What hope is there really?

jennyjelly

My son has just graduated with a 2.1 in creative technology and the experience of having directed the only all-student show ever to be shown on Sky, which has just won an award. He is clever, capable and should have great prospects.

This week he has been to 2 interviews. One turned out to be selling mobile phone contracts door to door on a commission only basis, and the other saw him competing against 50 other people for 4 hours a week at minimum wage in a cinema. Most of his friends are having similar experiences.

I despair of this country. It's no wonder the best people are going to work abroad.

suicidebob

You think your son was the best candidate for mobile phone salesman, or being an usher in a cinema?
Those employers aren't looking for people with outstanding CVs or achievements. They're looking for bog-standard employees who'll put in a decent shift.

Does your son see his future in door-to-door sales?

Oldernotwiser

How have his applications for "proper jobs" gone during the course of this year and how wide a geographic area is he looking in?

Meepster

Why doesn't he look for a job that is more suited to his degree and relevent experience?

Tygermoth

Because there are none out there?

I have extensive experience in my field of over 15 yrs.

No jobs in the area (within 2hrs commuting distance) and I just got turned down to work checkouts at Morrisons.

The bills still need to be paid so sometimes you have to look lower than your experience level.

Then being over qualified become a pain in the behind.

DCFC79

Everyones finding it hard so not just your son and yourself, ive been turned down for jobs i could do with my eyes closed

jennyjelly

Agree with Tygermoth. And I remember years ago being turned down for a job on the tills in Asda because they felt "the employment on offer did not match my aspirations".

My son has been applying for jobs in his field but there are just far more graduates than jobs. Meanwhile he and his GF (graduated with a first but now selling tickets and popcorn in Cineworld) have just taken the lease on a flat and have to earn rent money by whatever means. They have both been applying over a wide area for the jobs they are qualified for but will probably end up having to go abroad.

My youngest, on the other hand, did a vocational course at college and walked straight into a job he loves. He'll never be rich or a high flyer but at least he has a good steady job. It makes you wonder if qualifications are worth the paper they are printed on.

jennyjelly

DCFC79 wrote: »

Everyones finding it hard so not just your son and yourself,

Didn't say it was - read my OP - it's affecting all the students we know.

3v3

jennyjelly wrote: »

Didn't say it was - read my OP - it's affecting all the students we know.

When he chose this, what career was he hoping to break into?

DCFC79

jennyjelly wrote: »

Didn't say it was - read my OP - it's affecting all the students we know.

chill, i didnt say anything wrong, its 1 of the pitfalls of going to uni which is teh fact you can end up nothaving a job for months and fighting with other people for 1 job.

jennyjelly

Sorry, didn't mean to sound prickly!

He's aiming at working in the TV/film/video industry, but it's a very oversubscribed field, we've always known that. He has loads of experience from working on things for other people while he was at uni, so hopefully that might help. He's also very good at web design (part of his degree course) so is looking at the possibility of getting some freelance work in that area. Something will come along in the end, he just has to keep applying.

The point of my OP though is the dreadful state of a job market where 50 people will queue up to compete for 4 hours on minimum wage. That's so sad.