Job vacancies

[jonthefox]

I was out of work for nine months, signing on for six. You take the attitude that you're God's gift and you're better than everyone because you have an AS in ICT and you'll be there for ages. And rightly so.

I'm smarter than almost everyone I know and I have fantastic A-Levels but an employer wants to see maturity and work ethic, not an empty CV.

I took on an entry level labouring job with the council; sweeping streets, picking up litter and weeding public gardens. It was min wage and part time. But I grafted, showed what I could do, worked hard to stand out and now I earn a tidy sallary in a really responsible post at Blackbird Road depot.

You get in what you put out and I feel much better about myself for sucking it up, swallowing my pride and arrogance and cracking on with any job I could find.

Oh, and you don't get good IT jobs without a good IT degree.

post of the day.

[Guest Bilo]

Oh, don't underestimate the power of sending out CVs speculatively and knocking on doors.

I sent out a CV less than a month ago asking for unpaid work experience to bolster my PGCE/GTP application for 2012. I was given five days, got my head down and worked hard in the school, did well there and was doing my GTP there within a fortnight. A year ahead of my original plan just by having the initiative to send out a CV to a good local school.

[Webbo]

I was out of work for nine months, signing on for six. You take the attitude that you're God's gift and you're better than everyone because you have an AS in ICT and you'll be there for ages. And rightly so.

I'm smarter than almost everyone I know and I have fantastic A-Levels but an employer wants to see maturity and work ethic, not an empty CV.

I took on an entry level labouring job with the council; sweeping streets, picking up litter and weeding public gardens. It was min wage and part time. But I grafted, showed what I could do, worked hard to stand out and now I earn a tidy sallary in a really responsible post at Blackbird Road depot.

You get in what you put out and I feel much better about myself for sucking it up, swallowing my pride and arrogance and cracking on with any job I could find.

Oh, and you don't get good IT jobs without a good IT degree.

Lots of good advice on here, one observation from me - If I am looking at a CV, there is nothing worse than gaps without a story. You have to realise that in a stack of CVs you wont get through the first sift if you can't show that you are motivated to work hard. So do something useful with your time if you cannot find a job. Sign up for some training, volunteer or get involved in a a community organisation of some description. Be a cub or scout leader, work in a charity shop, go and paint something for a local hospice. Anything which shows you have got some motivation and a desire to work. You get self belief, experience dealing with people, used to responsibility, real life skills and most of all something to put on your CV so you have a half decent chance of getting to actually sell yourself.

Good posts, I've just made my 16 year old daughter read them. She seems to think that she can just take her A levels and a job will fall in her lap. I've been bending her ear about getting a part time job for months.

[The Year Of The Fox]

That's retarded, else anyone over the age of 20 odd wouldn't have any qualifications.

Use your common sense, most employers don't give a **** what you did at school - they want to see a good work history, particularly in the current job market. What the F do your GCSEs prove? People just want to see that you passed English and Maths. You don't need to put your specific GCSEs on your CV unless you're really, REALLY desperate to pad it out. "5+, including maths and English" etc.

I know its retarded, I don't make the rules up though. Please don't imply I'm making it up, it is true. I don't think anyone could dream it up.

[Leicester Lass]

I know its retarded, I don't make the rules up though. Please don't imply I'm making it up, it is true. I don't think anyone could dream it up.

Same thing happened to Bert, he had to take other qualifications when going back to college despite already having his GCSEs.

[21st Century Fox]

I finished my degree and couldn't find a job anywhere, I got turned down for two because I was told I was over qualified and wouldn't last so I had to take a few dead end, mind numbing jobs, but I saved the money from those jobs and started my own business. I figured I had to make my own luck and its far more rewarding knowing its on my shoulders. Unfortunately having a degree in the arts doesn't count for alot in todays climate as all the jobs have been cut, it does go some way to prove that you've got the drive to work at and complete a good degree.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Same thing happened to Bert, he had to take other qualifications when going back to college despite already having his GCSEs.

Berts a far more respected poster than ill ever be! Get him on here to back me up

[Finnegan]

Good posts, I've just made my 16 year old daughter read them. She seems to think that she can just take her A levels and a job will fall in her lap. I've been bending her ear about getting a part time job for months.

Best thing I ever did was start working at 16. My old man used to nag me constantly to go and get a job and I used to hate the nagging, he'd even go and pick up application forms and pretty much thrust them at me. Pissed me off. I mostly just rejected trying out of spite because I hated being told what to do. Yknow, as you do when you're a teen.

But I loved having money when a lot of other people my age didn't. Could afford to do what I wanted, went out, started having a social life, buying CDs, drinking, etc.

You cut off the money you give her and she'll hastily lap up a job. Plus, yknow, you always earn far more than your parents are going to give you, unless they're distinctly wealthy.

