Can anyone got any advice, ?

Question

Hi, Im looking for work at the moment I have an NVQ 2 in Retail but that isnt getting me know where. I worked hard for the qualification and the people who where suppose to be employing me didnt take me on at the end of the course so I was left to look for a Job. Which I didnt mind the Thing is people interveiwers just look at the certificates and put them to one side and say that they dont mean anything as basically its what you do on the jo that means you can do the job right. I recently got a job in retail but i was suprise on how much i havent done in my qualification 3 years ago. As i only worked in a small shop it wasnt the same as a normal working shop Im not working in that shop anymore because basically Im crap at the Job. But it has knocked my confidence loads, I was thinking of doing an administration course but still Im worried if they dont train me properly and then all the work I have done will be a waste of time because I wont beable to get a job in the end.

I got good GCSE grades when I was at school but these seem not to matter.
At the moment I am unemployed and just about to start New Deal, The thing is i know how to right letters, im socialble and i get interveiws and could get jobs but when i take them I dont know what to do even though I have a qualification and they give training. I suppose what im saying is Im frightend to go on another course incase it ends up like the last one did, on when i get on the course people who i work for will think i am a waste of space but keep me there because they are getting paid for having me.
Its really gettng me down as i dont know what to do.

Hi i know it may sound like i dont know what im wanting to do as a career, but the thing is I want to do retail as i wouldnt of got an NVQ in it if i didnt like it, but everything I was taught is rubbish, and i cant do the Retail NVQ again, I dont think.

Answer 1

Hello,

(ANS) OK!! The first thing I'd like to say here is your definately NOT alone with this kind of dilemma. The problem is that we are now living through a time of unprecidented change within the world of work, traditional jobs are changing, old skills are either not required or less in demand or less relevent any more. You need to constantly remember that we now live in a global economy, & wheather you or I like it or not that does change the shape of the playing field.

Yet another thing thats pretty scary is that experience seems to be valued less & less. Sometimes I feel like its a catch22, meaning that after your leave school or college or Univ employers have the atitude that your wet behined the ears & dont have enough expeeience (so they can pay less), many employers pay lip service to really training staff which means you wont get any training because the employer doesnt want to spend any money on you as an employee.

The other side of the coin or story is that after 30-35yrs employers seem to think your past it. Your hard won & accummulated work & life experience count for nothing. In my case I have 12yrs+ computing & IT experience but I cannot get a job either. why? because they want someone of 22yrs old they can pay peanuts too.

**Sadly NVQ's are NOT worth the paper they are written on!! why? because NVQ's are (were) a central government scheme but employers DONT value them at all. Employers dont seem to see them as relevant at all?

**For you, it sounds like you havent decided on a definate career or work direction. You need to focus on what you want too do work wise for the longer term not just what job your going to do next.

The work related catch22 is employers want experience of the job or a similar job (i.e. so called transferable skills or experience) and some kind of formal relevant qualifications too. So now we are forced to compete fiercely for any job these days and you have to have both sides of the coin. Oh! and your face has to fit in too!!

Best Regards Ivan.

Answer 2

I really sympathise with your situation - hopefully it wont be long before someone realises you're good and provides you an opportunity. Do try all big local retailers - M&S do it online now!

Do try not to let it get you down, many of us in some time in our careers face the same (or worse), so just keep trying. Also try using your networks - friends, family, just let them know what youre doing and what you want and maybe word can get round - its suprising how often that works, do try agencies who can provide temp jobs which not only tide you over but give you some more experience and more contacts/opportunities, and maybe even consider voluntary work - you may meet someone or go to some place that can make your career as well as get out and about. Also try and get someone to check your CV and test you at interview techniques, some best people I know just arent very good at "selling" themselves and i'm afraid in todays competitive world you really to have to be. Finally good luck.

Answer 3

Hello

First thing to do is ask your New Deal Adviser to put you on a Course to build your confidence. Another one you could do with is Assertiveness. Finally a course showing you interview techniques.

These are all available as one day courses.

When you have completed these. You should have bags of condience and be ready to take on anything.

Good luck