Saturday 4 August 2012
One in a million.: "Marketing, Advertising, PR Internships & Jobs in ...
One in a million.: "Marketing, Advertising, PR Internships & Jobs in ...: IN CHINA. I ask, why should I have to go to CHINA to find work. I live in England, and contrary to popular belief, I would quite like to w...
"Marketing, Advertising, PR Internships & Jobs in CHINA"
IN CHINA.
I ask, why should I have to go to CHINA to find work. I live in England, and contrary to popular belief, I would quite like to work in England too. I had this conversation with my Father, who has said to me on numerous occasions "you need to get out of this dead end city Debs, there is nothing here for you..." to some extent he has a point. Job wise I know there is nothing here for me, but everything else is here, my family, my friends, my life!
He further told me that if I needed to move away, he "would understand" I bloody wouldn't so I won't be going!!! Unfortunately, I don't want to work in China doing an internship with a 'monthly allowance' - that just doesn't sound legitimate to me. I've got friends going over to China as part of the TEFL course, and good on them putting themselves out there but for me, I just won't do it. Moving across the globe just isn't a motivator, you're putting yourself back a few years.
I've had this conversation with several friends in a very similar position as me, they similarly feel irritated at the internships in China. Why can't I find an internship in England, in Yorkshire even? I ask, why am I being shipped out to China? The answer, because that's easier than helping me find a job here! I further feel like some use the TEFL course because it is easy to get onto and you are guaranteed a job at the end of it. And that's fair enough, but it just really isn't for me.
我不動中國隊友。 - what does that say, I'll never know, because I won't be learning the language because guess what I ain't moving to China
Deborah :)
I ask, why should I have to go to CHINA to find work. I live in England, and contrary to popular belief, I would quite like to work in England too. I had this conversation with my Father, who has said to me on numerous occasions "you need to get out of this dead end city Debs, there is nothing here for you..." to some extent he has a point. Job wise I know there is nothing here for me, but everything else is here, my family, my friends, my life!
He further told me that if I needed to move away, he "would understand" I bloody wouldn't so I won't be going!!! Unfortunately, I don't want to work in China doing an internship with a 'monthly allowance' - that just doesn't sound legitimate to me. I've got friends going over to China as part of the TEFL course, and good on them putting themselves out there but for me, I just won't do it. Moving across the globe just isn't a motivator, you're putting yourself back a few years.
I've had this conversation with several friends in a very similar position as me, they similarly feel irritated at the internships in China. Why can't I find an internship in England, in Yorkshire even? I ask, why am I being shipped out to China? The answer, because that's easier than helping me find a job here! I further feel like some use the TEFL course because it is easy to get onto and you are guaranteed a job at the end of it. And that's fair enough, but it just really isn't for me.
我不動中國隊友。 - what does that say, I'll never know, because I won't be learning the language because guess what I ain't moving to China
Deborah :)
One in a million.: "This role requires at least two years experience"...
One in a million.: "This role requires at least two years experience"...: Right now. I am feeling incredibly annoyed and irritated by job hunting. I have always been told from an early age that "education is the ke...
"This role requires at least two years experience"
Right now. I am feeling incredibly annoyed and irritated by job hunting. I have always been told from an early age that "education is the key" to securing a great job when I leave school. With this mantra, I went to university thinking a degree in English would not be a bad thing to have under my belt.
I feel, right now, I've just wasted £18,000. It would probably have been easier to leave school at 16 or 18 and try and find work then. At least I would have been in a position for 2 or 3 years where I would have experience similar to what I am applying for now. I assure you, education is not the key to life. There are so many people I know who have gone straight into employment or left university to go into employment and to be honest, they're doing pretty well to be honest.
Furthermore, having been focusing on graduate scheme positions, I've been further infuriated by the words, "MUST HAVE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE" - I am an effing graduate, when have I had time to get management experience? I've been too busy getting a ruddy education! Graduate scheme positions sound great, however, they either want you to have a 2.1 or above, have management experience or it is commission based (OTE).
