A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Not particularly a relationship question but its really dragging me down. I graduated from university in 2012 and haven't been able to find a job. I did a business management degree and I don;t expect to walk into a higher end job or management position, infact I don't particularlly want that sort of job just yet all I want is a basic admin job, 9-5 hrs (I can easily be flexible) ideally a company that I could work my way up in. Every interview I have they say I come across well but I lack the admin experience, which is true. All I have is 5 years experience working in sales or retail. Problem is everywhere wants experience. EVen for a basic office job, with a degree, no one is willing to give me a chance and I have had plenty of interviews.I have emailed around places that I think would benefit me to see if I can volunteer but I either get no response or they aren't willing to take me on. Whether this is because they still have to spend time and money training me I don't know but it doesn't help that I can only commit to 1 or 2 days a week as I cannot quit my job as my income is incredibly low as is it and I'm struggling. I don't know what to do to gain experience. Although I've enquired about volunteering I can't even afford the travel to do so which is another reason why I can only offer 1/2 days. I only have 1 family memeber in management and she can't take family on. I am not entitled to any financial support from the job centre as I am classed as full time as I do 12-16 hrs+ where I work. And I literally cannot bare it at my current job any longer, we're never paid right, never know when we;re working, treated like dirt and our manager can't even do a rota properly so we lose out and no matter how much we complain to head office nothing can be done because shes favourite with the guy that owns the company.Its really getting me and my mum down as I'm desperate for money and so is she now my grandma is ill and we no longer have rent from her house. She keeps saying how she wouldn't be in this mess if she had rent off me but earning £400 a month i can barely afford petrol and life of my own. She does know this but everytime she brings it up it gets me down as all I can say is I am trying and doing my best but then it reminds me my best just isn't good enough. Any advice? Thanks in advanced.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (5 February 2014): You could definately be earning more than £400 a month - you just have to grin and bear it taking on one or two jobs that aren't in the area you want for the time being. You can't live at home and pay your mum nothing - she has rent or mortgage/council tax/ water bills/electric bill/possible gas bill/food to purchase that you are eating/insurance on the home etc...You're no longer a child so she can't be expected to fund you throughout life. If paying her rent means you don't get to go out as often as you do, well then maybe it will make you consider finding a second income to be able to afford those things. There is an abundance of care agencies in the UK, you can earn often over £10 an hour to work at weekends or bank hols. For years I worked a full time job with children AND an evening job caring for adults with learning disabilities also while I was at Uni full time! Only recently have I consolidated to one job and I am in my last year of post grad studies. So it can be done - it's not easy but it is possible.You have worked in retail, so you need to go with your experience and perhaps look at graduate schemes in the main retail chains, there you are given a year or two gaining experience across the board but competition for these positions is tough - because there are so many graduates now. For the time being find a job that's paying more than £400 a month. Even if it's in retail it's better than nothing, once you are in and established you can ask to be involved in any administrative duties, perhaps shadowing a colleague once a week. He or she could then provide a reference for you when you apply to other jobs stating you have gone out of your way to gain experience. If they're only hiring part-time, look at agencies in your area. You could sign up to a temping agency and work as an admin assistant as and when it's required - or take on short term contracts through them.There are lots of possibilities.
A
female
reader, jls022 +, writes (5 February 2014):
Everyone else has made good suggestions about broadening your search and looking for apprenticeships, but have you also considered asking in your current place of work if you can help them with some of their admin? You could offer to do the rota and file any important paperwork. Or even asking to shadow the person that does it would be a start. When I was starting out I shadowed anyone I could find that did work even remotely similar to the field I wanted to get into. It just gave me a few more things to speak about in interviews and proved to employers that I was doing everything I could to gain experience. All the best.
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A
female
reader, oldbag +, writes (5 February 2014):
 Yes its hard to find work,at least you have some hours which shows your willing and have work ethic.
I hope your paying some money to mum also. You can't expect to run a car, 'have a life' and give her nothing. Yes £400 is not a lot but we all have to pay our way in life and mums struggling.
You need to really think about what you want to do career wise, plan your job-search carefully. Look at Graduate Schemes.
Improve your interview technique also.
Your looking good on your CV and applications as your getting the interviews so look critically at your appearance (are you dressed and groomed appropriately)
Check/rehearse your answers to questions, your body language, show enthusiasm, do your homework on the company.
Its a competitive world out there so you need to shine.
Good luck
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (4 February 2014): Have you tried apprenticeships? They're an attractive prospect to potential employers at the moment- maybe that's a way in? It may also be possible to try and get some experience by doing a job that's not necessarily admin, but related in some way, as we were just looking for someone in an admin-type role, & lack of experience isn't great as you can see. Could you become an assistant of some kind? Maybe in finance? & gain experience in an in-direct kind of way.
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A
male
reader, CaringGuy +, writes (4 February 2014):
I too know the pain of being screwed over when it comes to work. By trade I'm actually a plumber, but I lost my job and it took 3 years before I really got another full time one, in which time I nearly went broke trying to start my own company, took a short contract at a charity, volunteered then finally moved 100 miles to London to start a career in buying for a construction company.
I think part of the problem is you're not broadening your search as much. I initially wanted just plumbing jobs, but when this didn't happen I looked further afield and wound up in buying. You need to expand your search. Look for admin, graduate schemes, banking jobs, retail jobs, apprenticeships. Whatever it takes, look for it. Research companies in your area, no matter who they are, and see if they have vacancies directly on their websites. Also, seriously consider moving. In the end, that's what I had to do. One week I was at home with my family, literally the next week I was and still am in London.
Also, for what it's worth, your mother's attitude is not good enough. Whilst I'm sure it would be good to receive rent, she shouldn't be looking to you to fund her life and your grandmother's life. Another reason to move, perhaps - you will actually be able to live your own life as you want to.
You'll get there. You're smart and hard working. But you need to look further afield, and you need to broaden your search.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (4 February 2014): Have you tried applying for graduate schemes in retail companies and supermarkets?
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A
male
reader, devont +, writes (4 February 2014):
 I was in a very similar situation. I know this is probably not what you want to hear, but I think for now your best bet is to get a full time job in retail. I would look at retail banking, then the step into admin is considerably easier.
The main thing is to not give up, you are getting interviews which is more than most people can say, so that is a positive. Keep your chin up and keep working hard, something will come along for you soon :)
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