20 and never had a job.

skp120

Yeah, yeah, don't laugh. I haven't had a real job. I have been job hunting but nowhere is interested and it seems like places only want those with experience but nobody is willing to give me it. I've tried every kind of place even stores like tesco and super valu.

I didn't get money from my parents, I signed on last year and I hate it and would do anything to have a job.

I don't have anything to put on my CV and I feel stupid handing out a cv that hasn't got anything on it.

I had a website when I was younger and was making $1500+ a month with google adsense but again it wasn't like a real job and began as a hobby and the site just got popular. I got paid $1800 as a one-off to advertise for another business when I was 16, don't even remember the name and it wasn't much work (mentioning his site daily on my website posts) so I don't see how that could benefit my cv either. Im blogging now and my blog is relativly popular but I make almost zilch off it.
Outside of computers I have experience photographing musicians including many well known international bands but I did it for a webzine I ran for a few months and it was also non-profit. I have a pretty good portfolio online with my work but I don't see it as something that should be on a cv as I never made any money off it.

Would it be stupid to include any of that stuff on my cv? I am truly desperate at this stage, well i've been desperate a long time but its really getting me depressed now.

Oh and I tried asking for work in the only charity shop here and they turned me down too..not sure if it was because of my lack of experience or if they had enough people but there ya go..




ETA: i also forgot to mention I did a short course in photography but is it pointless to put that down when it was a basic course and not relevant to the kind of jobs im mostly applying for (fashion retail/general retail)

skp120

Another question..is it pointless/unprofessional to put your blog on your cv? Its a fashion blog and since most of the jobs i apply for are fashion related i often mention the stores in it..just don't know if its acceptable to put that kind of thing on there

thanks in advance for any help or advice.

mrgardener

Why don't you just say you were traveling around Europe for a couple of years after school, if they ask you about your work history?

skp120

mrgardener wrote: »

Why don't you just say you were traveling around Europe for a couple of years after school, if they ask you about your work history?

wouldn't they wonder how I funded it if I never worked before? my parents aren't well off at all.

AlloAllo

what's your blog URL?
I'd say there's no harm in including the blog in your CV. Places like American Apparel have sections on their application forms for you to link them to your blog/lookbook.nu etc.
As long as you can list skills you've gained from running your blog I think it's worth mentioning.

skp120

skp120 wrote: »

Yeah, yeah, don't laugh. I haven't had a real job. I have been job hunting but nowhere is interested and it seems like places only want those with experience but nobody is willing to give me it. I've tried every kind of place even stores like tesco and super valu.

I didn't get money from my parents, I signed on last year and I hate it and would do anything to have a job.

I don't have anything to put on my CV and I feel stupid handing out a cv that hasn't got anything on it.

I had a website when I was younger and was making $1500+ a month with google adsense but again it wasn't like a real job and began as a hobby and the site just got popular. I got paid $1800 as a one-off to advertise for another business when I was 16, don't even remember the name and it wasn't much work (mentioning his site daily on my website posts) so I don't see how that could benefit my cv either. Im blogging now and my blog is relativly popular but I make almost zilch off it.
Outside of computers I have experience photographing musicians including many well known international bands but I did it for a webzine I ran for a few months and it was also non-profit. I have a pretty good portfolio online with my work but I don't see it as something that should be on a cv as I never made any money off it.

Would it be stupid to include any of that stuff on my cv? I am truly desperate at this stage, well i've been desperate a long time but its really getting me depressed now.

Oh and I tried asking for work in the only charity shop here and they turned me down too..not sure if it was because of my lack of experience or if they had enough people but there ya go..




ETA: i also forgot to mention I did a short course in photography but is it pointless to put that down when it was a basic course and not relevant to the kind of jobs im mostly applying for (fashion retail/general retail)

Are you crazy?

You've plenty to put on a CV.

I had a website when I was younger and was making $1500+ a month with google adsense but again it wasn't like a real job and began as a hobby and the site just got popular. I got paid $1800 as a one-off to advertise for another business when I was 16, don't even remember the name and it wasn't much work (mentioning his site daily on my website posts) so I don't see how that could benefit my cv either. Im blogging now and my blog is relativly popular but I make almost zilch off it.
Outside of computers I have experience photographing musicians including many well known international bands but I did it for a webzine I ran for a few months and it was also non-profit. I have a pretty good portfolio online with my work but I don't see it as something that should be on a cv as I never made any money off it.

