Uni graduate...new to job seeking.

lexilex

Just wanted to update this situation and see if anybody can offer any further advice.

My temporary vacancy came to an end last Friday and I made my first visit to the job centre yesterday.

It was absolutely awful and I had to bite my lip so I didn't cry

The man I spoke to was lovely, was asking me all about my degree and disseration and said it was nice to speak to somebody who was educated which made me feel a tiny bit better, though I did point out that going to uni obviously hasn't helped me as I had still ended up sitting there.

I am there again today to sign on for the first time, and I am praying I will not have to visit the place again after that.

So a couple of questions...

At the moment these are the websites I am visiting on a daily basis...

Job Centre (rubbish, yesterday there was one job put on there in my area!)
Local paper website
Reed
Total Jobs
Jobs Go Public (only seems to post jobs on a Mon)
Children and Young People Now Jobs
Monster (again, rubbish)
Fish4Jobs
Gumtree (Although all the jobs on there sound like scams)
Civil Service

Are there any I am missing out on?

I have been applying for roles such as careers advisor, connexions personal advisor, charity project workers, recruitment co-ordinators (not consultants, I am so not a sales person, as I was politely told by the bloke at the job centre!), human resources.

I know some fields that have their own specific websites, is that the case with the sort of jobs I've been applying for?

This afternoon once I return from the hell that is the Job Centre I am planning on sending my CV everywhere. I am wondering if anyone can offer advice on writing speculative letters. I am okay with writing letters, but am having trouble wording the paragraph which explains the role I am looking for. Because I am not set on any specific role, and don't have experience in any specific role, I am not quite sure what to say.

I would ask at the Job Centre but they had no interest in even having a look at my CV yesterday. I have an appointment to see somebody but they could not fit me in until the end of next month, and I am hoping that is an appointment I will not be keeping.

Finally, has anybody any experience of the 'Do-it' volunteering website. I contacted them over a week ago using the form on the site regarding a few different roles, but have had no response back. Is this the norm? I thought they would be biting my hand off so was surprised to not hear anything back.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading.

[Deleted User]

Hmm. have you tried www.jobsgopublic.com, www.guardianjobs.co.uk, (maybe) http://www.ukjobsnet.com/careers-adviser-jobs, (maybe) http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/jobs_home.asp?navCode=101, also possibly worthwhile keeping your eye on www.jobs.ac.uk , http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk/, http://www.milkround.com/

and if you are wanting to work with young people in an educational setting (including career guidance) try getting some experience through private tutoring for GCSE and/or A-Level - google for tutoring agencies in your area and register with them.

And, are you BPS registerd? Their website may help you: http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/careers_home.cfm

Hope things pick up...have you registered for volunteer work through: http://www.do-it.org.uk/, http://www.volunteering.org.uk/, http://vinspired.com/

Good luck

Oldernotwiser

I wonder if you're familiar with the ICG and it's website? http://www.icg-uk.org/guidancesector.html

They have lots of information about this sector and the different routes into it.

Good luck.

karamunroe

It's getting much much harder for students to secure jobs after uni. What you need is to 'stand out' from the other candidates. Have you had your CV checked out by a professional? If I were you, I would try and get some voluntary work in your evenings or whenever you can - this will improve your attractiveness in the difficult job market. Have you thought about contacting companies for internships? Internships are a great way of "getting in" with companies and of getting the experience which is so highly valued by all employers. Hope this helps. Kara

PARIS_5000

lexilex wrote: »

Just wanted to update this situation and see if anybody can offer any further advice.

My temporary vacancy came to an end last Friday and I made my first visit to the job centre yesterday.

It was absolutely awful and I had to bite my lip so I didn't cry

The man I spoke to was lovely, was asking me all about my degree and disseration and said it was nice to speak to somebody who was educated which made me feel a tiny bit better, though I did point out that going to uni obviously hasn't helped me as I had still ended up sitting there.

