Looking for a Job

Sadhbhieee

I have never worked before, and I really need to get a job, but I just don't know how! Since I've never had a job before, my CV is looking very depressing, and I just finished my Leaving so I can't put down points or anything!

Could someone please help me and tell me what I should put on my CV? If there is anyone with experience in hiring, could they say what someone would look for in a CV! And is there a certain type of job that doesn't usually require experience?

I genuinely haven't a clue how this works. Please help!

smcgiff

If you have just finished your leaving then most employers wont expect you to have work experience.

You'll be looking at minimum wage entry level jobs such as working at shelf stacking, waiting tables or fast food restaurants.

Have you ever worked for a charity, your school, your dad's work, TY experience? What hobbies have you got? Do they show you can get on with people?

Sadhbhieee

smcgiff wrote: »

If you have just finished your leaving then most employers wont expect you to have work experience.

You'll be looking at minimum wage entry level jobs such as working at shelf stacking, waiting tables or fast food restaurants.

Have you ever worked for a charity, your school, your dad's work, TY experience? What hobbies have you got? Do they show you can get on with people?

My parents are both teachers, and that's what I did for work experience in TY, so that doesn't help me! But in TY I was picked to go to Uganda for humanitarian work. My hobbies are mainly performance related. I'm a singer (for weddings, funerals, etc.) so yeah... None of these really help me, do they?

smcgiff

Sadhbhieee wrote: »

My parents are both teachers, and that's what I did for work experience in TY, so that doesn't help me! But in TY I was picked to go to Uganda for humanitarian work. My hobbies are mainly performance related. I'm a singer (for weddings, funerals, etc.) so yeah... None of these really help me, do they?

of course it does. You've managed 30 odd kids, delegated and reviewed work.

You're entrepreneurial, singing at weddings etc.

What actual work did you do in Uganda.

Seems to me like you've done a lot.

Chauncey

Nobody expects someone who has just done their leaving cert to have anything on their CV so don't worry about that.
There's tons of things you can do without experience like working in a shop or pub, cleaning, babysitting, handing out flyers and so on.

If you are any use with computers you might be able to get a basic office job doing a bit of admin and answering phones and stuff like that.

Just make sure if you are applying in writing or by email that you express some interest in the job, check your spelling and grammar and give some relevant information, i.e. your name and where you live.

You wouldn't believe the amount of spas who send me one line emails saying "howya wats d pay nd hours" no name, no indication of their experience or anything else.

Also, as smcgiff says, if you did anything in transition year mention that and your hobbies.

Mrs OBumble

Sadhbhieee wrote: »

... I'm a singer (for weddings, funerals, etc.) so yeah... None of these really help me, do they?

Oh yes they do!

Maybe not with getting a "real" job directly. But they show you have a pretty high degree of self-organisation etc.

Also, they give you contacts with all sorts of people - is there anyone you know who has a business that you'd like to try working in - try asking them for a job.

And if you can't get a job as an employee, what's your rate for singing gigs? Can you promote yourself and get more work over the summer? People die all the time, but regular funeral singers may want to go on holiday then.

Rod Serling

Chauncey wrote: »

If you are any use with computers you might be able to get a basic office job doing a bit of admin and answering phones and stuff like that.

I've got an IT qualification and can't get a "basic office job"

smcgiff

Rod Serling wrote: »

I've got an IT qualification and can't get a "basic office job"

Possibly overqualified with potential employers thinking you are only biding your time.

syklops

The things missing from a lot of candidates I have seen is enthusiasm and 'get up and go' which you, OP, seem to have bucket loads of.

Pay Pal are looking for customer service people. All you need to know is how to work a phone, something I am sure you can do. Try them. PM me if you want me to look over your CV.

I've got an IT qualification and can't get a "basic office job"

I would bet good money that you are approaching it the wrong way. Your problem is the opposite of the OP's, you are over qualified. People don't want to hire people who are over qualified because they will either get their head turned by another, better job and leave with little to no notice, or they will want more money.

If you are applying for a job as an office admin, then you need to be the Mary Poppins of office admin and nothing else. Only put relevant skills on the CV. Typing speed, "i have expert knowledge of Microsoft Office", "Also have experience with the maintenance and troubleshooting of office hardware, including printers, computers and POS systems".

Instead of using the shotgun method, be like a sniper. Identify the company you are applying to, and write your cover letter and CV tailored for that company.

Rod Serling

smcgiff wrote: »

Possibly overqualified with potential employers thinking you are only biding your time.

