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Original poster

To be terribly afraid that that was it?

147 replies

entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:11

DS about to reach a year unemployed. So was that it, that 19 months of postgraduate temporary contracts, and now all he has to look forward to at 24 is the dole for the next 40 plus years?

All I hear is "new graduates win over old ones, no employer will look at you with a year's gap" and to make it worse he ignored my advice to do voluntary work, convinced he'd get a "proper job" if he only tried hard enough. But with a 2:2 even from a good Uni, no-one wants him.
Can't read my FB with all my friends' children's wild A level and Oxbridge successes right now. Can't go to friends, can't admit how I feel.

Feeling like the worst parent in the Universe. If I'd done better at mothering he'd have a job, and nothing will convince me otherwise.

Yes, I know, it's not about me. I have no right.

Sobbing

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 15/08/2013 23:39

In IT at the moment, there are contract jobs. Whilst he might not want to move, he might have to work away during the week - my husband had to accept this as the downside of getting a job after 14 months unemployed. His current contract job is mainly working from home which is very much easier.

Weegiemum · 15/08/2013 23:41

I had over 10 years teaching experience when I left to be a sahm.

I only got another teaching job (moving into adult ed) with a year+ of volunteering - and I'd done a second degree while not woh.

You have to be one better than everyone else!

YoniBottsBumgina · 15/08/2013 23:41

One year isn't too long to sustain a long distance relationship. Abroad is where all the good computer opportunities are unfortunately. He should definitely at least consider it.

MrsKoala · 15/08/2013 23:41

Would he join the TA? They would probably put him in the Intelligence Corp and he could get a lot of training and paid opportunities thru them.

LunaticFringe · 15/08/2013 23:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DTisMYdoctor · 15/08/2013 23:44

We've recently started giving unemployed graduates volunteering opportunities via a job centre scheme. A couple of those have gone on to be offered jobs. Not amazing jobs or pay, but they did a great job in volunteering, so we found a way to give them paid employment which helps their cv etc and we hope it will help them get on their career ladder. If you can persuade him to consider volunteering it really could help. He's a grown up, the job market is tough for lots of people - he needs to do what he can to improve his employment prospects.

LunaticFringe · 15/08/2013 23:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:47

Manchester area

OP posts:
MsPickle · 15/08/2013 23:48

I'm taking a deep breath as I start to type this as I suspect that some of what I say will have some readers rolling their eyes but...

I have seen so so many bad graduate CVs and interviewed so many graduates who will struggle. The reasons for this are many but one of the biggest hurdles is an overinflated sense of the sort of roles they should be aiming for and what their degree is 'worth' in the market. I won't climb on my university soapbox here but attempt to offer some practical help...

Check his CV. Spelling errors, old fashioned formatting, not presenting experience properly will all count against him more than anything else.

He needs to tailor his application each and every time. Covering note and all. If he's claiming benefits then I suspect he's hitting the apply button a lot to make his 'quota' - he needs to put the work in for the jobs he wants. When I've posted ads previously for example I've said something like "for more info contact MsPickle at x firm". Doesn't take a genius to guess and email address, or my name. Applications addressed "dear MsPickle" show me that the applicant has properly read the ad and acted on initiative.

For the jobs he really wants he needs to follow up the email with, preferably, a phone call. Build positive relationships with recruiters. They are not the enemy.

What sort of programmer does he want to be? I mainly know web based technologies but across the board the thing which marks out serious programmers is their personal portfolios. The things they build to see if they can. If he's not employed in the field he's got plenty of time to play...

Be enthusiastic. Too many interns fail to get jobs because they let their lack of enthusiasm show.

It's a shit time to be young and jobless but the digital economy is growing so at least he's heading for a good arena.

And of course it's not your fault!!

ImperialBlether · 15/08/2013 23:49

He could go back to his university. It's in their interests that he gets a job. They will have a careers office and he has the right for advice there for three years after leaving university. I know when my daughter started her MA they were all told their CVs were rubbish - she had a lot of help on that.

I wasn't suggesting he was a teacher in the making, but there are skills involved in helping people with Maths that are transferable.

MrsKoala · 15/08/2013 23:51

I think the teacher in the making was for my suggestion of a pgce Imperial :)

Trapper · 15/08/2013 23:52

Does he have a CV you can share? I have roles available and can promise you feedback, if nothing else.

Original poster
entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:52

His spelling and grammar are extremely good actually, and he's had his CV looked over professionally more than once. And he DOES tailor his CV and write good personal statements - I've seen them. He has worked before at anything he can get his hands on (see OP), not like he's just waltzing around, honest.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 15/08/2013 23:53

He would still need a DBS clearance to work in a local college.

I think Turniptwirl's suggestions are good.

Otherwise I think he will have to at least consider relocating and being more flexible. If he's on JSA there must surely be the impending prospect of his being referred to a mandatory work programme before too long.

Is he on LinkedIn? Has he joined local business networks to explore what's available and get himself known?

I take it he has reviewed his CV but he really shouldn't let the gap on it get any bigger. He also needs to get it uploaded to job sites and recruitment agencies if he hasn't already done so.

Naturally you are concerned but there is a limit to what you can do and how responsible you should feel.

MrsKoala · 15/08/2013 23:53

And yes you are right Imperial i worked on Grad paid internship schemes at numerous unis. These were for those grads still not employed within a year. The uni set them up with a relevant internship and paid £1k for a months work. A lot were kept on and a lot found work thru it. OP can you check if his uni does anything like that?

Original poster
entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:53

Trapper - let me check with him.

OP posts:
QuintessentialOldDear · 15/08/2013 23:53

Can he not set himself up as self employed?
He can set up a profile and "bid" on projects on www.freelancer.com/

Other than that, contracting?

ilovesooty · 15/08/2013 23:54

Sorry, x post there.

MrsKoala · 15/08/2013 23:54

I have pm'd you OP :)

MrsKoala · 15/08/2013 23:56

Has he registered with temping agencies? There are often data entry roles which if he impresses can lead on to other things.

LunaticFringe · 15/08/2013 23:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:57

Trapper - OK have emailed him - bit late to phone. Will PM you.

OP posts:
Original poster
entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:57

"I take it he has reviewed his CV but he really shouldn't let the gap on it get any bigger. He also needs to get it uploaded to job sites and recruitment agencies if he hasn't already done so."

Yes, done all that a year ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
entropynow · 15/08/2013 23:59

He's been looking for foot in door jobs, helpdesk, anything. Don't know about temping, will ask. Trouble is, when all we talk about is jobhunting it all gets a bit tense.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 16/08/2013 00:01

I deliver careers advice for a charity and we have an increasing need for data entry roles. He could try contacting some local charities to ask if they have any volunteering opportunities. Our last 3 volunteers have secured paid work with us.

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