Graduated 2011 - No grad job, need further guidance.
Discussion
Gargamel said:
johnfm said:
Cheers Garg.
Might PM you for some advice off board, if that's ok.
No problem, not sure how I can help you get your dream job as chairman of selectors for Cricket Australia though ! Might PM you for some advice off board, if that's ok.
Perhaps you'd consider England team coach ?
Drop me a line, happy to chat
PM on the way.
shouldbworking said:
I saw that yesterday, was gonna post it in here but didn't want to depress anyone further 
Condi said:
Why the rush to get a City job? Go abroad to where the opportunities lie; you might not instantly get experience with what you want, but you have a long time to work in an office environment. Do all the daft and carefree things while you still can, ride out the worst of the recession in places which are still growing, and growing strongly. You never know, a banking career in Hong Kong, or trading shares on the Nikki might be a lot more preferable than dealing with monotonous back office operations in the UK for the next 40 years?
Just want financial independence really (I was actually hoping to get a 'grad' job offer around now to start Autumn then have a nice carefree summer).I've been looking at jobs in Hong Kong - quite difficult to find what I want as an inexperienced person. Are you saying I consider less skilled jobs in HK (and other areas) just to get going?
Otispunkmeyer said:
Have you tried.... I think its called, Mount Batten or Batton or something....
Thanks but I don't meet the eligibility requirements (I need 12 months full-time office experience).I very much agree with your comment about it being who you know.
Edited by AnonymousCaller on Friday 9th March 13:46
OP, I have sympathy for your plight and have a suggestion for you.
Put together a short list of decent sized businesses you really want to work for. Then get a job with onw of them doing pretty much anything you can. Go in, work your nuts off and impress them that you are bright, gifted and an asset to their business. Opportunities will arise, and you will climb the ladder.
Put together a short list of decent sized businesses you really want to work for. Then get a job with onw of them doing pretty much anything you can. Go in, work your nuts off and impress them that you are bright, gifted and an asset to their business. Opportunities will arise, and you will climb the ladder.
AnonymousCaller said:
I feel so depressed about the situation, like life is passing me by and I will have no future.
Hye mate dont worry this is something of a common feeling. Its hard for sure because at your age a grad seems like THE path to success and happiness. It seems like other alternatives either do not exist or do not bear thinking about. I sympathise with you, grad positions are f---g hard to get, the firms will have 1000s of application (literally) and there is a hefty portion luck involved too. Maybe your CV will be read by a 20 something guy with similar interest to yours and he puts it through; maybe you get a 50 something lady who doesnt like your style. Same goes for the interviews. However, please please try and remember that life will go on. If you are unsucessful in the next round of interviews maybe its time to change tack. Pack a bag and head off to south east asia. Travel places you never contemplated going, meet random travellers and just have a good time.
Come back to the UK with a different view things. You may be a bit more relaxed, easy going with a wide range of experience. Now some employers might show more interest. Maybe, as someone has remarked already on this thread, you will end up in a little firm with a range of responsibilities and find yourself sat in the middle of a growing operation. You never know. Just dont get hung up on the city. How many people do see smiling there? How many genuinely happy people have you met there? Some really do love it, and these are the ones the firms hire. If you dont genuinely love it, but only think you want it, then they sometimes see through this and it may be why you havent been hired. They dont think you will fit.
Anyway, thats my advice. Above all be confident. Dont be afraid to pick up the phone and ring the firms, ask if you can come in and have a look around and meet some staff. Dont beg for a job, just ask to learn a bit more about the firm. The poeple working there are often proud of the firm, they will be happy to talk to you about it all day long.
If you havent already try reading 'How to win friends and infleunce people'. Also consider doing some public speaking- join your local toastmasters club. Where im from there is a famous famous public speaking club located in the heart of the capital's business district. It was founded in the great depression by a bunch of men who wanted to make themselves more employable.
Finally, a little anecdote. Last night I went to a theatre show. I sat next to a lovely older woman; turns out her son was the writer/director/main actor in the show. She said he was a professional actor. The following quote stuck with me "He cant find any work so he has gone and made some for himself"/ Be proactive.
