“I make out I’m job hunting nine to five – but some days I do nothing at all”
What’s your downfall – the three-hour lunch break? The lure of Facebook? Staying focussed can be tough, with distractions all around you – but have a word with yourself. Remind yourself why you need to get this job hunt happening. What’s the alternative? Living at home forever? Still doing bar work in your forties? Fear is a great motivator.
DO personalise your own routine. Go for a run at 9.30am. Time your lunchbreak to fit with the BBC news. Work at the library in the afternoon. Try different things and see what works for you.
DO set realistic goals. Before you even log in, ask “What’s the minimum I would need to do in order to consider this a good day?” Write a list of bite-sized tasks and cross them off as you go.
DON’T check Facebook and email more than three times a day. Morning, lunchtime and evening is enough.
“I’m being vile to my parents – who are only trying to help”
When you’re struggling, you’re unlikely to be your ‘best self’ – but that’s no excuse for bullying your folks. Graduates often forget that their parents are people too. It’s painful for them to watch you struggling. I know you’re disappointed by your situation – but this wasn’t what they had in mind, either! Different tactics work for different families, but if you’re not sure then my advice is to sit them down and explain that you’re struggling but that you have a plan, you’re working on it and you’ll update them once a week.
DO some chores around the house. It’s important you contribute something positive to the household and it will make you fee like less of a sponger.
DON’T storm around like a stroppy teenager. Storming off and slamming doors will only make you feel like a teenager again. You’re an adult now. Pull it together.
DO remember that your future is your responsibility – not your parents’. They’ve invested 21 years of love and encouragement (and funding) to get you this far. That’s enough. Now it’s up to you to build a future for yourself.
*Anything we’ve missed on this subject?
Email Graduate Fog here and we’ll weave some extra info into this section for you.
How to stay motivated…This is the hardest thing about job hunting. When you’re doing a degree you are so focused on getting the work done that not much thought is put into what to do when you graduate, and thats the time you need the most support.
I graduated in Production design. The ‘advisor’ at the job centre doesn’t have a clue what to do with ‘creatives’, her bread and butter client is the manual unskilled worker, office/factory/sales etc. She kind of went crosseyed when i explained that i’ve spent my time designing my PDF portfolio, and that my job applications can take 2weeks or more to complete because of the exam style questions and essays required to fulfill the application requirements.
The pressure to find a job can sap your self esteem so much that you loose motivation to do exactly that.. So what do you do then? The jobcentre would be more helpful offering motivation classes, telling people that they are full of possibilities and their life is not deffined by being a jobseeker, then maybe we’d see a change!
I can totally empathise! Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt…! The only solution I found was to DIG DEEP and have a word with myself. For me the breakthrough was realising that nobody could do it for me and nothing was going to change until I made it happen myself.
I’m finding it difficult to deal with the ongoing rejection while looking for work. I’ve had something like 15 failed graduate/starter-level interviews. I am sure I have been improving upon my performance but yet it doesn’t seem to get me anywhere. I feel resentful of my chosen career area (where it is still possible to get work if you will work for free) and trapped within it now – which is crazy as I am still young. I’ve been signing on for just over 4 months.
There is so much preparation for these interviews. Then most of the time tests to do while there. It takes a lot out of me
‘Too skilled’ for admin; not with enough experience in any single area. BTW don’t think being a ‘slasher’ with wide range of skills is helping.
Refusing to be an intern again. Wish I never had it makes the situation worse for everybody.
I don’t have any self esteem left. And my health is being affected by all sorts of weird infections. I feel like all young people are being screwed over.
@Babs, sorry to hear you’re having such a tough time.
I know it’s not much consolation but you’re really not alone in feeling like this. And you are absolutely right – young people are being screwed over! I say don’t get sad about it, get mad about it! You’d be amazed how energising it can be to have a rant… Also spread the word about Graduate Fog. The bigger our tribe, the more noise we can make about the issues that matter most to graduates.
Did you see last night’s documentary ‘Who gets the best jobs?’ And have you seen today’s blog post about Modus Publicity? I think you might have something to say about it! ; )
Please do keep coming back to Graduate Fog to comment on posts and get involved with the discussion – you’ll always find a sympathetic bunch here. Also take a good look at the Advice section, which I think you’ll find helpful as your job hunt continues. Keep going!
