Do people with a degree find it hard getting a job?

santacruz_2

I have an arts degree and struggle getting perm jobs, all I've managed so far is temp jobs, at the moment I'm unemployed.

I feel it's because they think I'm going to leave if I find an ideal job in the arts. I DO crave for a career in art but what I want to do is freelance and this takes years to get in to. So I will need a perm retail job for a long time.

When it comes to the interview you can bet your bottom dollar they will ask why I'm not pursuing an art career and why I want to work there. This always stumps me, so any advice on what I can say?!

Person_one

Some recent threads on the subject:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2542705

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2539453

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2521947

chihuahuabear

I completed a History of Art degree last year and was in the same position as yourself. Temporary jobs were the only ones I could get. And the current economic climate didn't help either. I did find that some prospective employers do have that thought that you will leave as soon as something better or more suited turns up. I always found this ridiculous though, because that is the situation for everyone, not just graduates.

Interviews I have attended have included that exact question; why i haven't done this or that and why i want to work there. I find it best to be honest with them. Also, I always researched any company for whom I was attending an interview, and the field they operated within, and thought about why I would like to work there. If you can persuade yourself that you really would like to work with such and such a company, then you will come across well.

My major gripe with job applications and interviews over the past year or two has been the behavioural questions they ask you: "Tell me about a time when..." or " Give me an example of...". In my opinion these questions give an unfair advantage to the wrong kind of people, and they don't really give a good insight into the interviewee as the answers can be made up and rehearsed.
I hope that helps in some way.

MrsManda

chihuahuabear wrote: »

My major gripe with job applications and interviews over the past year or two has been the behavioural questions they ask you: "Tell me about a time when..." or " Give me an example of...". In my opinion these questions give an unfair advantage to the wrong kind of people

I agree with you about researching the company and as why do you want this job/work for this organisation is a standard question in interviews it's important to prepare for it (I've never had an interview where this hasn't been asked). But I don't understand why you think asking for examples give an 'unfair advantage to the wrong kind of people'.

How is asking someone to back up claims about experience and skills with real life examples unfair?

To the OP, I think it is difficult but it's a matter of pitching yourself right and applying for jobs where you know you can be enthusiastic in the interview rather than just blanket applying to everything. If you find answering interview questions difficult it may be worth asking your university's careers service if they run mock interviews which you can attend for practice and get feedback.
Good luck with the job hunting

David_Brent

santacruz wrote: »

I have an arts degree and struggle getting perm jobs, all I've managed so far is temp jobs, at the moment I'm unemployed.

I feel it's because they think I'm going to leave if I find an ideal job in the arts. I DO crave for a career in art but what I want to do is freelance and this takes years to get in to. So I will need a perm retail job for a long time.

When it comes to the interview you can bet your bottom dollar they will ask why I'm not pursuing an art career and why I want to work there. This always stumps me, so any advice on what I can say?!

Don't panic! I have been in various temporary positions since graduating about four years ago. Perm work is hard to find after graduating with out any experience, so the temporary route definately helps build up your experience and can often lead on to a perm position within the company itself.

If they ask why you are not pursuing an art career in the interviews just be honest with them don't try and dance around the subject they will appreciate your honesty. Research the company fully before the interview and bullet point all the benefits/reasons as to why you would like to work there and memorise them.

Test yourself interview skills with your Mum or friend and get them to tell you what they think.

santacruz_2

Thanks for your responses, I've been to many many interviews before and I can usually answer those questions well, its just
that one question that lets me down. Maybe I don't sound sincere enough with my answer?

santacruz_2

I have actually tried being 100% honest and said I was looking for a perm job with regular income because it takes
a long time to build up a freelance career. This didn't go down well at that particular interview so I'm not sure honesty is best?

Simon11

I hope im not coming across as rude, but of course you are going to struggle getting a job with an arts degree. I'm sure most employers don't see what qualities that students studying arts would have over a student doing a science, maths, finance sort of degree...

If arts is the place you want to be, I certainly wouldn't have got a degree in it. With a field like that, its better to get experience and work your way up. A similar subject would be drama. Pointless in my eyes getting a degree in that subject.

With the arts, its all about making contacts in the industry. I'd suggest seeing if you could meet different artists and volunteer to assist them. They should be able to give you loads of advise and valuable experience!

Deep_In_Debt

When I used to interview people with degrees in specific subjects, I used to be concerned that they wouldn't stay long in the role and field we were recruiting for - an admin role in financial services and most of the time as soon as a role relevant to their degree came up, they were off usually quite soon after we'd taken them on!

santacruz_2

I don't think when we're talking retail jobs it matters what degree you have, just the fact that a degree puts them off. All degrees have many many transferable skills you can bring in to any workplace.

The area of art I want to go in to is not something you can go in to and work your way up. A job doesn't exist, its all freelance and building up clients. Hence why I need a job for years before I can fully do what I trained for.

I've got to say I find your views incredibly blinkered Simon, and I'm sure the friends I have that make a living from editorial art, photography, book covers, cd wraps etc would laugh at your old fashioned views. Hope that doesn't come across as rude.

Simon11

I'm sure my views are old fashion and I won't be the last to say doing arts, drama degrees are sort of pointless,

But I get the feeling you didn't get my point about making contacts with people in the industry and offering to help artists out like selling the art work, helping in a gallery (Not too sure what you want to do):)

What are you ideas for pursing a job in the arts while working in retail?