Discussion
I guess I'm putting this to the PH massive simply because I realise you lot have probably been through this process dozens of times and probably have worthwhile advice.
But anyway - I'm having serious problems finding jobs to apply to, and I keep running into the same problems. I want to find work in the media sector, preferably radio or magazines, so at least I know where to look for jobs, but:
Firstly, I feel totally out of my depth. I just browse the ads going 'No, couldn't do that one, couldn't do that one, couldn't do that one, or that one, or that one...'. I'm coming round to the realisation that I might actually be totally crap at the vast majority of things.
Secondly, I refuse point blank to work in London. Largely because, unless you're approaching millionaire status you don't so much 'live' as 'exist' there. I also despise the place. I'd only consider a job in London if the starting salary was in excess of £25k and I could live so far out it would confuse the postman.
Thirdly, I'm not entirely certain of my assets. I've had countless careers interviews, picked through god-knows-how-many computer job-matching programmes and still have no idea what I'm good at. I know what I'm bad at very well indeed, but so far as marketing myself goes, it's like presenting the design for a Lada Riva to Ferrari's design department. I've got a month to go before I find out how I did on my degree so I can't even say 'I've got a (whatever) in Politics from York' to an employer yet. I'm quite good at writing, that's about it...
Fourthly, I'm completely incompetant when it comes to actually getting jobs. I fail interviews for supermarket shelf-stacking, I can't get any experience anywhere. My CV looks like I've just been born.
I'm sure everyone was like this as a graduate, but I'm panicking a bit here, mainly because I feel totally burnt out after 3 years of university but I have my Mum calling me up every couple of days telling me to get a job (yeah, just like that :rolleyes: ), and everyone else I know who's graduating alongside me knows exactly what they want to do, and the majority of them have managed to get jobs with seemingly massive salaries after successfully scooping up work placements over holidays that I can only dream with.
PHers, I ask you - how the :censored: do I get a bloody job?
But anyway - I'm having serious problems finding jobs to apply to, and I keep running into the same problems. I want to find work in the media sector, preferably radio or magazines, so at least I know where to look for jobs, but:
Firstly, I feel totally out of my depth. I just browse the ads going 'No, couldn't do that one, couldn't do that one, couldn't do that one, or that one, or that one...'. I'm coming round to the realisation that I might actually be totally crap at the vast majority of things.
Secondly, I refuse point blank to work in London. Largely because, unless you're approaching millionaire status you don't so much 'live' as 'exist' there. I also despise the place. I'd only consider a job in London if the starting salary was in excess of £25k and I could live so far out it would confuse the postman.
Thirdly, I'm not entirely certain of my assets. I've had countless careers interviews, picked through god-knows-how-many computer job-matching programmes and still have no idea what I'm good at. I know what I'm bad at very well indeed, but so far as marketing myself goes, it's like presenting the design for a Lada Riva to Ferrari's design department. I've got a month to go before I find out how I did on my degree so I can't even say 'I've got a (whatever) in Politics from York' to an employer yet. I'm quite good at writing, that's about it...
Fourthly, I'm completely incompetant when it comes to actually getting jobs. I fail interviews for supermarket shelf-stacking, I can't get any experience anywhere. My CV looks like I've just been born.
I'm sure everyone was like this as a graduate, but I'm panicking a bit here, mainly because I feel totally burnt out after 3 years of university but I have my Mum calling me up every couple of days telling me to get a job (yeah, just like that :rolleyes: ), and everyone else I know who's graduating alongside me knows exactly what they want to do, and the majority of them have managed to get jobs with seemingly massive salaries after successfully scooping up work placements over holidays that I can only dream with.
PHers, I ask you - how the :censored: do I get a bloody job?
Twincam16 said:
Secondly, I refuse point blank to work in London. Largely because, unless you're approaching millionaire status you don't so much 'live' as 'exist' there. I also despise the place. I'd only consider a job in London if the starting salary was in excess of £25k and I could live so far out it would confuse the postman.
?
This is your first problem, I don't like London either, but I live here because my work is here.
If you live on the outskirts you can get a bedsit from £350 per month or a flat from £500 per month.
The second issue you have is that you want to walk into a high paid job, what you need is EXPERIENCE in your chosen profession, the salary is virtually irrelevant. My starting salary was less than the minimum wage is now, and I took it because I had discovered that trainee accountants jobs are hard to come by.
