Graduated and still no job..getting desperate

lisa_75

I graduated in July with a First in Social Policy. I am looking for a job that will fit in with childcare, so no evenings or weekends. I also only want to work part time. I have applied for over 70 jobs and had 1 interview.

I am willing to do anything. I am mainly applying for low skill jobs, but getting nowhere. I have had help from uni with my CV and applications, but still nothing. I have not worked for almost 13 years and think this is what is holding me back.

Supermarkets are not interested as I can't work evenings and weekends. Similarly most cleaning jobs start too early.

I really need a job before Christmas. Will temp agencies even consider someone with no experience who wants to work part time only?

Should I take the degree off my applications and just say I have been a SAHM? Will this be putting employers off if I applying for low skill/low paid work?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

dmg24

Have you had any feedback from the interview?

What type of jobs have you applied for? x

lisa_75

dmg24 wrote: »

Have you had any feedback from the interview?

What type of jobs have you applied for? x

Interviewer said I was a good candidate, but lack of flexibility held me back (cannot work past 4pm or weekends). Was an admin job for NHS, data input.

Have been applying for admin work, data input, call centre, cleaning, shop work and a few better paid roles, such as student support officer, teaching assistant.

dmg24

Ironically I was going to suggest admin in the NHS! They tend to be very flexible, and I am surprised that they were not for this role. Maybe worth looking at other roles in that area, or in the public sector?

There is no harm in registering with agencies. Even though you do not have recent work experience, you will have developed skills through your degree (as well as bringing up a child at the same time - demonstrating excellent time management!). Perhaps find out which agencies your local colleges and universities use, you would hope that educational organisations would appreciate the skills that you have!

Can't think what else to suggest. I often wonder whether a degree can put some employers off (the old overqualified/ underqualified problem), but I think it is down to the personal perception/ prejudice of the recruiter.

Do you mind me asking if you are a single parent? If so, there are organisations that can give you extra assistance in finding a position.

Good luck! x

mrsmoneypenny9

Why dont you consider working in schools the hours would probably suit you plus it could be term time only working, in my area the local lea usually have on record a bank of supply support staff, u cud try registering with them, you will have to have a police check, but they organise that, once registered they contact you as and when they need staff in different schools, etc. worth a try also try and get some unpaid work experience it would look good on your CV and goes towards gaining experience.

lisa_75

mrsmoneypenny9 wrote: »

Why dont you consider working in schools the hours would probably suit you plus it could be term time only working, in my area the local lea usually have on record a bank of supply support staff, u cud try registering with them, you will have to have a police check, but they organise that, once registered they contact you as and when they need staff in different schools, etc. worth a try also try and get some unpaid work experience it would look good on your CV and goes towards gaining experience.

In my area jobs in schools are very competitive. I have been told by my careers advisor that a person with no experience has very little chance of getting a job in a school. I have thought about work experience, but need a job ASAP and don't have a year or 2 spare to gain voluntary experience.

seven-day-weekend

Local Councils often offer flexitime and are usually very amenable to p/t working.

Phirefly

lisa_75 wrote: »

I don't have a year or 2 spare to gain voluntary experience.

It doesn't have to be that long. I would not have the job I have today without the unpaid work experience I undertook after I graduated.

Its damn hard and doesn't seem fair at times but if you can just rise to the challenge and get something, ANYTHING on your CV, it will pay dividends I promise.

duchy

If you are working then tax credits will pay the majority of your childcare. Is it possible that you are appearing too inflexible with your hours on applications and are not getting interviews because you appear to be listing all the things that may not be possible rather than projecting a "Can do" attitude ?
For now lots of stores are recruiting for Christmas and many will keep staff who fit in beyond. Take an armful of CVs and hit your nearest big shopping area-that is what I did the Christmas before last and found a job working 10-2 Monday to Friday. Don't forget you only need 16 hours min imum to qualify for working tax credit as a single parent. (I'm assuming you are a single parent as you mention you have no child-care).
As for working in schools -try applying for LSA/classroom assistant posts speculatively as often schools find they need more support hours after the school year has started. Don't wait for posts to be advertised-send a CV with a covering letter -and sell yourself to them. Doing volunteer work in local schools is also useful as it can be added to your CV and staffroom networking is often a good way to hear about upcoming posts both in the school and in other local schools. Connexions is also a good place to apply for as their advisors are required mainly in termtime they seem to advertise vacancies on their own site. If teaching interests you there is also the GTP programme although that may depend on your degree content.
Hope some of these thoughts may help-I've been where you are and I know it's frustrating.

lisa_75

duchy wrote: »

If you are working then tax credits will pay the majority of your childcare. Is it possible that you are appearing too inflexible with your hours on applications and are not getting interviews because you appear to be listing all the things that may not be possible rather than projecting a "Can do" attitude ?
For now lots of stores are recruiting for Christmas and many will keep staff who fit in beyond. Take an armful of CVs and hit your nearest big shopping area-that is what I did the Christmas before last and found a job working 10-2 Monday to Friday. Don't forget you only need 16 hours min imum to qualify for working tax credit as a single parent. (I'm assuming you are a single parent as you mention you have no child-care).
As for working in schools -try applying for LSA/classroom assistant posts speculatively as often schools find they need more support hours after the school year has started. Don't wait for posts to be advertised-send a CV with a covering letter -and sell yourself to them. Doing volunteer work in local schools is also useful as it can be added to your CV and staffroom networking is often a good way to hear about upcoming posts both in the school and in other local schools. Connexions is also a good place to apply for as their advisors are required mainly in termtime they seem to advertise vacancies on their own site. If teaching interests you there is also the GTP programme although that may depend on your degree content.
Hope some of these thoughts may help-I've been where you are and I know it's frustrating.

Hi. I am not a single mum. My husband works full time and earns too much for us to be able to claim childcare. I am not inflexible by choice. My husband works shifts and I simply cannot start anywhere before 9 or finish any later than 4.30 due to childcare. I need to be able to pick my kids up from before and after school club (which runs 8-5.30). I also can't drive and am relying on public transport, hence adding more time to my day.

Thanks for the advice. I am interested in school work, but as I said I really need something before Christmas as I have been out of work now for coming up 4 months. I really did not think it would take this long. I am going to try sending my cv to stores for temp xmas work as I am getting desperate.

Also, I don't mention anything on my application forms about only being able to work certain hours, so I doubt that is holding me back. My application forms are all very positive and I spend several hours on each.

laurad85

i know how you feel, i graduated in july last year and only managed to get a full time job in march (at one point i was doing 3 part time jobs just to get some money together). i went for loads of job interviews (shops, offices, banks etc) before and after i graduated and nobody was interest (most of them said i was over qualified for the jobs i went for!!) im now working in a school and am hoping to go back to uni next year to become a teacher, however my friend has just finished her teacher training and is now on the dole because she cant get a job. laura