Job No Experience

Adnan44

Hi Everyone,

I would just like some advice. I have never worked before, so how do i sell myself? I want to apply in supermarkets, cafes etc I have my CV but What should i say in a cover letter?

Should i just go in & ask at the till or what? I know i have to get some experience somewhere I'm going mental sitting at home

evilberry

Hate saying this because I know everyone will judge me now, but fekit.

Lie. That's how you stand best chances. That's how I got my first job.
That's how a lot of us, not to say most, got their first jobs (excluding working for someone you knew, even indirectly).

Is it fair to do that? No. But is it fair to request 2 years of experience in field for a Junior position or a position as simple as shop assitant? Also no. (and yes, I've worked as a shop assitant before)

People responsible for recruitment in this country are some serious squares. Not all of them, but again - from my experience - 8-9 outta 10.

I would add that you worked in some small local store/cafe helping your family out and ask someone for simple references. Doesn't have to be anything massive, just to show you've some basic experience. Let's face it - being a shop assistant isn't rocket science, it just requires tons of patience.

Adnan44

Ha That's the second time i was told today to lie, A guy from SligoLeader just told me he told a couple of white lies to get his job.
I'm kinda stuck in a rut, i was feeling depressed & kept thinking whats the point but i realize i need to cop on & try harder. I'll try to come up with something thanks

evilberry

Best of luck, let us know how it goes for ye

doolox

We live in a very unfair and corrupt and poor little island. There are many people searching for few jobs including many from other poorer places etc. As mentioned before it is understandable if you spin up any work you have done in the past to increase your experience on paper to get a first chance. HR people will take the best people they can find for a job and will not "take chances" hiring a completely inexperienced person for a job if there are more experienced people available. They could lose their own jobs if they do so and things go wrong.

Only that my father employed me on leaving school I would not have got my first permanent job because the hiring manager happened to come from a similar small business self employed background and knew how these things operate. Once you get your first job it becomes easier to stay employed because many decisions have been made, your sector, your likelihood of advancement etc.

Tell everyone you are looking for a job.
Do up a cover letter, CV, small card with phone no email etc and make them into a little promotions kit. Hand them out to every bar, restaurant, shop, car wash, garage, or whatever that you go to and try and ask every contact you know if anything is available to let you know. Sales is a numbers game, the more requests you put out the more chance of a reply, and you only need one good reply.

doolox

My eldest sister got her first job through the wife of a friend of my Dads knowing a vacancy had arisen in the local school.

My other sister got into her first job through relations of Dad knowing people in charge of the place.

My youngest sister got into Dads place of work after working for Dad for 4 yrs part-time during school years.

6 of my 8 cousins got there jobs through Paternal influence.

Many of their neighbours and friends were helped by Dads and my uncles contacts and recommendations to get jobs or put on career paths etc that served them well through the years.

Many of my school mates at home followed their parents footsteps into various service, retail, business etc roles in places like the Post office, Telecoms, Auctioneering, Garage sales and technical roles, catering etc...
In fact it was very rare for anyone to step outside of their family sector unless they emigrated and came back with a new knowledge set or business plan and the necessary money to follow through.