Recession+no degree= no job Result go back to education!!!!!

fifibibi

I have been unemployed for months!! getting fed up, and i am genuinely seeking work and interviews basically any job because i am unlucky enough to have retail management experience on my cv, and it is one of the worst affected areas in the recession.

So when i apply for jobs, experience means nothing, because they would have to pay a decent salary, and why bother when they can get a graduate with any degree and no experience and pay them less money for now.

Anyone complaining about not being able to get a job with a degree needs to look into recruitment websites and job options, because for graduates they are there!!

Mrs OBumble

Why don't you just take the management bit out, say that you worked in Dunnes/Penneys/Tesco/Monsoon/wherever, don't mention that it was as management? Surely you've got a friendly ex-boss somewhere who can act as a referree, knowing that.

syklops

I dont know what you are asking, but thats not the attitude to have. Most employers want industry experience over a degree. You say you have retail management experience. Now, which one is your stronger talent? The retail bit or the management bit? If your a strong manager then the world is your oyster because a good manager in practically any industry is desired over a decent manager with experience in that industry.

For example, most people on this board would probably agree that the level of IT management in this country is pretty bad. Personally I would use the phrase abysmal.

I dont know why this is, but I think most techies would agree they would prefer a manager with management skills, over a manager with some tech knowledge and some management skill.

If you OP, are a good manager, if you are good at managing people, then you can pick the industry you want to work in. For every job you apply to write a good cover letter. Point out that your management and people skills are second to none and that they need you.

And if your going into an interview and they say "Well, we like you alot but your lack of experience in IT/Biotech/Legal/whatever-industry/ makes us feel you would not be as valuable who does have experience in said industry", you tell them that a good manager is worth way more than a techie who simply wants to earn more money by being a manager. And if it is not going down well, offer to work for a month on half nothing to show them your skills. Tell them your good and can prove it.

In an interview a little bit of arrogance and alot of confidence, is way better than any degree.

Thats my 2 cents anyway.

taram

I have a degree and got told for 20-odd retail jobs that I'm over qualified because I had a degree. In my last CV I put my retail experience on top, and put two lines for my 4 years in college on the second page and got the job. :rolleyes:

MIN2511

taram wrote: »

I have a degree and got told for 20-odd retail jobs that I'm over qualified because I had a degree. In my last CV I put my retail experience on top, and put two lines for my 4 years in college on the second page and got the job. :rolleyes:

I did the same....

Working somewhere, where i am more educated than the manager, her manager etc... More computer literate as well...

thereitisgone

Working somewhere, where i am more educated than the manager, her manager etc... More computer literate as well.../QUOTE]

Just stick with it and with your obvious intelligence and education superiority over everybody else, the stupid people will eventually see how foolish they have been and will promote you to the top.

MIN2511

thereitisgone wrote: »

Working somewhere, where i am more educated than the manager, her manager etc... More computer literate as well.../QUOTE]

Just stick with it and with your obvious intelligence and education superiority over everybody else, the stupid people will eventually see how foolish they have been and will promote you to the top.

I don't think you are getting my point... I am not in any way looking down at any of them, i needed a job-i got it!
I dumbed my CV by a mile, thats what i am trying to say

thereitisgone

Ok sorry if i misunderstood, but i really did mean stick with it and see what happens if you really are as good as you say then you will over time rise above these other people as all companies want to make as much money as possible and if you can make more for them than the current leader then you will take over.

MIN2511

Thank you

No, i don't plan on remaining in retail...
Need to finish my degree(i have to repeat programming in Aug) fingers crossed

In the mean time i am working on a personal project...

nesf

taram wrote: »

I have a degree and got told for 20-odd retail jobs that I'm over qualified because I had a degree. In my last CV I put my retail experience on top, and put two lines for my 4 years in college on the second page and got the job. :rolleyes:

Meh, that's just tailoring your CV to the job. For a retail job it (normally) makes little difference whether you've a degree or not.

idontknowmyname

I'm in exactly the same position- have retail management experience but also a degree- no luck finding a position. Got an interview for a high street fashion retailer for sales assistant- got told in interview i was over-qualified but responded by saying that because I've been out of direct retail for 3 years I know I have to start in a junior position. Never heard back from them, a friend of mine said to dumb my CV down which worked for one of the posters- will try that now! good luck with the job hunt!!

taram

nesf wrote: »

Meh, that's just tailoring your CV to the job. For a retail job it (normally) makes little difference whether you've a degree or not.

Oh definitly, but one place I handed a CV into the manager scanned the first page, which had college first, then the rest of the page was retail experience she just rejected it straight out.