Struggling to get employed
Discussion
I was just wondering if i can pick i few brains from managing director types. I seem to be basically unemployable, either too old for unskilled retail work with companies preferring younger cheaper labour, or unskilled for anything approaching the 15k PA mark or above. Its hard not to feel down but I'm not sure what to do. I've just graduated with a degree in Zoology/Bioscience. but i can't even get a job in something unrelated. I know I've never been good at selling myself but this is crap frankly.
Did you ever think zoology was going to make you money or was it a passion? Do you feel because you have a degree you are entitled to a higher level job?
What are your expectations, what are you going for?
It's hard to know why you're not being employed without knowing what you are applying for day in day out and seeing your CV.
What are your expectations, what are you going for?
It's hard to know why you're not being employed without knowing what you are applying for day in day out and seeing your CV.
Sheets Tabuer said:
Did you ever think zoology was going to make you money or was it a passion? Do you feel because you have a degree you are entitled to a higher level job?
What are your expectations, what are you going for?
It's hard to know why you're not being employed without knowing what you are applying for day in day out and seeing your CV.
I did zoology because i have spent my entire life fascinated by how animals behave/communicate and how they interact so well with their environment. but the issue i'm having is i can't even get into a basic 15K a year job i.e. 40 hours at minimum wage (7.20) What are your expectations, what are you going for?
It's hard to know why you're not being employed without knowing what you are applying for day in day out and seeing your CV.
What does a typical zoology graduate tend to do for a career? What did you have in mid when you first started the course?
Or, if there are no options for you within your "industry", get a trade.
Anyone whose best option is a minimum wage job needs to learn how to connect pipes or nail bits of wood together and go self employed.
Or, if there are no options for you within your "industry", get a trade.
Anyone whose best option is a minimum wage job needs to learn how to connect pipes or nail bits of wood together and go self employed.
Are you getting as far as interviews or are you not getting past submitting a CV?
Tend to agree that if you take a degree in a very specialised field then by definition you're kind of limiting yourself.
I also wonder if employers are assuming you're simply seeing them as a holding position until something better comes along?
Tend to agree that if you take a degree in a very specialised field then by definition you're kind of limiting yourself.
I also wonder if employers are assuming you're simply seeing them as a holding position until something better comes along?
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hstewie said:
hstewie said: Are you getting as far as interviews or are you not getting past submitting a CV?
Tend to agree that if you take a degree in a very specialised field then by definition you're kind of limiting yourself.
I also wonder if employers are assuming you're simply seeing them as a holding position until something better comes along?
possibly correct on both accounts no interviews (possibly a crap cv) and possibly the holding position. but its not like I've never been in work. Ive been in retail since i was sixteen and made sure i maintained a job whilst at univeristy. the issue is my current employer can't afford or simply will not give me enough hours now I'm available to do them.Tend to agree that if you take a degree in a very specialised field then by definition you're kind of limiting yourself.
I also wonder if employers are assuming you're simply seeing them as a holding position until something better comes along?
V40Vinnie said:
Im in my 30s and have experience working with animals, the issue i'm having is you are up against people willing to do it for free as a volunteer
(because it looks good on CV)
Honest opinion mate, you have pinned yourself to a niche working environment that is grabbed by volunteers after they leave school or university. Look at what real skills you have, rewrite your cv, apply for every job out there. I'm 45 and it's worse for me, I've been self employed doing gardening and grounds maintenance work for a company the last 6 months, that's coming from outdoor skills for kids in care. I'm off overseas next month, back into security world, only by luck. (because it looks good on CV)
You've basically got four choices:
1. Get qualified as a vet.
2. Get a master's degree in your subject area as well as work experience in a zoo and apply for a more specialised job in zoology etc.
3. Study for a management/business degree and together with your current qualifications apply for zoo management.
4. Do something completely different!
1. Get qualified as a vet.
2. Get a master's degree in your subject area as well as work experience in a zoo and apply for a more specialised job in zoology etc.
3. Study for a management/business degree and together with your current qualifications apply for zoo management.
4. Do something completely different!
One assumes you know the following already, but just for clarity:
Roles directly related to your qualification:
Did your uni not offer support and insights during your course?
What have others you were studying with gone on to do?
Regardless, there's something out there for you; you just have to find it, but I sense you're struggling to conceptualise the options and develop a subsequent plan to achieve the most probable option.
Let's start with your CV; happy to provide some feedback if you drop it across.
To help with context, it would be beneficial to let me know: your aspirant salary; your current salary; any constraints on location (e.g. commute time; willing to relocate etc); and anything you would certainly not be willing to do.
Hope that little helps
Roles directly related to your qualification:
- Ecologist.
- Environmental consultant.
- Field trials officer.
- Marine scientist.
- Nature conservation officer.
- Physician associate.
- Research scientist (life sciences)
- Biomedical scientist.
- Environmental education officer.
- Environmental manager.
- Higher education lecturer.
- Toxicologist.
Did your uni not offer support and insights during your course?
What have others you were studying with gone on to do?
Regardless, there's something out there for you; you just have to find it, but I sense you're struggling to conceptualise the options and develop a subsequent plan to achieve the most probable option.
Let's start with your CV; happy to provide some feedback if you drop it across.
To help with context, it would be beneficial to let me know: your aspirant salary; your current salary; any constraints on location (e.g. commute time; willing to relocate etc); and anything you would certainly not be willing to do.
Hope that little helps
MethylatedSpirit said:
A well-written CV on its own is a good start.
A good cover letter, simply highlighting relevant areas of experience can make the difference between having and interview or having an application thrown into the bin. This is the bit where you "sell" yourself.
I can sell products people may/may not need/want, I just struggle with myself A good cover letter, simply highlighting relevant areas of experience can make the difference between having and interview or having an application thrown into the bin. This is the bit where you "sell" yourself.
Easy. 3 stages.
1) Introduction, maybe stating why you are applying (Job fits your skills and experiences, ext). About 2-3 lines at most.
2) Match your skills to the role applied to. Talk about anything you've done which is relevant to the job description / requirements. (5-7 lines)
3) Niceties (thank you for reviewing / look forward to hearing from you soon / I hope you find my skills and experience relevant to the role applied for / make reference to further information in CV)
Makes a huge difference from just throwing a CV at someone who has often been reviewing hundreds of them.
1) Introduction, maybe stating why you are applying (Job fits your skills and experiences, ext). About 2-3 lines at most.
2) Match your skills to the role applied to. Talk about anything you've done which is relevant to the job description / requirements. (5-7 lines)
3) Niceties (thank you for reviewing / look forward to hearing from you soon / I hope you find my skills and experience relevant to the role applied for / make reference to further information in CV)
Makes a huge difference from just throwing a CV at someone who has often been reviewing hundreds of them.
Cambio said:
With your qualifications you should set up (or join) a company offering bat surveys. Due to insane planning regulations there is a huge market for this, it pays well and is basically money for old rope.
A market monopolised by a handful of well-established, and experienced, consultancies (I work in the environmental consultancy sector). Nearly all surveyors have an MSc in Ecology or Conservation. That being said, OP could look to attend some of the accredited courses run by the Bat Conservation Trust (http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/consultants.html). We're at the end of the surveying season now afaik.
Caveat - OP likes, and wants to work with, bats.
Those that I went to uni with that did Zoology (some also did Primate Conservation) ended up working in Zoos and/or went on to do PhDs studying out in the jungle (lucky barstewards). A PhD is an option...(~23k grant too - or at least it was when I did mine but that was funded through NERC/ESRC).
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