Help a hopeless jobseeker

tracknfield

I’m having trouble kick starting my working life. I have no work related skills and experience so I have trouble writing a CV. I only have some GCSEs, A Levels and a IT business degree (but not great grades) to my name.

My major obstacles are (of course) experience, interview and references. Although I’m thinking a little ahead, sometimes I wonder how I’ll get through an interview if I do get one when I don’t have any experience at all. I guess I’m a little frightened as I have very little interview experience so I expect a grueling interview – why-this-and-that type questions that I don’t know how to answer.

I know the standard questions that crop up in interviews but I assume I won’t be asked them because they don’t apply to me, so what will I likely to be asked? Imagine you are the interviewer.

Other problem of course is that I have no references. I can’t ask my teachers because first, it has been a while since I graduated and second, I didn’t know them that well anyway and they probably forgot who I am. How would I get a job without a reference??

So in a nutshell my CV is kind of empty. How should I write it so that it is puts more emphasis on my skills and qualifications rather than work experience?
I find it hard to motivate myself because of the above problems. Time is flying; and it gets worse as the years go by…I’m getting so old now…

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

plumduff-2

Eh... is this a joke...

Didnt you have to work to support yourself through Uni.. you say your a graduate... I dont know of any students who dont work - usually bar/cafe work or retail/ McDonalds Mcanything jobs...

If you are now on JSA, seek advice from the jobcentre about getting into work courses...

I think this is a wind up though...

Mommy2two

tracknfield wrote:

I’m having trouble kick starting my working life. I have no work related skills and experience so I have trouble writing a CV. I only have some GCSEs, A Levels and a IT business degree (but not great grades) to my name.

My major obstacles are (of course) experience, interview and references. Although I’m thinking a little ahead, sometimes I wonder how I’ll get through an interview if I do get one when I don’t have any experience at all. I guess I’m a little frightened as I have very little interview experience so I expect a grueling interview – why-this-and-that type questions that I don’t know how to answer.

I know the standard questions that crop up in interviews but I assume I won’t be asked them because they don’t apply to me, so what will I likely to be asked? Imagine you are the interviewer.

Other problem of course is that I have no references. I can’t ask my teachers because first, it has been a while since I graduated and second, I didn’t know them that well anyway and they probably forgot who I am. How would I get a job without a reference??

So in a nutshell my CV is kind of empty. How should I write it so that it is puts more emphasis on my skills and qualifications rather than work experience?
I find it hard to motivate myself because of the above problems. Time is flying; and it gets worse as the years go by…I’m getting so old now…

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

when was the last time you worked?

if you cant motivate yourself what makes you think any employer would want to take on a un motivated employee,you need to sit and think about what your capable and not capable of doing..


its not hard to work in Mcdonalds or a bar you dont need any qualifications just people skills and communication skills surely u have those?

seven-day-weekend

I would concentrate on what you CAN do. Your degree will have taught you how to work to deadlines, how to prioritize, how to think 'outside the box'. These are all skills that can be put on your CV.

As regards references, put down people (preferably professionals) who know you well and can give character references..

Have you ever done voluntary work? If so, these people can be referees and you can also list the skills you learned from that.

I got a job with a City Council on the strength of being a voluntary Church Treasurer for four years because it showed I was able to handle money and knew about Bank Accounts.

Meanwhile, try to get a job, ANY job, any hours. These people can be referees. Some work experience is better than none. Otherwise do some voluntary work.

Good luck!

tracknfield

No it's not a joke. Why do you think it's a joke? Is it because that was my first post? I don't think I'll waste my time like that.

I see where this thread is heading...so forget I even posted.

Thanks for posting anyway though

seven-day-weekend

Please do not let people's opinions drive you away.

There will be plenty who are happy to help.

peter999

tracknfield wrote:

..and a IT business degree (but not great grades) to my name.

Other problem of course is that I have no references. I can’t ask my teachers because first, it has been a while since I graduated and second, I didn’t know them that well anyway and they probably forgot who I am. How would I get a job without a reference??

I find it hard to motivate myself because of the above problems. Time is flying; and it gets worse as the years go by…I’m getting so old now…

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

It's very very tough out there, with less jobs, more competition & so many more going to university.

How long ago did you graduate ??
What have you been doing in between ??
What are you doing now ??

You can still quote education & employer references years later so that employer can at least confirm your education/employment history.
(give name of Manager of your faculty or personnel department).

Obviously it's better to have reference from someone who knows you recently. But years later people have moved on & companies merge, so your original referee may not be there anymore.

peter999

Astaroth

References are generally "valid" for up to 3 years... have you done no employment or education in the last 3 years? You really need to find at least 1 "formal" reference and the second can be a personal reference if nothing better can be found.

You will probably take this the wrong way but it is meant to be constructive... you are obviously literate, computer literate and must be fairly intelligent to have graduated (which I never managed to do) but your attitude / how you present yourself is very poor. I can understand how disheartening unemployment can be and can see how this would make you very sensitive to comments but ultimately you will have to be able rise above these and handle potentially "insensitive" questions in interviews if you are to resolve the situation