Anyone Else Finding It Hard To Get A Foot In The Careers Ladder?

[Fishy]

Obviously, with the recession I know it's difficult, this was more aimed at people that haven't gone to university. I've applied to hundreds of jobs now, with nothing ever coming of them. I don't know if it's because I'm aiming too high with little experience under my belt, but it's hard enough getting a job right down at the bottom of the food (or job) chain. I think my problem is I'm not brilliant at anything in particular (or I haven't found what that thing is yet) but I'm good at everything, which doesn't narrow down what industry to go into.

So, anyone else in the same situation? Any tips? Discuss.

[austen]

Struggling badly to find an apprenticeship!

[bollo you ball-bag]

when i was looking for an apprenticeship i sent a cv to all the electrical companies within a 20 mile radius. and also went into the local wholesalers and asked nicely if i could put up an advertisement. They were happy to oblige and actually reccomended me to the company i work for now due to my good manners, and the fact tht i used my initiative. That may be a route for some of you guys.

[MikeCottTrials]

yeah its hard, I've been struggling for ages now!

Had an interview today though and I think it went well

Expecting a decision by tomorrow afternoon

ALTHOUGH I have decided to go to uni, so the struggle for employment will only run until September. The way I see it is the best time to be in education is during a recession

[Revolver]

Apply for rolls royce?

[MikeCottTrials]

I have..

just don't loose hope!!!

[Si-man]

Just got myself an apprenticeship yesterday after getting made redundant from my last one 12 months ago. Has took the piss really, must have applied for about 10, half of them don't even want to know. Sacrificed pay pretty much just to get back onto the ladder. Also means I don't have to sign on any more so that's made me very happy.

I trained for 2 years as a maintenance/ service engineer on Injection moulding machines, but as there's no call for them now, I am having to pretty much start again and now I am going to be a sheet metal/ welder making hand made prototype exhausts for various car and truck companies. Waste of 2 years like but its 2 years worth of experience in industry that the manager was interested in amongst other things.

Never fancied welding or machining Joe? Well paid job just takes about 3 years to become skilled.

Edited November 17, 2009 by Si-man

[Fishy]

Not particularly, I'm not the best technically minded, if it can't be fixed with a hammer/ductape/zipties/grinder then it's f**ked.

I was hoping to get into the RAF but was deferred for 6 months, so looking for alternatives now.

[anzo]

I've been searching for another job for the past 6 months, nothing seems to come up. However just this week two jobs have appeared to I'm busy typing everything out to perfection as I seriously want this job and its more local than my current employer.

University doesn't promise a job - depending on the course you do of course. The only time I've seen university students actually 'do well' with their education is by going into the NHS (doctors, nurses, specialists) which is suprising as it was my understanding that NHS was difficult to get to after uni...basically that your qualification lays idle.

Think about it hard, is the course worth the stress of moving/debt and all that. Sure you get the piss ups and stuff, but if like me, I've got all the out of my system now and I actually want to put my life to more of a good use.

Sure, you can go to uni and it can get you places you otherwise wouldn't get without it - some of the big companies only set on graduates...but most also set on with experience. It's just luck I guess.

[Fishy]

I don't fancy the £30k+ debt at the end, without a guaranteed job. The life experience itself makes it sound worth it by itself, but I just don't think it's for me.

I f**ked about at school and college and now it seems I'm paying for it, (anyone currently doing gcse's/a-levels learn from my mistake!).

[Papa Manual]

The sort of company that would only look at degree graduates (unless you're applying to be a professional, ie doctor, lawyer etc) is probably not the sort of company I'd ever want to work for.

I f**ked about at school and college and now it seems I'm paying for it, (anyone currently doing gcse's/a-levels learn from my mistake!).

Damn right. I was in the same position. I found it very hard to get a job I knew I could do in my sleep just because I lacked the letters. Was hard enough getting into uni as well!

[anzo]

The sort of company that would only look at degree graduates (unless you're applying to be a professional, ie doctor, lawyer etc) is probably not the sort of company I'd ever want to work for.

