Emily-Elizabeth

Right, I am having a moment when I feel the need to be productive.

Next week is the 2 months aniversay of the last time earned any legitimate money of my own since I was told to p1ss off by Peugeot.

I am in a total rut - I am too afraid to apply for jobs because they might turn me away, at the same time I know I have to.

I have a hazy image of the certain person I want to be, and no real clue of how to get there.

Any how, I have made a slight amount of effort in my apperance and I am going to head out and try and make some progress.

Going to go to VW first as I have a semi interview with them, but I may well be wasting my time as I know I don't want to be in the motor industry again.

Wish me luck.

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ncarring

Good luck. Have you washed the hair dye off your forehead?

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

SkodiRS

As a person who has been out of work sine the end of March...I can speak from experience.

You need to have a good idea of what you want to do and where you want to go with it?

Have a think about a career plan...goals and objectives always help decide.

Put together a CV but do not necessarily use this for ever role you apply for. Alway tailor it to the specific role...that way you can highlight those parts which are most relevant.

Use all the search engines and register the CV but be sure to keep track of all companies/role you have applied for. You may get multiple agetns calling you about the role, and it's not good have multiple applications for the same role from different agents.

Prepare thoroughly for interviews...read up on company, understand how your experience can be appliede to the role, ask questions about role and company. I never ask about salary, or company benefits....I believe it gives the impression you're on interested because of the money.

Be enthsiastic at the interview...not throwing your hands around...but show you have a genuine interest in the company and role...and be prepared to answer questions as such.

Won't go into appearance or time keeping...that's obvious.

Finally...keep positive..what's done is done...and definately go on about it at the interview.

HTH.

P.S forgot to say I've been offered a role now.

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Adrian.

TeflonTom

dont get too downhearted if people turn you away. have you thought about signing up to some temping agencies just to tide you over till the next 'thing' comes along?

walkie

Good luck

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Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training.

See you soon folks, take care - James

faboka vrs

Good luck

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John

2004 Skoda Fabia vRS - Xenons - Heated Seats - Cruise Control - Passenger Airbag Deactivation switch - Side Airbags

mannyo

Good luck.

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Manny
2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi
my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk

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thegavsters

good luck

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Get your own Gamercard Sig.

funkyjutel

Emily,

Strong CV is good, 2 pages max. Interviewers are generally interested in how you can add value to their business and why shouldn't they be it's their money.

Emphasize the positive always and be prepared to back up any statements with facts and if neccessary documentation to prove it. I take people on for sales jobs and what always impresses me, is people who can demonstrate that they have taken an interest in our business by first having done some research.

Before the interview look at their website, print useful sections off, understand them and make sure you can demonstrate this to them. Call up and ask for a brochure to be sent to you before you go for the interview. Make sure when you sit down for the interview, that the information is at hand (ie on the desk, so they can SEE that you've done your homework)

I'm always pleased, as it shows me that they are really looking for something, not just going through the motions. If you are serious you will come across as serious instead of a timewaster.

Ask plenty of questions but not ridiculous amounts. Write down the answers they give you on a decent looking note book not a scrappy piece of paper. If you've got one take a briefcase, or a decent folder type presenter, if not borrow one from someone.

A few simple obvious tips but incredibly often ignored:

Dress smartly in neutral colours

Shake hands firmly without crushing the other persons hand

Look them in the eye when you shake hands.

If they ask you tell them about yourself, ask "Would you like to know about my achievements first or my personal interests" Don't say "Do you want to know what I've done". It's only partially relevant, they really are saying what have you achieved and why should I employ you.

Lastly, most interviewers will not invite people back unless you close them, ie IF and I emphasise IF YOU want the job, say "I am interested in the position and will you be inviting me back for a second interview?" This qualifies your interest and has to be given a response. It also marks you out as serious.

Most people tell me they can't or don't like selling, but they sell themselves everyday without realising it, so get in there and kick some ***

Look serious, act serious and you'll be taken seriously and moreover you'll look heads above the other people they just interviewed.

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Funky Fathering Is Where It's At

Tom_vRS

I can only echo the advice given by Adrian and funkyjutel...

But all the best Emily.

However - you really do need to focus on where you want to be, and think about how you want to get there - dont wanna be stuck in boring dead end jobs forever...

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

funkyjutel

I can echo that, made a similar mistake in my last job, totally miserable for 6 months then saw the light.

Identify what you want, get a gameplan together and go for it

As the old saying goes, "It's not the size of the man in the fight...it's the size of the fight in the man" (Or woman in this case!!)

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Funky Fathering Is Where It's At

rongagain

I once read that job hunting can be summarised as:

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes!

Sometimes there are only a few No answers sometimes more.

But there WILL be a Yes.

Keep as positive as you can and good luck.

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Fabia VRS in silver, 'out the wrapper' standard
Now gone, but never forgotten..............

lozgti

Good luck.Sounds like the motor industry is best avoided.What is the 'hazy idea'?