I just wish I'd had the sense to appreciate what I had when I was at Blockbusters at university as a supervisor, being touted as a potential assistant manager. At that time I just scoffed at it, laughed in their faces, told them I didn't want to be in retail all my life and that it was just a stop gap while I was studying. When I was unemployed six months later I felt like a right twat. Life lesson, though, ain't it? I've learnt humility the hard way. That said, I do now earn more than I would have as an AM in retail and I've far better prospects. But I wouldn't recommend the route I took to anyone.

[Bert]

That's retarded, else anyone over the age of 20 odd wouldn't have any qualifications.

Use your common sense, most employers don't give a **** what you did at school - they want to see a good work history, particularly in the current job market. What the F do your GCSEs prove? People just want to see that you passed English and Maths. You don't need to put your specific GCSEs on your CV unless you're really, REALLY desperate to pad it out. "5+, including maths and English" etc.

I know its retarded, I don't make the rules up though. Please don't imply I'm making it up, it is true. I don't think anyone could dream it up.

As retarded, annoying and as stupid as it is, it's true.

They say "If you don't use it, you lose it" so if you've not had any use out of them for 5 years you're made to take "key skills" (English, Maths and basic computing in my case) again. It's all pretty basic stuff mind, if you did half decent GSCE wise, you'll piss it.

[The Reverend]

As retarded, annoying and as stupid as it is, it's true.

They say "If you don't use it, you lose it" so if you've not had any use out of them for 5 years you're made to take "key skills" (English, Maths and basic computing in my case) again. It's all pretty basic stuff mind, if you did half decent GSCE wise, you'll piss it.

I can back this up.

I was told my Maths GCSE had 'expired' when doing a Level 3 NVQ in Retail Financial Services, so had to take a 'Key Skills' maths test. I think it was 5 years after I'd passed. The funny thing was that I only had to do the maths one because I'd took my maths GCSE paper early so it had expired, but my English GCSE hadn't!

No common sense.

[The Year Of The Fox]

As retarded, annoying and as stupid as it is, it's true.

They say "If you don't use it, you lose it" so if you've not had any use out of them for 5 years you're made to take "key skills" (English, Maths and basic computing in my case) again. It's all pretty basic stuff mind, if you did half decent GSCE wise, you'll piss it.

Cheers Bert.

Not worried about passing em. Just having already passed exams three times to GCSE level and above since '03 I really can't be bothered doing them again. Especially as Level 3 plumbing doesn't mean a great deal. (in that you don't need level 3 to take your gas exams)

[The Year Of The Fox]

Apology accepted finnegan

[Rincewind]

When I did my CV I never put my nightschool GSCE English down because I thopught I should have done better. May have been a D. Anyway I was told by an advisor to put everything down. I have not updated my CV yet. Its only one page long. 30 years in the hosiery and 3 jobs in security.

What else can I put down Doing an IT course but even that may be 20 years too late. I can retire in 5 years so who wo would take on somebody who had just qualified in the lowest grade of IT? It would take 2-5 years at least to improve on the skills learnt and get used to the compants systems.

I'm doing it mainly for myself and self satisfaction. I have learned things which will be useful for my interests away from the workplace. I just need to find some work that will pay bills benefits dont cover. I am not a scrounger as I have done 35 years plus non-stop. I need a break.

But after I have done my courses in IT and journalism I will look for longer hours. It would be a shame to stop the course I am on to do a full time job and not know if I would have passed although the journalist one carries no qualifications. More fore enjoyment.

[Fox92]

Does anybody work within web design? I took a two-year course at college between 2009 to 2011 in IT and that was about the whole of IT, not a parituclar subject. Anyway, I'm interested in web design the most but can't get a job because they all ask for experience, or a portfolio with web sites you have personally created, and both come with university courses. Just thinking is the course worth it? Should have applied for university, think I made a mistake.

[CupidStunt]

I can back this up.

I was told my Maths GCSE had 'expired' when doing a Level 3 NVQ in Retail Financial Services, so had to take a 'Key Skills' maths test. I think it was 5 years after I'd passed. The funny thing was that I only had to do the maths one because I'd took my maths GCSE paper early so it had expired, but my English GCSE hadn't!

No common sense.

Thats not strictly true, Before taking any NVQ course, you should be given a basic test to see where you lie within the boundaries of the course, its mostly to see what knowledge you have of Maths for example so the course instructor knows your capabilities, if you didnt do well on the maths test, doesnt mean you cant do an NVQ course

You cant Fail an NVQ course anyhow, so most of it is a load of bolloxs.

You should have done an NVQ level 2 before 3 anyhow, unless you got a free pass?

[The Year Of The Fox]

Anyone after a superb career, try caterpillars apprenticeships

[21st Century Fox]

Does anybody work within web design? I took a two-year course at college between 2009 to 2011 in IT and that was about the whole of IT, not a parituclar subject. Anyway, I'm interested in web design the most but can't get a job because they all ask for experience, or a portfolio with web sites you have personally created, and both come with university courses. Just thinking is the course worth it? Should have applied for university, think I made a mistake.