>> Edited by JagLover on Monday 13th June 15:46
PMA...
POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE...
To be frank, and i know your names not Frank, but if came to interview with me with that Downtrodden dross that you've just posted i'm not surprised you havent got a job. (harsh i know and i apologise)
No1, Apply for everything, 90% of job adverts dont advertise what they are actually looking for, key skills yes, but as most employers will tell you they dont actually know what they are looking for until they see it !!
I've interviewed over 50 applicants recently and if i could find 1 with any get up and go i would have given the job there and then to them...
POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE...
To be frank, and i know your names not Frank, but if came to interview with me with that Downtrodden dross that you've just posted i'm not surprised you havent got a job. (harsh i know and i apologise)
No1, Apply for everything, 90% of job adverts dont advertise what they are actually looking for, key skills yes, but as most employers will tell you they dont actually know what they are looking for until they see it !!
I've interviewed over 50 applicants recently and if i could find 1 with any get up and go i would have given the job there and then to them...
wotcha, jobless 
in short, i would start applying for things if you want to do them, regardless of whether you feel you can do them or not. will, passion and dedication will get you a long way with employers, and short of brain surgery, theres not many things that cant be picked up in time.
plus, don't be put off by job descriptions and requirements: they're little more than wish lists. if you always think 'i don't fit that description' and don't start trying to do stuff you don't feel capable of you'll never learn anything new, and will never increase your worth, either personally or in terms of your employability.
and honestly, more important than anything else, stop thinking, start doing. apply for everything you can see yourself being happy in. everything. if for no other reason than its so much easier to get work when you're in work. you never know you may surprise yourself, and theres no greater feeling than when you take a chance and it pays off.
good luck twinny
PS Lidl's are hiring
in short, i would start applying for things if you want to do them, regardless of whether you feel you can do them or not. will, passion and dedication will get you a long way with employers, and short of brain surgery, theres not many things that cant be picked up in time.
plus, don't be put off by job descriptions and requirements: they're little more than wish lists. if you always think 'i don't fit that description' and don't start trying to do stuff you don't feel capable of you'll never learn anything new, and will never increase your worth, either personally or in terms of your employability.
and honestly, more important than anything else, stop thinking, start doing. apply for everything you can see yourself being happy in. everything. if for no other reason than its so much easier to get work when you're in work. you never know you may surprise yourself, and theres no greater feeling than when you take a chance and it pays off.
good luck twinny
PS Lidl's are hiring
Do a PGCE and qualify as a teacher, that way you can just hop on to £100 per day supply instead of working on building sites, if you want temporary work pre-travel or want to try an ambitious project of your own this is the way to go.
It'll also give you a bit of time to think about everything, no rush. Don't catch the first bus..etc
It'll also give you a bit of time to think about everything, no rush. Don't catch the first bus..etc
Having worked quite extensively in the media I might be able to make some suggestions after asking a few questions. I should also add, I have been a production company MD and employer.
1 What area of Radio or Magazine work are you interested in?
2 What qualifications do you have?
3 What is your approximate age?
4 Where are you prepared to live/move to?
5 How much do you expect to earn in your first year?
6 What experience do you have?
>> Edited by alexkp on Monday 13th June 15:59
1 What area of Radio or Magazine work are you interested in?
2 What qualifications do you have?
3 What is your approximate age?
4 Where are you prepared to live/move to?
5 How much do you expect to earn in your first year?
6 What experience do you have?
>> Edited by alexkp on Monday 13th June 15:59
JagLover said:
Secondly, I refuse point blank to work in London. Largely because, unless you're approaching millionaire status you don't so much 'live' as 'exist' there. I also despise the place. I'd only consider a job in London if the starting salary was in excess of £25k and I could live so far out it would confuse the postman.
?
This is your first problem, I don't like London either, but I live here because my work is here.
If you live on the outskirts you can get a bedsit from £350 per month or a flat from £500 per month.
The second issue you have is that you want to walk into a high paid job, what you need is EXPERIENCE in your chosen profession, the salary is virtually irrelevant. My starting salary was less than the minimum wage is now, and I took it because I had discovered that trainee accountants jobs are hard to come by.
