Red Alert Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 I was made redundant from my job in retail I had been at for 6 years back in October. I had just finished a diploma in computerised/manual payroll admin that I studied from home. Which I was hoping would give me a chance to get a foothold on the career ladder but since October I have literally applied for 70+ jobs and not got a thing. I am 25 this month and have only ever worked retail, anybody any tips on what I should be doing or how to get myself a job as spending time on here during the day is killing me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 (edited) I wish you all the best in looking for future work, it makes a change these days, most youngsters are sat on their PS3 and eating toast. Good luck mate. Edited 12 January, 2010 by Dog It turned serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 You're stuck in the situation where you need a job to get experience but without experience no one will give you a job. I was in the same situation when I changed career in my early 30's. I did the courses, passed the exams and applied for loads of jobs. Luckily someone who'd been in a similar situation earlier in their career decided to give me a chance and I was OK. Just be persistent. Don't just go for advertised jobs. Many vacancies are not advertised, so do a bit of cold calling, ask around etc and don't be too fussy to start with. Once you've got a bit of experience you can be a bit more choosy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INFLUENCED.COM Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 anybody any tips on what I should be doing or how to get myself a job as spending time on here during the day is killing me Why not do some voluntary work ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Can't really help, but good luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Keith Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 (edited) you really need to be networking. talk to people who you know in the organisations that you would like to work for, ask for their help in pointing you in the right direction, or ask for the contacts of anyone in their company who is hiring, or ask for a personal introduction to someone in HR get yourself on linkedin as well also, i know this sounds cheesy, but try to offer to do some unpaid work. it gets your foot in the door, you can then network and make other contacts whilst you're there, will give you a practical understanding of the realities of the job you want to do, and if you're good, they will be unlikely to let you go, or if they do, you will have a good testimonial from them, and experience to show on your CV Edited 12 January, 2010 by Saint Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Yes, thank you Dog. I've moved this to The Lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 There is assistance for retraining from various government bodies. Try the Job Centre first, explaining that you would like to consider a career move, Eastleigh College and other like bodies. I used to be involved with a local company that provided eaxctly the assistance that you need but it had to close after John Denham changed the method of government funding. Good luck! http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html http://www3.hants.gov.uk/jobs http://www.armchairadvice.co.uk/change/retraining.asp http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.comsaint Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 My advice would be to emmigrate to Australia or New Zealand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Alert Posted 12 January, 2010 Author Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Thank you for the advice guys (and Dog). Is so demoralizing having a stack of letters saying "Unfortunately on this occasion you have no been selected...." after 3 months of it it is starting to get to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Just to add my best wishes too - I didn't get into my current career (Marketing Research) until I was about 28/29 - before that (after leaving Uni) I did a number of stints in logistics, planning and production, so don't give up, it's possible to change! Some good advice above, particularly about networking, and as someone else said, you just need one person to give you a lift onto the first step. Are you signed up on LinkedIn? I'm not sure I know anyone in HR or payroll admin, but you'd be welcome to use my contacts. The important thing is not to give up, and don't let the rejections get you down - easy to say, I know, but most of us have been there, so keep at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 And another thing... Don't be afraid to contact the person from whom you received the rejection letter. Be polite, but mention that you were really enthusiastic about working for the company, and were disappointed not to get an interview, and ask them for advice about future applications. It's unlikely that you will change their decision, but a) you will feel better doing something proactive; and b) you may get some tips on where your CV/application letter was weak. Most of the time you will get fobbed off with "You don't have the necessary experience", but to be honest in the 15 years that I've been running departments, experience is one of the least important things (unless it's a specific role I'm looking for) - I look for initiative, someone who'll fit into the team, and enthusiasm. Once again, good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 join HM forces Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.comsaint Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 join HM forces Good shout. With the OP stating that he's got "a diploma in computerised/manual payroll admin" - there must be a tailor-made job at HMS Centurion/Sultan?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Good shout. With the OP stating that he's got "a diploma in computerised/manual payroll admin" - there must be a tailor-made job at HMS Centurion/Sultan?!?! indeed... A Pusser would be the perfect job would also leave with excellent options after the quals gained in the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 indeed... A Pusser would be the perfect job would also leave with excellent options after the quals gained in the job Did you mean 'Purser'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Did you mean 'Purser'? no. