Well it has taken a while as I have got settled into my new role but tonight I have finally created a new blog. If you are interested in my thoughts and ideas, or just what how my life is going then I would love to see you there.
http://trialsntrivialisations.blogspot.com/
I hope that this blog is truly at an end and that my unemployment troubles are over. If you stumble across it some time in the future please do not hesitate to contact me if you so desire. I know how hard it can be and am happy to chat/share insight.
Alternatively enjoy my journey through 6 months of rejections, bearacrucy and learning.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Sunday, 23 May 2010
To work
Well tomorrow is my first day in my new job. It also signals the end of this blog. I will start a new one shortly but the title and purpose of the blog no longer fits with my life.
I hope that those who have read have enjoyed doing so and maybe even gained something from this experience. Also should someone stumble across it in the time to come I will be happy to discuss any posts or views and offer any advice if wanted.
Otherwise thanks for sharing the experience with me. Now I must embark on an entirely new one.
Anthony
I hope that those who have read have enjoyed doing so and maybe even gained something from this experience. Also should someone stumble across it in the time to come I will be happy to discuss any posts or views and offer any advice if wanted.
Otherwise thanks for sharing the experience with me. Now I must embark on an entirely new one.
Anthony
Friday, 21 May 2010
Annoying to the last
No-one can be sure what the affect of the new government will be on the job centre and its approach and overall performance. I for one cannot possibly see how it can be worse.
I have blogged many times about the failings of the Job Centre, my run in with the staff there and the uselessness of their job search facility. Well now I can add another service to my list of abysmal showings. When you go back to work you are given a number to call, presumably to end your benefit in a simple and easy way. I put aside half an hour for this, expecting it to be long enough.
I called the number to find it engaged, repeating this process many times over a period of around 20 minutes. At one point I did actually get through only to confuse some poor girl in Winchester's Environmental department, a short and embarrassing conversation revealed I had misdialled by a digit.
After about 20 attempts finally the phone was answered by an automated robot..telling me the Job Centre was closed and urging me to call back during its opening times of 9am-5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Now correct me if I am wrong, it is FRIDAY. So why is the centre giving me such a retarded message. I have decided given I have spare time before my meeting with my employer later, that I will go down to the job centre, even though it is not my appointed time and see if they can succeed where their hopeless phone service fails.
I cannot wait to be rid of anything to do with the Job Centre and hope that the new coalition seriously reforms it to actually be of some use.
I have blogged many times about the failings of the Job Centre, my run in with the staff there and the uselessness of their job search facility. Well now I can add another service to my list of abysmal showings. When you go back to work you are given a number to call, presumably to end your benefit in a simple and easy way. I put aside half an hour for this, expecting it to be long enough.
I called the number to find it engaged, repeating this process many times over a period of around 20 minutes. At one point I did actually get through only to confuse some poor girl in Winchester's Environmental department, a short and embarrassing conversation revealed I had misdialled by a digit.
After about 20 attempts finally the phone was answered by an automated robot..telling me the Job Centre was closed and urging me to call back during its opening times of 9am-5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Now correct me if I am wrong, it is FRIDAY. So why is the centre giving me such a retarded message. I have decided given I have spare time before my meeting with my employer later, that I will go down to the job centre, even though it is not my appointed time and see if they can succeed where their hopeless phone service fails.
I cannot wait to be rid of anything to do with the Job Centre and hope that the new coalition seriously reforms it to actually be of some use.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
What I learned : Hints and Tips
The job of finding employment is an arduous one and certainly far from easy while we continue to be suffering in a recession. Over the course of the last 6 or so months I have got some things right, made many mistakes, but ultimately followed a path which has gained me work in my chosen sector. I like to think then that these hints and tips may be able to do the same for others in my situation. Without further ado:
3 Important Tips
1. Set a maximum of 2 Criteria- At the start of searching you will be probably have fairly narrow criteria. You will have a job you wish to do, an industry you wish to work in, location, pay, benefits, prospects. Soon it becomes clear this is unrealistic. Rank the criteria in order of importance and work out what is the most important thing to you. Some things may be forced up on you. I.E - location, if your tied to a rental contract, but by picking a wide, but targeted approach you have a better chance of finding the right job.
2. Experience is Key - A sad truth but in all but the graduate programs(and even some of them) experience is the key to success, not academic qualification. If you have experience then you stand a much better chance. If you don't do whatever it takes to get it. Temping is the best option, but also will not hire non experienced workers, work trials, working for free is always an option but the best I believe is to volunteer.
3. Volunteer - Probably the most important factor that has helped me find work has been my volunteering with the Solent Credit Union. I had not even thought of volunteering till a friend suggested it, don't assume that the right role is not there for you. Again, repeat step 1 and search for the best place for you. I looked for marketing and ended up with the S.C.U. I knew nothing about them at the time, but now am passionate about their success. It does not necessarily matter if you know the charity, there are hundreds of worthy courses out there in need of skilled workers, and unlike paid work, they are often not as picky. If this is something which interests you check out the do-it website.
And some hints
1. Identify your key sites - Most of job searching is conducted online now and there are literally thousands of sites to choose from. Do not expect to find the ideal sites for you straight away but rule out ones that do not hit the right buttons and keep searching. If you are not finding the jobs you need, try new sites and eventually build up a portfolio. For any budding marketers out there I advise the following:
Graduate Jobs South
Only Marketing Jobs
Daily Echo (Fish4jobs)
Jobsite
totaljobs
CV-Library - A brilliant discovery in the last few months
Gumtree
Marketing Job Boards
Reed.co.uk
2. Identify who will receive your application - Covering letters can make a real difference but they are time consuming and it is a good idea to keep templates for various jobs which can be adjusted. With many jobs though, the recipient is an agent representing the company. In my experience they do not read covering letters and I had a higher success rate when I stopped sending them with the C.V. Instead applying was a simple three click process in many cases and made applying for all sorts of jobs much easier.
3. Proof read any communications - Whether true or not it has been suggested that C.V's and applications are often thrown in the bin for grammar or spelling mistakes. This would seem a bit extreme but careless errors will not make you a stand out candidate for the job.
4. Be Confident and relaxed - An interview tip here. My best interviews were relaxed affairs, including the one where I got the job. Try and be relaxed and confident and honest. If you cannot answer a question state so, don't get hung up on the fact. The few rigid interviews I had were much harder and ultimately left me disliking the company anyway. Adhere to the criteria set for you but don't panic or worry. There are plenty more jobs in the...job sea? For more on interview techniques see this older post
5. Consider which benefits you are eligible for - The benefits process can be downright depressing and frustrating but don't rule it out because of pride. In particular look at Council tax and Housing benefit. Put up with the Job Centre for as long as you can. In the 6 months I was there they only did one thing to help me, and that was because I had reached the 6 month mark.
7. Consider anything which will enhance your employability - Keep an open mind and take any opportunity you can get your hands on. Think outside the box as well, if you have the money to do so learning to drive is one of the things which makes you more employable and gives you a greater reach for jobs.
8. Post your C.V on every job site you come across - Okay you do not have to religiously use the job site but if your C.V is there employers/agents can find you. I had a little success down this avenue but as always anything which makes the job easier has to be worthwhile.
9. Be cordial with agents but don't expect a lasting relationship - If your C.V begins to look impressive you will begin to receive calls from job agencies. Be polite and willing to discuss any role although also be ready to turn down opportunities. Agents will often come with jobs they are desperate to fill even if they are clearly not what you are interested in.
