Forgot how bad job searching was :(

sr4470 said:
Well, looks like it's off to the dole queue again, business is virtually at a standstill. So here's my metaphorical two pence.

Your mileage may vary, but over the last decade or so I've found that you need both experience and qualifications to stand out. That's assuming you take the conventional route when applying for jobs and don't have a contact of some sort. That said, fresh graduates and college leavers seem to have the unpaid internship option wide open to them (which is fine if they don't pay their own bills I guess).

Very much an employers' market and I can only see it getting worse with the budget changes the current government are implementing. Scattered apprenticeships won't make up for that unless you're in the age range they're targeting (16-19). I know a couple of youngsters who got work that way recently, but the application process is very long (up to 6 months) and it's still possible to lose out because of administrative errors or less-than-perfect reference\background checks.
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Sorry to hear that, what work do you do?
 
Here is my CV

I know it's probably shocking, but I've not really had to rely on one before as I've been fortunate enough to know people and be able to demonstrate my skills in person.
I have deliberately left my GCSE qualifications vague, as they were quite frankly crap.
If anyone has any thoughts and ideas for improvement I'm all ears as I'm properly out of touch.
 
kirbz said:
Congrats to those who have secured jobs, I'm sure it's a huge relief to get a job after being unemployed.



I still haven't heard back from the above interview despite ringing a week and a half after the interview to see how its progressing :(. He said "I'll let you know next week" which is why I rang, he then said "yeah I'll let you know next week as I have an interview this afternoon" that should have been last week. :( Basically been waiting almost 3 weeks.

I feel like I'm being messed about :o if I didn't get the job just tell me, don't just keep fobbing me off :mad:

Is it normal to be waiting ages for a response? or am I being impatient :p
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Just to update my position.

1. I STILL haven't heard back from my interview :mad: I would have thought they would have the decency to let me know instead of fobbing me off when I ask for feedback!

2. Had a work exp interview which was totally unexpected. It wasn't a job I was able to do, however I left an impression with the recruit consultant and got invited back with my CV and registered and got feedback on my CV which was great and I didn't need to change it. She was really enthusiastic about getting me a job and I am hopeful that I should be getting some interviews soon :)
 
Mr Gimp said:
Here is my CV

I know it's probably shocking, but I've not really had to rely on one before as I've been fortunate enough to know people and be able to demonstrate my skills in person.
I have deliberately left my GCSE qualifications vague, as they were quite frankly crap.
If anyone has any thoughts and ideas for improvement I'm all ears as I'm properly out of touch.
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Spotted one mistake "I successfully led a team" rather than lead. In that same paragraph you use 5 rather than five which is inconsistent with the rest of the CV

Just "approachable" rather than "am approachable" will do. Generally if you can say something in fewer words do so. Avoid verbosity.

Also try to cut down the use sentences beginning with "I" and try and make sentences more interesting (easier said than done I know)

Did you at least get a C in Maths and English as these are the main qualifications?

Edit: Just to add I think it's fairly well laid out but needs a bit more focus on the quality of the English
 
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I work for Seetec the main provider for the JSP we have actually got a new policy now from the JCP that if you are sanctioned and have doubts up to three times you can be sanctioned for three years. This will really kick the serial none attenders into actually doing the job searches there told its going to get tough and very soon at that. The new system will not allow for an idle attitude for most jsa'rs. ESA clients are different how every depending on whether they are mandatory or voluntary.

Lots of interesting changes going on. Thing about he JCP is allot of the time instead of helping people they refer them to providers instead of doing the first line support them selves. Once your on the work programme it is very strict. You should only be referred if your signing over a year for over 24's and 6 to 8 months for under 24's. if you are forcefully refered before that you should report the advisor.

Just a few worlds for you all.
 
Mr Gimp said:
Here is my CV

I know it's probably shocking, but I've not really had to rely on one before as I've been fortunate enough to know people and be able to demonstrate my skills in person.
I have deliberately left my GCSE qualifications vague, as they were quite frankly crap.
If anyone has any thoughts and ideas for improvement I'm all ears as I'm properly out of touch.
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I like how it is just on one page and it reads well. The points below are nitpicking.

Have you printed this out and read it through? My concern would be that a size 9 font may be a bit hard to read. Another thing that stands out is the white space at the top and sides of the page, I would reduce the borders and increase the font size.
 
interspaced said:
Spotted one mistake "I successfully led a team" rather than lead. In that same paragraph you use 5 rather than five which is inconsistent with the rest of the CV

Just "approachable" rather than "am approachable" will do. Generally if you can say something in fewer words do so. Avoid verbosity.

Also try to cut down the use sentences beginning with "I" and try and make sentences more interesting (easier said than done I know)

Did you at least get a C in Maths and English as these are the main qualifications?

Edit: Just to add I think it's fairly well laid out but needs a bit more focus on the quality of the English
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Thanks for the pointers, I'll make some ammendments shortly :)

As for GCSEs, I sadly got 2 D, 3 E and an F. The F was in IT! I hated school with a passion, and would kill to be able to go back with the knowledge I have now. I'm far from illiterate, and maths may not be my strongest point at all, but I'm not as retarded as my grades suggest!

