Why can't they give me a chance? ...

sparkles22

Hi

I've been a lurker of this site for a while, but this is my first post, so please be nice.

I graduated in June with a degree in International Business, and I am now finding it near on impossible to get a job. I have the qualifications but not the experience; but how exactly am I supposed to get experience if no one will take a chance on me

I'm a hard worker, and have worked with the NHS for 5 years on a part time basis. Technically you could say I have work experience, but I currently work in catering, and would ideally like to work in admin or similar. I am getting so disheartened with the constant rejection letters, or worse, no acknowledgement at all. I have been to a few interviews, and the feedback is always 'not enough experience'.

I'm conscious of the fact that time is ticking on, and I really do not want to be out of full time employment for much longer. I know I will do a great job at whatever I end up in, I just need employers to see this!

I guess my question is two-fold; would YOU give someone like me a chance, and is there anything I can do to improve my chances?

Thanks in advance

lovinituk

sparkles22 wrote: »

would YOU give someone like me a chance

I guess it depends on the other candidates you are up against. If you had someone with a degree but with no experience and someone with a degree who also had experience, who would you employ?

PasturesNew

Why should they give you a chance, when they probably had 300 applications: 100 from experienced people in the role, 100 people with similar experience, 100 new graduates.

It's not like they're choosing to not give you a chance, it's that they had plenty of people to choose from who could hit the ground running.

When a job's advertised, a firm need somebody to do that job .... they can't hire two people: one to do the job and one to be given a chance to learn it.

For the record, of those 300 applicants, you didn't get the job - and neither did 298 other people.... with reasons ranging from "too much experience" down to "no experience".

sparkles22

Thanks guys, much appreciated

I guess I'm just frustrated at the moment- technically I'm not doing anything wrong, and there's nothing I can actually improve on.

I'm doing some volunteer work at the moment to see if that will maybe help too

blossomhill_2

I have every sympathy for anyone looking for work these days - when I first went out to work I was offered several jobs and had to choose - it came as a shock a few years later to realise I might not be offered one ... then a few years later maybe not even an interview or a rejection letter

I hope the voluntary work will keep you positive, because if (when) you do get to interview, a positive attitude will speak volumes (as will the life-experience it will provide)

PS - there will always be something you can improve on! Just don't fret over it or take rejections too personally, but read the job specs very very carefully and tailor your CV to put the emphasis on exactly what each employer is looking for

lovinituk

Perhaps think about applying for a more junior position within the companies you are interested in. Its sometimes easier to work your way up the ladder (albeit longer) than it is walk straight into your dream job.

blossomhill_2

lovinituk wrote: »

Perhaps think about applying for a more junior position within the companies you are interested in. Its sometimes easier to work your way up the ladder (albeit longer) than it is walk straight into your dream job.

But not if it is Civil Service (not that there is much recruitment) - many graduates came in hoping to work their way up and it certainly didn't work for them

sparkles22

Thanks for all the replies

Working at a lower position is exactly want to do, and then maybe work my way up. I'm not greedy, I'm not asking for some amazingly paid graduate job. I just want a chance, thats all.

Also, my interview feedback consistantly shows that they like me as a person, they like my attitude, personality etc.. but its the lack of experience holding me back. Catch 22.

kingfisherblue

Can you volunteer to do some admin for a community group or charity in your area? This would help you to gain some experience, although I realise that it won't begin to cover all of the areas that you need. It will show willingness and can provide a reference though, as well as a desire to learn and to gain experience.

sweetilemon

Are you still working in catering for the NHS? Have you discussed your ambitions with the line manager? If you have a part time position, with a degree you may be suitable to apply for a managers role in NHS catering or even the admin side, HR or area managers? As you have experience there and there are not as many caterers with degrees to compete with.

InsideInsurance

What "experience" exactly do you need for the roles you are going for that you don't currently have?

One thing people are very bad at doing is selling themselves in this country (amoungst other things). If you are applying for basically entry level roles then they cannot (and shouldnt) want a massive amount of experience. Remember you can always look outside of your actual jobs to find experiences of working in teams, using Office etc.