Stuck in a Rut

CuriousG

Ok, bit of background.

A year ago I got into hairdressing and done a course, having a couple of months experience prior to that, and carrying on for a few months of unpaid experience after my course also.

Despite working unpaid, I couldn't get a job and was left wondering what to do.

Now, I like the career and I am good at it, but it was always a second choice, as I wanted to go to college first and foremost for a different career but financial reasons have always stopped me.

After hairdressing, I was coming up to being six months or so unemployed so I started focusing on getting any job in any area just to pay my way and get off social welfare. This was the hardest thing ever. Every single interview I have ever went to I have been judged for doing it and not 'carrying on'. I understand that obviously, and it makes sense to do so, but when there are no trainee positions out there and it is a choice between sit home on the dole or try my hand at something else, obviously I will pick the latter. But every time I am interviewed, I am punished for it.

The usual response is 'there are plenty of jobs in hairdressing' which there are, but only for fully qualified positions. I have went for internships before as some of you may know from my past posts, and in two of the four, they had a candidate picked out before I was even interviewed (knew the candidates from networking) and in the other two I was expected to work ten hours for five days for 150€ (despite job bridge rules) .. I know you have to start somewhere but it became depressing being the only one left EVERY DAY when all the paid stylists were allowed to leave and having pretty much no social life outside of work. Maybe it is having too much pride, but I said I was not going to stand for it and said no.

I kept applying for jobs, and the only offer I got was a work placement programme in an office. I seen it as a chance to get out of the hairdressing rut, and get some skills in another area, a backup skill if you like. That went grand I was good at the work and enjoyed it, but no job at the end as I was only there covering maternity leave. It was in the property business and so I then applied for the same role but paid. When I got to the interview they told me to my face that because I had previously done hairdressing I wasn't suitable for the job. I explained the above and explained that at the time it was either try my hand at it, or be unemployed for another year. They made me feel a foot high and I left depressed.

I don't know what else I can do, I just want to work, and I don't see why I should be judged by taking an opportunity. I was unemployed and desperate and took a chance at something that wasn't my ideal choice, but I knew I'd be good at. Now it is coming back to bite me at every chance.

I am considering taking hairdressing off my CV altogether it is that bad. I thought it would look worse to employers if I refused an opportunity to work, but in reality, I am being judged more for taking it.

I am getting depressed trying to find work and just feel like my life is a joke. I am only 20. I tried a career, it hasn't worked out at all and I'm trying to do whatever else I can, but it seems to be stopping me. Don't get me wrong, if I was offered a paid position in a salon tomorrow I would take it for the sake of a job, or even a FAIR internship, but that's just not possible. The salon I worked in for three months has closed down, and even there I was only called in for busy days/holidays etc.

Please give me some advice, I'm going crazy and dread any interview because I know it will come against me, despite the fact I explain the above to them and am actually very honest about it. I just think it is unfair the employers look down on me for trying to get somewhere. Part of me regrets trying so hard, because I see people that never try get jobs in a heartbeat...

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long rant.

lazysundays

It sounds to me that you need some expert advice to help you with this situation. Have you considered talking to a career adviser at a local university or college? They would be very experience in dealing with all types of scenarios and should be able to give you good advice. You'll have to google the local college and ask if the advice would be free or charged.

Another way of getting experience is to apply for temporary admin/office jobs with Recruitment Agencies. This will increase your 'office' experience and help put space between your hairdressing experience and your long term goal. You should ask the agency for advice too, I'm sure they've seen loads of candidates similar to yourselves (think of all those guys from the building industry changing jobs).

Don't forget...you would have gained a lot of soft skills working as a hair dresser (team player, dealing with conflict/difficult clients, influencing, decision-making etc). So you need to play up these strengths that you can offer when you go for interviews.

Stick with it...it'll come right in the end, you just need to stick to your guns and someone will give you a break.

wmpdd3

I would tailor you CV for each job, if that means leaving hairdressing out then do. Just give the name of the business and dates.

Also you have to learn how to turn negatives around in interviews.

If I was hit with that hairdressing comment I would have informed the interviewer that working 10 hours a day for 5 days on your feet is great training for a customer facing position.

CuriousG

Thanks for the great advice!!

I haven't really thought about asking an expert but I am thinking about it.

In interviews I usually do try and spin the skills I have got from it - customer service, working very long days on my feet, dealing with people, reception, customer service etc, but the problem is with actually getting interviews. The few I have done have been unpaid positions and the only paying interview I got was in an office and they literally laughed in my face at the hairdressing on my CV, despite the fact I worked very hard at it and done very well in my exams, making the best of a not preferable situation.

After I couldn't find a job in it I done a six month unpaid placement in an office to get skills in another area, but it hasn't helped me get a job at all yet.

In regards to leaving it off my cv, what if they ask what I was doing within that time?? Surely it's better to be doing something rather than nothing? That's what I don't get about the attitude of employers I have met, they don't want you to be unemployed and take any chance, yet they aren't willing to employ you so you don't have to do that!