I feel like I am waging a war with graduate schemes. You read through them on the jobs websites, totaljobs, job site, thisishull and you see what they offer as a salary and you think it must be some sort of joke, then you see those three letters (OTE) and know you'll be earning pittance pounding the pavements attempting to get people to sign up to charities, when lets face it, people just can't and they don't want to!
So my question is graduates, do you feel like you've just wasted all this money, or are you feeling positive about the future and your plans?
I feel, right now, I've just wasted £18,000. It would probably have been easier to leave school at 16 or 18 and try and find work then. At least I would have been in a position for 2 or 3 years where I would have experience similar to what I am applying for now. I assure you, education is not the key to life. There are so many people I know who have gone straight into employment or left university to go into employment and to be honest, they're doing pretty well to be honest.
Furthermore, having been focusing on graduate scheme positions, I've been further infuriated by the words, "MUST HAVE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE" - I am an effing graduate, when have I had time to get management experience? I've been too busy getting a ruddy education! Graduate scheme positions sound great, however, they either want you to have a 2.1 or above, have management experience or it is commission based (OTE).
I feel like I am waging a war with graduate schemes. You read through them on the jobs websites, totaljobs, job site, thisishull and you see what they offer as a salary and you think it must be some sort of joke, then you see those three letters (OTE) and know you'll be earning pittance pounding the pavements attempting to get people to sign up to charities, when lets face it, people just can't and they don't want to!
So my question is graduates, do you feel like you've just wasted all this money, or are you feeling positive about the future and your plans?
Thursday 2 August 2012
One in a million.: Horrific Genuine First Interview.
One in a million.: Horrific Genuine First Interview.: Monday was looking a good day wasn't it, signing on at job seekers (yay!... not) and then I had my interview in Leeds. I decided to drive in...
Horrific Genuine First Interview.
Monday was looking a good day wasn't it, signing on at job seekers (yay!... not) and then I had my interview in Leeds. I decided to drive in the end, as my hire car still had 3/4 of a tank and it was going back the next morning, there was no point me paying £27.50 for the train. What an utter rip off!
Had Mum and Sebastian with me, so took them to Ikea to shop and off I popped to Leeds for my interview. Now, the only negative of driving was the parking situation. There just isn't a lot of it to be fair - I was lucky that I got parked on the next street to the building I needed to be in but, I didn't have any cash for the machine and then when I did get money, DUH, didn't take notes. It sounds silly but I was running late on my standards. My interview was at 2.30pm - I was running up and down the street at 2.20pm, and I like to be about 10minutes early - turns out, it wouldn't have mattered anyway in the end.
So, I got to the building, I was convinced that this was going to go great, the office was in a beautiful building with swanky doors and a swanky lift, what could go wrong? I arrived on the third floor - by lift, obviously. To be greeted by the same generic office like that of 'Tempest Elite Marketing', leather seats everywhere, a lonely fish tank trying to add 'texture' to the room and the girls working on laptops. OH GOD.
I was made to fill out an application form, asking me the same questions which were on my CV - am I the only person who is infuriated when you are made to do that? Finally at like 2.59pm I was called through, met a guy called Hugh - later found out he spells it HUW - you what? We went through to his office - he seemed like a nice chap at first. Oh how I was wrong. We're sat down and he looks through my CV and application, I am still a bit nervous.
Huw/Hugh then looks to me and asks "So, Deborah, tell me about your hobbies and interests...?" YOU WHAT, YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU WHAT I LIKE TO DO. REALLY? LIKE REALLY?
Then the best bit of all happens, he asks me this question, and I start to tell him and the ignorant ba***rd gets his BLOODY PHONE OUT! And starts to use it! At this point, I've been told I should have walked out. However, I saved that anger till I got home. He asked me a few more questions about what attracted me to the job etc, I answered them as professionally as I could - he wasn't bothered though, so why should I. He had the attitude of, "I've got to conduct another 15 of these today, I just cannot be bothered".