It seems like your interests lie towards digital marketing, why not try and focus on this?

If you need any help, PM me, I'm in the field so can advise you. You're really not blowing your trumpet loud enough. At All. you need to change this and start thinking in the right way.

skp120

Deleted User wrote: »

Are you crazy?

You've plenty to put on a CV.



It seems like your interests lie towards digital marketing, why not try and focus on this?

If you need any help, PM me, I'm in the field so can advise you. You're really not blowing your trumpet loud enough. At All. you need to change this and start thinking in the right way.

Honestly, I don't have a huge interest in digital marketing, it all just happened. My website was just a site with resources for myspace back when it was popular - layouts, graphics, etc. that I made myself. It got quite popular in a short space of time because I was one of the only sites making my own graphics and I updated it often. When it started getting popular I moved the site off myspace and onto its own personal domain (I had personal blogs, fansites,etc. since I was 11 so knew how to design a fairly decent site) and added adsense to it and so long as I kept updating the site, money kept coming from it because it was so popular.

A business man who stumbled upon the site contacted me with a proposal that I advertise his website for x amount of days for quite a large sum of money and I did this. After the job was done he even wanted to buy the site for a lot of money because of the advertising potential but I refused (wish I hadn't now since myspace is dead )

So it all happened kind of by it self. I don't see myself with a career in that kind of thing at all. Even with my blog, it got pretty popular straight away and has been featured in a couple of online articles already but I didn't advertise it or anything like that, people just liked what they seen.

Is it still worth writing about any of that on my cv?

Haggis The Dog

As somebody who has employed people to work in retail outlets such as those youve mentioned i think you have the makings of a great CV. Experience is great particularly for some of the more senior roles but dont underestimate the power of skills and behaviours you have picked up doing your blogs such as your ability to connect to people and see opportunities when they present themselves...also you had blogs and business' from the age of 11! thats really great and shows you have your head switched on...dont under sell yourself from what i see i think you have the makings of a great CV

Chuchoter

You made virtually $2k at 16 off a website. Serious entrepreneurial skill there. Definitely put them on your CV, you have more experience than a lot of people.

mrgardener

skp120 wrote: »

wouldn't they wonder how I funded it if I never worked before? my parents aren't well off at all.

How would an employer know that?

skp120

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone, it really is appreciated so much.

If anyone has any advice on how to word all of that or how to put it on the CV I would seriously appreciate it. I didn't even know it was appropriate to add that to a cv so I have no clue where to start on adding it.

Do you think the fact that I have nothing to put in the references section will let me down or do people overlook that ?

Thanks again

skp120

mrgardener wrote: »

How would an employer know that?

True..still, I have been claiming welfare for almost a year so I wouldn't want to lie. I would probably slip up at some point!

skp120

Anyone?

techyness

Have you thought about going into FAS - they have career guidance councillors and they are free. Just make an appointment. Some of them are useless and some are good but either way they are there to help you get a job and will sit down with you and go through your CV. Get as many people to look at it as possible - i am always changing and refining mine!

Jelly2

It seems to me that you are at a crossroads. You need constructive help in translating what is very impressive experience into a cv. Go to a careers counsellor and also to somebody who is successful in the type of work that you envisage entering, and get their advice on this. Maybe think of doing a course that offers you qualifications too?

skp120

Thanks.. I have already been to FAS and the woman there was useless to say the least. My friend is in a similar situation and completed a couple of their courses and they still couldn't give him any constructive advice.

I also went to adult edcation centre and they were more interested in pushing me to go back to college than giving me advice on jobs.

I do want to go back to college eventually but not right now. I know theres some people in the area who help you build up your CV but they charge a fee, something I really can't afford right now.

NR04

I got my CV done professionally early last year for €150. I'm sure you'll find somebody to do it for round €80??

NR04

NR04 wrote: »

I got my CV done professionally early last year for €150. I'm sure you'll find somebody to do it for round €80??

That's a great way to throw away €150

OP, you've a brain, that's evident. You've done things to demonstrate this. If you want to create a CV properly, Google will help you do that.