10. Beware the scams - Beware Scams and jobs which mislead as to what they actually involve. If possible try to avoid even applying for them. Asking for you to be self employed should flash a warning light as should salary being based entirely on OTE. (On Target Earnings) For more on marketing specific ones see here or here
Well there we go. A gigantic post which has shown some of the main things I have learned and wish to pass on. Happy hunting!
3 Important Tips
1. Set a maximum of 2 Criteria- At the start of searching you will be probably have fairly narrow criteria. You will have a job you wish to do, an industry you wish to work in, location, pay, benefits, prospects. Soon it becomes clear this is unrealistic. Rank the criteria in order of importance and work out what is the most important thing to you. Some things may be forced up on you. I.E - location, if your tied to a rental contract, but by picking a wide, but targeted approach you have a better chance of finding the right job.
2. Experience is Key - A sad truth but in all but the graduate programs(and even some of them) experience is the key to success, not academic qualification. If you have experience then you stand a much better chance. If you don't do whatever it takes to get it. Temping is the best option, but also will not hire non experienced workers, work trials, working for free is always an option but the best I believe is to volunteer.
3. Volunteer - Probably the most important factor that has helped me find work has been my volunteering with the Solent Credit Union. I had not even thought of volunteering till a friend suggested it, don't assume that the right role is not there for you. Again, repeat step 1 and search for the best place for you. I looked for marketing and ended up with the S.C.U. I knew nothing about them at the time, but now am passionate about their success. It does not necessarily matter if you know the charity, there are hundreds of worthy courses out there in need of skilled workers, and unlike paid work, they are often not as picky. If this is something which interests you check out the do-it website.
And some hints
1. Identify your key sites - Most of job searching is conducted online now and there are literally thousands of sites to choose from. Do not expect to find the ideal sites for you straight away but rule out ones that do not hit the right buttons and keep searching. If you are not finding the jobs you need, try new sites and eventually build up a portfolio. For any budding marketers out there I advise the following:
Graduate Jobs South
Only Marketing Jobs
Daily Echo (Fish4jobs)
Jobsite
totaljobs
CV-Library - A brilliant discovery in the last few months
Gumtree
Marketing Job Boards
Reed.co.uk
2. Identify who will receive your application - Covering letters can make a real difference but they are time consuming and it is a good idea to keep templates for various jobs which can be adjusted. With many jobs though, the recipient is an agent representing the company. In my experience they do not read covering letters and I had a higher success rate when I stopped sending them with the C.V. Instead applying was a simple three click process in many cases and made applying for all sorts of jobs much easier.
3. Proof read any communications - Whether true or not it has been suggested that C.V's and applications are often thrown in the bin for grammar or spelling mistakes. This would seem a bit extreme but careless errors will not make you a stand out candidate for the job.
4. Be Confident and relaxed - An interview tip here. My best interviews were relaxed affairs, including the one where I got the job. Try and be relaxed and confident and honest. If you cannot answer a question state so, don't get hung up on the fact. The few rigid interviews I had were much harder and ultimately left me disliking the company anyway. Adhere to the criteria set for you but don't panic or worry. There are plenty more jobs in the...job sea? For more on interview techniques see this older post
5. Consider which benefits you are eligible for - The benefits process can be downright depressing and frustrating but don't rule it out because of pride. In particular look at Council tax and Housing benefit. Put up with the Job Centre for as long as you can. In the 6 months I was there they only did one thing to help me, and that was because I had reached the 6 month mark.
7. Consider anything which will enhance your employability - Keep an open mind and take any opportunity you can get your hands on. Think outside the box as well, if you have the money to do so learning to drive is one of the things which makes you more employable and gives you a greater reach for jobs.
8. Post your C.V on every job site you come across - Okay you do not have to religiously use the job site but if your C.V is there employers/agents can find you. I had a little success down this avenue but as always anything which makes the job easier has to be worthwhile.
9. Be cordial with agents but don't expect a lasting relationship - If your C.V begins to look impressive you will begin to receive calls from job agencies. Be polite and willing to discuss any role although also be ready to turn down opportunities. Agents will often come with jobs they are desperate to fill even if they are clearly not what you are interested in.
10. Beware the scams - Beware Scams and jobs which mislead as to what they actually involve. If possible try to avoid even applying for them. Asking for you to be self employed should flash a warning light as should salary being based entirely on OTE. (On Target Earnings) For more on marketing specific ones see here or here
Well there we go. A gigantic post which has shown some of the main things I have learned and wish to pass on. Happy hunting!
Monday, 17 May 2010
What to do with a spare week?
Well job is all confirmed and I start on Monday 24th. I am looking forward to finally taking my first steps in paid work and eagerly await the challenge.
This has left me with a spare week and I admit to being at a little bit of a loss as to what to do with it. A certain part of me wants to spend the week doing very little, playing Dragon Age, relaxing and socialising. Another part thinks that I should be more productive and make the most of the free time for good rather than pure procrastination.
At the moment neither side is winning. Having agreed upon a compromise of some relaxation, some chores/work. So far today I have done the food shopping, looked up article ideas for Fubra and matched my socks. (No longer will I wear odd socks...not until I do the washing again at any rate!) I have also played some dragon Age and watched the latest American Dad.
I plan to write two more articles for Fubra, (thus meaning I can be paid) Undertake some Research for my job, have a driving lesson and tie up loose ends including benefits. I have more training Wednesday night and a meeting on Friday but other than that and the above, my week is entirely free. I also intend to write several more blog posts, including what I have learned and advise for others in my situation.
Any ideas or advice? What should I do with my last week till I begin full time employment?
This has left me with a spare week and I admit to being at a little bit of a loss as to what to do with it. A certain part of me wants to spend the week doing very little, playing Dragon Age, relaxing and socialising. Another part thinks that I should be more productive and make the most of the free time for good rather than pure procrastination.
At the moment neither side is winning. Having agreed upon a compromise of some relaxation, some chores/work. So far today I have done the food shopping, looked up article ideas for Fubra and matched my socks. (No longer will I wear odd socks...not until I do the washing again at any rate!) I have also played some dragon Age and watched the latest American Dad.
I plan to write two more articles for Fubra, (thus meaning I can be paid) Undertake some Research for my job, have a driving lesson and tie up loose ends including benefits. I have more training Wednesday night and a meeting on Friday but other than that and the above, my week is entirely free. I also intend to write several more blog posts, including what I have learned and advise for others in my situation.
Any ideas or advice? What should I do with my last week till I begin full time employment?
Thursday, 13 May 2010
One Step Closer
Well after the third attempt I finally managed to get an answer out of learning links who have offered the position to someone else. I am not surprised as the job description including a lot of design elements, something I have little experience with. In the last two days I have been offered (and turned down) two other interviews and it seems highly likely I will take the job with Super Fun Days Out. It has been nice to have a few days where job searching has not been at the top of my priority list and also to realise that I have reached a point now where even just sitting back relaxing, I am receiving invitations to interview for jobs. It has led me to analyse why.
I noticed a sudden change about 2 weeks ago. What was special then? Very little, I made one little alteration to my C.V (to include the social networking training) and a few more jobs appeared. Oh and we entered May. This suggested that either in May everyone suddenly becomes job happy and desperate to help graduates, or that my volunteering role had hit the 3 month mark. 3 months of experience suddenly made me interesting, whereas 2 months, 30 days left me reeling in obscurity. It is an odd system when this is the case. I did not become a better marketer on the 30th April, nor did I level up. It was an entirely unremarkable day on my calender. I can sort of understand why 3 months experience becomes attractive but it has to lead to criticism of the process, after all the potential and skills of an individual does not change on that single day, even if in the eyes of the employer, they are suddenly eminently more attractive and ready to enter the world of the professionally employed.