Good luck mate, feel free to drop me a line as im in a similar boat to you (just getting into my final year at uni and this month is grad recruitment month).
I may have missed your reply but what kinds of jobs are you actually applying for? (I mean actual job titles as I see you've written departments which is vague at best. It's like when you ask what someone does and they say, "I work for a bank". You know they mean receptionist or toilet cleaner.)
Edited by Hoofy on Saturday 10th March 10:07
you have the education so maybe it is your social skills lacking, i find the "maintain good eye contact" a bit odd, maybe the interviewer is put off guard by you staring?
anyhow i would suggest reading Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people. cheap to buy from the 'bay and you will be through it in a day but it will change your life. warren buffet has the Dale Carnegie certificate on his office wall, good enough for him good enough for us.
anyhow i would suggest reading Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people. cheap to buy from the 'bay and you will be through it in a day but it will change your life. warren buffet has the Dale Carnegie certificate on his office wall, good enough for him good enough for us.
jjones said:
anyhow i would suggest reading Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people. cheap to buy from the 'bay and you will be through it in a day but it will change your life. warren buffet has the Dale Carnegie certificate on his office wall, good enough for him good enough for us.
Good to see we both have positive experiences of the book (see my post above). Only thing I can add is that while you might read it in a day, it is not a book you should ever be through with. Read it, keep it, review it, and dont forget to read it some more. Putting what is in the book into practice is hard, I can assure you that, but oh my god is it worth it.
Anonymous when I started in banking it was part time when I was still a student (hard sciences student so in no way qualified to press buttons and make money go to places) just doing a bit of the retail stuff, I had no intention of working in the industry (If I was still working the counters I wouldn’t be working in banking anymore, they are perpetually understaffed and it was very stressful) and just needed a way to buy some baked beans and pay the electric bills. In fact the first day I ever had off was to moonlight pulling plasterboard out of a guy’s house because the pay was much better than my day-to-day job .
The thing about banks in growing economies is that positions become available more often than other industries IME. You mentioned HK and southeast Asia is a good option but also consider Australasia, often however you will have to go where the work is to get a job abroad if you don’t have a whole lot of experience. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves if it means you can get a job in the right industry, experience even in a position at a basic level won’t be held against you when you apply for a more desirable position. It might not be the job of your dreams (I am not a trader earning a telephone digit salary yet, however nor do I moonlight in the building trade anymore) but if you work diligently and always make yourself available it makes it difficult for an employer to decline you a position. Don’t get stuck either, I’ve got friends in the UK who are more intelligent, better looking and went to the right universities but haven’t got as far because they were unwilling to leave the UK to advance their careers (Not that the grass is always greener elsewhere either!). That is all the advice I can think of, hopefully it is of a little use. Good luck.
. The thing about banks in growing economies is that positions become available more often than other industries IME. You mentioned HK and southeast Asia is a good option but also consider Australasia, often however you will have to go where the work is to get a job abroad if you don’t have a whole lot of experience. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves if it means you can get a job in the right industry, experience even in a position at a basic level won’t be held against you when you apply for a more desirable position. It might not be the job of your dreams (I am not a trader earning a telephone digit salary yet, however nor do I moonlight in the building trade anymore) but if you work diligently and always make yourself available it makes it difficult for an employer to decline you a position. Don’t get stuck either, I’ve got friends in the UK who are more intelligent, better looking and went to the right universities but haven’t got as far because they were unwilling to leave the UK to advance their careers (Not that the grass is always greener elsewhere either!). That is all the advice I can think of, hopefully it is of a little use. Good luck.
CaptainSensib1e said:
Put together a short list of decent sized businesses you really want to work for. Then get a job with onw of them doing pretty much anything you can.
Sounds good. Thanks.aucklander said:
Hye mate dont worry this is something of a common feeling. Its hard for sure because at your age a grad seems like THE path to success and happiness. It seems like other alternatives either do not exist or do not bear thinking about. I sympathise with you, grad positions are f---g hard to get, the firms will have 1000s of application (literally) and there is a hefty portion luck involved too. Maybe your CV will be read by a 20 something guy with similar interest to yours and he puts it through; maybe you get a 50 something lady who doesnt like your style. Same goes for the interviews.
