letter).

Voyager2002 wrote:

No, he needs to identify the jobs that match his personality and the skills that he has to offer. I would suggest some of the more technical parts of the IT industry, where people skills matter less than the capacity to think analytically and solve problems.

…And then get someone to give me the job. Those are the two key things really. I wish I chose an IT degree – would have made getting a job easier I think – as it has a clearer vocational career path.

kittykate wrote:

Also, I can't speak for the OP but I do have a BSc psychology myself and know that what I learnt on body language and mannerisms during my degree is no where near sufficient enough to 'know what everyone is thinking'. It is virtually impossible to know exactly what people are thinking, also, during interviews etc you find that the interviewer doesn't have many visible signs of their thoughts.... and if they are also 'trained' in psychology you can pretty much guarantee that they won't give anything away. I think you may have misguided views as to what psychology actually entails.

I concur. I went into Psychology after doing the GCSE and A level. One of the catalysts in my decision to study Psychology was an interest in mental health – but in the first and second year the modules were set and none covered mental health – it was an option in the final year but I did not choose it as I developed other interests. Despite what physicists and chemists might say – I (myself) view Psychology as a Science. Any observing as part of my Psychology course was limited to measuring turn taking in conversations.

I chose to do an internet questionnaire for my final year project at University. It was the obvious solution to prevent the need to approach people or interact in person – I just felt it was the easiest option.

ringo_24601 wrote:

Do you actually have goals and dreams? What are they and what can you do to reach towards them?

I’d like to be a billionaire – to lay on a sun lounger on my own private beach with scantily clad female servants bringing me ice cold drinks...

Ok on to realistic goals and dreams. To be honest I do not really know. I am sure there are 5 year old boys who play with toy trains and dream of driving them – and become train drivers – but I’m sure the visions they had when they were 5 don’t meet the reality. I personally think the idea you can know what you want to do is facile – as knowing (without having done) and doing are 2 different things. As DonGotti says - the grass on the otherside is nearly always likely to be seen as greener. That’s why I am interested in being a research assistant. I know what is involved – and in some form I have done what is required before in terms of collating data, working out statistics and writing a report.

Many thanks for all the replies and input people have given.

At present the masters is not certain as the Career Development Loan is not guaranteed as yet (due to the Halifax being no good with giving original statements). No interview offers and I have not yet seriously looked into voluntary work or career guidance - but I will have a think about career ideas and hopefully write down some things - then make an appointment with careers.