>> Edited by JagLover on Monday 13th June 15:46
It's not the salary I have a problem with, it's the lack of actual jobs. I know what you mean by London, but I'm not talking about 'walking into' a 'high-paid' job - all I'm saying is £12k p.a. in Central London these days is probably less than the tramps make.
I'm concentrating my job search on the North and the Midlands. I'll stretch into Scotland and Wales too, but for some reason, even the Northern editions of papers are just crammed full of jobs in London and I know full well that if I got one I wouldn't be able to afford to live there, so the job would be self-defeating. The reason why we get jobs is so we can sustain our existence with money - if it struggles to do that then what's the point.
I'm just wondering why it seems according to the job rags there are no jobs anywhere other than London.
love machine said:
Do a PGCE and qualify as a teacher, that way you can just hop on to £100 per day supply instead of working on building sites, if you want temporary work pre-travel or want to try an ambitious project of your own this is the way to go.
It'll also give you a bit of time to think about everything, no rush. Don't catch the first bus..etc
My brother started one of these but got sick of basically being a social worker for the deranged and out of control youth of today.
After enduring a few months of being called a
a and a on an almost hourly basis by chavvy scroats, coupled by a confrontational "you can't touch me" from the little sh!ts, he jacked it in. Sadly he didn't beat the living bejeasus out of any of the more obnoxious ones before he left. I'd avoid it personally.
Matt
Twincam16 said:
The reason why we get jobs is so we can sustain our existence with money - if it struggles to do that then what's the point.
The magic number in accountancy is 18 months, that was the amount of experience most junior jobs required when I was looking after Uni.
So that is the point,working in London to gain experience.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
1. film, music, cars, lifestyle, holidays, news & current affairs, that sort of thing
2. 9 GCSEs, 3 A-levels, a Politics BA degree (currently graduand) and an ILIAD computing certificate.
3. 21. Birthday is 12/12
4. Anywhere in the UK except London or the more remote parts of Scotland, Wales and Ireland
5. At least £15k. If I had to work in London I've been told categorically by my Dad not to accept anything less than £25k though.
6. I've done two short placements at newspaper offices that I arranged myself, I've written articles for various college and university publications (and PH), I've participated in a short film and I have my own university radio show.
I've been told to apply for work as a Broadcast Journalist or at any positions in radio or magazines with the exception of Broadcast/Editorial Assistant (an industry professional told me not to apply for those as I can do much better), but I can't actually find any of these jobs in any of the sources (Media Guardian, Broadcast, BBC website etc). I was thinking of firing off letters to independant producers and radio stations speculatively enquiring if they had anything going, but they'd advertise it, surely?
JagLover said:
The reason why we get jobs is so we can sustain our existence with money - if it struggles to do that then what's the point.
The magic number in accountancy is 18 months, that was the amount of experience most junior jobs required when I was looking after Uni.
So that is the point,working in London to gain experience.
In accountancy, yes, but the media industry really is countrywide. Obviously accountancy is centred on 'the City', but I can get experience in other places. I just can't find the jobs!
Twincam16 said:
It's not the salary I have a problem with, it's the lack of actual jobs. I know what you mean by London, but I'm not talking about 'walking into' a 'high-paid' job - all I'm saying is £12k p.a. in Central London these days is probably less than the tramps make.
I'm concentrating my job search on the North and the Midlands. I'll stretch into Scotland and Wales too, but for some reason, even the Northern editions of papers are just crammed full of jobs in London and I know full well that if I got one I wouldn't be able to afford to live there, so the job would be self-defeating. The reason why we get jobs is so we can sustain our existence with money - if it struggles to do that then what's the point.
Lots of people make it work. My best mates g/f landed a job in media paying about £10k p/a. She continued to live a student life (albeit without the drinking) & did evening barwork for a year until she got a raise & now she is doing pretty well - about £40K 3 years in. It seems that Media is like many desirable vocations & pays peanuts until you have the experience.
What Color Is Your Parachute is an excellent book & there is some stuff in there which can put much into perspective.
I can empathise with final year burnout - I was a wreck after my finals & dissertation.
If you don't get a bit of R&R now you won't be going into the job hunt firing on all cylinders (excuse the pun) & you won't be doing yourself any favours at all. Try & get some time to wind down & you will feel much better for it
In the media and advertising game I'm afraid there are very few starting positions outside London (except possibly Leeds?).
