The Why Don't You Get a Job Thread

[Keith Houchen]

The banking sector is crying out for people with your skills, Pat. They tend to be very progressive as well. Hope it works out for you.

[Tommy!]

Apply for a job with Co-op. According to the diversity training thing I did today they FUCKING LOVE them there trans folk.

Unless you're black or working class they love you, in my experience.

 

They turned their nose up at some one because they had ms during one interview I saw too.

 

Honestly in my experience one of the worst companies I have ever been involved with. There was a real resentment for the ethics they felt were forced upon them by the "co-op way" by senior management.

Edited November 19, 2016 by Tommy!

[Slapnut]

I've just been invited to a training week for a job. The pay is described as being £7 per hour, which is below minimum wage, plus commission. They also said that I would be paid £8.07 per hour if I didn't make any commission. I know they're a reputable company, but is that even legal?

[Surf Digby]

Does it involve you registering yourself as self employed?

[Mr.E]

I've just been invited to a training week for a job. The pay is described as being £7 per hour, which is below minimum wage, plus commission. They also said that I would be paid £8.07 per hour if I didn't make any commission. I know they're a reputable company, but is that even legal?

Just check with them, as with some places "commission" will factor into your overall wage, so in this case if you do get commission I imagine its applied in a way that means you'd be earning over £7.20 an hour, which depending on how well you do could be very good, or total garbage, depending on your sales techniques 

[Steve Justice]

I'm seriously considering changing my job. I've been an administrator since leaving school and I'm really stuck in a rut. I'm looking at getting into a trade, specifically electrician. Where do I start? What are the job prospects like?

[Monkee]

I spent yesterday updating my CV and applying for jobs. Got made redundant last week - for the second time this year. Meh. I didn't particularly like the job anyway as it was boring as hell and the people were too. I sat there all day with headphones on as no-one even spoke to each other. It just fitted with what I wanted at the time and it'S just annoying that I'm back to square one again.

[Surf Digby]

From how you describe it, getting made redundant has saved you from falling into a rut of brain melting, soul destroying misery where your drive to find work elsewhere is sapped out of you.

 

Don't see where you are as square one. There's no squares, just one continuous path to where you deserve to be, and now you're back on it.

[Monkee]

I like that about the continuous path. Thanks!

[Grecian]

I'm seriously considering changing my job. I've been an administrator since leaving school and I'm really stuck in a rut. I'm looking at getting into a trade, specifically electrician. Where do I start? What are the job prospects like?

 

Getting a recognised qualification would be the first step. Try your local college to see what they offer.

[Kaz Hayashi]

I changed my career over a decade ago Steve and accidentally fell in to the world of supporting people with disabilities in education. I started offer guiding blind students to classes and read documents/tasks to them. I now liaise with local authorities to arrange funding for disabled people wishing to study, implement said support and due to now specialising within mental health, im on call for any safeguarding situations (im like a glorified disabilities student mentor/advisor).

Large colleges tend to have a learning support service and transferable skills are thought after. Most tend to appreciate that people wont always have specific experience, i didn't at first but reading up on and having a knowledge of different disabilities and the barriers some learners might face is worth researching.

Point being, i'm glad i got in to it.

Its rewarding as fuck, i have progressed upwards to the point im pretty content but i do miss the classroom aspect, you are not there to teach but only to relay the teachers info so no pressure, you also learn a shit load of interesting stuff for free as a result (i learned the basics of photoshop, sage accounting and joinery in my first year).

When jobs are available, usually on the build up to enrolment, my place offer flexible contracts from 0.4 up to 1.0 (full time) for in class support assistants depending on whats required and i believe it starts around 10 quid an hour, which compared to the general 'care world' in the north east is fucking loads, so will probably increase in pay in the south.

 

I dont mind saying that i earn between 20-25 a year, which im happy with due to the job satisfaction and all things considered i have a good employer. However, the local Uni's pay 30k+ for my exact role... in the north east.

 

So yeah, its a canny area to venture. It doesnt hurt having some quals and a lot of charities now offer free training and awareness courses around the country.