Obviously it depends on your career, but usually the big companies are where the money/experience is - it just takes a while to get there is all. However most people go to university, work for a major companies for a few years and learn the business management side of things and then eventually go into consultancy; I see this happen a lot within the IT sector.

IBM are pretty much the creme da la creme for IT management, technological innovation and such; again these only set on graduates or those with VAST experience and knowledge in their field. Although I guess it all comes at a price too - you'll work your arse off, probably move house, travel an awful lot with little free time to yourself and then you start speaking corporate.

Not something I want to turn into really, but its certainly a company that appeals to me.

[monkeyseemonkeydo]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, I got the first job I applied for and is exactly what I want to do. Go figure .Sorry, I'm a b*****d, I know!

[Matt Vandart]

when i was looking for an apprenticeship i sent a cv to all the electrical companies within a 20 mile radius. and also went into the local wholesalers and asked nicely if i could put up an advertisement. They were happy to oblige and actually reccomended me to the company i work for now due to my good manners, and the fact that i used my initiative. That may be a route for some of you guys.

I would also have given you a job.

This quality is very lacking in school levers, no offense guys, but it just doesn't seem to be being instilled into kids anymore, either by parents or schools.

You don't ask, you don't get.

Fishy, good luck in your job search/apprenticeship search.

If all else fails start your own business, it's the only way us mortal people get anywhere near a good standard of living/rich anyway.

Edited November 17, 2009 by Matt Vandart

[JD™]

Just thought I'd pop in and say my career is going very nicely indeed. Then again, it should be, I left education like 5 years ago now

[OD404]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, I got the first job I applied for and is exactly what I want to do. Go figure .Sorry, I'm a b*****d, I know!

Likewise haha.

On a serious note, I'll echo what other people have said, Uni doesn't guarantee you a job, I've seen so many people with degrees go out and get jobs that you can easily get without one. Part of this issue comes from the government trying their damndest to get more people into higher education, which seems like a good idea, but what it seems to have done rather than getting more people on to worthwhile degrees like maths, science, engineering etc, is create a raft of degrees that serve very little purpose (who really needs a degree in jewelery design?)

This has a knockon effect to those that don't have degrees (and by many accounts, might actually be more employable) as there are now loads more people with degrees in the job market place.

National Grid was mentioned a few posts back and I know for a fact that they struggle year on year to get the graduate intake they want, though I don't know if that is also the case with apprentiships.

My advice would be to just keep applying to as many places as you possibly can, eventually you will get there

[TROYston]

I can get job interviews, but as soon as it comes to the question: What has been the hardest thing youve overcome, im sitting there thinking like wtf, ohh 8 pallets, tap then bash. but thats obviously not what there looking for.

[F-Stop Junkie]

IBM are pretty much the creme da la creme for IT management, technological innovation and such; again these only set on graduates or those with VAST experience and knowledge in their field. Although I guess it all comes at a price too - you'll work your arse off, probably move house, travel an awful lot with little free time to yourself and then you start speaking corporate.

Respectfully I beg to differ... IBM are in the process of slowly self-destructing, shipping more and more jobs out Asia, and leaving mostly sales and third line support within the UK. Sure, they charge a lot of money, but I don't think they have a huge reputation within the professional services sector.

Places like Price Waterhouse Coopers have a much higher reputation, and Cisco are incredibly demanding recruiters.

There's a lot of jobs in IT, but it's a question of learning the differences between large and small companies, as well as the different roles within each. Would you be happy as an engineer just laying cables, moving boxes and so on? Do you want to be on the server side? Development? Compliance?

Especially in the current environment, it's about speaking to everyone you know, getting any job that is worthwhile experience (and a pay cheque!), and then using that to move on. Applying for one job a week and moaning when you don't get it won't get you anywhere.

[Hannah Shucksmith]

After being kicked out of home I lost my place at college so I've decided to take a gap year; I've handed in well over 50 applications and CV's and not even been contacted for an interview. Bit of a downer really, since I've got no money whatsoever.

[TROYston]

i got kicked out too, from my gaff in London, and now live in Burton :(:(:(

[F-Stop Junkie]

It's not enough to just be reactive, it's about being proactive. The worse the job market is, and the lower your qualifications/experience, the more you need to be speaking to people, actively going out an marketing yourself. If you're only applying to jobs which are advertised, you're not getting considered for the jobs which arn't advertised.