I left, I got the bottom of the stairs and sighed VERY loudly, I was distraught. I had driven 60 miles to Leeds, spending money I don't really have for the most ridiculous interview of my entire life. People were texting to see how it went, saw my Sister and lied to her about it, spoke to my dad and again lied about it. I was mortified and embarrassed, I lied to my best friend - I don't lie to her, ever. I've since come clean about my horrific interview in Leeds and everyone has been supportive and told me that I shouldn't feel ashamed because at the end of the day I was lead there under false pretense thinking I was interviewing for a Graduate scheme when in fact I would be pounding the pavements.
Things took a turn for the interesting the next day. I wasn't satisfied being angry, I wanted him to know so I sent his assistant;
Dear Rebecca,
Had Mum and Sebastian with me, so took them to Ikea to shop and off I popped to Leeds for my interview. Now, the only negative of driving was the parking situation. There just isn't a lot of it to be fair - I was lucky that I got parked on the next street to the building I needed to be in but, I didn't have any cash for the machine and then when I did get money, DUH, didn't take notes. It sounds silly but I was running late on my standards. My interview was at 2.30pm - I was running up and down the street at 2.20pm, and I like to be about 10minutes early - turns out, it wouldn't have mattered anyway in the end.
So, I got to the building, I was convinced that this was going to go great, the office was in a beautiful building with swanky doors and a swanky lift, what could go wrong? I arrived on the third floor - by lift, obviously. To be greeted by the same generic office like that of 'Tempest Elite Marketing', leather seats everywhere, a lonely fish tank trying to add 'texture' to the room and the girls working on laptops. OH GOD.
I was made to fill out an application form, asking me the same questions which were on my CV - am I the only person who is infuriated when you are made to do that? Finally at like 2.59pm I was called through, met a guy called Hugh - later found out he spells it HUW - you what? We went through to his office - he seemed like a nice chap at first. Oh how I was wrong. We're sat down and he looks through my CV and application, I am still a bit nervous.
Huw/Hugh then looks to me and asks "So, Deborah, tell me about your hobbies and interests...?" YOU WHAT, YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU WHAT I LIKE TO DO. REALLY? LIKE REALLY?
Then the best bit of all happens, he asks me this question, and I start to tell him and the ignorant ba***rd gets his BLOODY PHONE OUT! And starts to use it! At this point, I've been told I should have walked out. However, I saved that anger till I got home. He asked me a few more questions about what attracted me to the job etc, I answered them as professionally as I could - he wasn't bothered though, so why should I. He had the attitude of, "I've got to conduct another 15 of these today, I just cannot be bothered".
I left, I got the bottom of the stairs and sighed VERY loudly, I was distraught. I had driven 60 miles to Leeds, spending money I don't really have for the most ridiculous interview of my entire life. People were texting to see how it went, saw my Sister and lied to her about it, spoke to my dad and again lied about it. I was mortified and embarrassed, I lied to my best friend - I don't lie to her, ever. I've since come clean about my horrific interview in Leeds and everyone has been supportive and told me that I shouldn't feel ashamed because at the end of the day I was lead there under false pretense thinking I was interviewing for a Graduate scheme when in fact I would be pounding the pavements.
Things took a turn for the interesting the next day. I wasn't satisfied being angry, I wanted him to know so I sent his assistant;
Dear Rebecca,
Firstly, it was a pleasure to meet you yesterday, thank you for your warm welcome.
However, I wish to speak to someone higher than Hugh, the manager who interviewed me yesterday as I have some major concerns as to how he conducted himself yesterday when he interviewed me. Please send me some contact details so I can speak to someone sooner rather than later.
Many thanks again for your professional attitude yesterday,
Deborah Stevenson.
I received no reply, only a phone call from HUW. But the thing was, I didn't want to speak to him, I wanted to speak to someone above him so that pr*ck would be given a written warming or something similar. He said to me that Rebecca had forwarded him the email. I told him that he was disgusting and his attitude was deplorable and that if he had rang to invite me to second round interviews I would have told him to stuff his job. I said that I was distraught because of the money I'd spent getting there and back. I also reminded him that had I got my phone out during the interview when I was answering questions, it would have left a bad impression on him about me. And I felt that about him. The first impression I got of him was that he was an absolute prick more interested in his phone than finding a good candidate!