All the jobs outside are filled by people downsizing and fleeing to the country - North - East - West - France - Dubai
you name it we run to it.
Point is I think that making a start in London displays all the correct things a future employer is looking for, self reliance, hard work, ambition, desire to work for best of breed etc.
No-one expects you to do it for ever and to be honest you can quickly move a low starting salary up the scale in London, something else that rarely happens in the sticks, the high turnover of people leads to promotion possibilities that nowhere else can match.
There are planty of graduates living in London doing low paid jobs because they know it is the fast lane up (if yer any good that is
)
All the jobs outside are filled by people downsizing and fleeing to the country - North - East - West - France - Dubai
you name it we run to it. Point is I think that making a start in London displays all the correct things a future employer is looking for, self reliance, hard work, ambition, desire to work for best of breed etc.
No-one expects you to do it for ever and to be honest you can quickly move a low starting salary up the scale in London, something else that rarely happens in the sticks, the high turnover of people leads to promotion possibilities that nowhere else can match.
There are planty of graduates living in London doing low paid jobs because they know it is the fast lane up (if yer any good that is
)Have a look and see if Kingston inmedia or bfbs (British Forces Broadcast Service) need anybody at the moment. They are based in Bucks in a nice leafy village (Chalfont St Peter). And they took on my Ex right after uni so no experiance etc just a degree in Media Technology (So a lot of broadcast and video theory).
I actually think I'll be better off job-hunting in Manchester. It's rapidly becoming Britain's second media capital, I know the city well and it's full of companies either starting up or expanding. York's a bit locked-off.
Ooh yeah, tell me about it.
For some reason my Mum seems to think that 'getting some rest after the most stressful 3 years of your life' constitutes her forcing me off on a strictly-regimed self-catering holiday somewhere I don't want to go, either on my own or with people who I know wouldn't come with me.
But it's a bit of a mixed message, as she's also telling me that at the same time I need to get any old job to tide me over till I get a proper job (that's hard enough for me), and she won't let up - believe me I can't exaggerate how stressful she can make your life.
bga said:
I can empathise with final year burnout - I was a wreck after my finals & dissertation.
If you don't get a bit of R&R now you won't be going into the job hunt firing on all cylinders (excuse the pun) & you won't be doing yourself any favours at all. Try & get some time to wind down & you will feel much better for it
Ooh yeah, tell me about it.
For some reason my Mum seems to think that 'getting some rest after the most stressful 3 years of your life' constitutes her forcing me off on a strictly-regimed self-catering holiday somewhere I don't want to go, either on my own or with people who I know wouldn't come with me.
But it's a bit of a mixed message, as she's also telling me that at the same time I need to get any old job to tide me over till I get a proper job (that's hard enough for me), and she won't let up - believe me I can't exaggerate how stressful she can make your life.
Twincam16 said:
1. film, music, cars, lifestyle, holidays, news & current affairs, that sort of thing
You'll probably find that these are the lowest-paid areas to get into initially as everyone wants to write about them. Road testers get paid very little - it's just that so many people want to drive cars around. Same with lifestyle, film, music, etc.
If I were you I'd get a job writing about anything, just to get the experience. Once you've proved you can write/edit/meet deadlines, etc you can start looking elsewhere.
look at job hunting as a job
Set aside time each day to apply for jobs you want to do and even those you don't...getting interview experience is important as well...ask for feedback and learn from that for the next.
Be proactive.. don't just apply for advertised jobs make yourself known to prospective employers.
Talk to people about what you want to do...(the seven rules of seperation and all that)
Stay positive in your outlook
The first job you get may not be the ideal (probably won't be) but you'll get experience.
Just when you can not be arsed to apply for another job then send out your cv...
It's not easy but you can make things better for yourself you just need to get on with it...no one else will do it for you.
Set aside time each day to apply for jobs you want to do and even those you don't...getting interview experience is important as well...ask for feedback and learn from that for the next.
Be proactive.. don't just apply for advertised jobs make yourself known to prospective employers.
Talk to people about what you want to do...(the seven rules of seperation and all that)
Stay positive in your outlook
The first job you get may not be the ideal (probably won't be) but you'll get experience.
Just when you can not be arsed to apply for another job then send out your cv...
It's not easy but you can make things better for yourself you just need to get on with it...no one else will do it for you.
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