I know it probably sounds like it's easy for me to say it as I'm not in your situation, but it's true. The more work you put in, the more you'll get out.

[Hannah Shucksmith]

It's not enough to just be reactive, it's about being proactive. The worse the job market is, and the lower your qualifications/experience, the more you need to be speaking to people, actively going out an marketing yourself. If you're only applying to jobs which are advertised, you're not getting considered for the jobs which arn't advertised.

I know it probably sounds like it's easy for me to say it as I'm not in your situation, but it's true. The more work you put in, the more you'll get out.

I'm phoning around everywhere, emailing, going into places... I'm not just applying for places that have advertised vacancies. I'm also handing in CV's at places that have no jobs going, but just incase something pops up...

[monkeyseemonkeydo]

On a serious note, I'll echo what other people have said, Uni doesn't guarantee you a job, I've seen so many people with degrees go out and get jobs that you can easily get without one. Part of this issue comes from the government trying their damndest to get more people into higher education, which seems like a good idea, but what it seems to have done rather than getting more people on to worthwhile degrees like maths, science, engineering etc, is create a raft of degrees that serve very little purpose (who really needs a degree in jewelery design?)

Exactly. The government would like everyone to go to uni which is just plain stupid. I guess they only want to do it to make the unemployment figures a little less disasterous (in the short-term at least until the election) but that simply isn't the answer. We will always need plumbers, electricians, mechanics etc and they sure as hell don't want or need to go to uni. Of course the other side of it is that we're overrun with people with completely worthless degrees in art history, psychology and whatever other crap which they'll never use.

However, as said, proper degrees in engineering, chemistry, physics, maths etc. will certainly help you get more interviews than if you have a degree in the 'growth of football in british culture including studies in David Beckham'...

I can get job interviews, but as soon as it comes to the question: What has been the hardest thing youve overcome, im sitting there thinking like wtf, ohh 8 pallets, tap then bash. but thats obviously not what there looking for.

:facepalm:

[anzo]

Respectfully I beg to differ... IBM are in the process of slowly self-destructing, shipping more and more jobs out Asia, and leaving mostly sales and third line support within the UK. Sure, they charge a lot of money, but I don't think they have a huge reputation within the professional services sector.

True, although a lot of manufacturing and development companies have already destoryed themselves. IBM are still one of the top companies and offer an elite of training and experience.

Job security is considered stable, IBM/Lenovo are the most popular systems within an COE (Common Operating Environment) and an endless array of customers.

Places like Price Waterhouse Coopers have a much higher reputation, and Cisco are incredibly demanding recruiters.

I've never looked into Price Waterhouse Coopers to be honest. I was rather unimpressed by an IT audit we had a year or so ago. Basically it was a ticksheet and the guy obviously has little knowledge of IT systems or procedures - he was young and it could have been early learning, but I've seen the PwC security systems audit checklist and thats all it'll ever be.

PwC are primarily a taxation and finance aduit/advisory service, but our IT audit fell under the finanacial security/data protection jobby.

There's a lot of jobs in IT, but it's a question of learning the differences between large and small companies, as well as the different roles within each. Would you be happy as an engineer just laying cables, moving boxes and so on? Do you want to be on the server side? Development? Compliance?

Its a good point about the small/large company comparison. I work for a very well known powertool company; I have to follow all sorts of procedures for the smallest job and ensure everything is correctly referenced, logged and eventually audited.

I'm applying for other jobs within IT as I'd like to travel a lot more; I prefer work in networking - its got a wide scope for other specialized paths; installation, planning, security, troubleshooting, purchasing but I'd also like to travel more (various sites) so I'm applying for mostly 3rd line support jobs which involves most of them for setting up networks for small/medium sized businesses.

[Fishy]

Fishy, good luck in your job search/apprenticeship search.

If all else fails start your own business, it's the only way us mortal people get anywhere near a good standard of living/rich anyway.

I've seriously considered/considering this, but I'm not sure what in yet.