Graduate unable to find work - could I create my own job?

Drea

Horace wrote: »

Wedding planners are two a penny, I went down that route and studied and got a qualification and some fancy letters after my name but folks don't want to use wedding planners, they want to do it themselves. I have about 30 years experience of organising events of all kinds because it was part of my job as a PA and now I do it for a living:j As a wedding planner no-one wanted to pay my fee (£8-10 an hour which is fair for the qualification etc) they only wanted to pay £4 an hour and I am not getting out of bed for that! I would avoid the wedding planner route.

I am following an event planning course (although I have only submitted 4 assignments in 18 months) because I want another qualification more than anything. Right now I am too busy organising my own networking events and events for other people to even bother with the course so gawd knows when it will be finished. I had to laugh last year because I was asked to be a tutor on a wedding planning course, all I had to do was to get some certificate or other to allow me to teach but I decided against it.

OP, have you thought of registering with some graduate recruitment agencies such as Redbrick Recruitment? Even though you left University last year you can still use their careers service as they will be able to assist your quest for work.

It is also possible to start a business from scratch with no money behind you, I did it although it seems to be a lot harder because I have to make every penny count but it can be done.

You are completely right, I've been sitting thinking about it tonight and I see what you're saying. Maybe things need a rejig...

Best of luck lexi hope you find something!

jexygirl

paulwf wrote: »

On a positive note though a very broad skill set is much more useful than a single speciality for lots small business owners as you need to do everything. One minute I might be fixing the broadband and printer, the next I might be up a ladder sorting lightbulbs...I don't have an IT or maintenance department to call on like in a large office

Experience is the key! Being good at organising isn't enough to become an events planner / co-ordinator however, it's a good start.
As Paul says, running your own buisness is more than knowing how to organise. The quote is so true - you have to be able to calmly deal with WHATEVER is thrown at you and look confident even if you aren't - or know someone who can help on the quiet!.

I don't profess to know the industry inside out, as Horace does, and she is where she is through sheer hard work and determination, (and as I said to her in a recent PM discussion, I wouldn't have her job for the world!) but I would say that, whatever experience you can get would be crucial.
Plan to set up the events co ordination within x amount of years, and during those years go get some relevant experience.

Wherever you are in the country, there is bound to be a theatre or conference venue. Call them up and apply to go on their "cassy" list.
This is simply a list of names of "casual" labour, they don't advertise because the work is as and when, and they often have a "core" of people, but often need a few extras on bigger things. The more you show up, the more reliable and the harder you work when called upon, will get you higher up the list and you will be called more often and learn more whilst earning.

The work is very long unsocial hours, can be very manual intensive, but what you will learn is deadlines, pressure, how to deal with alot of different situations in an emergency, learn basic electrics, lighting, sound, how special effects work (all good skills at a conference or event if something isn't working and the installers went home!), make supplier contacts in the industries, learn how things really work, meet alot of local and national people and the reality of the phrase "the show must go on" at any cost - as long as its within budget .

I would also say perhaps get some waiting on experience, perhaps even some kitchen work part time, again, it all helps you gain an insight into various parts of the industry, as well as customer service and learning to keep smiling in the face of adversity, so that, should you need to sub a catering company on behalf of a client, you will know what they are talking about and be more savvy on costs etc. Contact local event planners, and get on their list of casual staff for waiting on (and watch and learn) same with marquee hire, sound and lighting hire companies, anyone who could potentially become a contact.

Always remember, no matter how hard it seems, or how much work is involved now, you are laying foundations for your own company - thats when the hard work will really start!

As a side note, if you are not hearing back from relevant jobs at all - perhaps re work your CV, and covering letter, and do a mail shot to every almost relevant company, we keep alot of CVs on file, so that when we do need someone, we don't advertise, we call our list

Just my fivers worth as usual - really wish I could learn to only give 2p worth (almost wrote "wish I could learn how to spend a penny ....):p

Jex

paddyrg

Heh heh, as Jexy mentions, "The show must go on"!! I work largely in film, live TV, tours and events and you would be surprised how many people don't quite get the fact that TSMGO! They are in love with the idea of working in showbiz (and weddings are still showbiz, if you think about it), but they don't like the reality of the huge hours, massive stress, unreasonable budgets and expectations, or the sheer drudgery of the job. Showbiz does a great job of making itself look glamorous, and it is anything but - it is a lot of really hard low paid work (a few at the top will get good cash, mostly it is hit and miss). If you are prepared for that, and see it in action, and do all those 6am-till-midnight zombie months, you come through ready for anything :-D

Savvy_Sue

lexilex wrote: »

Everyone wants experience which obviously as a recent graduate I don't have,

as a recent graduate, you don't have much employment experience. However, you may well have experience gained as a volunteer and within your degree which can go on the CV. You mention quite a few things you've done: put 'em down! phrase them right, make it clear they were volunteer positions, it's all experience!