However, please please try and remember that life will go on. If you are unsucessful in the next round of interviews maybe its time to change tack. Pack a bag and head off to south east asia. Travel places you never contemplated going, meet random travellers and just have a good time.
Come back to the UK with a different view things. You may be a bit more relaxed, easy going with a wide range of experience. Now some employers might show more interest. Maybe, as someone has remarked already on this thread, you will end up in a little firm with a range of responsibilities and find yourself sat in the middle of a growing operation. You never know. Just dont get hung up on the city. How many people do see smiling there? How many genuinely happy people have you met there? Some really do love it, and these are the ones the firms hire. If you dont genuinely love it, but only think you want it, then they sometimes see through this and it may be why you havent been hired. They dont think you will fit.
Anyway, thats my advice. Above all be confident. Dont be afraid to pick up the phone and ring the firms, ask if you can come in and have a look around and meet some staff. Dont beg for a job, just ask to learn a bit more about the firm. The poeple working there are often proud of the firm, they will be happy to talk to you about it all day long.
If you havent already try reading 'How to win friends and infleunce people'. Also consider doing some public speaking- join your local toastmasters club. Where im from there is a famous famous public speaking club located in the heart of the capital's business district. It was founded in the great depression by a bunch of men who wanted to make themselves more employable.
Finally, a little anecdote. Last night I went to a theatre show. I sat next to a lovely older woman; turns out her son was the writer/director/main actor in the show. She said he was a professional actor. The following quote stuck with me "He cant find any work so he has gone and made some for himself"/ Be proactive.
Good luck mate, feel free to drop me a line as im in a similar boat to you (just getting into my final year at uni and this month is grad recruitment month).
Thanks, you've made me feel a lot better! Having thought over things yesterday, in the short-term I'll be targeting SMEs then if I find nothing suitable, I'm off out of the UK. Decision made.However, please please try and remember that life will go on. If you are unsucessful in the next round of interviews maybe its time to change tack. Pack a bag and head off to south east asia. Travel places you never contemplated going, meet random travellers and just have a good time.
Come back to the UK with a different view things. You may be a bit more relaxed, easy going with a wide range of experience. Now some employers might show more interest. Maybe, as someone has remarked already on this thread, you will end up in a little firm with a range of responsibilities and find yourself sat in the middle of a growing operation. You never know. Just dont get hung up on the city. How many people do see smiling there? How many genuinely happy people have you met there? Some really do love it, and these are the ones the firms hire. If you dont genuinely love it, but only think you want it, then they sometimes see through this and it may be why you havent been hired. They dont think you will fit.
Anyway, thats my advice. Above all be confident. Dont be afraid to pick up the phone and ring the firms, ask if you can come in and have a look around and meet some staff. Dont beg for a job, just ask to learn a bit more about the firm. The poeple working there are often proud of the firm, they will be happy to talk to you about it all day long.
If you havent already try reading 'How to win friends and infleunce people'. Also consider doing some public speaking- join your local toastmasters club. Where im from there is a famous famous public speaking club located in the heart of the capital's business district. It was founded in the great depression by a bunch of men who wanted to make themselves more employable.
Finally, a little anecdote. Last night I went to a theatre show. I sat next to a lovely older woman; turns out her son was the writer/director/main actor in the show. She said he was a professional actor. The following quote stuck with me "He cant find any work so he has gone and made some for himself"/ Be proactive.
Good luck mate, feel free to drop me a line as im in a similar boat to you (just getting into my final year at uni and this month is grad recruitment month).
I've also bought the book. Should be an interesting read.
Hoofy said:
what kinds of jobs are you actually applying for? titles
investment banking analystwholesale/corporate banking analyst (global transaction banking, global debt capital markets)
corporate treasury analyst
bank operations analyst (more of a business role)
bank finance leadership scheme (i.e. accountant)
corporate or indirect tax trainee at professional services firms
insurance analyst (would have worked as an underwriter, in pricing or in finance)
some business management schemes (rotational roles in different business areas)
in-house finance schemes at big companies
In the past, I was contacted for all sorts from recruitment (not my thing) to statistician.
jjones said:
you have the education so maybe it is your social skills lacking, i find the "maintain good eye contact" a bit odd, maybe the interviewer is put off guard by you staring?
anyhow i would suggest reading Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people.
