Applying for jobs - help!

lyniced

My 19 yr old daughter dropped out of uni last year and has so far found no success getting a job. She has sent countless applications to a variety of jobs, but so far nothing has materialized. It's getting her down, as she feels a failure to herself and to us (her parents). Of course she's not a failure, but to be constantly told you haven't got enough experience or you're over qualified (one interview she did get, asked her why on earth she was applying for a retail job, when she had A levels because it would undermine the other staff!) can grind you down.

I was just wondering if there was anything anyone could ,suggest to improve her chances of employment?

Annisele

lyniced wrote: »

One interview she did get, asked her why on earth she was applying for a retail job, when she had A levels because it would undermine the other staff!

What answer did she give? Presumably the employer was at least considering her, or they wouldn't have bothered interviewing her.

It's possible that, to the interviewer, your daughter came across as desperate for a job - and therefore likely to leave the second something better came along.

If she's getting interviews, then I'd suggest that there's nothing obvious that's preventing her from getting a job. She might just be unlucky (and she wouldn't be the only one), but if even a hint of desperation is getting through that won't help matters.

Irn-Bru-Kid

Hi,

I am sorry to hear your daughter is having problems. My OH was in the same situation, having to apply for jobs he was over qualified for, but that's all there is to apply for.

We simply dumbed him down on his CV, removed qualifications and some experience and he landed a fairly decent position just last week.

I know it sounds crazy, but it worked for him. Perhaps your daughter should try the same.

I genuinely believe that if the interviewee is more qualified or has a higher education than the interviewer, they don't stand a chance.

donquine

lyniced wrote: »

My 19 yr old daughter dropped out of uni last year and has so far found no success getting a job. She has sent countless applications to a variety of jobs, but so far nothing has materialized. It's getting her down, as she feels a failure to herself and to us (her parents). Of course she's not a failure, but to be constantly told you haven't got enough experience or you're over qualified (one interview she did get, asked her why on earth she was applying for a retail job, when she had A levels because it would undermine the other staff!) can grind you down.

I was just wondering if there was anything anyone could ,suggest to improve her chances of employment?

Do you have any contacts? Relatives who can arrange a job for her at their company, or even just some work experience?

Can you afford to support her whilst she does (unpaid) voluntary work/internships? Could she stay with friends/family elsewhere in the country for a bit and do some of that, if she's exhausted all local opportunities?

Is she planning on returning to university and doing a different course, or was it just not for her? If she's not planning on going back into further education, what about applying for an apprenticeship?

Has anyone actually reviewed her CV/looked over her applications? If so, who? Does she have any friends who work? If she's applying for similar jobs, they will have been through the process and know what to write to get some interest.

evespikey

I'd also say don't lead with your qualifications. I've got a degree (will have two soon) and am applying for retail for work over Christmas. I leave it on my CV, but not on the first page, and pretty much never mention it in my cover letters as I know for sure it will make me over-qualified. If she's had school-organized work experience, previous retail work or a paper round, emphasise that, and skills like time keeping, reliability and flexibility above everything else.

paddyrg

Christmas pop-up shops are getting themselves into gear at the mo, so she should just apply as 'casual work', they won't be worries she's going back to uni, etc.

Or bar work at the holiday parks - massive transient staff employing hundreds of people in your daughter's position. Accom on site, living away from home, ready-made friends, work hard, play hard, valuable experience, and if she says she needs to leave to (say) go back to uni on a better course, they fully understand and will not be upset.

Best bet is to find your local Butlins/Pontins/Haven/etc., walk up during the day, ask to speak to the bars manager/club manager, and ask if they have any work going.

lyniced

Thanks for all that advice. She is actually doing some voluntary work (and really enjoying it) but you can't live on air. We have been helping her out financially (which we don't mind - we love her, she's our daughter) but she whats to earn her own money.

On the subject of uni, she has decided it's not for her, which we totally respect. A lot of my son's friends who went to uni 2 years ago, haven't got graduate jobs (one got a first class maths degree and works at the local PO) so I'm not sure it's worth it now.

Anyway, thanks once again for all your help. I'll keep you posted.

paddyrg

Hope it goes well :-) For what it's worth, the parks jobs start lowly, but you can work your way up/through very quickly, and they will train you. An old mate ended up managing an 8-figure budget each year with basic GCSE's - it's based on merit, not university qualifications. She'll be very independent too, which will raise self-esteem if she's feeling low

DCFC79

What about places like hobby craft, homebase, dunelm. Definitely get her to ask her friends if they know of any xmas jobs or permanent jobs.

lyniced

SHe got a temp job (xmas) at HMV, which she is thrilled about. Let's hope they will keep her on after the festive season!

saintjammyswine

Has she considered an apprenticeship? Has she got any interests that can be a job around training?