Forgot how bad job searching was :(

Matt_Hirst · 1 Jun 2011 at 16:48

Just starting to hit the jobs boards once more, it's looking difficult as they all tend to want defined career progression with speciifc skill sets.

Unfortunately for me I have worked in environments where I have always had to be adaptable and work with whatever the project needs hence my CV covers anything from Matlab to VB.NET and Fortran - lol.

Just got off the phone with one agency and he said he would be happy to have me on his books but we may need to alter the Cv to be more specific in one area.

Oh well it's all good fun.

Matt

Stormyx · 1 Jun 2011 at 16:57

Its pretty bad :/

-Ad- · 1 Jun 2011 at 16:58

alx said:
What was the job you were interviewing for out of interest?

Sent you a trust e-mail.

jaybee · 1 Jun 2011 at 17:11

Hey guys. First post in this thread for me I think. Basically my job is at risk again and it's looking more and more like I just need to move from where I'm at. Been there 5 years. 3rd line IT role. Problem is, I feel like I have a fair bit of basic experience in different things, but that I am a master of none of them and do not specialize in a particular area. Anyone else get this? What's the best way to get work other than post your CV off to places? Is it worth adding profiles to these job sites so they can hunt you?

pingwing · 1 Jun 2011 at 17:15

skippy2421 said:
Having an absolute nightmare trying to get a graduate job or get on a graduate scheme. I Keep getting interviews and keep getting beaten by someone with more or more relevant experience. Luckily I have some work with my old man but that's only a month's worth, but gives me some time. I can't help but think I'm just terribly unlucky at the moment as the roles I have been applying for have been ideal for me.

On a side note since finishing uni recently I can't help but think I should be doing something more productive with my time whilst job hunting. Perhaps learning a language or some new software/programming language but cannot decide on what.

I'm in the same boat

cant get much outside of recruiting (which is a clear waste of time if there are no jobs to start with)

What type of graduate schemes are you looking at? Iv found iv missed the boat on some and have to wait till september for others.

I feel the same about learning things too, iv taken up driving lessons to get it out the way but decent language skills seem like a good plan, just not sure where to start.

Matt_Hirst · 1 Jun 2011 at 17:36

jaybee said:
Hey guys. First post in this thread for me I think. Basically my job is at risk again and it's looking more and more like I just need to move from where I'm at. Been there 5 years. 3rd line IT role. Problem is, I feel like I have a fair bit of basic experience in different things, but that I am a master of none of them and do not specialize in a particular area. Anyone else get this? What's the best way to get work other than post your CV off to places? Is it worth adding profiles to these job sites so they can hunt you?

I'm in the same boat but with 17 years extremely varied IT roles - mainly bespoke windows design and development - ideally I want to find a more focussed role but feel I may struggle due to my current CV.

Matt

DanH84 · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:23

Hi all, just after a bit of advice as to what you would do in my situation. Considered making a separate thread but thought it could go in here.

I've been unemployed for the last 6 weeks as my fixed term contract with the DWP expired and due to an unexpected shift in regions my agreed extension was pulled.

Now I've been applying for loads and have been to a few interviews and have now received 3 job offers. One I'm discarding as it was an entry level sales position at a computer software firm and to be honest I was only looking at it as a tide over role. The other two are the one's that have me thinking, one is another civil service role, it's at the CSA, permanent this time, although it is a grade lower than I was before, I know I could do the job with my hands tied behind my back and know that as opportunities become available I'll have competencies that allow me to go for them. The other is working for a large energy company as a line manager for a team focused on renewable energy development and feed in tarriffs, it's a none specialist role but accredited training is available to aid in my development, this role will be more challenging but it is an area that interests me and I have the feeling that over the next 10 years or so this could become a growth sector?

The commute to both locations would be similar, the energy company is offering 8k more per year (5k more than my previous role even) due to increase after 6 months probation. The civil service role has the benefits of flexible hours and a defined benefit pension (career average) as opposed to defined contributions (I'm no pensions expert so don't know how big a deal this is). I don't know about any real additional benefits with the energy company yet as I'm scheduled to meet with a company rep over the coming week but it's fair to say the civil service will offer more holiday.

I'm heavily leaning towards going with the energy company as I'm 27 and have to ask myself if I actually want to regress at this time and chance being 30 before I earn as much as I did at 25 and I like the idea of the opportunities and challenges working for the private company, they also seem willing to reward people who do well for instance the salary they've offered me is actually 2k more than the job was advertised at because apparently I did really well at the interview and got very high marks in the SHL psychometric tests. The civil service is however the safe option, I can go in and know that I'll be good at the job, progress with time and get a decent pension.

What would you do?

craptakular · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:28

The energy company. It's going to be secure as well all need power!

DanH84 · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:31

Yep, I guess it's been a blow to my confidence losing my old role to even have me considering the civil service again. After all, my very recent experience has shown it can't be that secure!

XiS111 · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:34

I've just finished my Degree BSc Computer Information Systems, and need to start looking for somewhere to work in London, I'll probably only get a mediocre grade overall so no idea what job I should be aiming for. No idea what I want to do, and having almost no work experience in the world of IT apart from a Temp data entry clerk about 3 years ago.

Where should I start?

I've already got a profile going on Monster, and I've been looking on GraduateTalentPool but seriously no idea what to go for.