Tanya x
@Babs
I totally understand how you’re feeling. It’s not an age thing, it’s not just the young people who are being screwed over, it’s jobseekers in general. I graduated with my 2nd degree in 2009, 10 years after graduating with my Fine Art degree. I’m in the design sector, with years of experience and have now been signing on since April 2010. Yes it does take it’s toll. I’ve completly widened my remit of what i’m looking for, i even applied for front of house at my local theatre even though i have too much experience,and didn’t even get that as they wanted people to work unpaid! I tried applying for ‘creative partnership’ school projects. These projects expect you to devise the curriculum for the project in the application. After a few rejections began to think why should i bother, when i’m doing all of this work for nothing! 99% of my applications aren’t even acknowledged and it is extremely depressing.
It would be so easy to give up, but that’s not what life is about. You have to remember that being a jobseeker does not define you, you are more than that. This is a temporary situation and a test, and you have to keep trying and go easy on yourself. The 15 ‘failed’ interviews were not failures, each one is a rehearsal and a stepping stone to the job that’s right for you.
I don’t know what area you want to work in, but for me, as an artist, i’m just putting all of my frustration in to artwork, and maybe thats the reason i haven’t got ‘that’ job yet!
Best of luck
Allow me to first say: WHAT a refreshing site! Finally a place where people are actually in the same position as myself can speak out honestly.
Here’s my moan (please tell me if this sounds familiar):
I graduated last June. Got a 2.1 in RS, at a great uni and have spent the months since job seeking. My girlfriend has started a brilliant career with a great salary with a real drive to move out (great!)
However…
I am totally de-motivated because I cannot get even the most simplest of jobs for being overqualified. Graduate schemes further afield would mean I couldn’t move out (which we both sorely wish to do; as family life is confrontation)- (HELP) So I feel trapped and pressured to get ANYTHING (which I can’t).
More importantly I don’t know what I’m good at/ or like doing. I loved my degree, translating Sanskrit, reading and writing on ancient Hindu was my most fulfilling part of my life, I was OK at it; but I loved it. I am unsure about a masters.
What I’ve come to understand thus far:
Job seeking is a state of mind.
And:
A whole lotta graduates are in the same position, it might take time but we’ll get there.
GREAT SITE
Consider your ranks +1
Hi,
I can’t believe I’ve only just found this website it’s great because it tells the truth!
I’ve just returned from an unpaid internship in the US (that I sold my car and used my savings to do). Now I’m back and, like Mike, desperate to stay out of home it’s been tough staying motivated. I’m trying to get in to PR and Marketing but cannot afford another unpaid internship and this seems to be the only way in!
My piece of advice is keep busy, stay socialable and aware of current affairs. I’ve been practicing skills employers seem to want at the moment. I’ve started writing a blog that talks about real life as an unemployed graduate and our fight to not become a ‘lost generation’. Check it out if you’de like http://graduatetoyou.blogspot.com
What have other people been up to?
I’m off on a start your own business course this week as if I can’t get a job I’ll make a job!
Thanks Graduate Fog this is great.
@Mike @Kat Hounsell
Welcome to Graduate Fog – I’m glad you’ve found us! Thanks so much for your kind words about the site. There is one thing you can do for me in return – PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT GRADUATE FOG! The bigger our army, the louder we can shout about these issues. Plus, the more likely I will be to be able to attract sponsors, so I can make sure this site survives to keep doing what we’re doing (at the moment I do it all unpaid – but as it gets bigger it’s becoming more and more work for me. I love it, but like you unpaid interns, I need money to live!) Thanks so much for anything / everything you can do. RTing my Tweets is a good start. Oh, and keep commenting, so it’s clear I’m not just some ranting loon! ; )
I’m really sorry you’re both having such a tough time at the moment. Unfortunately, both your stories are really common. The planets seem to have aligned to give your age group a very tough start in the world of work. I’m doing everything I can to draw people’s attention to the situation.
@Kat – Great that you’re feeling upbeat despite the obstacles you’ve encountered – and I’ll definitely check out your new blog. I hope you find your course useful – let us know how it goes! If you’re an entrepreneurial type, you may really enjoy working for small to medium-sized companies (SMEs), rather than big companies. Have you tried targetting those, as well as the big firms?
@Mike – It sounds like you’re stuck in the Catch 22 that many grads are facing – but you’re right it seems ridiculous that you’re overqualified for non-graduate jobs, but can’t get a graduate job either. I would definitely think very carefully about doing a Masters – have you read Graduate Fog’s advice page How to decide about further study? I think you’ll find it really useful. Remember, if you’re not sure, DON’T DO IT!