I spoke to my dad about my phone call with Huw who reminded me that I didn't ask to speak to him, I asked for the information of someone higher from his assistant who obviously forwarded him the email telling him to sort it before I did.
To which she received this second email from me;
Dear Miss Hammond,
I appreciate that you were yesterday in a difficult position regarding my email about my interview with Hugh. However, I never asked for him to phone me, in fact, he was the absolute last person I wanted to speak to. I asked you for the contact information of someone higher, and now I am even more driven to get this information.
If I receive another phone call, and don not get the information I want, I will include you in my letter of complaint.
I look forward to your reply.
Many thanks,
Deborah Stevenson.
I still don't have a reply.
Monday's interview was an eye opener and an absolute disaster. I've learnt from my mistakes in that respect, but it is hard to tell which companies are genuine when you look on websites such as total jobs and jobsite. Oh, and for anyone interested.... the company was called RH CLIENT SOLUTIONS - don't apply for a job with them because they're useless.
Thanks all!
Deborah :)
Wednesday 1 August 2012
One in a million.: "Are you a graduate, fantastic oppourtunities, £30...
One in a million.: "Are you a graduate, fantastic oppourtunities, £30...: Yes, I am a graduate, and yes I would love a fantastic opportunity! HOWEVER, I assure you that the average earnings are nowhere near what th...
"Are you a graduate, fantastic oppourtunities, £300 - £600 a week (OTE)"
Yes, I am a graduate, and yes I would love a fantastic opportunity! HOWEVER, I assure you that the average earnings are nowhere near what they promise they will be. OTE is On Target Earnings - so basically, the wage package you take home is based on the targets you've met and how many people you've managed to sign up to a charity etc.
Unfortunately, I've had two of these incidents in recent weeks. Urgh. I am not afraid to use their names on here either, I will name and shame the companies using graduates to 'pound the pavement' for nothing.
The first in Hull, is a company which me and friends have unfortunately interviewed with, and been hounded to go back and interview again with. One friend was lead to believe she would be a manager in 7 months and be on "like £700,000 a year!" her words, not mine. To which she received some lolling from me.
The name? TEMPEST ELITE MARKETING. You know that this cannot be legitimate as the building you're going to interview in, is in a back street and the office is a desk with a laptop and a phone. The shame. I sat there, knowing that this place was ridiculous, however, I applied with the hope of some interview experience. The man was called Quj or something, silent J i believe. He went through how the company streamlined everything so I could be a manager in about 12 months time, the same generic questions over and over again.
I left knowing that I would receive a phone call between 6pm and 10pm - who phones after 7pm, REALLY? They did phone, saw the number and just didn't pick up, they've tried since but I still, do not answer that phone.
What can I say, don't be fooled into thinking this is a real company who want to train you so that you're earning a decent wage over the year and therefore putting your degree which you've just spent £18,000 gaining to use. You're not. What advice I can offer is this, don't be fooled by every graduate scheme advertisement, look carefully, research the company and if you can try and find schemes with bigger more well known companies who open up their graduate schemes to hundreds of us every year.
It's an horrific time for anyone looking for work right now, and I feel for every person who wants and needs a job to provide for their family. To those who think it is their god given right to benefits, what can I say, you're a disgrace.
Unfortunately, I've had two of these incidents in recent weeks. Urgh. I am not afraid to use their names on here either, I will name and shame the companies using graduates to 'pound the pavement' for nothing.
The first in Hull, is a company which me and friends have unfortunately interviewed with, and been hounded to go back and interview again with. One friend was lead to believe she would be a manager in 7 months and be on "like £700,000 a year!" her words, not mine. To which she received some lolling from me.
