Advice on apply for jobs

charlie792

Im just looking for a bit advice how I should word my covering letters etc for jobs that I am applying for.

The situation is that Im in my final weeks of Uni, my degree was criminology and although in ideal world I would do something relating to this the reality is there is nothing locally and I can't move at present - To be honest Im happy and willing to work absolutly anywhere, even part time/temporary if it means I can afford to keep a roof over my head - which within the next few months I won't be able to do if I dont find a job!

I feel at the present Im in an impossible situation, Im either 'too qualified' for the basic jobs or not qualified enough for anything else.

Id like to make the point that despite being 'over qualified' Id be committed to the job regardless and that although I am just finishing university Im not your typical student (ie not going to be moving back home) as everyone seems to assume I shall be. I was thinking about putting in something in the covering letter saying that although I am a student this is my permanant address?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated - Im so desperate for anything but Ive even been turned down for the supermarkets, KFC, McDonalds and the likes

maninthestreet

A degree in Criminology doesn't have broad appeal to employers - have you considered the Police??

fedster

maninthestreet wrote: »

A degree in Criminology doesn't have broad appeal to employers - have you considered the Police??

It is impossible to join the Police at the moment, so you should try using the Criminology Degree for something else.

Simon11

I'm in my final yr at uni and last week got confirmation for my ideal job role.:j However I worked very hard and did sooo much!

Have you considered volunteering in roles that you would be interested in doing and try networking?

I've done lots of networking in my industry going to a black tie event, through spending a day with different companies spreading the word:D

I did a year out in the industry so learnt alot about CV, cover letters, interviews.

If you have any questions or want someone to check anything, feel free to message me here

Simon

ps forgot to answer your question!

With cover letters, make them personal to each role. I generally have three paragraphs in my cover letters. First gives an introduction of who you are, your degree. For my 2nd paragraph, I have three bullet points and here I explain why i want the role/ what I have to offer ie experience, volunteering ect to make me the best candidate. The final sums up everything and thank them for reading your cover letter.

Regarding over qualified, explain that your seeking work to gain work experience and very much looking forward to progressing through promotion at companyA(Showing you won't do a runner and dedicated). Explain why you think CompanyA would be perfect and what it has to offer you.

If your planning to rent/ unsure of where you will be. (Remember some gradudate schemes take a good couple of months to get to the finals stages), I would have parents home as the address if you get on well with them. Might be worth stating that you would prefered to be contacted via e-mail or mobile.


Finally without being mean (And maybe not knowning the full picture) you should have really started ealier planning for your future in the work world. Getting a job is like a staircase, you've climbed up the first step with getting a degree but there are lots more step to takes! Better late than never

GothicStirling

charlie792 wrote: »

Im just looking for a bit advice how I should word my covering letters etc for jobs that I am applying for.

The situation is that Im in my final weeks of Uni, my degree was criminology and although in ideal world I would do something relating to this the reality is there is nothing locally and I can't move at present - To be honest Im happy and willing to work absolutly anywhere, even part time/temporary if it means I can afford to keep a roof over my head - which within the next few months I won't be able to do if I dont find a job!

I feel at the present Im in an impossible situation, Im either 'too qualified' for the basic jobs or not qualified enough for anything else.

Id like to make the point that despite being 'over qualified' Id be committed to the job regardless and that although I am just finishing university Im not your typical student (ie not going to be moving back home) as everyone seems to assume I shall be. I was thinking about putting in something in the covering letter saying that although I am a student this is my permanant address?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated - Im so desperate for anything but Ive even been turned down for the supermarkets, KFC, McDonalds and the likes

You should be taking advantage of the University's career departments that will be running CV clinics and seminars on graduate job hunting etc.

Also, I'm picking up on a lot of grammatical mistakes in your post. Make sure you iron these out in applications.

charlie792

To be honest Im not that fussed where I work, and the degree was never really taken as a guarantee to a job - more of a case of at the time Id been made redundant and had nothing else to do so went to university instead.
I have a house in my current area so at the moment Im in no position to be moving - unfortunatly where I currently live has terrible unemployment figures hence the very lack of jobs in anything whatsoever.

The university careers service were less than helpful, basically told me that there is no jobs in my field (which I already knew anyway) and that I should just keep looking online for jobs - not like Ive not been doing that for the last 3 years or anything! I've honestly lost count of the number of jobs Ive applied for over the past few years - with the exception of 2 part time jobs and a handful of interviews haven't given me any great success

In regards to volunteering that is not really an option at present - not unless it is either paid, or I have another job I can do it alongside

milfield

Charlie, Simon has given you some good advice.

You say volunteering is not an option. When you have sat your finals then it is most definitely an option and there should be no reason for you not to volunteer. You can do your job search at the same time and it looks good on your cv. Additionally, you never know who you might meet and hear about an opportunity. Most jobs are never advertised - approx 60% - so word of mouth / networking as Simon has said is very important.

Many employers like to see somebody who has volunteered or is volunteering as it tells them something about your character. We had a presentation form an employer about a month ago - he stated "I always look for volunteering on a CV".

Look on www.do-it.org or contact your local volunteer bureau. The Job Centre can help you regarding volunteering but they can also refer you to a specialist provider who will look at your cv and advise on how you can help yourself. Do not pay somebody to do your cv by the way.

Look at Next Steps website - it has loads of info which can help you: https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Look at the Graduate Talent Pool website for internships: http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!ecaaefg

As for the 'over-qualification' issue, been there myself. The subject matter of your Degree itself is largely irrelevant. What you need to do is look at all your skills and experience - these are your transferable skills. Your Degree shows and employer you have the ability to learn and apply yourself.

I myself got into work by applying for as many jobs as I could, almost regardless of what they were just to try and get into a company. Once in there you can let your career start to develop. I know that may sound obvious, but not many people actually do it. Some people think maybe applying for 2 or 3 jobs a week is pushing it. When you're in a job it's easier to get another one also.

Tailor your letters and cv's to each application or spec approach you make, and find out the name of the person to whom you are sending it rather than dear sir / madam. It shows you have made an effort.

Visit the employer armed with a cv and a suit (local employer really). You may get seen or you may not, but what have you go to lose? They may remember you if a vacancy arises in the future.

Register with as many recruitment agencies as you can, but do not rely on them contacting you. You must be proactive.

Upload your cv to job websites - you never know, and again you have nothing to lose.

Register with the Job Centre. Aside from the financial help, there are changes afoot shortly, although not entirely sure of the details, but there may be a chance of a work placement with an employer.

I wish you all the best in your job search, but don't give up or despair; you will get a job.

Emmzi

you seem quite defeatist; you can't move, you can't volunteer.

In fact you *could* rent a room somewhere.

You *could* rent out your house or take a lodger (if you own it).

You *could* apply for the non degree specific graduate schemes - yes, there still are some - but you have left it very late in the year.

You say you didn't have a burning passsion to go to uni, and you don't care where you work - this is going to be coming across. Somehow, you need to get some fire in your belly - no one wants to employ someone apathetic.

folkestonelisa

I too am just finishing off a criminology degree.

I have applied for numeorus jobs, even though I have been offered one, way back in Jan. Had all my crb checks refs all done and fine but they seem to have forgotten to give me a start date :mad:

Anyway, I also volunteer for Restorative Justice panels and this has helped me greatly. Found it hard at times to give the time needed to them, but i have stuck with them, and they with me, and it has helped me greatly.