Edited December 18, 2016 by Kaz Hayashi

[John Matrix]

I spent yesterday updating my CV and applying for jobs. Got made redundant last week - for the second time this year. Meh. I didn't particularly like the job anyway as it was boring as hell and the people were too. I sat there all day with headphones on as no-one even spoke to each other. It just fitted with what I wanted at the time and it'S just annoying that I'm back to square one again.

 

So I came in here to ask about CV's specifically... Monkee, you may be my (wo)man here.

 

First day back in the office yesterday, and by 10am I'd learned that i'll be facing redundancy in the coming months. My department is being outsourced, and there wont be an equivalent role for me in the new structure.

 

Looking at two potential outcomes:

 

1. Redundancy, which, although I've worked for the organisation for 10 years, will be peanuts as I was previously 'outsourced' and although I returned to the organisation, it was in a different role, costing my continuous service.

 

2. A scenario similar to Monkee, whereby I'll have to apply for and get a significantly lower paid and lesser skilled, mind numbingly boring role with a period of payment protection (no idea if this will happen, but it was one of the options last time).

 

Issue being, because I work in Marketing, the longer I don't the more out of touch I become, the fewer relevant achievments I have to shout about etc, so although its the sensible option from a financial security point of view short term, it's to my detriment long term and so I really need to try and line up something else by April. 

 

I've registered with Reed, and note that in most cases, your just asked to provide a CV. Mine was last refreshed about 4 years ago, and I haven't the foggiest what the current trends are - I know these change over time, anyone any tips or pointers on what to include, in what order etc?  Feel like a caveman right now.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Onyx2]

Sorry to hear that John. Redundancy is never fun to deal with, especially when you have a young family. Luckily you're talented and optimistic.

 

(Disclosure: I work for a job board)

 

Reed is a good shout, though you should consider specialist job boards such as Campaign and Only Marketing. To keep current really you have to favours for mates; if anyone has a local business whether it's mobile DJ, plumber or wedding planner, you could offer to do some work for them such as managing their social media, blogging or creating paid ads. Put that in any CV gap you have. It will be noticed that you've attempted to keep your profile alive while you search for work.

 

I don't know where you live, but luckily the digital marketing sector is alive with roles at the moment. Fit to burst.

 

/shill mode

 

For CVs, broadly it's: two pages, reverse chronological order, and should contain personal statement, work history, education as a minimum. In digital marketing try to include a list of projects or campaigns under a "featured work" section. Concentrate on what the campaign achieved ("doubled sign ups", "increased revenue by 30%" etc) and what you did to influence that.

 

Here's a piece I wrote for Bristol 24/7 on quick CV tips published yesterday:

 

http://www.bristol247.com/channel/business/news-3/sponsored-feature/5-cv-mistakes-youre-making

 

And if you have the time to sit through, I did a webinar last year on refreshing your CV (largely the same content, but expanded):

 

 

Here are our CV templates. There isn't one for marketing exec but there's plenty of inspiration to get you going:

 

http://www.fish4.co.uk/career-advice/cv-templates/

 

/shill off

 

Shout if you have any questions.

Edited January 4, 2017 by Onyx2

[Monkee]

To be honest, sites like Reed and Monster have always been a waste of time for job hunting. LinkedIn jobs is where it's at. Download the app and set up a search alert. I use the app for searching then saving anything I think is relevant so I can apply properly when I'm on the laptop.

 

As far as CV set up goes - as Onyx said - 2 pages, usual basic info with some stats thrown in. It's the cover letter than should get you the interview. A generalised CV will do but tailor the cover letter to the job. If you're going for a more creative marketing role then make it look a bit snazzy as well. Show you've put a bit of thought into it. I can send you mine as an example of you want. I've redesigned mine about 4 times in the last 4 years.

 

I'm applying like mad at the moment but am really disillusioned with what I actually want to be doing. I'm considering a complete career change and going back into study but I need to look into student loans and other financial help I could get as a mature student. I've also been looking at internships. I'm thinking either the creative side such as SFX or hair and make-up or the more scientific route of forensic science or criminology. Waiting for some brochures to come through.

[Briefcase]

Indeed is a really good place as well. But I do find that its partly luck with timing, I've had more success with interviews when applying within the first hour of jobs being advertised than say a few days later, although depends on experience also if the role is more industry based.