The name? TEMPEST ELITE MARKETING. You know that this cannot be legitimate as the building you're going to interview in, is in a back street and the office is a desk with a laptop and a phone. The shame. I sat there, knowing that this place was ridiculous, however, I applied with the hope of some interview experience. The man was called Quj or something, silent J i believe. He went through how the company streamlined everything so I could be a manager in about 12 months time, the same generic questions over and over again.
I left knowing that I would receive a phone call between 6pm and 10pm - who phones after 7pm, REALLY? They did phone, saw the number and just didn't pick up, they've tried since but I still, do not answer that phone.
What can I say, don't be fooled into thinking this is a real company who want to train you so that you're earning a decent wage over the year and therefore putting your degree which you've just spent £18,000 gaining to use. You're not. What advice I can offer is this, don't be fooled by every graduate scheme advertisement, look carefully, research the company and if you can try and find schemes with bigger more well known companies who open up their graduate schemes to hundreds of us every year.
It's an horrific time for anyone looking for work right now, and I feel for every person who wants and needs a job to provide for their family. To those who think it is their god given right to benefits, what can I say, you're a disgrace.
Tuesday 31 July 2012
One in a million.: The Job Center 30.07.2012
One in a million.: The Job Center 30.07.2012: Yesterday was my first day at the job center! I was already stressed when I got there as I had an interview in the afternoon (that's another...
The Job Centre 30.07.2012
Yesterday was my first day at the job centre! I was already stressed when I got there as I had an interview in the afternoon (that's another blog post altogether) Finally reached Market Place to go in and it was raining quite heavily but did people go to move aside to let me through the door? Hmm, no. I find it hard to not judge people, and hate it when others judge me. However, these were people from my city - so I think I've got a right to say what I need to. There were children everywhere, people hanging out in their scruffy clothes, what was I to think? I had gone to the job centre for my interview wearing black trousers and a red smart top - I want to be taken seriously, I want to find a job, no I need to find a job.
I meet my first adviser, is it bad I can't remember his name? Anyways, he was asking me questions about my life and why I want to claim job seekers allowance - he can tell I am nervous, I really really do not want to be here. I am not a shy person, and I think I am pretty easy going, but for the first time in a long time, I am a tortoise, back in that shell, afraid. The guy interviewing me complements me on how detailed I've made my form and my personal bit (where you write about yourself). I am then told that claiming JSA is really easy. The way he said it, I couldn't help but think he's telling me I can sit on my arse and fill in a box and wham bam £56 a week is mine.
I saw Chris next, seemed a nice enough bloke, but he seemed frustrated that I couldn't quite explain what I wanted to do. The only reason he was frustrated was because his computer had all the different names for jobs on it. He couldn't actually think for himself, typical. He seemed like a nice guy but you telling me to be realistic is fine but isn't being Simon Cowell realistic.... apparently not? Hmmph! To be fair, I was being realistic, but like I said, I haven't just taken out an £18,000 student loan to pay for university to take any old shite that comes my way. (I know I sound a total snob, but there is nothing wrong in having standards!)
My first visit to the job centre was successful, I think. I've got to take paperwork in to prove that student finance are no longer paying me - surely it's obvious, they're useless, of course they are no longer paying me. Furthermore, I am being 'forced' to attend a workshop with other unemployed youths, I believe the term, 'my idea of hell' comes to mind.
Oh jesus christ - it could either go alright, or horrific, my guess is the latter. I don't like the idea of a forced workshop - fair enough I want to get a job, but surely it should be optional, that way it would be easy to separate the determined from the undetermined in finding work. Just to clarify - I would go, I just hate forced meetings like that.
Next visit is on the 08/08/2012.
Look forward to it!
I meet my first adviser, is it bad I can't remember his name? Anyways, he was asking me questions about my life and why I want to claim job seekers allowance - he can tell I am nervous, I really really do not want to be here. I am not a shy person, and I think I am pretty easy going, but for the first time in a long time, I am a tortoise, back in that shell, afraid. The guy interviewing me complements me on how detailed I've made my form and my personal bit (where you write about yourself). I am then told that claiming JSA is really easy. The way he said it, I couldn't help but think he's telling me I can sit on my arse and fill in a box and wham bam £56 a week is mine.
