Uni graduate...new to job seeking.

lexilex

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Many voluntary organisations would pay your travel expenses. It is always worth asking: they may not think to offer, because not all volunteers want to claim. But if they won't, then move on to the next.

We paid bus fares for one volunteer for the best part of a year, they were coming in weekly from the next urban sprawl so it wasn't cheap, but there was no way they could afford to pay it themselves. When a vacancy came up, they applied and got the job!

That's really good to know, it's not even something I had thought about. I just presumed it would be up to me to pay out for travel. I will get in touch with the local volunteering centre and ask if they know of any organisations that do this.

ellie101

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If you're interested in working in the voluntary / charity sector, it would be worth googling CVS plus your local area to find your local volunteer 'umbrella body'. Ours advertises jobs on their website and the new ones are highlighted in a weekly email which anyone can subscribe to. This includes volunteer and paid roles.

Very good advice Savvy_Sue.

Lexilex, I'm from Hull :beer: but am now working in London again since May as couldn't get a job up there. Reason I couldn't get a job is because I had no experience in other types of work, work I do is mainly in London.

I left it too late to start doing voluntary work (I was depressed due to various reasons after taking 18 mths out and I was convinced I'd get a job sooner, but erm, didn't).

I did find that there is a voluntary advice centre on Anlaby road, they were about to lose their position as the local body, so it's probably worth googling/asking job centre if it's that one still or somewhere else. I went along there after making an appointment, this was just before I managed to get a job and move to London (hopefully a temp move to pay off debts!).

They were really helpful, giving me loads of voluntary vacancies. If you also do a search again on do-it-org you can search by different areas (e.g mental health, youth work), and it pulls up a lot in the Hull area, then go to seem them in person where possible. And if you've a psych degree you could think where your interests lie. This is what I did (I've a psych degree but only a 2:2 as I was not in a good state when doing final exams, but my English/reading abilities are strong. I looked into helping primary school children read, which I really wanted to do as I missed chunks of schooling myself and wanted to put something back as well as get valuable experience).

I also went into a couple of voluntary places that had offices and had a chat with whoever was on reception/on the advice desk at the front. If you chat to people face to face or even on the phone they remember you. One guy started telling me about vacancies elsewhere.

But I left it too late as I'd been unemployed for months, and some bodies need you to be CRB checked, the organisation I really wanted to work for told me it could take 4 mths.

I wish I'd done it at the beginning, I intend to do it next year once I've paid off debts. I'm just going to look again into what I'm passionate about then go round once more.

Also... the job centre sent me on a course to help graduates get back into work.. ask them if they still do it. There was also non-graduates on it. It gave you advice on searching in different fields. I am good at job applications but the advice was really useful to me.

Good luck, whatever way you go.

DCFC79

Lexilex have you looked for xmas temp jobs at the supermarkets, i know asda temp jobs are on direct.gov, tesco jobs might be instore, sainsburys are online, try argos, m and s, boots etc

lexilex

DCFC79...yeah I've applied for xmas jobs, infact I applied for a couple at Boots just yesterday, but I don't have any retail experience which I think is holding me back there.

Ellie101 thanks for your post. I've emailed Hull CVS to find out if they know which positions may offer to pay travel expenses. If they aren't sure I'll go through the Do It site and start emailing one by one to find out. Willl ask about the graduate course too, to be honest I have found the Job Centre completely useless so far but it's worth a shot.

PARIS_5000

lexilex wrote: »

DCFC79...yeah I've applied for xmas jobs, infact I applied for a couple at Boots just yesterday, but I don't have any retail experience which I think is holding me back there.

Ellie101 thanks for your post. I've emailed Hull CVS to find out if they know which positions may offer to pay travel expenses. If they aren't sure I'll go through the Do It site and start emailing one by one to find out. Willl ask about the graduate course too, to be honest I have found the Job Centre completely useless so far but it's worth a shot.

I worked for Boots last christmas during the third year of my degree when you apply for jobs on Boots jobs.com you have to keep applying everyday until they select you for a interview because the system is so stupid. I must have made about 15 applications until I was selected for a interview. If they reject your application call up for feedback and they will tell why you were not selected and what you have to do to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

lexilex

PARIS_5000 wrote: »

I worked for Boots last christmas during the third year of my degree when you apply for jobs on Boots jobs.com you have to keep applying everyday until they select you for a interview because the system is so stupid. I must have made about 15 applications until I was selected for a interview. If they reject your application call up for feedback and they will tell why you were not selected and what you have to do to increase your chances of being select for interview.

Thanks for the advice, I had read something on here about it been hard to get an interview. Can you remember if they let you know if you're not selected, or is it just a case of if you hear nothing you should presume you're not wanted?

PARIS_5000

lexilex wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, I had read something on here about it been hard to get an interview. Can you remember if they let you know if you're not selected, or is it just a case of if you hear nothing you should presume you're not wanted?

A email is sent and it will tell you have not been selected this time and to keep applying. If you have been selected for a interview then they will text you telling you to check your email.

It very important to make sure that you match the hours that they are looking for so if they want 20 hours put 20 hours do not put more because they will not select you. I only find this out when I called up for feedback and they said I was not selected because I was put more hours than was required for the post.

lexilex

PARIS_5000 wrote: »

A email is sent and it will tell you have not been selected this time and to keep applying. If you have been selected for a interview then they will text you telling you to check your email.

It very important to make sure that you match the hours that they are looking for so if they want 20 hours put 20 hours do not put more because they will not select you. I only find this out when I called up for feedback and they said I was not selected because I was put more hours than was required for the post.

Wow what a ridiculous system. I shall await the the email and apply again, thanks.

PARIS_5000

lexilex wrote: »

Wow what a ridiculous system. I shall await the the email and apply again, thanks.

You can apply again right away you do not have to wait for the email and because the jobs on Boots are taken off so quickly I would keep applying now. I got a ton of rejection emails before I got a interiew and I just kept applying every day until I got a interview.

vaporate

I would strongly suggest citizens advice.

They pay travel expenses and you can get used to the routine of work as well as 'communicate' with people, seeing as you will lose this skill with limited funds and nothing to do.

Will look good on your CV as it shows eagerness.

You may have done voluntary stuff abroad during summers off at uni, money permitted, but its just one of those things.

I would certainly not give up looking for work either. Your back is already against the wall so i would just give it your all.

Do take a breather though, music etc otherwise depression and bitterness might seethe in.

It's only experience holding you back, something you can't be born with.

good luck xx