How to get a good job?

lucy_w86

TeaBoy wrote: »

jesus im 26 and unemployed, got at interview for 41k job on monday, should i not bother and give up??

25 is not passed it! i've just achieved other things in my youth other than doing the same crap i'll be doing for next 40 years!!

I completely agree....in my opinion, there is more to life!

PasturesNew

I'm late 40s and not achieved yet.

I've had some glimmers of hope along the way only to have it dashed:
- 1996 promoted to Operations Manager after 6 months, 1997 company closed
- 1997 taken on permanent from a temp job, 1998 secret talks to put me into a £35-40k Manager's job. Then company was bought out and Dept closed down
- 1999-2000 earning £50k, dot com bubble burst and jobs dried up overnight

Then I found I was geographically challenged (200 miles away from work/huge mortgage/market for what I do shrunk overnight) so I did "whatever job I could find/do" as you are advised. But then your CV looks poor/bitty.

2006 decided to reskill, paid £2000 to get a magic bit of paper, sold my house, relocated in 2007. Right as the banks were hitting crisis and people doing the sort of job I do are being laid off left/right/centre.

Now the main question employers have is "so you haven't done that job for a few years, what have you been doing", and nobody's impressed with the fact you did what you could to survive/pay the bills. They don't appreciate that just because you want a job doesn't make one magically exist, so you do what IS available today.

There's no easy answer. You just have to keep trying things that you think might work and hoping. I know I do. Even 25 years after I first asked the question you are asking. Even though all around me I see young people with no experience going into jobs at good rates that I'd have killed for (except they're in different towns). Jobs I am experienced at going to people with no experience.

I don't do that touchy feely stuff. I don't network. I have no contacts.

You just have to keep looking and believing it's out there somewhere. That one day somebody will see you for what you are and give you that chance.

therealdessie

I started to type out a long response earlier but then the forums threw up and lost my text

The point I was originally trying to make, TeaBoy, is that at 25 you will find it harder to get into a professional body for qualification - since at that point you have to take the Mature Student route (yes, MATURE STUDENT at 25) which is largely dependant on your previous academics.

So anyone at 23 with a degree they're not using and no plans to see where their career is going should seriously be considering higher education while working or much later on they'll struggle.

Pastures: That's very disheartening to read, and I am sorry for the trouble you have had. It's very frustrating that at certain levels and industries, people do unfortunately have a bias to age and "flash". Like you I don't network or keep contacts (except friends in old jobs) and I find it hard to get employment on my merits since I'm qualified for my roles by experience - I am working now to get the letters after my name that I need, but work comes first.

Something will come up, even something unexpected. I have many friends who have left their careers for various reasons (depression, needed a change, dislike of the industry) and have become successful at things they never thought they would like doing - courier work, nurising, electrician (!), receptionist. Is it possible you could start following a dream and see where a change of pace might take you?

Bismarck

Mark7799 wrote: »

Did anyone else think 'StudentPhil' before reading the thread?:p

you've got it on the brain...I know why though.....

£75K for Lee McQueen...sheesh...."that's what I'm talking abaaaat!"... !!!!!!.

CFC

Sales people earn a lot of money, recruitment consultants for example.

As for you, wee student saver, it's partly luck and partly skill. Some people do it all on luck. You need to maximise your chances by using skill. You need to help make your opportunities to get ahead.

Pick your field. It doesn't really matter what field it is. Focus on where you want to be and what you want to be doing in 5 year's time. Then find out what skills you will need to do that job. If you can't find out through an employment advice service, go and pick somebody's brains. If all else failed, you could call someone who's doing the job (out of the yellow pages if necessary!) and ask them...remember, people love to feel important and most people would be flattered at being asked.

Then start working on the skills needed. Really put effort into your job, think about what would improve it or would make the company more money, put those suggestions forward in writing. Get yourself thought of as an up-and-coming person. Ask a line manager to 'mentor' you. It's no good just getting positive reviews- all that means is you can do your current job, but what you are aiming at is the next rung on the ladder. For example, if you are wanting to get into management (assuming you are not joining as a 'trainee graduate' manager) you are likely to get the role you want when it is likely that people's reactions to your being promoted to a manager is ...0h, X has been promoted to manager...I thought he already was one...

These actions will maximise your chances of utilising whatever lucky breaks you get.

Of course, if you are very lucky, you will know the right people and they will smooth the way for you. For most of us, that's not an option.

Deals_2

i think it is a lot about who you know though!!!! and if they want to see you get ahead and be careful that they dont think you are getting ahead fo them. i feel the same i have 2 qualifications and loads of skills . skint at the moment and also look at The Apprentice thinking how the hell do they currently earn £75k a year or over £100k with the way they come accross on tv. but dont forget the hard times can make you stronger and also dont forget it could always be worse such as getting cancer etc that you dont wish on anyone and that is what keeps me going!!!!
But i do have some new ideas up my sleeve so not giving up yet!!!

CFC wrote: »

Sales people earn a lot of money, recruitment consultants for example.

As for you, wee student saver, it's partly luck and partly skill. Some people do it all on luck. You need to maximise your chances by using skill. You need to help make your opportunities to get ahead.

Pick your field. It doesn't really matter what field it is. Focus on where you want to be and what you want to be doing in 5 year's time. Then find out what skills you will need to do that job. If you can't find out through an employment advice service, go and pick somebody's brains. If all else failed, you could call someone who's doing the job (out of the yellow pages if necessary!) and ask them...remember, people love to feel important and most people would be flattered at being asked.

Then start working on the skills needed. Really put effort into your job, think about what would improve it or would make the company more money, put those suggestions forward in writing. Get yourself thought of as an up-and-coming person. Ask a line manager to 'mentor' you. It's no good just getting positive reviews- all that means is you can do your current job, but what you are aiming at is the next rung on the ladder. For example, if you are wanting to get into management (assuming you are not joining as a 'trainee graduate' manager) you are likely to get the role you want when it is likely that people's reactions to your being promoted to a manager is ...0h, X has been promoted to manager...I thought he already was one...

These actions will maximise your chances of utilising whatever lucky breaks you get.

Of course, if you are very lucky, you will know the right people and they will smooth the way for you. For most of us, that's not an option.

Cloudane

Contacts are a massive part of it. In the company I currently work for, if someone who already works there knows you then you are basically guaranteed a job (long as you're not a complete and utter clown). That's how I got in, and how I passed on the favour to someone else and he got in too.

Deals_2

shop floor at C & A in Oxford Street and suddenly he became a stockbroker! Now has a huge property!!! and loads of dosh! but he did know someone who was a stockbroker and got him in!!!

Cloudane wrote: »

Contacts are a massive part of it. In the company I currently work for, if someone who already works there knows you then you are basically guaranteed a job (long as you're not a complete and utter clown). That's how I got in, and how I passed on the favour to someone else and he got in too.