In a job market that seems more competitive than ever, Peri Turner recently had a year-long struggle to find the right employment for her. The 22-year-old from Standish eventually landed on her feet with a job as school librarian at St Edmund Arrowsmith High School in Ashton.
Here she tells her story and gives advice on the best approach to find work…
“When I struggled to get a job I started to wonder what I was doing wrong. I’d worked hard to get a degree at university. I’d done a couple of voluntary work placements to ‘broaden my horizons’ and ‘show initiative’.
I visited my careers service at university to improve my application forms. I prepped for every interview and I joined recruitment agencies. Yet no one wanted me - instead, they wanted more experience.
More experience became the two words I hated most in the English language. How was I to get it if no one offered me the chance?
Dangerous questions like, “What’s the point?” and “Why me?” began buzzing round my head, with no answers in sight.
If you’re in the same position let me offer some advice:
- Get involved: All those groups and societies in school, college and university aren’t just a chance to share your enthusiasm for rock formations with like-minded people. They’re also perfect for showing off your enthusiasm and interpersonal skills.
- Volunteering: Get involved and you can learn those valuable administrative skills. You can also do the hours that suit you, and get a better idea of what jobs you might fancy in the future.
Visit V Inspired (external link) for volunteering opportunities in your area. Start looking early: If you’re looking for a summer job or a career, start throwing your name into the ring three or four months before you finish studying. The candidate selection process can easily take a month itself.
- Trust your instincts: Possibly controversial advice, but only if you abuse it. Despite my 12 months of unemployment, I learnt I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my dignity and future happiness for money, and that restored some hope and self-esteem. More importantly though, I realised the value of enthusiasm. Maybe I hadn’t been getting jobs because it was obvious I didn’t want them, but instead the money they’d give me.
I’ve finally got the job that still makes me grin every time I think of it - a school librarian.
It isn’t what I envisioned when I first graduated, but for the first time I was doing my interview prep and growing excited about the work I’d be doing.
I’m convinced my enthusiasm and beaming smile throughout the interview were the clinchers.”
- If you’re a young person looking for work go to LINC online (external link) for information on job clubs for young people. Alternatively visit your local Connexions centre at Standishgate, Wigan, or Bradshawgate, Leigh.