Hopefully this can only mean good things, and if the 3 month contract on offer ends at that point, that I won't be left floundering and lost for long.
I noticed a sudden change about 2 weeks ago. What was special then? Very little, I made one little alteration to my C.V (to include the social networking training) and a few more jobs appeared. Oh and we entered May. This suggested that either in May everyone suddenly becomes job happy and desperate to help graduates, or that my volunteering role had hit the 3 month mark. 3 months of experience suddenly made me interesting, whereas 2 months, 30 days left me reeling in obscurity. It is an odd system when this is the case. I did not become a better marketer on the 30th April, nor did I level up. It was an entirely unremarkable day on my calender. I can sort of understand why 3 months experience becomes attractive but it has to lead to criticism of the process, after all the potential and skills of an individual does not change on that single day, even if in the eyes of the employer, they are suddenly eminently more attractive and ready to enter the world of the professionally employed.
Hopefully this can only mean good things, and if the 3 month contract on offer ends at that point, that I won't be left floundering and lost for long.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Job Offer
Last week I went for an interview with a young company based in Southampton. The company in question advertises fun days out. (from zorbing to paintball to clay pigeon shooting and white water rafting) It is a small organisation run by dedicated shareholders and they are looking for someone to come in and manage the roll out of a range of new services to their existing customers. The role is an internship, initially running for 3 months with the potential for a full time longer role to be put in place after that period.
I was impressed with my interviewer (The C.E.O) and the company and although the role involves more sales and telephone usage than I would like it was certainly an interesting one. However, not wanting to hedge my bet on securing a longer term job I asked to see the business plan and projections which would give me an idea of the liklihood of securing a long term role. That for me is after all key. I do not want to end up back unemployed in 3 months time.
This morning the C.E.O rang me..at 8:40, after some confusing questions he offered me the job and suggested we could pen to paper at the early part of next week. I thanked him for the offer but felt it was only fair to notify him I was waiting to hear back from other companies about other roles both of whom should get back to me by the end of this week. He agreed albeit relunctantly to put a deadline of Saturday to accept the offer.
So now I have 4 days after which I will hopefully be employed. It is possible that he may choose to pull out and offer the role to someone else, which would be very disappointing. But I simply felt I had to keep my options open. The other roles potentially on the table are not set contracts and therefore provide stability. If I take the job I would need to find somewhere to live in Southampton until the end of August but most rental contracts run for a year. Potentially then, I could be tied to Southampton for another 10 months after the role finishes, something not to be entered into lightly. On the other hand given my increased success in gaining interviews recently, I would hope to be unemployed for a much shorter period. I also have to consider then, what the role could do for my C.V and the role offered will not verse me in new software or provide me with any major new skills, where the others involve training.
I am expecting that I will take the job, having failed to secure a role with Learning links, but whatever the outcome, at the end of this week I will have a decision to make, and then hopefully, the search will finally be at an end.
I was impressed with my interviewer (The C.E.O) and the company and although the role involves more sales and telephone usage than I would like it was certainly an interesting one. However, not wanting to hedge my bet on securing a longer term job I asked to see the business plan and projections which would give me an idea of the liklihood of securing a long term role. That for me is after all key. I do not want to end up back unemployed in 3 months time.
This morning the C.E.O rang me..at 8:40, after some confusing questions he offered me the job and suggested we could pen to paper at the early part of next week. I thanked him for the offer but felt it was only fair to notify him I was waiting to hear back from other companies about other roles both of whom should get back to me by the end of this week. He agreed albeit relunctantly to put a deadline of Saturday to accept the offer.
So now I have 4 days after which I will hopefully be employed. It is possible that he may choose to pull out and offer the role to someone else, which would be very disappointing. But I simply felt I had to keep my options open. The other roles potentially on the table are not set contracts and therefore provide stability. If I take the job I would need to find somewhere to live in Southampton until the end of August but most rental contracts run for a year. Potentially then, I could be tied to Southampton for another 10 months after the role finishes, something not to be entered into lightly. On the other hand given my increased success in gaining interviews recently, I would hope to be unemployed for a much shorter period. I also have to consider then, what the role could do for my C.V and the role offered will not verse me in new software or provide me with any major new skills, where the others involve training.
I am expecting that I will take the job, having failed to secure a role with Learning links, but whatever the outcome, at the end of this week I will have a decision to make, and then hopefully, the search will finally be at an end.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
You couldn't make it up!
On Wednesday I recieved a phone call while I was with the Credit Union. It was a company I applied for a while ago, offering me an interview on Thursday. The same day that I was due to be interviewed by no limits. This meant I needed to be in Portsmouth at 3 after the 11:30 interview in Southampton. It also threw off my usual preparation as I could not focus on just one organisation. After an evening of training I finally got down to planning my day around 10pm.
The day started badly. Stomach Ache and slight naseua are never the best thing to wake up to. However, by the time I set off for New Limits things had cleared up a bit and I felt a bit better. I arrived at No Limits with around 5 minutes to spare.
After a brief fight with the door I made my way in. I was met by a young woman who informed me the other interview had overrun and offered me a seat. I took the opportunity to quiz her about the organisation and we chatted amiably for 10 minutes or so.
After about 15 minutes the managers emerged from the interview room, took my name and then apologised as they did not realise they were meant to be interviewing me, apparently there had been some mix up and rather than interviewing for one specific role they had people for three different roles. Confusing!
I accepted this of course, was directed to the interview room, offered a drink and waited a bit longer. I talked with one of the interviewers about working with the Credit Union, my origins while I waited for the other to get the job description and begin the interview. At 11:55 my interview began, with the standard question about the company and role. It was followed by a mention of Lizzie, although the name rang a bell with me, the fact I had not heard it, sent the alarm bells ringing with my interviewer who embarrasedly informed me I was possibly in the wrong place. All initial interviews were conducted by Lizzie in the adjacent building owned by a different charity, apparently the two are not in any way directly linked but one is funding the other to employ people. After some frantic phone calls I was sent in the right direction only to be informed there was no longer any time for me to be interviewed and that I would be informed of a new date and time at some point in the future. I took it upon myself this morning to ring and organise myself though, just in case.
As I left I was bemused at the whole situation. It was amazing it was able to happen at all.
1. I failed to understand the interview was not with the organisation. I took a phonecall and wrote things down but got confused.
2. No Limits did not know who they were meant to be interviewing and thus were ready to interview me.
3. One of the interviewer asked "You're Anthony right?" He had met me the day before, but normally when a interviewer says this, it means they are confirming you are the right person.
4. Lizzie made no attempt to contact me or work out where I was, for an interview, where if I failed to attend I lost my benefits.
5. Each party was unaware of the others confusion.
This left me 3 hours till my next interview with a company in Portsmouth. I found my way with no difficulty ending up with about an hour to wander round the historic dockyard before finding my way to the company offices, 100 yards away. The interview was my first in a while and I was a little rusty to start with. The company started by asking, not telling, me about what I knew of the company. I had done some research but it had been minor due to the short notice and other interview. Another question involved breaking the rules of interviewing as I was asked to give my opinion of both their website and brand. The Marketing manager who would hire me, was himself unhappy with it, and I was lucky that I threw caution to the wind and criticised it, albeit tentatively. I feel the interview went reasonably well but that my lack of experience in design may let me down to a candidate with a similar background.
So ends the week and already I have something for every day next week, including 2 interviews. Busy times, hopefully leading to full time employment. I will cover funding in a different post.
