New User to MSE...Student Who's annoyed at Job market...

AndyHams_New

Jakg wrote: »

If your getting told you don't have the experience, have you tried pimping the projects you've done at University on your CV?

Was thinking of doing that but To be all honest soon as most recruitment notice i am a grad and past work whilst studying like Call centers i get either Goodbye or too over qualified or no Exp

Just been looking into some voluntary experiences i can apply for and hopefully if i get in can use to get that excuse out of the way have found a few also and whilst i apply and get in there save a few bookmarks for intern jobs at places like HP in warrington.

Just kinda annoyance with these agencies trying to get me on some telesales jobs. But thanks will try that out

AndyHams_New

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

And if the OP can't get a job (as he has posted)? Surely working for 3 months unpaid is better than not to get into the industry?

Not in an idealistic world I'm afraid.

Paid or Unpaid i just want to work in my chosen Field and i am not getting any younger lol But yeah as said in last post i found some computer support roles for local library and voluntary and IT Internships so just need to form a plan of attack and get on them, Pehaps tweak my CV a little bit and (white lie a little perhaps)

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

And if the OP can't get a job (as he has posted)? Surely working for 3 months unpaid is better than not to get into the industry?

Not in an idealistic world I'm afraid.

No it's not better. All it would do for OP is show the world how little he values what he has to offer a company. If you're going to volunteer do it for a good cause e.g. A charity - that way you can look at it in terms of donating your labour for the cause rather than to line the shareholders pockets.

AndyHams_New

Southend1 wrote: »

No it's not better. All it would do for OP is show the world how little he values what he has to offer a company. If you're going to volunteer do it for a good cause e.g. A charity - that way you can look at it in terms of donating your labour for the cause rather than to line the shareholders pockets.

Good points raised thank you never really through about it that way

Southend1

AndyHams_New wrote: »

Good points raised thank you never really through about it that way

You're welcome, and good luck finding a job

AndyHams_New

Southend1 wrote: »

You're welcome, and good luck finding a job

Thanks i have actually ordered a lucky Rabbit Foot and Shamrock off E Bay...Let see it helps ::j

Thanks all for your help will do like someone said and use this as a dairy this post to see if can help anyone else and keep me in check of my goals:)

tripled

I got into IT - without a degree - by working for free for a local web company part-time. I didn't have any specific remit, sometimes I would be helping the support and infrastructure guy, other times the programmer or the designer, sometimes testing or tea-making. After 6 months I was offered a full-time job on minimum wage and 12 months later they gave me a 10% pay rise.

That firm went bankrupt a few months later, but I landed another interview by word of mouth through a friend of a friend.

In my current job (programmer), a junior developer started on the same day. He had a degree and previously worked for a family owned firm that specialised in installing and maintaining networks for schools and small businesses. Despite this background it took him over a year after university to land the opportunity, and he had to move a hundred miles or so.

The point to my ramblings is that sadly qualifications alone aren't always enough. Luck plays a big part, sometimes it's the old "who you know not what you know", but getting your own experience helps improve your chances.

As suggested above, you may go down the route of an intership, which would help you get a foot in the door. If not, in terms of programming you can invest some of your own time working on open source or voluntary projects, or even create some projects yourself (mobile apps and games perhaps even if they never make a profit).

In terms of networking (the cable and router kind), I'm not sure how much you can really do at home. Maybe get on Stack Overflow, try and contribute on there. Build up a reputation.

Networking (the talking to people kind) is also useful. See if there are any local user groups that discuss technologies you're interested in. Chatting to people there might eventually yield an opportunity, if not you've still expanded your knowledge and often you get free grub too!

If you aren't already, make sure you are tailoring your applications to each vacancy. Make sure your CV isn't too long and is relevant. Covering letters don't do any harm.

Remember recruiters are salespeople. They are only interested in you if they can sell you to an employer, that's how they get their commission. Take anything they say with a large pinch of salt, and if they seem to lose interest in you then move on. It means they haven't got anyone to sell you to at that time, but don't burn your bridges. Use them to your advantage. If you want recruiters contacting you, set up a linkedin profile. They'll find you by keyword matching. Accept every recruiter as a friend, you'll then come up higher in more searches.

buglawton

Cheshire seems to be bristling with opportunities.
http://www.indeed.co.uk/Software-Engineer-jobs-in-Cheshire
If you live at home you can afford a car, if renting you can move where the work is.
Are you sure your CV is giving the right impression?

AndyHams_New

buglawton wrote: »

Cheshire seems to be bristling with opportunities.

If you live at home you can afford a car, if renting you can move where the work is.
Are you sure your CV is giving the right impression?

Hi and thanks for link Ive actually found some good posts im hoping for some chances,

As for re location or moving good idea but flat broke No savings living with girlfriends parents & herself hence why have no car company I worked for finished January was agency work temp

But if I have any luck with them ive spotted ill owe you a few beers

Thanks again

BillJones

Southend1 wrote: »

Don't work for free. The point of work is that you sell your labour for a price. That price should be at least a living wage.

Yes, far better to be unemployed but "principled" than gaining experience for a few months while looking for paid work...

Can I ask, how much did you charge your school for yourtime and effort?

I suppose that that's different, of course...