Unemployed ,no money, no future?

chippy_250

Im male and 20 years old living in Swansea. I passed 8 of my 9 GCSE's and stayed on in 6th form for 2 years. Although I didn't really know what to do with my life I just then I stayed on just to be with my friends. It was a good time but I only got one A level out of it and that was a D. So anyway after school I've had 3 temp jobs in the retail. So I have'nt had a proper job ever and I've currently been out of work since Xmas still on the Dole.
I have'nt being doing nothing though. I've been studying Football coaching with the Welsh football trust. I've just recently passed the level 2 (UEFA 'C' Certificate). Although the course was only about 6 weekends over 9 months, so it wasn't really even a part-time course.
I've made the most of my time off as well. I obtained an enhanced disclosure which allowed me to undertake some voluntary work with the after school football teams at local Comprehesive's. I've also helped with the Swansea City's football in the community program in a soccer camp.
Overall I've probably done about more than 40 hours of work for free. Which I loved. I'm not a greedy person I just want to be in a job that I want to do, I don't care about the money. I want a coaching job but it's very hard to get into.
I don't think I'll ever be able to reach above a minimum wage job. I just don't have "expereince" for anything more. If I can't get a job above 16K I don't think I'll ever be able to move out with my girlfriend and live a decent life.
But what is "experience" to me experience means ability + knowledge. So when I go for an Admin job for example they say I haven't got any. Yet I obviously have the ability and I have an above average knowledge of PC's so....
I had a review meeting recently and my job centre and one of the business managers was supervising my interview. She stepped in to see my C.V. and couldn't understand how I ever became unemployed.
She said "You have the ability to do these jobs and even better. Your one of the few people I've ever met that talking to now, I can't pick out any faults in your interview. Why you can't get a job I'll never understand"
She helped me a little with my C.V. but she said it was more or less spot on anyway.

So basically I'm doing everything right, but I won't get a decent job and won't be able to even move out. The last four interviews I went to I never even found out whether I was successful or not. Then when I phone them up, not one has had the decency to talk to me. "He's busy at the moment, he'll ring you back" etc

PurpleSmile

Just keep at it. The job market at the moment is crazy. I suggest just getting a job even if it doesn't pay as high as you wnt. Employers are much likely to take someone on who is already working. I was in a similar situation to you after I left university. I just couldn't find work after sending my cv to almost everyone. I joined up at an employment agency who got me a council job in an office which only paid 12k a year. I was disapointed in myself as I knew I was capable of more. Plus the work bored the hell out of me. But within 2 weeks of working there I found my first had an interview with a job which previously declined me. Then they took me on full time and my salary almost doubled.
I really do think being employed makes it easia for you to find another job.
Does your girlfriend work too?
My friend lives alone and only earns 17k a year and she manages just fine. So surely if your both earning minimun wage you would be able to afford to live.

Samanthamum

I am in a similar situation re experience and was just about to post something similar. I am working, in a minimum wage call centre job and I HATE it. To be fair they were the only company that would give me a chance after being a mum at home for many years.

I want to get into admin/office work, but have no experience. How do you get experience if you dont have a job? Don't have time to volunteer myself as I have to work/run home.

I am so sad. I hate my job and hate that I do something I don't like for a large part of the week.

I am clever, I have a degree, ECDL, but decided to stay home for 15 years to raise a child and this is against me. I fear i will never have a job I love.

T800

Have you thought about working for one of the sports quangos? Sports Wales, these places tend to have plenty of jobs. Just because you are in football doesnt mean you dont have the ability to work in other sports agencies, many skills are transferable. You could easily end up in some 18k position to start.

http://www.sports-council-wales.org.uk/jobs/otherjobs

chippy_250

PurpleSmile wrote: »

Just keep at it. The job market at the moment is crazy. I suggest just getting a job even if it doesn't pay as high as you wnt. Employers are much likely to take someone on who is already working. I was in a similar situation to you after I left university. I just couldn't find work after sending my cv to almost everyone. I joined up at an employment agency who got me a council job in an office which only paid 12k a year. I was disapointed in myself as I knew I was capable of more. Plus the work bored the hell out of me. But within 2 weeks of working there I found my first had an interview with a job which previously declined me. Then they took me on full time and my salary almost doubled.
I really do think being employed makes it easia for you to find another job.
Does your girlfriend work too?
My friend lives alone and only earns 17k a year and she manages just fine. So surely if your both earning minimun wage you would be able to afford to live.

Well that's why no-one wants me because I have'nt been in work for long or for the past 7 months. Yes my girlfriend has worked since she was 16, she's on minimum wage but she's saved thousands of pounds over the years. That's why I'm under pressure.

Shady_Lady_2

OK .. in short I would advise that you go into the job centre and talk to the person that deals with you.

Ask them to give you all the rules in which you can work for free .. they can help you pay for travel costs etc with this .. then go and show them what you can do, they don't need to employ you at the end but they will know you personally which when a vacancy does arise it puts you ahead of the game and also it will look great on your cv under the experience heading.

If all of this fails have you thought of starting your own coaching sessions .. you can hire grounds by the hour and you could teach kids part time .. worth a thought.

Harry_Flashman

Have you thought of going into the Armed Forces?

ariarnia

in Wales future jobs fund is running until next october for new applicants (be unemployed for 6 months and under 25 and they find you a NMW job for 6 months to put on the CV) but only with pre-registered businesses, also work trials are still active (14 days with a company to 'prove yourself'), and voluntary work is a good way to be in the right place at the right time if a job comes up within the organisation (what I'm hoping for now as the people I'm on FJF with have a 20 thou a year vacancy which I'm qualified if a little inexperienced with, but they like me, think I work well, and I've got a good knowledge of specific company policy and procedure (nepotism but still)

chippy_250

ariarnia wrote: »

in Wales future jobs fund is running until next october for new applicants (be unemployed for 6 months and under 25 and they find you a NMW job for 6 months to put on the CV) but only with pre-registered businesses, also work trials are still active (14 days with a company to 'prove yourself'), and voluntary work is a good way to be in the right place at the right time if a job comes up within the organisation (what I'm hoping for now as the people I'm on FJF with have a 20 thou a year vacancy which I'm qualified if a little inexperienced with, but they like me, think I work well, and I've got a good knowledge of specific company policy and procedure (nepotism but still)

Yes they've just put me on this future jobs fund. I have a few interviews with some places this month. I've got interviews with a leisure centre, hospital and teaching assistant.

Someone posted above about the Armed forces.
No the only killing I'll be doing is on my Playstation games thank you.

Person_one

Harry_Flashman wrote: »

Have you thought of going into the Armed Forces?

Are you really comfortable suggesting that with the number of flag draped coffins appearing on the news in recent months?

woody01

Person_one wrote: »

Are you really comfortable suggesting that with the number of flag draped coffins appearing on the news in recent months?

Spoken like somone that knows nothing about the forces except what is on tv.
OR
Are you French?

I spent of 10 years in the Royal Marines, and unfortunately, being killed or injured is an occupational hazard. SOme of us get lucky...some don't.
Facts are though, that the forces teach you discipline, self confidence and most of all, how to cope with ANYTHING life throws your way.

When i left (1999 after 3 Gulf Tours), i was offered job after job. And no.....not NMW stuff, but all £30+K.
I now run a multi-national company.

Employers love ex-forces people.