Seeking Employment

[Terbinator]

Basically I need to get a job. I've left college and could do with earning some sterling's and TBH don't really know where to start.
My biggest concern is my CV, mainly because when I've looked at job applications/descriptions it says something or other about experience. Now, the only experience I have was work experience - back in 2006.

So, any of you guys have tips on how i could word my CV so I don't look like too much of a noob? Also, general job application and CV writing skills in general.

[jim]

Don't talk crap, nobody will be impressed.

Since you've got very little work experience, I'd try to talk about what skills you've gained and where from. So IT expertise from this, making leadership decisions here, so on so forth. Anywhere that you've done something you could talk about for 10 minutes, and there's some clear benefit to your having done it.

Just don't bang on about teamwork, team skills all the time because it sounds really stupid when it's on paper.

A lot of jobs will want experience, yeah, especially in the current climate - but it doesn't mean you can't get a job. Just need to cast the net wide, and find something. Then you'll gain experience, and you can move on from there.

I'll see if I can dig out my CV later and see what it looks like, don't have access to it at work.

EDIT: Actually, tell a lie. I just found an emailed copy of my old CV, the one I used when I was in 6th Form to get part-time work. PM me your email address and I'll send it over to you if you want.

[TheAnimus]

Are you 100% sure you want to leave college (ie have you left with no chance of going back) I say this because given the economic climate at the moment, there are probably going to be people who on paper at least, look better than you do applying for the same roll?

[Terbinator]

Are you 100% sure you want to leave college (ie have you left with no chance of going back) I say this because given the economic climate at the moment, there are probably going to be people who on paper at least, look better than you do applying for the same roll?

Sorry, I've left in the sense I'm off to Uni in September.

[jim]

Sent it over to you. Don't laugh

[Terbinator]

Cheer for that Jim, its quite reassuring to know something to the point and fairly compact can be successful.

[TheAnimus]

Ah, so seasonal work is fine!

Try the agencies, don't forget to tell them your off to uni soon, its a selling point for temp work

if you can touch type data entry is boring as **** but hey it pays.

[Salazaar]

Sorry, I've left in the sense I'm off to Uni in September.

So you've left college but you're off to uni in 8 weeks or so...?

Get a temp job from an agency or go work for a supermarket. You'll take as long securing a real job as you have before you go to Uni.

[Terbinator]

I was thinking of looking into agencies and even though my earnings would be less I its a start.

[jim]

My gut reaction when I wrote it was that there's no point going on for ages.

If you've got tonnes of experience that people are going to want to read about, then yeah go for it - blow them away.

But if you're limited to writing about that time you spent 5 days working for Smith's Computers, and how you used to dog walking for for Mr Dennis down the road, then there's sod all point boring them to tears for 2 sides-worth of drivel. Stick to the absolute best representatives of your work ethic/ability/skills and cut out anything that doesn't really prove something new about you - that they wouldn't have known before they read it.

If they get bored, they'll probably give up, and they'll also probably get the idea that you're a fairly boring person. Given that they're likely to have a large pile of CVs, the way things are, antagonising them even slightly will probably just result in your CV going in the bin and they'll spend their time reading someone else's.

[pollaxe]

if you can touch type data entry is boring as **** but hey it pays.

QFT - it worked for me and, bizarrely, led to a full time job in I.T. on the way - you never know how things will pan out.Good luck and keep looking, I'm sure you'll get something - don't be afraid to ask friends if they know too, that's how I found out about my initial part time data monkeying.

[Iron Sights]

I suppose if your lacking experience you can always try to do some volunteer work. I too at one point lacked experience but during my interviews I was able to talk about the skills I learned whilst working as a volunteer

[eshrules]

It sounds to me as though you're not looking for a job for life, more a stopgap between college and uni.

the typical student places (although typically not the most inspiring of jobs) would be the best bet, food outlets, clothing shops and of course, as mentioned, agencies.

my first long-term permanent job resulted from 3 weeks temp work through an agency - earnings are rarely above the minimum wage, but it's a start and it's some workplace experience for you

[kalniel]

Time for a potentially irresponsible post from me, but have you considered just going and having some fun?

I know it's always good to get a bit of cash, but there will be plenty of opportunities for work experience etc during Uni, while this period is going to be one of your very last where you don't have to worry about concentrating on proper career or studying etc. I would seriously consider making the most of it before you start the grind for the next 50 years.

Maybe combine that with volunteering so you get to visit some exotic place or something.

[jim]

You still get plenty of time off during the holidays at uni to do stuff... although I'm doing what kalniel said, got July-September all off and then uni in October.

Only difference is I'm being paid for two of those months

[kalniel]

You still get plenty of time off during the holidays at uni to do stuff...

Depends on the uni and the course. As a scientist I didn't get much time off at all as we often had research projects over summer months, and when I didn't I was usually touring the world with various music groups etc instead - which don't get me wrong was great fun, but it was still quite frantic and not to my own schedule.