The day started badly. Stomach Ache and slight naseua are never the best thing to wake up to. However, by the time I set off for New Limits things had cleared up a bit and I felt a bit better. I arrived at No Limits with around 5 minutes to spare.
After a brief fight with the door I made my way in. I was met by a young woman who informed me the other interview had overrun and offered me a seat. I took the opportunity to quiz her about the organisation and we chatted amiably for 10 minutes or so.
After about 15 minutes the managers emerged from the interview room, took my name and then apologised as they did not realise they were meant to be interviewing me, apparently there had been some mix up and rather than interviewing for one specific role they had people for three different roles. Confusing!
I accepted this of course, was directed to the interview room, offered a drink and waited a bit longer. I talked with one of the interviewers about working with the Credit Union, my origins while I waited for the other to get the job description and begin the interview. At 11:55 my interview began, with the standard question about the company and role. It was followed by a mention of Lizzie, although the name rang a bell with me, the fact I had not heard it, sent the alarm bells ringing with my interviewer who embarrasedly informed me I was possibly in the wrong place. All initial interviews were conducted by Lizzie in the adjacent building owned by a different charity, apparently the two are not in any way directly linked but one is funding the other to employ people. After some frantic phone calls I was sent in the right direction only to be informed there was no longer any time for me to be interviewed and that I would be informed of a new date and time at some point in the future. I took it upon myself this morning to ring and organise myself though, just in case.
As I left I was bemused at the whole situation. It was amazing it was able to happen at all.
1. I failed to understand the interview was not with the organisation. I took a phonecall and wrote things down but got confused.
2. No Limits did not know who they were meant to be interviewing and thus were ready to interview me.
3. One of the interviewer asked "You're Anthony right?" He had met me the day before, but normally when a interviewer says this, it means they are confirming you are the right person.
4. Lizzie made no attempt to contact me or work out where I was, for an interview, where if I failed to attend I lost my benefits.
5. Each party was unaware of the others confusion.
This left me 3 hours till my next interview with a company in Portsmouth. I found my way with no difficulty ending up with about an hour to wander round the historic dockyard before finding my way to the company offices, 100 yards away. The interview was my first in a while and I was a little rusty to start with. The company started by asking, not telling, me about what I knew of the company. I had done some research but it had been minor due to the short notice and other interview. Another question involved breaking the rules of interviewing as I was asked to give my opinion of both their website and brand. The Marketing manager who would hire me, was himself unhappy with it, and I was lucky that I threw caution to the wind and criticised it, albeit tentatively. I feel the interview went reasonably well but that my lack of experience in design may let me down to a candidate with a similar background.
So ends the week and already I have something for every day next week, including 2 interviews. Busy times, hopefully leading to full time employment. I will cover funding in a different post.
Monday, 26 April 2010
A Massive Week
I have lost the will to blog recently. Its been down to a number of things but today I want to update you on what for me, is the biggest week since I finished University.
Short of today, which I get to take off with the added joys of a stomach bug, my calender is full. My fingers will remain crossed for the entire week, but if just one thing goes to plan, I have cause to be happy.
Tomorrow I return to the Job Centre, to phase 2, New Deal. I don't expect much but it will be interesting nonetheless to see what is suggested, what I am offered and whether 3 weeks after my dispute, I find myself in another. I will welcome any offer of training which gives me something useful and spurn any suggestion that is no more than a time wasting exercise. Fingers crossed we can have a good discussion and come to a good agreement.
Wednesday and I have a meeting at SVS (Student Voluntary Service) to use funder finder. Along with Phil, I will search for someone who might be interested in funding the S.C.U to support me. If successful I at least have a chance of sticking around in the role, if we cannot find anything, then my path is clear, and any major involvement with the Union will end in June, along with my stay in Southampton. I also then have a training course in the evening, which will provide me with further useful skills.
Thursday signals an interview with No Limits for a role only available to the unemployed. I hold the qualifications and skills they need and even experience in the voluntary sector. I just hope I can convince them I am worthy of a chance.
So fingers crossed. This week is pivotal to my future. I only hope my long search is finally at an end.
Short of today, which I get to take off with the added joys of a stomach bug, my calender is full. My fingers will remain crossed for the entire week, but if just one thing goes to plan, I have cause to be happy.
Tomorrow I return to the Job Centre, to phase 2, New Deal. I don't expect much but it will be interesting nonetheless to see what is suggested, what I am offered and whether 3 weeks after my dispute, I find myself in another. I will welcome any offer of training which gives me something useful and spurn any suggestion that is no more than a time wasting exercise. Fingers crossed we can have a good discussion and come to a good agreement.
Wednesday and I have a meeting at SVS (Student Voluntary Service) to use funder finder. Along with Phil, I will search for someone who might be interested in funding the S.C.U to support me. If successful I at least have a chance of sticking around in the role, if we cannot find anything, then my path is clear, and any major involvement with the Union will end in June, along with my stay in Southampton. I also then have a training course in the evening, which will provide me with further useful skills.
Thursday signals an interview with No Limits for a role only available to the unemployed. I hold the qualifications and skills they need and even experience in the voluntary sector. I just hope I can convince them I am worthy of a chance.
So fingers crossed. This week is pivotal to my future. I only hope my long search is finally at an end.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Importance of clear communication
Communicating clearly is an important skill. It regularly turns up on job specifications and being able to both verbal and written communication can be immensely powerful ways of expression. I have always prided myself on having strong communication skills, particularly written. Yesterday I wrote a post however, which was not clear, and gave the wrong message. I feel it necessary to clarify the meaning behind the post since the responses did not match the intent.
Yesterdays post was mostly written from the recruiters perspective based on my experience of them. I realise rereading it that this was not clear. My questions as to why an over qualified person would go for a low paying, low skilled job were not my questions, but the questions that a perspective employer might ask and the thoughts that might be running through their mind. It was not personal belief written directly from my opinion and I was not belittling such jobs, nor was I stating I was too good for them. I was instead suggesting that recruiters for such roles might look at my C.V and background and question my motivations and the likelihood that 1. I wanted the job and 2. that I would stick around. As I said this is from my direct experience in applying for such jobs.
In other news I am not going to be applying for the school job since it is term time only and does not start until June. The amount it pays would also not be enough to cover any potential rent. Given I may not even be in Southampton in July it seems counter productive.
Yesterdays post was mostly written from the recruiters perspective based on my experience of them. I realise rereading it that this was not clear. My questions as to why an over qualified person would go for a low paying, low skilled job were not my questions, but the questions that a perspective employer might ask and the thoughts that might be running through their mind. It was not personal belief written directly from my opinion and I was not belittling such jobs, nor was I stating I was too good for them. I was instead suggesting that recruiters for such roles might look at my C.V and background and question my motivations and the likelihood that 1. I wanted the job and 2. that I would stick around. As I said this is from my direct experience in applying for such jobs.
In other news I am not going to be applying for the school job since it is term time only and does not start until June. The amount it pays would also not be enough to cover any potential rent. Given I may not even be in Southampton in July it seems counter productive.
Friday, 9 April 2010
The Admin Question
Further to yesterday's discussion with the job centre I have just applied for a 16 hours a week clerical position in a school. I have applied because it is 16 hours and pays. I could still do the volunteering role and earn nearly enough to live off. But I dont think I will get the job.
This was something the advisor said was putting up barriers. I call it being realistic. Because short of lying at the interview (and even then it would be barely believable) I am going to harpoon my own candiacy.
The question an employer asks when you go for jobs in which you are over qualified is of course why. You can state that its good experience, you just want to be working or even that you want to work in a school, but that wont be the end of it and they will press you. The employer wants someone loyal. They dont want to fill a job only to need to fill it again in a few months and you represent a risk.