I saw Chris next, seemed a nice enough bloke, but he seemed frustrated that I couldn't quite explain what I wanted to do. The only reason he was frustrated was because his computer had all the different names for jobs on it. He couldn't actually think for himself, typical. He seemed like a nice guy but you telling me to be realistic is fine but isn't being Simon Cowell realistic.... apparently not? Hmmph! To be fair, I was being realistic, but like I said, I haven't just taken out an £18,000 student loan to pay for university to take any old shite that comes my way. (I know I sound a total snob, but there is nothing wrong in having standards!)
My first visit to the job centre was successful, I think. I've got to take paperwork in to prove that student finance are no longer paying me - surely it's obvious, they're useless, of course they are no longer paying me. Furthermore, I am being 'forced' to attend a workshop with other unemployed youths, I believe the term, 'my idea of hell' comes to mind.
Oh jesus christ - it could either go alright, or horrific, my guess is the latter. I don't like the idea of a forced workshop - fair enough I want to get a job, but surely it should be optional, that way it would be easy to separate the determined from the undetermined in finding work. Just to clarify - I would go, I just hate forced meetings like that.
Next visit is on the 08/08/2012.
Look forward to it!
Monday 30 July 2012
One in a million.: One in a million.
One in a million.: One in a million.: Hi there, I am one of many, many is a loose term, lets say, I am one in over a million young people (under 25) who is no longer in educati...
One in a million.
Hi there,
I am one of many, many is a loose term, lets say, I am one in over a million young people (under 25) who is no longer in education and who is out of work. As a graduate, I've spent around £18,000 in student loans alone, a large debt which I cannot afford to start paying off without a job - quite an interesting point, I went to university to be able to get a better job when I graduated, and what do you know, I am queuing up with Tom, Dick and Harry at the dole office on a Wednesday afternoon.
Not quite the image I pictured when I applied to university. Weren't we always taught "education is the key to any opportunities you want..." ? I feel let down by the many people who told me this, I feel I've lived a lie in that respect and gained a large debt which may take 30 years to pay off. Let's not be forgetting the incredible interest which they place on top of your student loan, another Brucey bonus for Dave and pals - I can't call them 'our government' as they are yet to do something good for this country.
As the title suggests - I am one in a million. One in a million of under 25's unemployed. I shall be writing about my job finding journey, interview experience, job center aches too. After the day I've had, I have plenty of ammo ready to get writing. I've created this blog to post my work to, which will also be posted to a graduate blog.
You can follow my other blog; http://21yearsofmusingsandlife.blogspot.co.uk/ this is my informal blog full of reviews, poetry, anything.
or my Twitter; www.twitter.com/DebStevo90
So excited to get writing this.
:) Deborah.
I am one of many, many is a loose term, lets say, I am one in over a million young people (under 25) who is no longer in education and who is out of work. As a graduate, I've spent around £18,000 in student loans alone, a large debt which I cannot afford to start paying off without a job - quite an interesting point, I went to university to be able to get a better job when I graduated, and what do you know, I am queuing up with Tom, Dick and Harry at the dole office on a Wednesday afternoon.
Not quite the image I pictured when I applied to university. Weren't we always taught "education is the key to any opportunities you want..." ? I feel let down by the many people who told me this, I feel I've lived a lie in that respect and gained a large debt which may take 30 years to pay off. Let's not be forgetting the incredible interest which they place on top of your student loan, another Brucey bonus for Dave and pals - I can't call them 'our government' as they are yet to do something good for this country.
As the title suggests - I am one in a million. One in a million of under 25's unemployed. I shall be writing about my job finding journey, interview experience, job center aches too. After the day I've had, I have plenty of ammo ready to get writing. I've created this blog to post my work to, which will also be posted to a graduate blog.
You can follow my other blog; http://21yearsofmusingsandlife.blogspot.co.uk/ this is my informal blog full of reviews, poetry, anything.
or my Twitter; www.twitter.com/DebStevo90
So excited to get writing this.
:) Deborah.
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