Do not pay to create a CV. I've no idea why you're trying to work in the retail industry when you are quite capable of doing well in the digital field, a field that is growing tremendously.

skp120

Deleted User wrote: »

That's a great way to throw away €150

OP, you've a brain, that's evident. You've done things to demonstrate this. If you want to create a CV properly, Google will help you do that.

Do not pay to create a CV. I've no idea why you're trying to work in the retail industry when you are quite capable of doing well in the digital field, a field that is growing tremendously.

I don't have any qualifications in the digital field though and i don't want to go back to college right now.

MagicMarker

NR04 wrote: »

I got my CV done professionally early last year for €150. I'm sure you'll find somebody to do it for round €80??

*double facepalm*

NR04

NR04 wrote: »

I got my CV done professionally early last year for €150. I'm sure you'll find somebody to do it for round €80??

Or she could just do it herself? There are millions of guides and templates online.

skp120 wrote: »

I don't have any qualifications in the digital field though and i don't want to go back to college right now.

What about a more advanced photography course? Or do you count that as college? Otherwise, you could just emphasise your experience, which is quite impressive. Why not get a domain name and put a website together to showcase your work and offer services? Surely you still have contacts and all that, people to recommend your photography etc? It sounds like you have a lot of talent here and there's a realistic chance of being able to use it to make money. For the moment, you could put this sort of thing down on your CV along with your educational background and keep handing it out in shops or whatever, get some references and decent cover letters stressing your motivation and ability, but I think for the long term you really should be aiming higher.

drunkmonkey

skp120 wrote: »

Yeah, yeah, don't laugh. I haven't had a real job.

Ohh Really?

"Not even a hand Job?"

skp120

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Ohh Really?

"Not even a hand Job?"

Well I'm female, so hardly!

skp120

[quote=[Deleted User];67030238]Or she could just do it herself? There are millions of guides and templates online.



What about a more advanced photography course? Or do you count that as college? Otherwise, you could just emphasise your experience, which is quite impressive. Why not get a domain name and put a website together to showcase your work and offer services? Surely you still have contacts and all that, people to recommend your photography etc? It sounds like you have a lot of talent here and there's a realistic chance of being able to use it to make money. For the moment, you could put this sort of thing down on your CV along with your educational background and keep handing it out in shops or whatever, get some references and decent cover letters stressing your motivation and ability, but I think for the long term you really should be aiming higher.[/QUOTE]

The main issue I had with my cv was actually putting everything into words but a boardsie is very kindly helping me out with it now.

I initally wanted to go on and study photography somwhere like IADT which is why I did the first course, I was very badly advised and told it was the equivilent of a plc course and it turns out it wasn't because there wasn't enough modules (5 modules vs the 8 modules in standard plc courses) not too sure if I want to study it anymore to be honest. My camera actually died today and I won't be able to replace it until I get a job.

I already have a portfolio of my photography online on a .com domain, I designed the site myself and it displays my best pictures and digital media/art. I was actually offered a job with a top UK rock music magazine when I was 17 (their photography editor person emailed me) but since i couldn't relocate to Dublin i had to turn it down.

I'm not sure who (if anyone) I could use as a reference.

NR04

Obviously those templates are sh1t!!

I knew what a CV should look like, but I did not have the vocabulary. I also needed to explain why I dropped out of a college course which was related to the positions I was applying for.

NR04

NR04 wrote: »

Obviously those templates are sh1t!!

I knew what a CV should look like, but I did not have the vocabulary. I also needed to explain why I dropped out of a college course which was related to the positions I was applying for.

How are they sh1t? It's a bloody piece of paper outlining your experience and qualifications, not rocket science.

NR04

Most people just list their educational qualifications, work experience and achievements. You should go into more detail and outline what it entailed.

Both of us could have worked for the same company and held the same position, but i might have had more responsibilities and encountered more experiences than you did.

NR04

NR04 wrote: »

Most people just list their educational qualifications, work experience and achievements. You should go into more detail and outline what it entailed.

Both of us could have worked for the same company and held the same position, but i might have had more responsibilities and encountered more experiences than you did.

I would have thought that was obvious. And that's not meant in a snarky way.

NR04

I was looking through CVs at work last weekend, Many CVs had plenty of experience but just had a one page CV.