My social skills are definitely an area for development now (wasn't so in the past). With 'good eye contact' I meant maintaining eye contact when speaking but knowing not to stare and when to look away and where. Book is bought!anyhow i would suggest reading Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people.
oldbanger said:
Network at expos and pubs, volunteer with elderly and homeless, build character.
I've not found any local(ish) banking/finance expos. I've not tried networking at pubs, put all my energy into grad schemes everyday for the past year. I've got nothing to lose now (pretty much stopped all the grad apps), will give that a go very soon.With regards to volunteering for character building, being depressed about the whole 'jobs and will I have a future mentality' meant I became so reluctant to work with the elderly/ill/homeless. Makes me sound weak I know but I've been unhappy in other areas of my life and needed to do other things.
I want you to know that I do appreciate your advice though.
speedy thrills said:
Go abroad. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves if it means you can get a job in the right industry, experience even in a position at a basic level won’t be held against you when you apply for a more desirable position. It might not be the job of your dreams (I am not a trader earning a telephone digit salary yet, however nor do I moonlight in the building trade anymore) but if you work diligently and always make yourself available it makes it difficult for an employer to decline you a position. Don't get stuck in the UK.
I very recently decided I will go abroad straightaway if things don't work out here quite soon. I will treat it as an adventure. Your post, along with others about going away, has inspired me.Edited by AnonymousCaller on Sunday 11th March 12:07
AnonymousCaller said:
Hoofy said:
what kinds of jobs are you actually applying for? titles
investment banking analystwholesale/corporate banking analyst (global transaction banking, global debt capital markets)
corporate treasury analyst
bank operations analyst (more of a business role)
bank finance leadership scheme (i.e. accountant)
corporate or indirect tax trainee at professional services firms
insurance analyst (would have worked as an underwriter, in pricing or in finance)
some business management schemes (rotational roles in different business areas)
in-house finance schemes at big companies
In the past, I was contacted for all sorts from recruitment (not my thing) to statistician.
After a post-grad management course, I ended up working as someone's (very high up) assistant in a bank (basically doing the s
t jobs they couldn't be bothered to do - I didn't think "I've got a BSc Hons and the rest; this st is below me") which lead to a well-paid, dossy career in IT.Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 11th March 13:13
AnonymousCaller said:
oldbanger said:
Network at expos and pubs, volunteer with elderly and homeless, build character.
I've not found any local(ish) banking/finance expos. I've not tried networking at pubs, put all my energy into grad schemes everyday for the past year. I've got nothing to lose now (pretty much stopped all the grad apps), will give that a go very soon.With regards to volunteering for character building, being depressed about the whole 'jobs and will I have a future mentality' meant I became so reluctant to work with the elderly/ill/homeless. Makes me sound weak I know but I've been unhappy in other areas of my life and needed to do other things.
I want you to know that I do appreciate your advice though.
I got a good red brick degree then went straight to a masters. I then ended up stuck in voluntary roles, internships and studentships, whilst doing admin for the family business on the side to pay the bills. Despite pursuing that "career" for the whole of my 20s, I never did get anywhere. Looking back I should have just gone and got a job in something/anything straight out of uni, rather than saving myself for my chosen career. I ended up going in at the bottom in my current line of work to a role that didn't even need a single degree.
If you are in the W Mids I know of an entry level role that's just about to be advertised that vaguely fits your list of preferred roles. If you are at all interested, PM me and I'd be happy to take a look at your CV (sanitised if you prefer).
Edited by oldbanger on Sunday 11th March 16:46
Just wanted to share my experience with you not to brag (honest!), I have just received a graduate job offer from a FTSE250 company and I will be graduating in July this year, I went through the process of applying to large organizations with a couple of interviews but no job offers. I then started searching in my local area offering Graduate/Junior roles and happened to come across the position I have been offered. I was just wondering if you have done this or stuck to the larger multinational companies as some smaller companies can offer exactly what you are after?
