Please, PLease Help me. Please. I need Help (urgent)? IMPORTANT?

Question

I'm currently unemployed and have been so for over a year. I recently left university, but my degree classification wasn't great. I gained a THIRD, this is the lowest grade awarded in english universities.

I've been applying to many jobs mainly in the retail/sales sector, and I've been invited to countless interviews. In the interviews I'm usually asked to speak, show my personality, and my knowledge of customer service. But, I dont have much of a personality, and I am not very animated or vocal, and I'm very shy

I always do badly in these interviews and group sessions because the employers dont believe that I'm a very approachable person that understands customers. I had a group session earlier today, and out of 12 candidates, only 2 were sent home. I was one of the 2 deemed not good enough.
I've now realised that I'm not good enough to work with people or in sales. Could you please tell me of careers where I dont have to work with customers. They must pay alot, no plumbing.

to paul h.
I graduated in business and politics

Answer 1

And this has what to do with Singles and Dating?

Answer 2

Perhaps you need to set your sights a bit lower - experience is more important than remuneration given that you have so far been unsuccessful in getting the jobs you have applied for.

I assume that if you have been unemployed for over a year you are claiming Jobseekers Allowance and have a Personal Adviser at the office where you sign on. Ask your Personal Adviser to suggest jobs more suitable to your skills and temperament - after all, that's what they're paid to do!

You clearly have some experience in using IT and I suspect that a career in this type of work is hardly a face-to-face scenario.

You do not say anything about your interests, experience, degree or personal skills so I am unable to offer any further ideas, sorry.

Good luck and all the best for a long and rewarding career.

Answer 3

You must find what you enjoy, then do it. Your lack of success with finding a job has nothing to do with grades received in university. You got your degree and that is what matters. You must look at things you CAN do and stop telling yourself that just because you were one of two sent home, you were deemed "not good enough". That is in your head and has nothing to do with how good you are.
It is your outlook that is getting you sent off the playing field - NOT your abilities. You have to work on your confidence and your negative thoughts, not give up on something you want to do.
People are sensitive and can read others quite well. What we give out, we get back. Make no mistake.
Ask yourself this: When you have a minor set-back, such as being one of 2 not chosen, do you say: "Oh, I guess this particular job wasn't the one for me". Or do you go into an inner dialogue with yourself along the lines of: "I may as well give up." I didn't get a good degree and employers think this and employers think that." Have you heard or read exactly what the employers think or are you going by what you assume?
It isn't the employers who think you aren't approachable, it is YOU who thinks you're not approachable and your disbelief in yourself is being picked up on by the employers.
You need some confidence building and a change of outlook, NOT a change of what you want to do jobwise.

Answer 4

It's not that you're not "good enough" to work in sales... it's just that this isn't this isn't your strong suit. Retail is for perky, outgoing people who like to talk and connect with people. You are more of an introvert. You need to figure out what your strengths are, and what your interests are, and then combine the two.
There are numerous tests online to help out figure out where your interests and skills really lie - focus on your personal strengths, not just whatever job you think is easiest to get. Try taking a Myers-Brigg personality test, it will give you a lot of insight.

Perhaps you'd do better in a creative or production-focused job - a job where you make something or produce a thing, instead of interacting directly with people. (For example, being the cook instead of the waiter.) Or perhaps you're more analytical - you could use your intuitive understanding of customers to analyze data and information, and provide suggestions for improved products and service. There are plenty of options - explore and do what's best for you!

Remember, on interviews, YOU are interviewing THEM to see if this is a good fit, just as much as the other way around.

Answer 5

Don't try to walk straight in at the top. If you want to work in the retail sector then get a job as a sales assistant or on a till. You will have to deal with so many aspects of customer service etc. that you will soon lose your shyness and become adept at dealing with the public. If you have a brain in your head then you will learn the ropes quickly and then be more confident to apply for the more professional positions.

Answer 6

It looks like you're not made for the retail sector so just try something else ... If you have a degree - however bad - I'm sure you could maybe try teaching (we need teachers) or just get a job in an office doing administration then work your way up. You don't have to be the life and soul of an office but if you get on well with people when you don't have to sell them something, you could do well

Answer 7

For you to get to interview stage you must look good on paper so 90% of the battle is won. Most interviewers have made their decision about you within a few minutes of contact and you already know where your development points are.

The plus side is they are easy to fix. I presume you want to go the do it yourself route as it is cheaper. So you are going to need to place yourself in the unpaid firing line. I'd suggest that you offer your services to a volunteer group eg. charity shop. This will allow you to develop your interpersonal skills in a non-confrontational environment. It also adds an extra dimension to your CV and gives you something to talk about confidently in an interview.

Next get a part-time job with a reputable retailer. Your just looking for a foot in the door so stacking shelves is fine. Then get to know the managers and get known as a solution seeker and a port in a storm. Then do a recky of the career paths open in the retail organisation and job opportunities that arise. Get yourself a full-time position and raise your profile.

Answer 8

You seem to have grown accustomed to your unapproachable character such that all those interviews you sat were of no use as you already had that defeatist look on your face. Sales require people who are exuberant, funny and possess the art of persuasion. So what you need is to study the Salesmanship course in detail, only then can you learn the art of this wonderful profession.
Apart from that, you can either be a counselor, but you need to be trained. I think you could do well in this one, just give it a try.

Answer 9

DON'T GIVE UP, U HAVE JUST DONE A DEGREE.
Get a gap filler job and go to group evening classes to boost ur confidence and self esteem. Drama or something. U may find that once u r in employment, employers will see u as more employable. It sounds silly but it is true. It shows your dedicated and hard working and will do anything to work, employers respect this.

Answer 10

If you ask me it would be much easier to figure out what it is you need to change about yourself to become more open and less shy than it would to find a job of a whole different category than you studied for.
Look, I used to be shy years ago.But I got tired of being misunderstood and judged as something different than I was inside.
The first step out of this is to realize that everyone you see is human and no better or special than you are.There is no logical reason to fear them but the idea of it that you keep telling yourself in your mind.
I know in your mind you imagine talking to people like some of the people you know do.You envy people with guts and sometimes are jealous of them.
Just start off with going to talk groups on issues of shyness.Believe me, they help. especially when your with a group of people who are like you are right now and also need to open up.Being in this situation and watching and participating in this group will help to build your confidence.Believe me, many years ago I would have never believed that one day I would be the life of the party and have the kind of guts I have now.
There is only one thing keeping you from success in life.Needed effort on your part.
Call a local community center and ask if they know of a group session you can join to help with shyness.
Good luck!

Answer 11

Tough question, sorry you only got a third, that would be my worst nightmare but there are many jobs available, try looking at prospects.ac.uk, they have a section where you fill in a number of questions based on your personality and interests and base match suitable careers to your answers. Good luck