Finding work

[Become_who_you_want_to_be]

Is it just me or it is really hard for graduates to find permanent work. I have been volunteering in 2 jobs and doing an internship and still get rejection letters. I tailor My resume and cover letter for each Job. Does anyone have good tips on how to stay strong and not let it get me sad.

[Just Sara]

Hi and welcome to our caring forum community;

I'm not sure how old you are, but at any age I guess it's distressing not to be able to find paid work when it's needed. You've proven yourself a worthy candidate thru what you've achieved so far, so please remember how valuable you'll be to someone soon ok.

It's a dog eat dog world out there for unemployed people who have to compete for job opportunities. I'm sorry you're sad and finding it difficult.

Keeping your eye on the prize and accepting it could take a while to get where you want to be is a good place to start. Focusing on the problem will only serve to make you feel worse ok.

In my experience, you've got to be wily sometimes; ahead of the game. Ways to beat the competition to the mark takes guts, but can pay off big time. I once saw an ad for a job many yrs ago which only provided a phone number. I knew there'd probably be 100's of applicants so I went thru the phone book to find who owned it. (Sydney; it was a huge book and took me ages!)

I went straight to the business and introduced myself with my resume in hand. He gave me a trial on the spot and was really pleased with my work, as well as the way I found their phone number. He said I was resourceful and competitive and liked that.

Also, have a plan. Whatever you want to do, make sure you're prepared not only to start work, but for the interview. Research and study every aspect of the position down to the finest point. You'll probably be up against people who've done it before.

And don't underestimate 'life skills' and 'lived experience' either. My sister didn't have any qualifications for a position in a child care centre, but she beat 30 Uni grad's due to having 3 kids with allergies, ADHD and emotional issues. They just couldn't let her go after her interview and chased her to the car to get her to come back. She's been there 15 yrs and and they paid for her degree!

These stories are real. They happen if you have faith in yourself and think outside the box. Please don't give up ok. Every step's experience and mistakes are a gift of learning.

I wish you well in your endeavours. I'd love to know what you think of my post, and how things go for you. Talk with a counsellor if you need to as well. It all helps..

Kind thoughts;

Sez

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Become who you want to be,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for being here!

Graduate or no graduate, finding work is hard! I completely feel for you and I know a lot of us here can relate. It sounds like you're doing all the right things but I can understand how it can make you sad - I know I've felt completely defeated at times.

So, with that said - it sounds like you're looking for practical kind of advice so here are some suggestions -

- Ask for feedback. This is not an easy thing to do but it's incredibly helpful. Sometimes you might get answers like 'they just had more experience' but other times you can get criticism that you can use - like putting examples in your resume or showing where you're passionate about. There's a lot of value in feedback.

- Set up a linked.in account. This is free, even though there are paid options. This is a great way to start to network and get connected with employers that you'd like to work for or companies that interest you. You can also add 'currently searching' in your title to help recruiters.

- You can also set up free accounts with job seeking websites, such as seek and career one.

- Chat with the people that you're volunteering and interning with. Do they know of any vacancies or is one potentially coming up in the future? Do they know of ways you can 'up your experience'? Or even other companies? The difficulty is that a lot of jobs don't get advertised, so it really is about who you know.

- Branch out to different positions/companies. Sometimes the way to the top is a bit of an oddball - so try to consider jobs that might not necessarily appeal to you straight away. Jobs in retail or admin for example may not be what you're interested in, but it shows commitment, time management and people skills.

- Self care and routines. Spending all day working on resumes and cover letters is draining. If you can, find ways to break it up - what is it that helps you relax or is important to you?

If you can, try and keep some perspective - I know that it's so much easier said than done, but you've done the hard work (your degree) and now it's just about letting everything else fall into place.

Hope this helps,

[MsPurple]

HI and welcome. Both Sez and Romantic have great suggestions

I just want you to know, I know exactly how you feel. I am in the same boat. I have been for a while. I did get a job in my field, however I was not making enough money to sustain myself so had to quit. I have decided that I want to work to live and not live to work. I am looking at all career options now. I think we have to be realistic. Yes the experience is valuable in my last job, but I couldn't continue because I literally couldn't afford to anymore. I think volunteer work is good, however you need to put a time limit on it. You have worked hard and you deserve to be paid. I no longer do volunteer work for career purposes anymore because of this. (I volunteer on beyond blue because I passionate, the other stuff I did I wasn't passionate about and I only did it to help my career.) I am currently working in a job I am over qualified for just to make ends meat. I am looking at other career options now because my field is super over competative and there is no full time work (or even decent hours part time). It is frustrating I know. I think if you need income maybe look at work you maybe over qualified for. Continue applying for jobs you want, but find something to just pay the bills now. Also maybe put a time limit. That's what I have had to do. I am looking at other career options now.

I know my response probably isn't what you want to hear, but unfortunately it is now a reality for graduates now

[Become_who_you_want_to_be]

You are right. All the posts have been Informative. The thing is I want any paid job but everything I have had an interview for an administration or other role (not in my field) they say I'm over qualified or don't fit In with the culture of the team. I always research the company and role. I'm going to have to network and approach hiring managers in person. It's better than going through human resources they never care if u want the job or help u if tried so hard 😢

[MsPurple]

I know how frustrating it is. Applying for jobs and not getting them because you are over or under qualified. It is annoying because if you go for a job you are over qualified for then it is your choice to do so. I was lucky with my job that they saw it as ok to have someone over qualified as they know it can lead to other opportunities in future. I also killed the interview so I guess they thought having someone like me would also help them as well.

Have you considered going through a recruitment agency? My brother and one of my besties got jobs that way. My brother got an admin job and my friend got a HR job (which she studied at uni for). It was an avenue I was about to go for just I got lucky with employement. However I will admit I am not wanting to be in this job long terms so I am looking for other options like yourself. I know how frustrating it is. I try tell myself what will be will be

[Become_who_you_want_to_be]

Yes I am trying to go through recruiters atm. sometimes they put my resume through and then i dont hear from them for long periods of time. I was fortunate enough to get an administration role in a government organisation before i went overseas so it does work. lately they say they will let me know. I am going to go to hiring managers directly. was thinking of physically going in and handing my resume. nothing to lose

[BeautifulColt]

This is a sad but common situation. For me, It really helped to speak to someone. I actually went for career advice at a local TAFE and it gave me some hope for my future. There are many resources and programmes out there to help, you just need to find them. Like Ms Purple said, job agencies are a good help despite the legwork you'll have to do.

I found it tiring to tailor resumes. It never made much of a difference for me. Doing it made me feel worse because I spent so much effort making a good resume. I'm not saying to not do it, but it's something to think about. Resources like counselling and job agencies can look over your resume, or maybe make one for you. It is their job, after all.

I hope you find a job. Keep trying and don't give up 🙂

[Become_who_you_want_to_be]

Thank you for the encouragement. I am very fortunate to have everyone so supportive and say positive things. I won't give up. Hope that whatever is on your mind you can feel free to talk about. I am here to listen.