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Starting a career

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
well i graduated in july. first i thought i'd work in HR because i have experience in it so i had 2 interviews and got the job but it fell through. im glad because i realised HR isn't what i want to do at all -it was just convenient.

i want to get into PR or Marketing but its such a competitive industry and im going to have to start right from the bottom in an administrator role. but even that is proving to be difficult! i went for an interview last week and i just phoned to ask if there was any news and they said they were still interviewing. which i think sounds bad and my mum agrees. :crying:

so for those of you who have started or are starting a career.. how long did it take? did you get many knockbacks? any advice? i feel really stressed and disheartened.

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If you are dead set on marketing, it might be a good idea to look into getting some kind of qualification in it, to give yourself a boost. It'll be useful in the future too, I'm jobhunting at the mo, and there are a lot of jobs that state that professional qualifications are an advantage.

    The ones they ask for most often in marketing jobs are CIM courses. Even something like the introductory certificate would help you, as it would prove your interest, show you are capable of learning on your own initiative, and give you a basic knowledge of all the lingo so you can sound good in interviews.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    My boyfriend finished his degree just over 2 years ago and he's been looking around to start his career ever since. He's applied for loads of jobs but only ever had 5 interviews, and unfortunately no one has offered him a job. He's getting very down about it now, it's very stressful, and the knockbacks are horrible :crying:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    at least you know what you want to do, im 24 next year and i still dont have a brown shoe as to what i wanna do with my life, currently working a ok job which pays for my lifestyle but its not what i wanna do with the rest of my life.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi Lipsy,

    Here's some advice from the marketing director here at YouthNet 'I would suggest that you consider volunteering for a charity in their marketing/PR/fundraising department. It is a great foot in the door, you gain experience and also do something worthwhile at the same time. Try www.do-it.org.uk and see if there are opportunities in your local area. Good luck!'. As you can see in true marketing style she has managed to pimp out our sister site at the same time - an important marketing skill! :razz: Seriously though, do give it a go - experience goes a long way in this area as competition is fierce, and volunteering shows your commitment.

    Marketing is a particularly hard job to break in to (as you're finding out) - I remember when I temped briefly at a recruitment agency, if you put 'marketing' anywhere in the job title you got about 4 times the applications. I'm not saying that to put you off, just let you know there is more competition, but it's definitely worth persevering - even though it can get a bit soul-destroying after the 100th application, when the 101st nets you the job of your dreams it's all worthwhile. Also, make sure you join recruitment agencies if you haven't already done so - sooo many jobs are advertised this way - and after joining, call them at least once a week. If you hassle them enough they'll find you a job just so you leave them alone!

    Chatting to the marketing director here, she got her first marketing job totally flukily, so can't offer much specific advice that way. But an option for you might be to start doing some temping - you'll probably have to do a bit of reception and secretarial too, but you might blag a short-term role in a marketing department. At worst you get more experience, at best they ask you to stay on or will know an available place elsewhere. That's how I found my first long term job, and I've heard lots of similar stories from others.

    Also, try to keep up to date with sector press such as 'Marketing Week', both for the jobs section and to keep up to date with what's going on in the sector, and read the Guardian on a Monday for marketing jobs.

    Above all, annoying as it is, you just have to keep at it. Good luck!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Most of my friends from uni have ended up in temp jobs while they try to decide what they want to do. The few that haven't and have made a proper start on their careers are the ones that had a clear idea of what they wanted to do before they graduated.

    Personally I don't really know what I want career wise. I got myself a job in sales so that I could potentially earn a lot of money pretty soon and also because career progression is pretty rapid with the company. This isn't what I see myself doing long term but if I can stick it out for a couple of years I could make a lot of money and have a lot of extra sparkles on my CV when I decide what it is I want to do.

    Its long hours and very hard work but I just don't want to have to work from the bottom up. I'd rather the extra hours and pressure and be able to earn good money and hopefully get an impressive looking CV out of it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Just to add to all the excellent advice already posted... Try not to get too disheartened if you don't get the first good job that comes along. Often, even if it takes longer, you end up looking back and thinking "I'm glad I ddin't get that first job I went for after all."
    For many new graduates it does take a while to find their first opening, but it sounds like you've already made some important steps - deciding that HR isn't for you, for example. Much better to spend time working out what's right for you now rather than going sdown the wrong route.
    Lucie's suggestion of volunteering/work experience is so right. You might also find TheSite's section for graduates useful.

    Good luck - and keep at it!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    thanks for all the advice, especially to lucielu who talked to her marketing director! i feel much better today. i still don't know the outcome of the interview i had but im feeling positive and like it wont be the end of the world if i don't get it.
    im goin to be sending out a cover letter and my cv to lots of PR/marketing companies. i will also have a look at volunteering or doing an internship.

    i would still like to hear about other peoples experiences though -good or bad.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Have you tried going to recuritment agencies that specialise in Marketing Jobs? There are a few that do - however I don't know if they are only London focused - but that is where the big marketing companies often go to get staff and they don't bother advertising for jobs.

    Also buy marketing week as there are jobs and general info in there - you might also be able to find information about agencies as well.

    Lastly I have no idea who started the random myth that if you go to university you will walk straight into your dream job at the end of it - I can only think this started in the days when hardly anyone went to universtiy and companies sponsered people to go - ie the 60's when my parents went. I think for most people it takes normally around a year in order for them to get into the sector they want to work in so you have to just keep on trying.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wyetry wrote:
    Lastly I have no idea who started the random myth that if you go to university you will walk straight into your dream job at the end of it - I can only think this started in the days when hardly anyone went to universtiy and companies sponsered people to go - ie the 60's when my parents went. I think for most people it takes normally around a year in order for them to get into the sector they want to work in so you have to just keep on trying.
    :yes: I have friends who live right where they want to work, and they're only just getting jobs about a year after they graduated with quite a bit of financial help from their parents to let them do jobs that pay next to nothing first. If you've got to move somewhere new, or support yourself at the same time, it'll take longer again.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    My boyfriend finished his degree just over 2 years ago and he's been looking around to start his career ever since. He's applied for loads of jobs but only ever had 5 interviews, and unfortunately no one has offered him a job. He's getting very down about it now, it's very stressful, and the knockbacks are horrible :crying:
    i`m the same, i feel like i`ve wasted 3years of my life!

    wish i`d have gone straight into work after college now
  • **helen****helen** Deactivated Posts: 9,235 Supreme Poster
    Wyetry wrote:
    Also buy marketing week as there are jobs and general info in there - you might also be able to find information about agencies as well.

    :yes: and you can register on the website for job alerts etc here
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    its actually PR i want to get into, more than marketing. i know that there is a PR website called PR week which has a jobsite too.

    i have approached specialist agencies but they want candidates who already have experience because of the competition!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well i've just been told that with ym degree i'm overqualified for the admin role i applied for and they wanted someone more junior with less experience. they said i gave a really good interview though. well i guess i'll keep on trying
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If it's PR you're after check out www.ipr.org.uk for some signposting.
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