JimAroo · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:37

Really saw something that annoyed me the other day. In the IT department, the people who maintain the network and offer support where needed etc, just recruited a new employee. Normally I wouldn't have had a problem with this, but the fact they recruited someone who has been working as a security guard for several years who must be in their mid 50's down right annoys me.

When there are young people about who have all the qualifications needed to do the job, but lack experience because of their age, all they need is the chance to show they can do the job, so they can finally start their career.

It's not what you know, it's who you know.

[TW]Fox · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:38

JimAroo said:
Really saw something that annoyed me the other day. In the IT department, the people who maintain the network and offer support where needed etc, just recruited a new employee, normally I wouldn't have had a problem with this, but the fact they recruited someone who has been working as a security guard for several years who is in their mid 50's down right annoys me.

When there are young people about who have all the qualifications needed to do the job, but lack experience because of their age, all they need is the chance to show they can do the job, so they can finally start their career.

An employer isn't a charity case helping to do the right thing for the young of today. They simply want the best person for the job - I guess they decided he was that.

DanH84 · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:43

XiS111 said:
I've just finished my Degree BSc Computer Information Systems, and need to start looking for somewhere to work in London, I'll probably only get a mediocre grade overall so no idea what job I should be aiming for. No idea what I want to do, and having almost no work experience in the world of IT apart from a Temp data entry clerk about 3 years ago.

Where should I start?

I've already got a profile going on Monster, and I've been looking on GraduateTalentPool but seriously no idea what to go for.

I'd register on the bigger agency sites such as monster, reed, totaljobs etc and check them daily. I'd also put in a bit of research as to reputable local agencies, get them a copy of your cv and let them know you're willing to do temp or perm work to gain experience. Keep monitoring their websites and be proactive in contacting them if anything comes up as often your cv becomes 'lost' on a database.

Then find a list of larger employers maybe a Times 100 or similar or consider a sector and think of employers within that sector and start to research their graduate recruitment schemes.

XiS111 · 5 Jun 2011 at 16:13

DanH84 said:
I'd register on the bigger agency sites such as monster, reed, totaljobs etc and check them daily. I'd also put in a bit of research as to reputable local agencies, get them a copy of your cv and let them know you're willing to do temp or perm work to gain experience. Keep monitoring their websites and be proactive in contacting them if anything comes up as often your cv becomes 'lost' on a database.

Then find a list of larger employers maybe a Times 100 or similar or consider a sector and think of employers within that sector and start to research their graduate recruitment schemes.

Thanks! Added Totaljobs and Reed to my list

ash_scotland88 · 5 Jun 2011 at 16:45

Been ages since I've been able to apply for a job I had the actual qualifications and experience for, but sent off the application form yesterday.
Currently in an other job but don't know how long for, they seem to be holding this extremely close to their chests, damn being a freelancer!

Posty · 5 Jun 2011 at 17:30

I have just had my sandwich year placement withdrawn due to financial reasons, I spoke to their HR lady and she was really apologetic but I now sit here at the start of summer with only semi decent A levels 2 year of uni and basic retail job experience.

Do I look for another placement year? I am thinking it is way too late.

Do I go back to retail job for the summer and phone the university asking if I can go straight into third year?

I am worried how much this will hurt my chances on getting onto graduate schemes.

Delvis · 6 Jun 2011 at 10:41

[TW]Fox;19300819 said:
An employer isn't a charity case helping to do the right thing for the young of today. They simply want the best person for the job - I guess they decided he was that.

Too true, Can't really fault them for employing someone they think is better

XiS111 said:
Thanks! Added Totaljobs and Reed to my list

Could try CWJobs as well

britboy4321 · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:01

XiS111 said:
I've just finished my Degree BSc Computer Information Systems, and need to start looking for somewhere to work in London, I'll probably only get a mediocre grade overall so no idea what job I should be aiming for. No idea what I want to do, and having almost no work experience in the world of IT apart from a Temp data entry clerk about 3 years ago.

Where should I start?

I've already got a profile going on Monster, and I've been looking on GraduateTalentPool but seriously no idea what to go for.

Jobserve.

Go for anything BUT desktop support. Don't touch desktop support or helpdesk work with a large pole. Unless you want to earn 19K for the next 12 years!!

Ev0 · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:09

britboy4321 said:
Jobserve.

Go for anything BUT desktop support. Don't touch desktop support or helpdesk work with a large pole. Unless you want to earn 19K for the next 12 years!!

Maybe if you have no drive to push yourself to do other things, or are stupid

I've seen way too many clever people just sit in a desktop job as they are waiting for another job to be presented to them on a plate rather than go out and find something.

I did what was effectively desktop support for almost 5 years, never did me any harm

but it totally depends on what it is the chap wants to do in future.

Saying you want to work in IT is like someone asking what is your favourite thing to eat and you answer 'food'.

Delvis · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:40

Ev0 said:
Maybe if you have no drive to push yourself to do other things, or are stupid I've seen way too many clever people just sit in a desktop job as they are waiting for another job to be presented to them on a plate rather than go out and find something.

I did what was effectively desktop support for almost 5 years, never did me any harm

but it totally depends on what it is the chap wants to do in future.

Saying you want to work in IT is like someone asking what is your favourite thing to eat and you answer 'food'.

Aye, ive gone from building to testing, then to helpdesk related jobs varying in difficulty etc...To be honest wish I could just sit and build and test systems all day