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Lie on your CV, everyone else does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 no. HTH Strange: Pusser is Royal Navy slang for a purser, HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Strange: Pusser is Royal Navy slang for a purser, HTH I know..I know what the slang is..I was talking to an Ex Salt in .comsaint..hence my use of said slang in the Navy we tend to use slang for nearly everything...I have never used, nor heard anyone use the term "purser" when talking about a supply officer.. if they use this in the merchant navy, I could not tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 I know..I know what the slang is..I was talking to an Ex Salt in .comsaint..hence my use of said slang in the Navy we tend to use slang for nearly everything...I have never used, nor heard anyone use the term "purser" when talking about a supply officer.. if they use this in the merchant navy, I could not tell you. So you did actually MEAN 'Purser' even though you said you didn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 So you did actually MEAN 'Purser' even though you said you didn't I used the slang for a "purser"...I know what I meant as it is used day-in day-out by tens of thousands of sailors in the RN... .Comsaint would have known what I meant hence why I used it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.comsaint Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 I used the slang for a "purser"...I know what I meant as it is used day-in day-out by tens of thousands of sailors in the RN... .Comsaint would have known what I meant hence why I used it... I did indeed. Hope you never have to explain the 'Jimmy', 'dhobi dust' or 'Goffas' mate. You'll be here for years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 I used the slang for a "purser"...I know what I meant as it is used day-in day-out by tens of thousands of sailors in the RN... .Comsaint would have known what I meant hence why I used it... But I didn't know what you meant - that's why I asked you if you meant 'purser'. You said 'no I didn't mean purser'. But look! You DID mean 'purser' after all! This man he speak with forked tongue BTW and FYI, my grandfather was a purser - in the Merchant Fleet. Although, in those days, he was called 'boot boy'. But no-one would know what that meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Lie on your CV, everyone else does. This is the best advice! EVERYONE lies (except me)....just say you've got experience, ask someone (respectful) on here for references and BANG youll have more options! Easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the colonel Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 In the recession of the 90s I was in a similar position in the construction industry. When approx’ 250,000 had lost their job in building. Wrote 100s of letters and applied for tonnes of jobs. To get experience I ended up writing to companies offering my services on a self-employed basis. But it meant I started to build up experience and small firms would pass on my details to others. Also they could employ me on an as when needed basis and not have to worry about tax and Nation Insurance. It's hard work being self-employed and trying to build up contacts, but you sound as though you could handle it. It took me a couple of years before I had any decent money coming in. But once the economy started to pick up I was in a better position as I’d been out there working and had my wits about me. The downside is you have to sort out your own tax. But I found I could usually find an accountant that would do my tax return for a couple of hundred quid. Another down side is dealing with the social.... convincing them that you are still available for work when initially you may only be working a few hours a week. Which means you lose your benefits while only working those few hours, but rather that than living off the state. Twenty years later I have my own practice in Central London. F.... king hard work to get here but well worth it. So try not to be too despondent things will get better.... Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redondo Saint Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 (edited) Get yourself hired by a Temp agency and don't be too fussy as to what you do - within reason. Anything in an office and preferably in the accs dept is what you need. Follow up after 4 weeks with all of the firms that rejected you - their new hires may not have worked out. If you want to really change your career direction using a Temp agency may also be useful as they have so many different clients. Edited 12 January, 2010 by Redondo Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 12 January, 2010 Share Posted 12 January, 2010 Do you have a driving licence? Why not look into becoming a bus driver? Pretty sure they provide full training, the job can't be that hard to do, it's only driving after all, the wages are complimentary - if not more! - than retail wages, and apart from putting up with the pikeys and chavs on the bus, I guess the hours can't be too bad..... You could use it as a stop gap - take a year off from job hunting, earn some money and let the economy begin it's recovery - and if you still want to go back to retail I guess there will be a lot more jobs available in 12-18 months time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 13 January, 2010 Share Posted 13 January, 2010 Temping is always a good way to get into work. Ask around a few agencys. I'd recoment Barna Shields who have some good contacts with big companies. Also doing non-paid work is a good way to get that experience. Ask around your friends who work within a company that have a department that would interest you. Even if there aren't any spaces at the time, when there is, your mates will be right in there putting your name forward. And best of all, most places would rather take on someone that is reccomended rather than pay agencies to advertise jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 14 January, 2010 Share Posted 14 January, 2010 Lie on your CV, everyone else does. Never a truer word spoken. Also add something like "I enjoy working as team but am equally motivated working on my own" or some other bull**** waffle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 14 January, 2010 Share Posted 14 January, 2010 I have to start looking for a job now, i've been in recruitment since the age of 16 and it was stressful so i'm thinking of a new career, but not sure what. Not sure if I should go for something office/admin based or carer based. tbf I don't really wanna get back in to work atm, but i've gotta wake up at sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonManager Posted 14 January, 2010 Share Posted 14 January, 2010 I have to start looking for a job now, i've been in recruitment since the age of 16 and it was stressful so i'm thinking of a new career, but not sure what. Not sure if I should go for something office/admin based or carer based. tbf I don't really wanna get back in to work atm, but i've gotta wake up at sometime. What are your interests? I decided at an early stage to make my interests my job after drifting through some boring jobs. I started 'doing what I wanted to do' by joining the Ordnance Survey as a draughtsman, as I liked Geography and drawing, which led me into Archaeology (outdoor job with travel), which, 25 years later, I still pursue along with 'heritage engineering and historic building renovation', supplemented with the occasional book illustration/copy editing contract, and it's worked out OK for me. The OS are on your doorstop, if your interested in that kind of thing, try them? I get the feeling you're going through hard time at the moment - take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbury Posted 14 January, 2010 Share Posted 14 January, 2010 I have to start looking for a job now, i've been in recruitment since the age of 16 and it was stressful so i'm thinking of a new career, but not sure what. Not sure if I should go for something office/admin based or carer based. tbf I don't really wanna get back in to work atm, but i've gotta wake up at sometime. I think you should sell your AyArFiveE down the dilly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now