I am there again today to sign on for the first time, and I am praying I will not have to visit the place again after that.

So a couple of questions...

At the moment these are the websites I am visiting on a daily basis...

Job Centre (rubbish, yesterday there was one job put on there in my area!)
Local paper website
Reed
Total Jobs
Jobs Go Public (only seems to post jobs on a Mon)
Children and Young People Now Jobs
Monster (again, rubbish)
Fish4Jobs
Gumtree (Although all the jobs on there sound like scams)
Civil Service

Are there any I am missing out on?

I have been applying for roles such as careers advisor, connexions personal advisor, charity project workers, recruitment co-ordinators (not consultants, I am so not a sales person, as I was politely told by the bloke at the job centre!), human resources.

I know some fields that have their own specific websites, is that the case with the sort of jobs I've been applying for?

This afternoon once I return from the hell that is the Job Centre I am planning on sending my CV everywhere. I am wondering if anyone can offer advice on writing speculative letters. I am okay with writing letters, but am having trouble wording the paragraph which explains the role I am looking for. Because I am not set on any specific role, and don't have experience in any specific role, I am not quite sure what to say.

I would ask at the Job Centre but they had no interest in even having a look at my CV yesterday. I have an appointment to see somebody but they could not fit me in until the end of next month, and I am hoping that is an appointment I will not be keeping.

Finally, has anybody any experience of the 'Do-it' volunteering website. I contacted them over a week ago using the form on the site regarding a few different roles, but have had no response back. Is this the norm? I thought they would be biting my hand off so was surprised to not hear anything back.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading.

I am a recent graduate too try this link for paid and unpaid internships
http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!ecaaefg

vicshippers

I'd also recommend the internship route - we are a small company who has had 2 intern roles in the last year, we favoured the candidates that were proactive and took an interest in our business rather than those with loads of experience (who tended to think they would be running the joint within 6 months).

Try to think positively (I appreciate how tough that might sound) without focussing on your time at uni as a waste of time. A degree isn't just about getting a good job, it's about expanding your mind and satisfying a craving for knowledge. If you wanted a degree to get a job, maybe a more generic degree would have been preferential, especially if you combined it with voluntary work in the sector of your choice while you were at uni.

lexilex

Thanks everybody for taking the time to reply, I shall have a look at all the sites mentioned once I've finished this post.

I have tried the volunteering route, as I mentioned in my post yesterday. I applied for a few different roles last week through the Do It site but have heard nothing back, not sure if this is how long it normally takes? Also, in April I got into the Police Specials, but have had to keep postponing the training. Obviously at the moment I am jobseeking and have to take whatever I can get so can't commit to have evenings and weekends free.

I was told to take my CV along to the job centre on Wed for my first initial meeting, and was told somebody would go through it. The only time anybody even looked was so they could copy my A-Level/GCSE results on to the form they were filling in. The next time anybody there will be able to look is at an appointment at the end of next month.

Will have a look at the intern idea too, thanks.

I emailed some companies yesterday with my CV and a letter explaining I was seeking work and received some very rude responses. The lady at the job centre told us that a third of jobs go unadvertised, and many companies prefer to employ people who have sent in their info as it saves on advertising costs. That is not the impression I got from many of the companies I heard from. Some told me I had to just keep checking sites for vacancies, which I obviously I will do but if a vacancy isn't advertised how is this going to help :mad:

justanopinion

What was your degree in?

lexilex

justanopinion wrote: »

What was your degree in?

Psychology

SAVVYSHOPPER

Hi!

This is savvy's daughter. I have recently left university and I am also finding it hard work to get myself into a graduate scheme. I'm just working in a call centre through an employment agency at the moment. I thought I would draw your attention to perhaps volunteering as an advisor through the Citizen's Advice Bureau as there is quite a high demand for volunteers and they do offer a really high level of training. You could perhaps work part-time as a Christmas temp and part-time as an advisor.

Hope that helps!