Kirbz: I haven't printed it yet, but have played with the font size. The main reason I kept it at 9 was to keep it on one page, but I'll try to play with the margins as well. :)
 
Going to post in here as I currently can't be bothered with a new thread.

I'm thinking about doing an HNC/HND it's CAD I want to get into for architecture/civil engineering. Is the OU the only distant learning place to get HNCs?

Any suggestions on courses? Obviously there's architectural technician courses, but anything else to consider?
 
Early this year I got a offer for a grad scheme at a big investment bank, which I accepted. Unfortunately I only graduated with a 2.2, and the job offer was withdrawn.

I'm now studying for a masters, and applying for graduate schemes starting next year, and have got a first round interview next Wednesday.
In the job specification, it does ask for a 2.1 degree classification, most of the companies I've spoken to say they require this, even if you have more advanced qualifications. I haven't asked the same question to the company I've got the interview with in case they flat out reject me.

On my CV, I just list it as a BSc, which seems to work as this interview is for the only place I've applied for. Considering my previous experience of being rejected due to my substandard undergraduate grade, should I be more honest early on the application process?
 
Mr Gimp said:
Here is my CV

I know it's probably shocking, but I've not really had to rely on one before as I've been fortunate enough to know people and be able to demonstrate my skills in person.
I have deliberately left my GCSE qualifications vague, as they were quite frankly crap.
If anyone has any thoughts and ideas for improvement I'm all ears as I'm properly out of touch.
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I'd also mention the amount of turnover, or growth %'ages - things like starting up a business are not difficult to do, whereas managing a X million pound/thousand pound business/contract puts a stamp of achievement on it. There are other skills that you can market rather than just building PC's and selling phones - advertising/marketing, cash management etc are just a couple.

Reads nice if all you ever want to do is be a pc technician.

I'm not sure that mentioning XP, Vista and Windows 7 is worth it. Simply that you have a history working on the MS OS platforms. Any server grade experience? If you haven't already, download a copy and get yourself familiar with AD and security and get stuff like that on your CV, if you want to work for a company - it'll make you much more marketable.

Following on - do you have any certifications? These will supersede any GCSE results as they will be more specific to your specialised area. Employers will want to see competencies in the basic areas that they are looking for - what sort of role are you looking for, and with whom?

Your opening paragraph is one of the nicest to read, but I'm not sure what it actually tells me about you, and where you want to go.

As for the CV fitting on a page - guidance about CV's changes regularly. make sure that it tells an employer about you. This is the only doc that they see to summarise who you are and what you want, and how you will fit in with what THEY want - it's acceptable to go onto 2 or 3 pages if it's relevant.

Just my tuppence...
 
Judgeneo said:
Early this year I got a offer for a grad scheme at a big investment bank, which I accepted. Unfortunately I only graduated with a 2.2, and the job offer was withdrawn.

I'm now studying for a masters, and applying for graduate schemes starting next year, and have got a first round interview next Wednesday.
In the job specification, it does ask for a 2.1 degree classification, most of the companies I've spoken to say they require this, even if you have more advanced qualifications. I haven't asked the same question to the company I've got the interview with in case they flat out reject me.

On my CV, I just list it as a BSc, which seems to work as this interview is for the only place I've applied for. Considering my previous experience of being rejected due to my substandard undergraduate grade, should I be more honest early on the application process?
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Ouch - tough break!
 
That really sucks, i should try a graduate scheme, even though i got an acceptable grade for a grad scheme, you have to be top level, and i dont feel i have the confidence to fulfil such a role.

Which is why im gathering experience on minumum wage. (Y)
 
Any good guides for competency based interviews? I have one next week, and would like to do some reading. I'm semi-confident but always good to get some extra information.
 
Well I've had a positive response from two applications this week. I won't get my hopes up but perhaps I will have a job this Christmas.

Telephone interview tomorrow luncheon..
 
Did 3 applications yesterday that involved online tests. So far I've heard back from one saying I passed and they'll be in touch soon for interview,woo. Also, another application has got me an interview but have to wait till certain person is back from hols to arrange. GIEF MONEY
 
Just had a first phone interview. Job sounds OK, but it's in Aberdeen. I don't care about the move, but property is pretty pricey up there. It's enough of an issue that the interviewer made sure he mentioned it a couple of times. Sure, there are cheap places, but you wouldn't want to live there.

I've got two proper interviews next week, in successive days in Wrexham and Bristol. The Wrexham job is the better one, and the one I'm better suited for. Other than that pretty quiet. I've now done 135 applications without success.
 
Had a phone interview yesterday, they confirmed that they want to interview me next week.

This would be a 30 minute commute and enable me to get back on my bike, so I cannot wait. Fingers crossed!

Meridian said:
I've now done 135 applications without success.
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:(. Really sorry to hear that.
 
So I am being made redundant after 5 years working, 75 of the 94 people are. The company I work for are now going through a 'company reorganisation' so time to look for something new.

Not looking forward to job searching at all :(
 
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