I wouldn't actually say "I organise family holidays" but "I regularly plan and organise group holidays, including budgeting, negotiating discounts, booking flights and accommodation, collecting payments and communicating itineraries" sounds very respectable, doesn't it?

One thing which springs to my mind is the number of life coaches advertising these days ... and de-clutterers ... both groups have at least one professional organisation, and both groups would need a basic grasp of psychology to work effectively! (I know one de-clutterer who knows that the first thing to address is usually WHY the place has got to the state it's in!)

MsHoarder

Note on the experience front: were you on any society committees at university? I have a quick description of trips I helped organise and the budget I was responsible for on my CV. Its small numbers compared to work, but its also working with people who aren't family.

lexilex

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it and I am taking everything said on board.

This is not something I am jumping into, it is more of a long term plan. I hope to get some experience, paid or unpaid, and I've prepared a letter to send to a few companies locally who may have an events coordinator working for them who I could shadow for a few months. I just wish I could turn back time and take the events job I was offered, but I can't so I have to move on.

I am applying for everything, full-time, part-time, very very part-time, roles from cleaning and data entry to psychological assistant and behavioural worker, just nothing seems to stick. I've had my CV looked at and that is apparently fine. I just wish there was another way out because this gap on my CV is getting bigger every day, and I am bored to death at home. I didn't go to university to sit on my backside all day watching daytime TV!

pinkclouds

Horace wrote: »

folks don't want to use wedding planners, they want to do it themselves.

That's true. But at some point (unless it is a very low budget wedding) some realise that they actually do need a little help. I thought I could do it all myself. Fortunately, my lovely florist stepped into the breach to help out. (She was actually considering becoming a wedding planner and lots of her clients, including me, had suggested it to her.)

The problem with wedding planners is, unless you've had the foresight to hire them from day one, they don't seem to be set up to step in part-way through. It's always: this is my package rate and here's the hundreds of things I'll do. It's never: here's my hourly/daily rate and here's the things I'll fix including the projects that are halfway through, the stuff that needs to be re-done and the things that are so far down the line that we'll just have to run with them and do spot fixes. My florist was wonderful and worth every penny. I just hope if she's gone into wedding planning that she's still as kind, flexible and tactful as before. (Oops, just wanted to add: not that that's a reflection on Horace - it was just the bit in the quote about people not wanting wedding planners. I'm sure Horace is lovely!)

pinkclouds

lexilex wrote: »

I just wish there was another way out because this gap on my CV is getting bigger every day, and I am bored to death at home.

If you're worried about the time gap, I'd suggest signing up with 2 or 3 temp agencies to do admin jobs. Take a short assignment every couple of weeks for a few days here and there. You'll be able to truthfully say you were temping for x length of time, even if that x turns into months, and you'll still have enough spare time to look for jobs or investigate self employment.

lexilex

pinkclouds wrote: »

If you're worried about the time gap, I'd suggest signing up with 2 or 3 temp agencies to do admin jobs. Take a short assignment every couple of weeks for a few days here and there. You'll be able to truthfully say you were temping for x length of time, even if that x turns into months, and you'll still have enough spare time to look for jobs or investigate self employment.

I'm registered with them all, but hear nothing. The thing is, I have no admin experience. I cleaned each summer full-time june-october for five years when I was at college and university because it meant I could concentrate on my work during term time. The agencies have people signed up with them who have years and years of relevent experience, who are obviously always going to get the call about any jobs going before me.

Savvy_Sue

lexilex wrote: »

I'm registered with them all, but hear nothing. The thing is, I have no admin experience. I cleaned each summer full-time june-october for five years when I was at college and university because it meant I could concentrate on my work during term time. The agencies have people signed up with them who have years and years of relevent experience, who are obviously always going to get the call about any jobs going before me.

The other people who are always going to get the call are those who are in the agency's face, at least weekly. This isn't a criticism, but one day a week switch off the daytime cv and walk the streets with your cv - agencies, companies you hadn't noticed, the lot!

Also contact your local voluntary services council (google volunteer plus your town or county) and register with them for anything that you could do - events, admin, charity shop. Ask if they will repay travel expenses (they should, if you ask) and see what comes your way.