Struggling to find part time work

[anonymous-user]

I'm an ex mechanic currently looking for a part time/night shift job to work to fit in along side my university studies, but I am finding it impossible to even get an interview, let alone an actual job, I'm beginning to wonder exactly where I'm going wrong?

I've applied for delivery driver, temporary warehouse and shop assistant sort of things - I thought at Christmas they'd be crying out for people for these jobs?

I understand that I might not necessarily have experience in these particular fields, but I have a good employment history within my last trade with no major gaps in employment, I'm being flexible (applying for ste jobs with ste hours for ste pay), I have experience dealing with the public, experience with sales, experience with manual handling tasks, experience working unsupervised or as part of a team, experience driving company vehicles and so on. I have managed to acquire skills other than turning spanners over my life and would like to think stacking shelves or driving a van delivering shopping were tasks completely within my capabilities, but seemingly not.

I did think it might be that my CV was still too 'specific' to my previous trade, but I'm not even getting responses for positions that require online application forms in lieu of a CV.

Even more confusing is that my younger university colleagues seem to be finding work fairly easily with limited working experience. Seemingly my maturity (although I'm only 25) and experience are working against me in this respect?

Then I have the irony of various agencies calling me at least 3 times a week offering me interviews for positions in my old trade and I have no doubt that if I went down that route I'd be employed within a matter of days, but unfortunately these are full time roles, and part time mechanic roles are virtually non existent.

Is there any tips advice or previous experiences people are willing to impart?

[eybic]

Have you tried going into stores? Tesco etc normally have ads up outside the stores for drivers so maybe try and speak to the Manager???????

[rog007]

In the lead up to Christmas in particular, there is a shortage of hard working and reliable staff. Even more so in Town (your profile states you're in London).

I'd be confident that, with an even half decent CV, you could walk down any high street and come out at the other end with a job offer.

You do need to go in to every premises without exception. Be dressed well and have copies of your CV to leave behind.

Happy to feed back on your CV if that would be helpful.

Good luck!

[E31Shrew]

Tried bar work?

[anonymous-user]

maybe a cv for part time work, nice and simple.

[anonymous-user]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

I'll admit that I haven't done too much of face to face inquiries, but its something that I'll look into - I just have a fear that my CVs will end up in a draw never to looked at.

And it might be worth noting that I'm looking for work in Portsmouth/Hampshire as opposed to London

Below is a copy of my slightly more generalized, current CV. Personal details such as contact details live in the header, but have been omitted. Its based off the CV my uncle uses successfully to land very good jobs, and he thinks its great. Personally? I'm not so sure, but its been successful for him and me in the past, so I run with it (until you guys tell me its awful )

Any criticism is welcome:

http://www.filedropper.com/cvgeneral

Cheers

[eliot]

Looks ok to me - probably overqualified for casual work which may be counting against you?

[MethylatedSpirit]

Have you considered going self employed as a casual mobile mechanic?

You can charge £30+ per hour with no major overheads, the only major stumbling block would be getting your name out there.

[Z06George]

I remember being in that position where even getting an interview was a pain, not great! I've found going in face to face to be a waste of time as I've always been told to then go and apply online. Bar/restaurant would be your best bet as they are always looking (just picked up a part time chef job myself). I wouldn't worry about the being over qualified aspect TBH, most places just want someone who is hard working and reliable so if you can show that then you're in.

[MrAverage]

unfortunately I don't have any great advice for you but just thought i'd let you know your not alone!

i'm in a very similar situation being 24 at university having left the job id been doing for 5 years (manufacturing).

I have managed to get a few odd jobs but nothing permanent but just keep your chin up and i'm sure something will pop up. being a mechanic is it not worth popping into local garages and asking if they need an extra set of hands?

[Vaud]

Have you tried via the Student Union? They normally have all sorts of jobs advertised.

[Frimley111R]

I've seen this before too. The more qualifications (in terms of work you have done) the less chance you have of getting a 'student' type job. I think they just think that you'll be gone as soon as you find a job that pays you what you were on. A friend of mine had a mid level management role and couldn't even get a job in Halfords!

Agree with the sentiment about going in an asking directly but surely some garages need p/t staff??