Have you got anything to tide you over financially in the meantime?

colkai

Emily, just be grateful you ain't in the I.T. game.
I applied for about 50 jobs in the last year as I was looking to get out of the dead-end job I'm in, nothing, na-da, tumbleweeds everywhere.

Hang in there, the trick is, try to be positive, how you hit the interview makes a massive difference. Don't over-BS your skills, but more than anything, don't pull yourself down or downplay any skills you may have.

Cheers.

Oh, also, if you find yourself with too much spare time, think if there are any charities you might be interested in helping at, it can give you a good confidence boost.

Before I got involved with Gentleshaw, I had real problem talking to people, now I have a lot more confidence and feel I'm doing something worth a darn.

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Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre

http://www.shirowproject.com/

postmanpat

best of luck E-E

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Postmanpats car Fabia vRS Zennons, ESP, autochanger, 3rd headrest, heated seats, cruise control
SWMBO Octy Mk2 vS maxidot, duel zone wotsit, cruise, parking sensors, 18" alloys

Emily-Elizabeth

I didn't go to the job interview. It wasn't an official thing, there was a sign outside the VW place saying apply within. The traffic was really bad going into town, so I turned around and went home.

On a plus, I am giving blood in a few days so at least someone will benefit from my uselessness.

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MarkyMarkD

I'm sure that the right thing will turn up, sooner or later.

Feeling useless could be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, though - you are NOT useless, you just need to find the right home for your talents and skills.

Good luck!

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L-Y-K

absolutly agree, never think of yourself as pointless/useless.. it doesnt do your self esteem any good. get your bum in gear kick some butt!


oooo skittles!!! i want some

back on topic...just keep looking if you get a job you dont want...use it to earn some cash...whil you look for another one. whats to loose? chin up

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Cupra_power

Get out and do it. It is hard (I know only to well) but you got to develop a THICK skin, all the N0's will lead to a YES somewhere along the line. Wish you luck.

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Leon Cupra R - Amigo español rápido

Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open

ncarring

Emily, did you mean to go and see VW at all?

If not, stop deluding yourself (and us).

Decide what you DO want to do, and go after it - don't mess about with stuff you don't really mean.

Good luck girl - we're all rooting for you

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

SkodiRS

Ok....some basics.......

....the ONLY person that can do anything about your situation is yourself.....

....others can help with advice but it does just come down to you.

I very well understand that you will sometimes get dispondent and not see where your next job is going to come from.

But you have to force yourself to do something.

I was made redundant at the end of March...I have a family to support and a mortgage.....I did get a pretty good package but that wasn't going to last forever.

I set out to apply for as many jobs as I could each week....I didn't set a minimum number..... just as many which were relevant to my experience.

Now in my case I knew what I wanted to do BUT it's still not easy to apply for several jobs each week and not even get a reply.

But YOU HAVE TO IT! If you don't apply you're definately not going to get anything.

Sort your CV...plenty online examples....I'll even PM you mine if you want a real example.

But the most important thing is to know what you want to do.....it's then easier to sort everthing else around it.

Good luck and keep your chin up.

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Adrian.

Chris GB

Hi Emily

Dont give up! Getting a job is always hard work. Last time I was in the hole, it took around 100 applications a week spread around a pretty wide area to get one job. Many of my applications were to companies that I liked the look of, totally speculation applications (they were not advertising). Eventually got a job, less than ideal but money in the bank. Grew that job into a successful position and used it to launch a consultancy eventually. Took 8 hard years though. If you look at getting 1 in 50 responses you are doing well. The whole process was draining and demoralising, but you will come through in the end.

Reading between the lines, I suspect that you really dont want another job unless it is something closer to where you want to get yourself to, but at the same time, I sense you are unsure quite where you want to get to.

Jobs are not custom made for us unfortunately. You really very rarely find exactly what you want and often end up compromising to get somthing that will do. Problem is that you may be unhappy with the job unless it is exactly what you wanted. So the two options left to you are take the compromise and shape yourself to the job, or go self employed and set up your own job. This option sounds great but as anyone here who is self employed will tell you, it is a tough route, but often very rewarding.

And hey, dont be too distressed about drifting. I will sound old by saying this, but you have the rest of your life to look forward to. Getting to where you want may well take 1 or 20 years, you dont need to start right now. Personally, I idled for a couple of years before getting stuck into somthing. Best two years of my life in many ways, carefree, partying most of the time, no pressure. Well skint though. Even had to resort to public transport at one time

While I have never met you, I doubt very much that you are useless, but in your situation I can see how you could get to feel that way. Please, dont do it to yourself. Why not bounce a few possibilites of what you would like to do into the forum and see if anyone can suggest ways to head towards that goal?

Chris

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Red Fabia vRS. Gone but not forgotten.

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