The duties are after all basic. There is no benefit to having someone with business experience doing the filing, inputting data and supporting the admin staff. They know you wont be around for long. You know it, they know it. Ambition in these roles is not necessarily a virtue when what the employer wants is someone steady and reliable. So here comes the million dollar question.
Say, six months down the line you are offered a marketing position in another firm would you take it?
You're trapped. They know it's what you are ultimately after and where your ambition lies. Even if you say no, its obvious you'd want the position and would resent having to turn it down. Its a no win situation. One pulled on me twice so far in admin interviews. If you say yes it shows you represent a risk, that you will leave sooner rather than later down the line. The amusing thing about this is the more impressed with you they are, the more they are likely to worry about losing you.
This is from experience btw. Advice on how to bypass this issue is welcome. I admit its something I struggle to get my head around.
This was something the advisor said was putting up barriers. I call it being realistic. Because short of lying at the interview (and even then it would be barely believable) I am going to harpoon my own candiacy.
The question an employer asks when you go for jobs in which you are over qualified is of course why. You can state that its good experience, you just want to be working or even that you want to work in a school, but that wont be the end of it and they will press you. The employer wants someone loyal. They dont want to fill a job only to need to fill it again in a few months and you represent a risk.
The duties are after all basic. There is no benefit to having someone with business experience doing the filing, inputting data and supporting the admin staff. They know you wont be around for long. You know it, they know it. Ambition in these roles is not necessarily a virtue when what the employer wants is someone steady and reliable. So here comes the million dollar question.
Say, six months down the line you are offered a marketing position in another firm would you take it?
You're trapped. They know it's what you are ultimately after and where your ambition lies. Even if you say no, its obvious you'd want the position and would resent having to turn it down. Its a no win situation. One pulled on me twice so far in admin interviews. If you say yes it shows you represent a risk, that you will leave sooner rather than later down the line. The amusing thing about this is the more impressed with you they are, the more they are likely to worry about losing you.
This is from experience btw. Advice on how to bypass this issue is welcome. I admit its something I struggle to get my head around.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
End of the line?
I am expecting this post is going to split views and could lead to outrage on both sides of the fence. Before I explain I would like to state that although I welcome any input, in this my mind is made up and I can be a stubborn git. I believe I have been treated unfairly and intend to fight the perceived injustice as hard as I can.
I have been claiming JSA now for nearly 6 months since finishing my masters degree in Marketing Management. In that time I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to find a marketing job and to help improve my employment prospects I have taken on two different roles. Firstly I am working in a voluntary role with a local not for profit organisation and my experience and approach has led to my appointment as Marketing manager within the organisation. Secondly I am working as a freelance writer for Fubra Limited who own a wide variety of sites. I have at various intervals broadened my job search to include other fields, further distances and lower wages all in the hope of kick starting my career in marketing.
My job searchers agreement states I should look at roles in marketing assistant, marketing executive and admin areas. It is this third, admin area which has led to the dispute. I have always looked for roles with the approach of asking what they can do for me. If a role will add to my skill set or build upon existing skills then I have applied. Today I was told that this approach was not flexible enough and I should be looking at all admin jobs regardless of what they involve or their job prospects. I can see little reason for this, other than its inclusion of the third item on my job seekers agreement list. The advisor I spoke with basically suggested that my main goal should be to come off JSA and therefore look at any role I can do. My argument centred around where you draw the line. If I do a job which largely involves making tea and coffee in an office (thus admin) what difference is there to my future if I instead chose to stack shelves or work construction. Neither would help me, both would get me off of JSA. We could not reach an agreement and she suspended my job seekers allowance.
My issue is this: I am currently getting the experience I need to kick start my career and going into any admin job regardless of duties would merely be taking a step backwards. I am unwilling to do this. It cost £6,200 to get my Masters and I won't throw that away just to satisfy the job centre. I am however, willing to consider any role which will benefit me in improving future prospects. What is more is I have not broken the terms of my job seekers agreement. The agreement states:
"Take at last 4-5 steps a week to look for work. Apply for a min of 4 advertised vacancies a week, if none available make 4 speculative approaches to employers. Keep a written record of jobsearch and bring to each review. Use internet www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk, phone adviser; 0845 6060 234, use Job points. Has been informed of work trails. Read ES40 for more info. "
I am not some employment dodger eager to live off benefits. I have been applying to at least 4 jobs each week, sometimes up to 10 and thereby fulfilling the criteria set out for me. I believe I should have the right to choose which jobs to apply for and am justified in turning down low skilled/menial admin jobs I would have been able to do straight out of school. I invested in education and I think it is unreasonable to be asked to ignore it.
At the time of suspension I was asked to write the issue as I saw it and my argument as it were. I was given pen and a piece of paper. I was given no further means to contact this "higher authority" which I believe to be unreasonable. I also think it is unfair to be made to write your argument there and then when you are still under the emotional stress brought about by the fact you have just had benefits suspended. I was very angry and although I did not convey this in my writing, I certainly did not structure my argument or include all the relevant points as well as I could have given the time.
I can see things from their point of view. The advisor pointed out, rightly, that I been unsuccessful in my marketing applications and therefore have to be more flexible. This I was willing to accept and I stated a desire and willing to apply for any job which helped me walk (even baby steps) along the marketing path. What I took issue with is that the job centre would sooner see me working at McDonald's than being supported to help begin my marketing career. I believe this to be out and out wrong and if it does indeed come across as the case I intend to make a noise about it as I feel strongly it is the wrong approach. I was egged in to getting a degree and vocational skills in the form of a masters by the government, if they then want me to just to pretend it doesn't exist that simply isn't fair.
I expect that my review will lead to me being taken off JSA and thus having all support withdrawn. Its a measly £24 anyway. Nonetheless I will continue to argue my point with anyone who will listen and fight for a change in the way graduates/professionals are treated. It has been suggested to me that I write to my local MP about this, something I intend to do. I have no idea whether this will actually help or result in anything but what I simply refuse to do is lie down and take it.
I have been claiming JSA now for nearly 6 months since finishing my masters degree in Marketing Management. In that time I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to find a marketing job and to help improve my employment prospects I have taken on two different roles. Firstly I am working in a voluntary role with a local not for profit organisation and my experience and approach has led to my appointment as Marketing manager within the organisation. Secondly I am working as a freelance writer for Fubra Limited who own a wide variety of sites. I have at various intervals broadened my job search to include other fields, further distances and lower wages all in the hope of kick starting my career in marketing.
My job searchers agreement states I should look at roles in marketing assistant, marketing executive and admin areas. It is this third, admin area which has led to the dispute. I have always looked for roles with the approach of asking what they can do for me. If a role will add to my skill set or build upon existing skills then I have applied. Today I was told that this approach was not flexible enough and I should be looking at all admin jobs regardless of what they involve or their job prospects. I can see little reason for this, other than its inclusion of the third item on my job seekers agreement list. The advisor I spoke with basically suggested that my main goal should be to come off JSA and therefore look at any role I can do. My argument centred around where you draw the line. If I do a job which largely involves making tea and coffee in an office (thus admin) what difference is there to my future if I instead chose to stack shelves or work construction. Neither would help me, both would get me off of JSA. We could not reach an agreement and she suspended my job seekers allowance.
