no employment history?

[tabulahrasa]

I had my DS at 17 and have no employment history at all...he's now 15, so that's a long time, lol (I also have an 11 yr old DD,not that that's relevant for employment, lol)

I've spent the last five years in full time education, access course and then Uni - I handed in my last essays yesterday

I was originally training to be a teacher, but it didn't really work with my family commitments (My DS has AS and my grandad had a stroke, things like that that) but the jobs I'm looking at mean that the education part of my degree are relevant - it's a BA hons in English with Religious Studies and Education.

Anyway, enough with the I'm finished uni, yay, lol

What I want to know is, I have absolutely no employment history at all, but lots of voluntary experience - I've been looking at jobs and a lot of them state no CVs, application forms only.

Can I put the voluntary stuff in employment history do you think? (obviously making it clear that they were voluntary positions) Or do I have to leave that blank and try and squeeze it in the other relevant information box?

For employment history, you don't actually write a list of jobs. You are supposed to consider what you are trying to apply for, then tailor what kind of things you've done while in employment that makes you suitable as a candidate for the new job. This means you can definitely use your voluntary experience in the employment history. And you need to think of examples showing you indeed have the qualities that are asked for. Basicallly answers to questions like this ones here.

And it's common to use an application form. But tha'ts just a CV with a fixed format, iyswim.

Good luck.

I mention the lack of CV, because of the fixed format - most of them have a whole page for employment and a tiny box for other experience...

I think the voluntary stuff is actually more relevant than any job I would have been able to get before studying anyway.

Cheers

I'd put your voluntary work in wherever you can.

We have application forms for posts here and the 'Other information' is usually the biggest box! even with an application form you should be able to attach additional sheets, so make sure its all down.

Voluntary work is always taken into consideration.

Agree with lilham , what they are looking for in your employment history is not just a list of jobs but skills / experience that you've acquired in those jobs.

I'd just pop (Voluntary) in brackets after the place of employment and dates, then go on to talk about skills / tasks / projects underneath.

Thanks :)

Like I said, I literally finished yesterday, lol, I had just had a bit of a look and got a bit scared that I had nothing to put for employment history - I've been studying, caring, doing voluntary things and I do offce admin for my DP (which I'd also be putting in) but with a big blank space I was worried it looks like I've been doing nothing at all.

I feel reassured now, lol

Oh and looking after the DC as well, obviously, rofl,

Ah you'll be fine. Congratulations on finishing uni too