Graduated and still no job..getting desperate

tsstss7

lisa_75 wrote: »

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.

Hi Lisa

I think you may be aiming too low - and in the wrong area.

Employers are naturally suspicious of applicants who seem overqualified for a position and shops are not particularly suitable for mum's with little help outside of school clubs as they will expect you to be available to work eve's and weekends.

I tend to work in the charity sector and have found that they are generally more flexible and family friendly (although they usually don't pay as well) and that might well suit you and fit in with the degree you have obtained (WELL DONE BTW)

However social policy could also take you into council work, social work or perhaps as a social responsibility rep for a private co. and alot of these sorts of orgs offer job share and part time hours - it's just a case of waiting for the right position to come up.

In the mean time to flesh out your CV do you not have any involvement in kids school to put on it - committee work, volunteer etc or something else of that nature?

btw temping can be great - you just need to find a good agency and build up a good relationship with them ...phone often and remind them you exist!

be-happy_2

Hi

Understand your problem completely. I spent 10 years at home after graduating and having kids - suddenly CV looks very bare!

I can only speak from my own experience but getting work as a teaching assistant or learning support assistant where I live is so competitive that unless you have NVQ 3 or equivalent you are wasting your time. Every mum wants these jobs! Our school gets about 50 applicants for each post advertised and won't even look at anyone unqualified. I decided in the end to go down the NVQ 3 route - but I have to be honest, I have been in the job for 5 years now and am bored out my head. You could do a PGCE - you get a training allowance I believe, and then work either as TA or teacher. And it only takes 1 year as opposed to 2 years for NVQs. Your heart has got to be in it though, its not an easy job and I am now looking at finding a job in the 'adult world'. Same old story though - no relevant qualifications and experience. :mad:

kelloggs36

how about doing some voluntary help in a school first as a helper, and then you can apply for a TA job later on?

merlinormartin

Hi Lisa

I think you need to remove your degree from your CV, Most "low end" jobs probably deem you "over qualified". A friend with a degree applied for a xmas position in Primark and argos and was turned down for both! . Eventually she removed the degree and was offered a xmas position at the supermarket.

Good Luck!

janine22

Have you tried supply teaching agencies? I've been given details (based in Sheffield & I don't know if this co. is just in Yorkshire) of an agency called P & K Recruitment. They deal with Supply Teachers for Secondary Schools.
Apparently you don't need teaching qualifications, just a degree.
Good luck anyway.

filigree_2

Is there a university in your town? I realise that your degree might have been distance learning so it's not a daft question

I work in a University Library 9-3, Monday - Friday and the working pattern is very good for working parents. We close at Easter and Christmas, and it's so quiet in the summer that it's easy to take time off. I should think you could probably fit that round your childcare arrangements. When I took this job I'd been a SAHM for years and I don't even have a degree so it can be done!

Good luck finding something soon.