My issue is this: I am currently getting the experience I need to kick start my career and going into any admin job regardless of duties would merely be taking a step backwards. I am unwilling to do this. It cost £6,200 to get my Masters and I won't throw that away just to satisfy the job centre. I am however, willing to consider any role which will benefit me in improving future prospects. What is more is I have not broken the terms of my job seekers agreement. The agreement states:
"Take at last 4-5 steps a week to look for work. Apply for a min of 4 advertised vacancies a week, if none available make 4 speculative approaches to employers. Keep a written record of jobsearch and bring to each review. Use internet www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk, phone adviser; 0845 6060 234, use Job points. Has been informed of work trails. Read ES40 for more info. "
I am not some employment dodger eager to live off benefits. I have been applying to at least 4 jobs each week, sometimes up to 10 and thereby fulfilling the criteria set out for me. I believe I should have the right to choose which jobs to apply for and am justified in turning down low skilled/menial admin jobs I would have been able to do straight out of school. I invested in education and I think it is unreasonable to be asked to ignore it.
At the time of suspension I was asked to write the issue as I saw it and my argument as it were. I was given pen and a piece of paper. I was given no further means to contact this "higher authority" which I believe to be unreasonable. I also think it is unfair to be made to write your argument there and then when you are still under the emotional stress brought about by the fact you have just had benefits suspended. I was very angry and although I did not convey this in my writing, I certainly did not structure my argument or include all the relevant points as well as I could have given the time.
I can see things from their point of view. The advisor pointed out, rightly, that I been unsuccessful in my marketing applications and therefore have to be more flexible. This I was willing to accept and I stated a desire and willing to apply for any job which helped me walk (even baby steps) along the marketing path. What I took issue with is that the job centre would sooner see me working at McDonald's than being supported to help begin my marketing career. I believe this to be out and out wrong and if it does indeed come across as the case I intend to make a noise about it as I feel strongly it is the wrong approach. I was egged in to getting a degree and vocational skills in the form of a masters by the government, if they then want me to just to pretend it doesn't exist that simply isn't fair.
I expect that my review will lead to me being taken off JSA and thus having all support withdrawn. Its a measly £24 anyway. Nonetheless I will continue to argue my point with anyone who will listen and fight for a change in the way graduates/professionals are treated. It has been suggested to me that I write to my local MP about this, something I intend to do. I have no idea whether this will actually help or result in anything but what I simply refuse to do is lie down and take it.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Shifting Focus
It can be a hard thing to do. We all get set in our ways and to begin to change things can be a real challenge. I had noticed that in the last month, despite the fact I am now arguably more employable, I had been getting less success with my applications, less responses and less interviews. This didn't make sense, until I realised something important.
My approach was wrong. I was keen to state how although I was inexperienced I was willing to learn. My C.V catalogued my positions of authority at university and how they demonstrated useful business skills. My covering letter explained how a group project had given me harsh deadlines to produce a large project.
All of which are irrelevant now. I have been working in a marketing management role for 2 months +. I have produced articles for deadlines on a website, I have been to meetings, written a strategy, liased, networked and carried out day to day marketing duties. Stating that I learned all these useful skills at University is actually hampering my progress. What I should say is I have demonstrated all these things, practiced and used the skills I have learned. I am not prepared for working in business, I am working in business. I cannot imagine the strange impression I have been given employers. "This candidate manages all marketing for a small organisation, yet all he wants to talk about is how his university societies taught him to deal with regular meetings and how a group project gave him team experience." Something does not add up.
I may have only been in the role for a few months, but my experiences in it trump the academic, I just wish I could have been quicker on the up take. My C.V is now dramatically reduced and my covering letter template for ever changed. If there is any general lesson to learn from this it is that as situations change you have to really consider every little aspect which you are showing employers. Does it reflect you now, or you of the past and what can you do to represent yourself better.
My approach was wrong. I was keen to state how although I was inexperienced I was willing to learn. My C.V catalogued my positions of authority at university and how they demonstrated useful business skills. My covering letter explained how a group project had given me harsh deadlines to produce a large project.
All of which are irrelevant now. I have been working in a marketing management role for 2 months +. I have produced articles for deadlines on a website, I have been to meetings, written a strategy, liased, networked and carried out day to day marketing duties. Stating that I learned all these useful skills at University is actually hampering my progress. What I should say is I have demonstrated all these things, practiced and used the skills I have learned. I am not prepared for working in business, I am working in business. I cannot imagine the strange impression I have been given employers. "This candidate manages all marketing for a small organisation, yet all he wants to talk about is how his university societies taught him to deal with regular meetings and how a group project gave him team experience." Something does not add up.
I may have only been in the role for a few months, but my experiences in it trump the academic, I just wish I could have been quicker on the up take. My C.V is now dramatically reduced and my covering letter template for ever changed. If there is any general lesson to learn from this it is that as situations change you have to really consider every little aspect which you are showing employers. Does it reflect you now, or you of the past and what can you do to represent yourself better.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
So, what will you teach me?
After 6 months of unemployment the Job Centre pledges to place you in a job or provide meaningful training which will further your career prospects. With this day soon approaching I will soon be subject to this pledge. For many, I imagine, this will make the big difference and help them find work.
Me, I am dreading it.
It has all the hallmarks of another fight with the Job Centre as they either try to place me, or train me in something utterly irrelevant and pointless. For the most part the pledge is for simple untrained workers, so till training, construction work or telesales training may be the approach taken. I will not pretend I know everything but its going to be interesting to see what basic training is suggested to me and I am offered. I have already learnt in my Masters all about marketing, admin, negotiation, presentation, report writing and computer usage. I know how to do data entry and have had experience answering telephones. Just what will they try and teach me..its going to be interesting to see.
It got me thinking. In an ideal world, what skills would I be given. What keeps appearing on job applications? Being able to code in HTML has come up a few times, QuarkX - a program used in sales, or perhaps best of all Adobe Creative Suite, which has appeared many times as desirable.
If I was provided training in any of those it could make a big difference to the success of my job applications. I just cannot help but worry that in reality I will given a skill I will never use again, but there is nothing wrong in hoping.
Me, I am dreading it.
It has all the hallmarks of another fight with the Job Centre as they either try to place me, or train me in something utterly irrelevant and pointless. For the most part the pledge is for simple untrained workers, so till training, construction work or telesales training may be the approach taken. I will not pretend I know everything but its going to be interesting to see what basic training is suggested to me and I am offered. I have already learnt in my Masters all about marketing, admin, negotiation, presentation, report writing and computer usage. I know how to do data entry and have had experience answering telephones. Just what will they try and teach me..its going to be interesting to see.
It got me thinking. In an ideal world, what skills would I be given. What keeps appearing on job applications? Being able to code in HTML has come up a few times, QuarkX - a program used in sales, or perhaps best of all Adobe Creative Suite, which has appeared many times as desirable.
If I was provided training in any of those it could make a big difference to the success of my job applications. I just cannot help but worry that in reality I will given a skill I will never use again, but there is nothing wrong in hoping.
Monday, 22 March 2010
A little lost
Another day drifts slowly past which has been utterly uneventful on the job side of things. It has now been a week since my last succesful communication with a company. I have applied for many jobs, some of which are quite realistic but have heard nothing.
It has me confused. My C.V now includes experience, my covering letter draws upon it, but my success rate has dropped. Perhaps I am now going for more jobs believing I have skills and experience but in reality this is not how the companies see it. Or maybe some big internet wormhole has been eating my emails.
I am used to rejections, the odd agency phone call and interviewing only ultimately to be disappointed. Nothing is unusual. It makes little sense, and I am not sure what can be done to rectify it. Maybe companies are becoming increasingly tired of writing rejections so now just ignore unsuccesful applications, or maybe I have been wrong about the jobs I thought looked realistic. Its hard to know for sure, but at least in my approach I will keep plugging away and spend a little more time on my jobs.