I understand that might be their concern, but as I haven't worked anywhere I'd be more than happy to sit at a desk all day long and answer phones, send e-mails, whatever for however long as they'd need me. If I'm technically over qualified for that so be it, it would certainly beat my current state of unemployment, as any job would!

syklops wrote: »

I would bet good money that you are approaching it the wrong way. Your problem is the opposite of the OP's, you are over qualified. People don't want to hire people who are over qualified because they will either get their head turned by another, better job and leave with little to no notice, or they will want more money.

If you are applying for a job as an office admin, then you need to be the Mary Poppins of office admin and nothing else. Only put relevant skills on the CV. Typing speed, "i have expert knowledge of Microsoft Office", "Also have experience with the maintenance and troubleshooting of office hardware, including printers, computers and POS systems".

Instead of using the shotgun method, be like a sniper. Identify the company you are applying to, and write your cover letter and CV tailored for that company.

Thanks a lot for the tip. To be honest, I'm only out of college because I can't afford to continue with college for a few years or else I'd probably be a lot more over qualified for what I've been applying for. But I need to find a full time job and at this stage I'm thinking of sending "I am more than happy to work every hour the lord sends for minimum wage I am available every hour, 7 days a week, please hire me" in 72 Pt. Arial in place of my CV.

syklops

Rod Serling wrote: »

I understand that might be their concern, but as I haven't worked anywhere I'd be more than happy to sit at a desk all day long and answer phones, send e-mails, whatever for however long as they'd need me. If I'm technically over qualified for that so be it, it would certainly beat my current state of unemployment, as any job would!.

They don't know that. All they have to go on is your cover letter and CV, and if they see qualified astronaut, they will say "We don't need a qualified astronaut, we want a qualified office admin person"

Rod Serling wrote: »

Thanks a lot for the tip. To be honest, I'm only out of college because I can't afford to continue with college for a few years or else I'd probably be a lot more over qualified for what I've been applying for. But I need to find a full time job and at this stage I'm thinking of sending "I am more than happy to work every hour the lord sends for minimum wage I am available every hour, 7 days a week, please hire me" in 72 Pt. Arial in place of my CV.

Thats the shotgun method and it doesnt work, because every other twenty-something is using the same method to get a job. Tailor your CVs and cover letters for the job.
If you are an architect and you want a job in a burger bar, you do not list "designing buildings" as one of your talents. You draw attention to your work ethic, desire to please customers etc. I know it all sounds cheesy, but getting this stuff right gets you a length in front of all the people who didn't get it right.

TORIKEN

hey im 15 And im in bad need of a job .. people think you cant work at this age but you can and its not against the law ither ! please if anyone needs help childminding,cleaning,help in general with food shopping etc,dog minding,or yard working such as with horses ..i can do it please message me.

syklops

TORIKEN wrote: »

hey im 15 And im in bad need of a job .. people think you cant work at this age but you can and its not against the law ither ! please if anyone needs help childminding,cleaning,help in general with food shopping etc,dog minding,or yard working such as with horses ..i can do it please message me.

You don't say where in the country you are.

Put up an ad in your local shop or post office. The chances of you finding a potential client on this thread who lives 5 minutes down the road from you is slim.

AnnHend91

Im the same with no job experience. Just volunteer work cause no one will hire me with no experience. Have an Honors Degree in Wildlife Biology just finished now and still cant get a job

yournerd

I in the same position yet I have experienc but still I live in such a recession town. I want to do law in September hopefully would I have any chance of getting like work exp/admin work with a solicitor or someone?

AnnHend91

I dont know about that. Try ask your local solicitors and see. No harm in asking. Ya its sucks theres nothin in my town either. All my work seems to be in uk or elsewhere abroad

April O Neill

AnnHend91 wrote: »

Im the same with no job experience. Just volunteer work cause no one will hire me with no experience. Have an Honors Degree in Wildlife Biology just finished now and still cant get a job

Get out the country, get your ass over to the UK ASAP. You won't find your first graduate job here. I have a few years experience in a biological field and still found it incredibly difficult to find a job in the area.

I've since realised that I don't want to stay in this field, and am retraining, but I would have had to consider emigration again if I wanted to stay in the field.

There are loads more opportunities across the water. I got a great graduate job over there in 2009 with a government agency.

billcullen1

April O Neill wrote: »

Get out the country, get your ass over to the UK ASAP. You won't find your first graduate job here. I have a few years experience in a biological field and still found it incredibly difficult to find a job in the area.

I've since realised that I don't want to stay in this field, and am retraining, but I would have had to consider emigration again if I wanted to stay in the field.

There are loads more opportunities across the water. I got a great graduate job over there in 2009 with a government agency.

April - could I drop you a pm message re jobs

April O Neill

billcullen1 wrote: »

April - could I drop you a pm message re jobs

About you getting a job or me?

I'm currently not in the job market.