Advice wanted on graduate roles

FBaby

My experience is that when I have been invited for interviews (and even after that got offered a job) hasn't always been the ones I expected and vice versa.

I remember applying for one job very confident I would get an interview for it. That evening, I saw an advert for another one that sounded great, but I didn't have all the experience they required. I debated whether to apply to it or not as the deadline was that evening and I couldn't help think 'what's the point', but in the end, decided to do it because I don't like to have regrets.

To my amazement, I did get an interview to both, but wasn't selected for the one I expected (and interviewed great for), but was offered the other one (which interview I found very challenging). Turned out fantastic since it was more money and much better experience.

All this to say, apply to anything regardless of whether you think you have a good chance or not, remember it is much easier to say 'no thank you' if the job is offered to you than if it isn't.

IYKWIM

FBaby wrote: »

All this to say, apply to anything regardless of whether you think you have a good chance or not, remember it is much easier to say 'no thank you' if the job is offered to you than if it isn't.

Exactly. I know too many people who see 'Experience needed in X software' and therefore refuse to apply. My last role had this requirement, it was bespoke software and near impossible to ever get anyone who has used it before. So provided you were IT literate it was ignored.

PupPup

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies.


For those who asked, I graduated with a 2.i BA in English Lit & Creative Writing and an MA in Creative Writing. I have worked in catering, cleaning, retail and an incoming customer service call centre since graduating.


I used to apply for graduate retail management schemes (supermarkets, department stores, etc), but I would really like to work in some kind of editing role such as being a proof-reader or editor for media content such as newspapers or websites. I am also looking at technical writing opportunities as this field was recommended to me at a job fair I went to.


I am also interested in research type work, as I am definitely a bookish person and would love hunting through libraries and archives to work on projects of that nature, so things like writing for conferences or similar.


I've stayed where I am for various reasons, including family ties and having a disability (Asperger's), so moving away has always seemed really scary. But I turn 30 this year, I'm single and have no children, so I feel ready to move my life forward and relocate if necessary.


Lots of the things I've looked at ask for experience with Mac, which I don't have (can't afford one!), but I feel that I could pick it up very quickly. I learnt my way around our unique software at work within the first day of training, so I don't feel it should be a barrier that I don't currently have experience.


I don't even know where to start with my CV as, apart from any transferable skills, my jobs don't relate at all to the fields I want to go into.


Again, thanks for all the help and advice so far


PupPup

tiger_eyes

PupPup wrote: »

I used to apply for graduate retail management schemes (supermarkets, department stores, etc), but I would really like to work in some kind of editing role such as being a proof-reader or editor for media content such as newspapers or websites.

Have you considered editing fiction? There's a huge demand for freelance editing services for self-published authors.

PupPup

Hi tiger eyes, thanks for the reply.


I honestly hadn't thought of editing for self-published authors. When I was at uni we had some editors come and talk to us about the role in big publishing houses and they basically said it was hard to find a job as an editor, and it didn't really pay well. Not sure why they were trying to put us off, lol, but it kind of did for me.


I imagine it's something that you would expect to start off slowly, and build as you show your skills and build up a client base. Do you know of anywhere specific that I could find more information on this?


Thanks again


PupPup

BillJones

IYKWIM wrote: »

It is true. Many of the old school professions, banking, lawyering, accounting etc expect you to have internships in the field.

Rubbish. I work in investment banking, and involve myself in the internship program and in graduate recruitment, and we absolutely do not expect graduates to have been interns.

Why do you believe otherwise?

tiger_eyes

PupPup wrote: »

I honestly hadn't thought of editing for self-published authors. When I was at uni we had some editors come and talk to us about the role in big publishing houses and they basically said it was hard to find a job as an editor, and it didn't really pay well. Not sure why they were trying to put us off, lol, but it kind of did for me.

Yes, it's extremely difficult to get hired as an editor at a major trade publisher. I interned at a huge publisher in London and still couldn't land a job. But there are hundreds of thousands of self-publishing authors out there and business is booming. I've had steady full-time work as a freelance editor for 2+ years now - I wouldn't give it up to work for a publisher unless I was really desperate.

PupPup wrote: »

I imagine it's something that you would expect to start off slowly, and build as you show your skills and build up a client base. Do you know of anywhere specific that I could find more information on this?

OK, there are two separate skillsets here. Firstly you need the editorial skills to diagnose problems in fiction and explain them to the author in an encouraging way. You might have learned this doing critique workshops in university - did you critique each other's fiction? Secondly there's the business aspect, which you can learn on the job. I found my first clients at the Kboards, which is a major self-publishers' forum, and hung in there through the opening months while I built my list of clients. Perseverance was my friend.

I honestly wouldn't discount this as an option. I knew nothing about self-employment before I got started - I didn't even know anyone who'd gone it alone. I wanted a nice, safe, salaried job at a regular employer. But now I run a profitable business that I built from nothing, I spend my days reading fiction, and I enjoy it.

Just a few thoughts.

bernsteingirl

It's worth rememebering that the pre-requisites are a minimum and just knowing you can pick up the skills is not enough for an employer when they are faced with plenty of candidates who DO already have these skills, experience and more.

A great way to boost your chances is to find related volunteer work - if you approach smaller organisations especially you can find some very hands-on roles. I'm sure there are some who would like someone to write copy for their website, someone to do social media updates to raise their profile, someone to write letters to relevant organisations/MPs to raise awareness of their cause... I do a lot of volunteer work which has added loads more strings to my bow and if you're working without remuneration it shows a real passion (but at the same time, you're working for a charity or campaign, so you're not being unfairly exploited!). Volunteering is also a good way to make contacts and find more referees.

amiehall

IYKWIM wrote: »

It is true. Many of the old school professions, banking, lawyering, accounting etc expect you to have internships in the field.

Having been offered jobs in both banking and accounting this year, I can assure you that it's not true. I've never had any office based job before.

fridge_raider

IYKWIM wrote: »

Not to disagree with you, a lot of this is subjective, but settling for any job can be quite detrimental to one's career. Holding 6 months for a job paying £25k is better than going straight into a dead end job on £15k.

Just apply you have nothing to lose. Who cares if they read your CV and laugh? You will never know or see them again.

So an employer would prefer someone to have been on JSA for six months, rather than prove themselves a resilient grafter?