It has me confused. My C.V now includes experience, my covering letter draws upon it, but my success rate has dropped. Perhaps I am now going for more jobs believing I have skills and experience but in reality this is not how the companies see it. Or maybe some big internet wormhole has been eating my emails.
I am used to rejections, the odd agency phone call and interviewing only ultimately to be disappointed. Nothing is unusual. It makes little sense, and I am not sure what can be done to rectify it. Maybe companies are becoming increasingly tired of writing rejections so now just ignore unsuccesful applications, or maybe I have been wrong about the jobs I thought looked realistic. Its hard to know for sure, but at least in my approach I will keep plugging away and spend a little more time on my jobs.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Money well spent....
A few weeks back, maybe longer, I reviewed a number of job sites. At the time I ranked job centre plus at 3/5, a really useful resource for job hunting.
Since then it has never stopped falling in value. As I eluded to then, it is soon to be replaced by the direct gov simple search. Since then as if to make the transition seem a good thing the job centre search has been erratic and useless.
In the past month I am yet to find a single position using it. The frustrating thing though is I have to conduct several different searches to actually work this out. It is just a broken waste of space. Some examples of its failings.
- A search asking for jobs no further than 40 miles outside Southampton, offers jobs in glasgow, east riding of yorkshire and northampton
- A keyword search of marketing returns english lecturer, kitchen fitter and cleaner
- I am yet to find a way to actually turn up marketing executive roles without use of the keyword
Since I am being forced into visiting the job centre weekly anyway I am very tempted to give up and let the job centre "find" jobs for me in itermittent weeks. Not that their own internal search function seems to be any better.
What is most distressing in all this is that Job Centre Plus is planning to replace the above with direct gov job search. A search for marketing will warrant the following choices of which you can pick 3:
e-marketing
farm sales and marketing
marketing and public relations
marketing for non profit organisations
marketing manager
selling
telesales
It would be fair to assume that this is because these are the jobs that are available, after all there are more marketing jobs in sectors other than charities and farms. Wrong. Selecting marketing and pr, marketing for non profit, and marketing manager will return 90% sales and account manager jobs, with not a single job in any of the 3 selected options. It does not even state none of the above were found, these are apparently relevant jobs.
*Sigh*
The site may be bright, its future certainly isn't.
Since then it has never stopped falling in value. As I eluded to then, it is soon to be replaced by the direct gov simple search. Since then as if to make the transition seem a good thing the job centre search has been erratic and useless.
In the past month I am yet to find a single position using it. The frustrating thing though is I have to conduct several different searches to actually work this out. It is just a broken waste of space. Some examples of its failings.
- A search asking for jobs no further than 40 miles outside Southampton, offers jobs in glasgow, east riding of yorkshire and northampton
- A keyword search of marketing returns english lecturer, kitchen fitter and cleaner
- I am yet to find a way to actually turn up marketing executive roles without use of the keyword
Since I am being forced into visiting the job centre weekly anyway I am very tempted to give up and let the job centre "find" jobs for me in itermittent weeks. Not that their own internal search function seems to be any better.
What is most distressing in all this is that Job Centre Plus is planning to replace the above with direct gov job search. A search for marketing will warrant the following choices of which you can pick 3:
e-marketing
farm sales and marketing
marketing and public relations
marketing for non profit organisations
marketing manager
selling
telesales
It would be fair to assume that this is because these are the jobs that are available, after all there are more marketing jobs in sectors other than charities and farms. Wrong. Selecting marketing and pr, marketing for non profit, and marketing manager will return 90% sales and account manager jobs, with not a single job in any of the 3 selected options. It does not even state none of the above were found, these are apparently relevant jobs.
*Sigh*
The site may be bright, its future certainly isn't.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
An update on the positive
Although I am yet to find a full time paying job, 2010 has not actually been a bad year for me. The end of 2009 was just one failed job application after another. I spent way too long wasting time and watching as the days went past.
2010 and I joined the Solent Credit Union. I discovered an organisation with massive potential and a few people keen to drive growth, but mostly floundering as a large fish in a small pond. My work there has included delivering a marketing strategy which I was amused to hear many members of the board have not actually read. Nonetheless the Marketing team has and we have set some realisable goals and deadlines which will take the organisation forward. Perhaps the most important of these is the decision that we need a premises, something we are now taking steps to doing with a meeting scheduled on Friday with the manager of the East Street Centre. I have enjoyed my various tasks and challenges with the SCU and can now see the potential should the chance arise to pursue marketing in the not for profit sector. There has been tentative talk of putting together a funding proposal which would allow me to stay in the role with the SCU.
February also gave me the chance to interview with an awesome organisation called Fubra. I felt I had put myself across well and had a very real chance of scoring the marketing executive role. In reality it was the same old story, with an experienced candidate beating me to the post. Fubra did however make me a trial job offer, the chance to become a copy writer for their portfolio of sites. This has mostly involved writing short news/blog articles on the relevant sites with each earning me £5. The trial involved writing four blogs and I completed it earlier this week. Given it takes me under half an hour usually it's not a bad little bonus. Not to mention I can now add the skill of copy writing to my C.V and provide examples of my work.
March and I have finally got round to learning to drive. I have only had one lesson and it has proved a daunting experience, although fun. Hopefully, I will not take too long to pick up the basics and thus lessen the dent in my savings.
The future holds more driving lessons, the continuation of implementing my strategy at the SCU and now I am officially a writer for Fubra I could if I chose to write a larger article for a bigger pay out. Short of the lack of a job, the future actually looks pretty bright!
2010 and I joined the Solent Credit Union. I discovered an organisation with massive potential and a few people keen to drive growth, but mostly floundering as a large fish in a small pond. My work there has included delivering a marketing strategy which I was amused to hear many members of the board have not actually read. Nonetheless the Marketing team has and we have set some realisable goals and deadlines which will take the organisation forward. Perhaps the most important of these is the decision that we need a premises, something we are now taking steps to doing with a meeting scheduled on Friday with the manager of the East Street Centre. I have enjoyed my various tasks and challenges with the SCU and can now see the potential should the chance arise to pursue marketing in the not for profit sector. There has been tentative talk of putting together a funding proposal which would allow me to stay in the role with the SCU.
February also gave me the chance to interview with an awesome organisation called Fubra. I felt I had put myself across well and had a very real chance of scoring the marketing executive role. In reality it was the same old story, with an experienced candidate beating me to the post. Fubra did however make me a trial job offer, the chance to become a copy writer for their portfolio of sites. This has mostly involved writing short news/blog articles on the relevant sites with each earning me £5. The trial involved writing four blogs and I completed it earlier this week. Given it takes me under half an hour usually it's not a bad little bonus. Not to mention I can now add the skill of copy writing to my C.V and provide examples of my work.
March and I have finally got round to learning to drive. I have only had one lesson and it has proved a daunting experience, although fun. Hopefully, I will not take too long to pick up the basics and thus lessen the dent in my savings.
The future holds more driving lessons, the continuation of implementing my strategy at the SCU and now I am officially a writer for Fubra I could if I chose to write a larger article for a bigger pay out. Short of the lack of a job, the future actually looks pretty bright!
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Making the effort
One of the most time consuming part of job hunting is regularly updating your profiles on the bazillion sites you have chose to upload them on. The fact is as a job hunter you may as well put yourself out there in as many places as you possibly can. There are numerous job sites, some even seem to have the exact same jobs.
It has been suggested that it is good practice to update profiles/C.V's every few days as it puts you to the top of employers listings in a search. I tried this at first but for one thing just slightly editing my C.V to generate hits did not seem to work and for another I felt there were better uses of my time.