If you're one of those people who can learn straight from a book its possible to absolutely hit some CSS, HTML, PHP, Java books up and then offer to work on some websites for charities and small businesses. I know someone from my degree who went of on a complete tangent and started css'ing the myspace pages of some small music artists and managed to build up a portfolio and contacts and now he works for major record labels and big artists (some of the small artists he started with made it big too). Its definitely possible to do it that way if you're that kind of person.

[CupidStunt]

you should see some of the "kids" i have interviewed...some of them dont want jobs

Had 2 last week, didnt even turn up ffs, waste of time some of them, so hard to find good people, even harder to weed out the bullshitters at interviews.

[Head Honcho]

What do you do?

Retail manager at Wilkinson.

[FoxesAreBlue]

I recently lefty job in sales, I did fairly well on the commission based wage and as with any job it had it's upsides and it's down sides. Currently I'm taking a personal training course with a view to starting my own business and going freelance.

The hard part for me will be getting the clients though so it's very likely that I'll have to find a job in a gym for around a year or so - not looking forward to that bit - especially with how competitive this industry is. Definitely not a career to takenif your looking for a quick buck but I think I will enjoy it more so it's the old adage for me, less money, better quality of life because I'll be happier.

[Head Honcho]

Oh, don't underestimate the power of sending out CVs speculatively and knocking on doors.

I sent out a CV less than a month ago asking for unpaid work experience to bolster my PGCE/GTP application for 2012. I was given five days, got my head down and worked hard in the school, did well there and was doing my GTP there within a fortnight. A year ahead of my original plan just by having the initiative to send out a CV to a good local school.

Unpaid/voluntary work is a great way of getting on the ladder.

Potential employers love to see it on a CV and most charities have a vacancy website so if you're doing voluntary work for them you should be in with a chance when a paid job turns up.

[Rincewind]

Retail manager at Wilkinson.

Want any aged shelf fillers, cleaners warehouse tockists etc? I am willing to do anything and reliable for turning up on time. No sick days due to not being bothered to get out of bed. Live local close to the City Centre so no excue with transport delays. As I said doing an It course and Journalist course and have an appointment with an advisor at VAL next week re voluntary work. Would rather do some paid work though even part time.

So far these credentials have not been good enough.

[The Reverend]

Thats not strictly true, Before taking any NVQ course, you should be given a basic test to see where you lie within the boundaries of the course, its mostly to see what knowledge you have of Maths for example so the course instructor knows your capabilities, if you didnt do well on the maths test, doesnt mean you cant do an NVQ course

You cant Fail an NVQ course anyhow, so most of it is a load of bolloxs.

You should have done an NVQ level 2 before 3 anyhow, unless you got a free pass?

Well I got C's in English and Maths, with my maths being just outside the 5 year period, so maybe that was taken into account, plus had A-Levels too.

You cant 'fail' an NVQ as such no, you're right there, its just a tick box exercise for the instructor so they know you have certain qualities etc... just a bit of a pain in the arse considering I had to do the key skills aswel.

Not sure how I got to do a Level 3 without a level 1 or 2 to be honest, my company must've thought it was a waste of time to do 1 & 2, too easy maybe, so put me straight onto Level 3.

But I have it and thats all that matters to me.

[Rincewind]

I did a pre-test in english and maths before the IT course. Fairly easy. Doing OK at the IT. Scores 9 and 10's One 6.5 and one mark dropped because I placed the cursor a fraction out of the click position and other wrong answers I knew were wrong as soon as I clicked. Just a couple of tests and the project to do to complete module one. There is an exam too so no idea what I need for a pass. Then there is the spreadsheet module and two others to do within a ten week period. I needed to do this ten years ago when It may havre come in handy. I may have also been able to give advice on here. Its a lot to take in at my age.

[CupidStunt]

Well I got C's in English and Maths, with my maths being just outside the 5 year period, so maybe that was taken into account, plus had A-Levels too.

You cant 'fail' an NVQ as such no, you're right there, its just a tick box exercise for the instructor so they know you have certain qualities etc... just a bit of a pain in the arse considering I had to do the key skills aswel.

Not sure how I got to do a Level 3 without a level 1 or 2 to be honest, my company must've thought it was a waste of time to do 1 & 2, too easy maybe, so put me straight onto Level 3.

But I have it and thats all that matters to me.

As a rule, Level 2 must also be completed before or whilst undertaking Level 3, Level 3 covers a lot that level 2 goes over, but should be done nevertheless, you may well be/have done level 2 also?, depends on how many units you were given to do.

Level 2 isnt easy, depending on what subject matter you are covering

In the course i done, Level 2 was more "doing", whereas Level 3 and upwards were more "showing" others and Leading teams

all good stuff, and good additions to anyones Cv's, they are goverment funded mostly these days, so a no brainer for companies.

To anyone else, a bit of advice from an old head....Never ever turn down training