Thanks again for supporting Graduate Fog xx
@graduatefog
I highly recommend the business link ‘business start-up’ course I went on to anybody. The lecturer was very experienced with many amusing stories, it was a chance to network with like minded people from all backgrounds and boosted my confidence. Unfortunately the government may be cutting funding for these courses soon so make the most of the opportunity while it is there!
Yes I’ve been looking at smaller firms as that is where I shine and feel comfortable. Also don’t you find the graduate scheme applications take forever? and I just fear I’m wasting my time!
@graduate fog
I highly recommend the business link ‘business start-up’ course. The lecturer was very experienced in business and amazed us all with his stories. Check the course out soon as the government is cutting funding and it’s unsure how much longer the program will be running.
I have been looking at smaller firms as that is where I shine. Do you find the graduate scheme applications for larger firms unpersonal? I just fear I will never stand out from the crowd of similar applications!
@Tanya
sorry about that, it was quite a vent! I will refine my comment, please feel free to delete unnecessary comments (including this one)
Thanks michael
Thanks, I have to take a closer look at this site. I think it may really help.
I know this is an old thread, but I’m currently still at uni and haven’t ventured out into the big wide world yet. However, I’m already fretting about being unemployed. At the moment, I’ve been lucky enough to get work experience for a week at a newspaper, and trying to get them to run a piece on youth unemployment at the moment. Do any currently unemployed uni graduates have any stories they’d like to share about the job search since they graduated? Would be great to get a personal angle on this. Seems like there are too many statistics and not enough faces.
I just found this site today and I feel normal again! Thank you Tanya
Can I just have a little angry outburst?
The most bleeding irritating thing about job applicaations is that they simply aren’t acknowledged.
I don’t know whether the flipping application even got through and the wait for nothing is agonising and very, very demoralising.
In the age of technology is it SO HARD to sent an email saying something along the lines of:
‘Sorry you’re far too pathetic for us to employ?’
Is it?? Emails are free and even an insulting rejection would make me feel better than blatantly being ignored!!!
Thanks
I’m way too far down this road now. I graduated 8 years ago and after months of looking for paid/voluntary roles with little success succumbed to depression. Things weren’t officially too bad then but I was often told 100 people had applied for a standard average admin job and so I hadn’t made the interview list as I didn’t have enough experience. I had a few months of experience in different places on my CV but employment agencies refused to take me on as they said it wasn’t enough. I had struggled with low moods and anxiety during my degree so I was especially vulnerable-part of my problem is I don’t have the confidence, motivation or energy to do the hundreds of applications required for success. The longer you are unemployed, the worse the gap on your CV looks and you become too old for ‘recent graduate’ jobs/placements but too inexperienced and over qualified for general roles. There seems to be little help out there for people like me: jobcentre and mental health service return to work schemes are geared up for low skilled people. After 4 years on medication doing nothing I was encouraged by a therapist to do some adult education classes and then voluntary work. It has helped me but now I would like a paid job and am having to compete in such a tough climate which makes me feel like giving up. I’m considering more voluntary work to improve my CV but I do resent that so many people are forced into unpaid roles for months just to have a chance of a low paid entry level position! You have to fill out a long form or do a cover letter for many voluntary placements the same as if it was a paid role roles-it’s hard work. I was a top student who gained a first class degree and was told my education and abilities would be enough to secure a good job-now it seems it’s not enough to secure any job. Depression makes most everyday tasks feel like you’re carrying a weight up a hill so the amount of energy needed to get a job just seems impossible for people like me-and yet I know I have lots of skills to offer. It’s such a waste, for me and society.
Oh and I seem to be the exception but I’d actually rather not hear from something I’ve applied for then get the standard ‘sorry the calibre was very high blah blah blah’ rubbish. All it does is get your hopes up when you see the letter/email to shatter them and doesn’t offer any constructive or specific feedback.
Caitlyn I feel exactly the same because my situation is very similar
I agree with every word you said.
Sorry to hear that Maggie. Try to take care of yourself and get the support you need. I don’t think my unemployment problems are the only reason for my depression but they are a big factor. Some people thrive on competition but I don’t react well to high pressure and intense competition even though I am pretty capable. Under stress I fall to pieces and I don’t feel I have the strength to compete in this ruthless market. I hate the boredom, isolation, lack of money and low self esteem that being unemployed brings though.