In the last few days though, I have been given good reason to update my C.V. It has taken me around an hour and a half jumping around the various sites and updating and uploading my C.V. The sites suggest that the purpose of this is to get employers to find you. As of yet I have never actually been directly contacted by an agency, employer or job I actually want. I have had to find the jobs. Nonetheless since I have nothing to lose, when I do have reason to update it still seems worth taking the time and making the effort. After all, all I need is one break, if it comes direct from an employer then the choice certainly becomes justified.
The amazing thing is that because there are so many sites I find new ones every now and then to upload and use. Hopefully one will prove to be the diamond in the rough and have not only good jobs but employers looking for people like me
It has been suggested that it is good practice to update profiles/C.V's every few days as it puts you to the top of employers listings in a search. I tried this at first but for one thing just slightly editing my C.V to generate hits did not seem to work and for another I felt there were better uses of my time.
In the last few days though, I have been given good reason to update my C.V. It has taken me around an hour and a half jumping around the various sites and updating and uploading my C.V. The sites suggest that the purpose of this is to get employers to find you. As of yet I have never actually been directly contacted by an agency, employer or job I actually want. I have had to find the jobs. Nonetheless since I have nothing to lose, when I do have reason to update it still seems worth taking the time and making the effort. After all, all I need is one break, if it comes direct from an employer then the choice certainly becomes justified.
The amazing thing is that because there are so many sites I find new ones every now and then to upload and use. Hopefully one will prove to be the diamond in the rough and have not only good jobs but employers looking for people like me
Friday, 12 March 2010
Getting off the fence
I am both lucky and cursed in that I have already chosen a career direction. In one sense it is good to have a target and in another it's bad to be so limited.
For many people deciding on which career path they wish take can be the hardest part of the job seeking process. At each stage of our lives we are forced to make (fairly) uninformed decisions about what we want to do next.
Yesterday I applied for a job entirely in P.R. It was a departure for me and my knowledge of what was involved and what was required was not as strong as when I apply for marketing jobs. I therefore decided to use My Job Search which has an extensive database of job descriptions and roles.
Within each is a list of the skills and interests required as well as an interview with someone in that job which helps to provide further insight into what the role involves and helps build a better picture of just what the job is about. It was particularly useful in aiding me in writing my covering letter as I drew upon the skills I knew the company would be interested in.
Particularly if you are one of those people who are still sitting on the fence, unsure exactly about what to do then I strongly advise you to take a look at it. Also if you are applying for a position you know little about it is worth reading the relevant job page before submitting an application. Below is a screenshot, which gives a good idea of just how many job descriptions are available:
Once you have decided which role best suits you, you can then use the search function to search for those jobs and the site will search 514 different job databases for you. The site has a simple search function whereby you can input a job and location. As with most job sites you will have to pick out the sales jobs claiming to be marketing and sift through a lot of irrelevant positions. A salary checker is also available which can allow you to hone your search and thus provide a higher level of positions which are likely to be of interest to you.
So if your are still sitting on the fence, My Job Search can be an excellent resource for you. It is in particular this database of career descriptions which makes it stand out from the other job search sites.
For many people deciding on which career path they wish take can be the hardest part of the job seeking process. At each stage of our lives we are forced to make (fairly) uninformed decisions about what we want to do next.
Yesterday I applied for a job entirely in P.R. It was a departure for me and my knowledge of what was involved and what was required was not as strong as when I apply for marketing jobs. I therefore decided to use My Job Search which has an extensive database of job descriptions and roles.
Within each is a list of the skills and interests required as well as an interview with someone in that job which helps to provide further insight into what the role involves and helps build a better picture of just what the job is about. It was particularly useful in aiding me in writing my covering letter as I drew upon the skills I knew the company would be interested in.
Particularly if you are one of those people who are still sitting on the fence, unsure exactly about what to do then I strongly advise you to take a look at it. Also if you are applying for a position you know little about it is worth reading the relevant job page before submitting an application. Below is a screenshot, which gives a good idea of just how many job descriptions are available:
Once you have decided which role best suits you, you can then use the search function to search for those jobs and the site will search 514 different job databases for you. The site has a simple search function whereby you can input a job and location. As with most job sites you will have to pick out the sales jobs claiming to be marketing and sift through a lot of irrelevant positions. A salary checker is also available which can allow you to hone your search and thus provide a higher level of positions which are likely to be of interest to you.
So if your are still sitting on the fence, My Job Search can be an excellent resource for you. It is in particular this database of career descriptions which makes it stand out from the other job search sites.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
The Job Centre- There to help?
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the Job Centre and in particular their insistence that after 13 weeks of job searching in alternate weeks to signing on I have to sit with an advisor, look at jobs I could find myself and then leave.
You may remember I had requested that these end given their utter pointlessness. At the time the guy was very understanding and said after three weeks he would ask his superior.
The answer was of course no.
What is more the jobs he keeps showing me never actually involve even the smallest element of marketing, instead being mostly admin based. As I explained applying for a permanent admin job is just not realistic. But on Tuesday my advisor wanted to give it another go. This gave me a chance to really vent my frustration at the whole job centre process.
We have now been in an economic downturn for nearly 2 years and yet the job centre has made no attempt to adopt its practices to graduates/unemployed professionals and even experienced managers. They all get the same experience as someone with 3 kids, no education and 20 years of life. I think we really have gone to far down the equal opportunity and fairness path. Because when it comes to the job centre, we are not all equal and should therefore be treated differently. I regularly bring a list of between 6-10 jobs I have applied for. I search every few days and am also volunteering and copywriting. Being bought in to the job centre every other week to look at jobs I am not going to apply for is basically laughable.
The way that the job centre works they would sooner see me working in a low paying admin job I could have done straight out of school, rather than volunteering, gaining experience and trying to realise my potential. These things in fact gain me no extra credit, if anything they are viewed as a distraction.
If necessary i will have the same argument with the advisors each week and win. If they think that I spent £6k to study a Marketing Masters just to spend my life in a basic admin job they are sadly, sadly mistaken. If they ever actually decide they have an interest in helping me I will welcome it. Until then I will attend each Monday meeting, ready for another fight.
You may remember I had requested that these end given their utter pointlessness. At the time the guy was very understanding and said after three weeks he would ask his superior.
The answer was of course no.
What is more the jobs he keeps showing me never actually involve even the smallest element of marketing, instead being mostly admin based. As I explained applying for a permanent admin job is just not realistic. But on Tuesday my advisor wanted to give it another go. This gave me a chance to really vent my frustration at the whole job centre process.
We have now been in an economic downturn for nearly 2 years and yet the job centre has made no attempt to adopt its practices to graduates/unemployed professionals and even experienced managers. They all get the same experience as someone with 3 kids, no education and 20 years of life. I think we really have gone to far down the equal opportunity and fairness path. Because when it comes to the job centre, we are not all equal and should therefore be treated differently. I regularly bring a list of between 6-10 jobs I have applied for. I search every few days and am also volunteering and copywriting. Being bought in to the job centre every other week to look at jobs I am not going to apply for is basically laughable.
The way that the job centre works they would sooner see me working in a low paying admin job I could have done straight out of school, rather than volunteering, gaining experience and trying to realise my potential. These things in fact gain me no extra credit, if anything they are viewed as a distraction.
If necessary i will have the same argument with the advisors each week and win. If they think that I spent £6k to study a Marketing Masters just to spend my life in a basic admin job they are sadly, sadly mistaken. If they ever actually decide they have an interest in helping me I will welcome it. Until then I will attend each Monday meeting, ready for another fight.
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