One in a million.: Work Experience.

One in a million.: Work Experience.: Currently, I am filling out an application for WORK EXPERIENCE. I remember a day when you could just ring somewhere up and ask if you could ...

Work Experience.

Currently, I am filling out an application for WORK EXPERIENCE. I remember a day when you could just ring somewhere up and ask if you could go in and do a weeks worth of experience, and now I am filling in an application form like I am applying for a job.

I feel incredibly frustrated because I know for a fact that if I did get offered the chance to do any experience, it would be somewhere in London, and I just know I wouldn't be able to afford to go. I somehow don't think job centre will be offering to put me up somewhere in London for a couple of weeks, no way. I feel like I am just moaning and it is all part and parcel of applying for work, but my god, does it have to be so flipping tedious? I can't really apply to any work experience programs around here because there just aren't the resources here in the field I want to approach working in. *sigh*

How is everyone else getting on, have you applied for work experience? Are you getting extra costs paid for by the company or the job centre? I need to look into this further, find out what JSA will allow me to do.

As always, your comments are always welcome.. good or bad! Contact me on the Twitters if you wish @DebStevo90 :)

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Deborah. :)x

One in a million.: Being Unemployed.

One in a million.: Being Unemployed.: I have to ask, how do people do it? I have been left university three months. Fair enough, my course didn't require a lot of contact time,...

Being Unemployed.

I have to ask, how do people do it?

I have been left university three months. Fair enough, my course didn't require a lot of contact time, but I was working a lot whilst at home so it wasn't like I wasn't getting anything done and just sitting, doing nothing. But now, now I am unemployed, in £18,00 worth of debt and find myself asking, why am I even bothering to get up today? It's really hitting me now, how incredibly hard the job market is.

I sat looking at a job advertisement, genuinely ANGRY this morning, thinking to myself, why can you not just write what the job actually is?! Instead of outlining all the 'incredible benefits' which one will never receive. Furthermore, why when writing the title for a job instead of writing, "Graduate Marketing Executive" why don't they write "Cold Calling C**t" instead. Sorry for my harsh language there, but the alliteration worked ;)

I know research shows the work is the biggest cause of stress, but I think right now I would rather be stressed because of work than because I can't quite decide what mundane piece of shit to watch on day time TV. I am losing my mind right now, I cannot apply for any more positions where I am walking into an all commission based position. I don't want to work on commission, so why the hell should I?

I want, I need, I want, I need a job. *Insert long winded sigh here*

Please tell me that others, graduate or not, are in my position? Being unemployed is driving you bat shit crazy?!?

As always, give me a tweet if you want, @DebStevo90 or just leave a comment. You know the drill!

Thanks for reading!
Deborah :)x

One in a million.: FEEDBACK!

One in a million.: FEEDBACK!: Hi everyone, Hope you're enjoying what I've been writing! I've been getting some great responses from people about the blog, it's so nice ...

FEEDBACK!

Hi everyone,

Hope you're enjoying what I've been writing! I've been getting some great responses from people about the blog, it's so nice to have people support you! Thank you to everyone who has given me feedback be it good, bad, or constructive. Please don't hesitate about leaving comments! Please do, I would love to read what you think, or you can contact me on Twitter... @DebStevo90

I look forward to hearing from you! :)
Deborah!x

One in a million.: The Benefits of Claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

One in a million.: The Benefits of Claiming Job Seekers Allowance.: Now, you may see the title and assume I am going to launch into how to fiddle the system.. that's absolutely not the case. Obviously right n...

The Benefits of Claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

Now, you may see the title and assume I am going to launch into how to fiddle the system.. that's absolutely not the case. Obviously right now everyone who is unemployed will be facing the daunting 'requirements' that we're faced with when reading a job application. Either, not the right qualifications or not enough experience... *sigh*

I posted yesterday about how the government are going to inject one billion pounds into helping young people get back into work, or offering them the opportunity to gain skills through work placements. However, I was thinking about this not long ago, one skill I don't have which I would like is to be able to speak a language. Now, I've got history with languages - we don't get on, at all. Nearly ruined university for me because of it. Anyhow, that's another story.

I was looking into taking a French course, because I know quite a bit of the basics, so I figured that would help me settle into it and hopefully understand a little more. I looked at doing a course through the BBC because it was online and free - but it looks strange and a bit awkward so I wouldn't recommend it to be honest. After some exploring on my local councils website and knowing that there is an adult education centre located in my old secondary school - I sought out what courses they offer. Not everything to be honest, but there are a range across the many locations within the council, some further away than one would like, but hey ho!

However, to my surprise, I was excited to learn if you claim JSA you are eligible to do the course for free! I think there may be limitations to what courses you can do for free, but I think if you explain how it will benefit you looking for a job, I think that the Job Centre are willing to send the payment through for it. I guess it shows gumption and the fact you are trying different tactics to find work, and gaining new skills which employers would be foolish to ignore as a positive. When I next attend the Job Centre - I am going to ask about doing a French for beginners course because I think being able to speak a language will set me apart from other candidates.

We shall see!
Thanks for reading!
Deborah. :)

One in a million.: "A quick fix scheme for Youth Unemployment"

One in a million.: "A quick fix scheme for Youth Unemployment": Below is my first article writing for www.grads.co.uk , I've been lucky enough to be given the  opportunity  to write for their blog. Check...

"A quick fix scheme for Youth Unemployment"

Below is my first article writing for www.grads.co.uk, I've been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to write for their blog. Check it out as there are some great posts on there for those still in university and those who are ending their higher education career. Hope you enjoy it! Remember, any questions or comments, ask me on Twitter.. @DebStevo90 or LinkedIn.. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/deborah-stevenson/55/779/38 

Enjoy,

Deborah!

"Youth unemployment is a huge issue in the United Kingdom and in fact, all over Europe. The under 25’s are some of the most vulnerable and least likely to find work in the current double dip recession. Only a select number of countries have been able to reduce youth unemployment during the global recession, Germany being the main contender by reducing their unemployment from 11.4% in 2007 to 7.9% in 2012.

 However, our deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg recently revealed plans for a ‘youth contract scheme’ in England, Scotland and Wales which will see the Government inject one billion pounds into helping young people back into work. The scheme will aid those with fewer skills in getting back into work placement programmes to help them gain skills more attractive to prospective employers. Although the scheme is attractive to me – as one of the many under 25’s out of work – I must ask; how can they justify spending the kind of money that will needed to subsidize this scheme?

 It was announced that firms would be awarded an incentive of around £2500 towards the salary of each graduate they took on but again, how are we funding this? Nevertheless – it’s a great scheme. One that I am still slightly sceptical about, but if it gets the next generation back into work and learning new skills; I guess it is positive all round. The money that Clegg has promised to inject into the scheme, also sees to it that a number of eight week placements are to be available on demand, something which was introduced to me when I visited the Job Centre this week – you can just pick and choose what you want to do and it’s all expenses paid (within reason, of course..)."