I also found in some case's my experience gained in my placement year was more important than my actual degree so maybe you could offer your service for free to get your foot in the door
I also found in some case's my experience gained in my placement year was more important than my actual degree so maybe you could offer your service for free to get your foot in the door
F
steedy27 said:
Just wanted to share my experience with you not to brag (honest!), I have just received a graduate job offer from a FTSE250 company and I will be graduating in July this year, I went through the process of applying to large organizations with a couple of interviews but no job offers. I then started searching in my local area offering Graduate/Junior roles and happened to come across the position I have been offered. I was just wondering if you have done this or stuck to the larger multinational companies as some smaller companies can offer exactly what you are after?
I also found in some case's my experience gained in my placement year was more important than my actual degree so maybe you could offer your service for free to get your foot in the door
Some case's what?I also found in some case's my experience gained in my placement year was more important than my actual degree so maybe you could offer your service for free to get your foot in the door
oldbanger said:
It might sound a bit patronising, but it's true. I ended up doing (paid, minimum wage) home care with the elderly and disabled for a couple of years in between "careers" whilst I ran a small business that didn't generate enough income to draw a wage. It was one of the best jobs I ever did. I was at a really low ebb and the work helped a lot to build me back up. It was the first time I ever got thanked directly and sincerely for something I'd done at work. It got me in touch with people after having been very isolated, plus I learnt to communicate and work with a lot of very challenging people - a skill I still use today, working in an office role.
I got a good red brick degree then went straight to a masters. I then ended up stuck in voluntary roles, internships and studentships, whilst doing admin for the family business on the side to pay the bills. Despite pursuing that "career" for the whole of my 20s, I never did get anywhere. Looking back I should have just gone and got a job in something/anything straight out of uni, rather than saving myself for my chosen career. I ended up going in at the bottom in my current line of work to a role that didn't even need a single degree.
If you are in the W Mids I know of an entry level role that's just about to be advertised that vaguely fits your list of preferred roles. If you are at all interested, PM me and I'd be happy to take a look at your CV (sanitised if you prefer).
Hi Oldbanger,I got a good red brick degree then went straight to a masters. I then ended up stuck in voluntary roles, internships and studentships, whilst doing admin for the family business on the side to pay the bills. Despite pursuing that "career" for the whole of my 20s, I never did get anywhere. Looking back I should have just gone and got a job in something/anything straight out of uni, rather than saving myself for my chosen career. I ended up going in at the bottom in my current line of work to a role that didn't even need a single degree.
If you are in the W Mids I know of an entry level role that's just about to be advertised that vaguely fits your list of preferred roles. If you are at all interested, PM me and I'd be happy to take a look at your CV (sanitised if you prefer).
Thanks a lot for your post - I'm just having a small break from job hunting stuff. Very informative post regarding volunteering properly, perhaps I will give that a go later on.
Yep, I'll be looking at junior roles at small businesses.
Very kind of you to post about a role, unfortunately the West Midlands is too far for me!
steedy27 said:
started searching in my local area offering Graduate/Junior roles and happened to come across the position I have been offered. I was just wondering if you have done this or stuck to the larger multinational companies as some smaller companies can offer exactly what you are after?
I also found in some case's my experience gained in my placement year was more important than my actual degree so maybe you could offer your service for free to get your foot in the door
Hi Steedy27,I also found in some case's my experience gained in my placement year was more important than my actual degree so maybe you could offer your service for free to get your foot in the door
Thanks for your post. Last summer I had my CV up on job boards and so I was interviewing for SMEs, in addition to applying for the big grad employers.
Then I concentrated solely on the big grad schemes at around Winter up 'til now. I wasn't very good at interviews back then with SMEs (or big grad employers), I will be giving SMEs another go very soon.
Looking back I should have done a placement. I didn't because I thought I would struggle with my final year at uni. Never mind, I'll put the advice given here by you and the other posters to good use.
.
.
.
So on a final note, I'll be targeting SMEs over the next several weeks or so (obviously at the very junior level), if there is nothing suitable, I'll be off overseas!
Thanks a lot everyone!
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