New graduate daughter can’t find work

[Bluelagoon02]

This is my first post so please be kind to me. I’m writing about my daughter who graduated last July (2024). Although she managed to get some interviews she hasn’t been able to secure anything yet. Her moods are quiet low and she also lost touch with most of her Uni friends. I’m seriously concerned for her physical and mental wellbeing. She was always very shy but Uni life really helped her develop. She was totally transformed and happy too. She also lived in Spain for a whole year which was part of her Uni business course. This is so frustrating but I can’t get upset with her. She has been looking for anything and keeps receiving rejection after rejection. It’s so heartbreaking to see her so sad and alone in her room all the time. I also looked for jobs for her but she does prefer to keep looking herself. She also applied for volunteering work with no success. I am very scared to lose her if something doesn’t come up soon. Any advice is truly appreciated. Thank you

@bluelagoon02 I recruit grads regularly into a team of 100 who are involved with engagement and marketing, mentor for a university and have written some materials to help my team apply for promotions. It sounds like her interview technique isn't right. Feel free to PM me and I will share my LinkedIn profile. She can connect with me and I will share the materials I have developed. I'd be happy to offer her a mock interview and see if I can help refine her technique.

I helped my own daughter (also a business graduate from last year) get her first grad job. She did an internship and was then offered the chance to build her own grad scheme with the same company.

@Bluelagoon02
as I mentioned previously volunteering in as hook S classroom assistant might be a good way to improve her confidence and provide some sort of routine.

Foidbanks too. She could even offer marketing to them once she’s there and sees how they operate.

it is v difficult for graduates atm.
I work in student advice and I see that young people have to apply for many jobs. I’ve heard of 80 before.

check out apprenticeships too as I’ve seen a few digital marketing opportunities.

Has she looked on Local Authority job pages? Our LA are forever recruiting for admin staff and there is scope to move departments to follow her strengths once she has a foot in the door. Son went to LA after A levels through an agency initially.
Daughter initially worked at M&S as she had during sixth form moved from there to banking and then to LA. When she decided to leave her school role a month ago it took her two weeks to secure a role at a neighbouring LA working remotely.

Really good in the UK but not worldwide - sorry most North Americans won’t have heard of it:

It sounds like maybe 🤔 f she is getting some interviews but hasn’t been successful they are aware of her no experience so she may need to work on her interviewing skills. You mentioned she is quiet - she may come across as quiet and nervous. May be an area to consider.

Also, she needs to speak directly to recruitment agencies. They know of upcoming roles and have a line into companies. Try there (apologies if this has already been suggested).

The languages are interesting but not relevant or decision defining in most UK companies. The universal business language is English so unless she works for an Italian company for example this won’t be defining.

What stands her apart - that is your key question. When she is up against a load of university grads who all have similar degrees what is it that is going to set her apart? Without direct experience it will be a confident and engaging personality in interview.

OP I would also just say while it’s personal to you and feels extra difficult I have known of many experienced professional who have struggled to find work for months and months. The market is tough right now. So it isn’t personal.

I wound suggest if she hasn’t already to get on LinkedIn, build her network and take free online courses abiut interviews and cvs. Agencies can sometimes provide this too. Good luck.

Going to a top university doesn't even guarantee a job. My DS has a 2.1 from a really top tier 1 UK Uni. He then went to a tier 2 uni (but still RG)for master's and got a merit. Still found the job market incredibly hard

Just to say, it’s really tough out there for graduates. They have worked hard on their degree and there are actually very few graduate/entry level jobs. My daughter had a very similar degree and issue, it took a year to find something and in the end she got it after attending loads of events/networking events.

One thing my daughter did that really lifted her spirits and confidence was Camp America, its fun, its paid and it gave her something on her CV. They are recruiting now for a May start - it’s about 8 -10 weeks work, great experience and would give you DD a much needed lift?

Beyond that, I would say internships, modern apprenticeships, volunteering, job shadowing - anything that gives her something connections and a sense of what the jobs might be like.

Would you consider paying for private counselling? (Since NHS lists are so long). Sometimes it's difficult to be truthful with parents.

As well as actively looking for jobs she should also try and get out of the house and into places where she can strike up conversations with people like a gym or short course at a local college.

It is amazing how positive things can come out of a random conversation with somebody and she might get a tip off about a job. If nothing else it will do her good to have a chat and hopefully a laugh with somebody.

Also how are her friends doing? Have they all managed to get jobs? Is she in touch with them, because they might be a good source of support and a chance to have a moan and commiserate about the situation. It can be cathartic to let it all out.

My DD did Camp America and loved it and hated it in equal measure! It was hard, hard work but she made so many friends and her camp was gorgeous, in California near Santa Cruz in the forest. And it's been amazing for her CV.

I would definitely recommend it for OP DD even if it's completely out of her comfort zone which imo is all the more reason to do it.

I haven’t RTFT just OP’s updates however I would suggest a few things and they have probably all been suggested but they helped me:

1. volunteering - I know you mentioned this and others have too, there masses of options. I did the Youth Justice Service, sitting on panels deciding on the outcome of resolution fot young offenders low level offending and also the Probation Sevice, helping offenders in the personal lives to stay on track. This was around 2010 so need to check if they still allow it. There was all sorts of people doing it.
2. Cover supervisor - working in schools to cover lessons when a teacher needs to leave, usually it’s emergency cover for appointments and childcare etc. most agencies just ask for a degree. She doesn’t need to know the subject, just have enough knowledge to help them complete the work that has been set and look after their welfare. I did it for a year and it gave me lots to talk about in interviews.
3. Could she look at joining an agency who offer translation services?

i can lead a horse to water....

Have her take a look at reachvolunteering.org.uk – lots of marketing, communications, general business help needed and lots of remote opportunities; for quite small unsexy charities but great for skills building and chances to do things like develop a charity’s digital strategy or run social media etc. Low time commitments so would fit around a bar job or any job while waiting for the dream job.

@Littlemisssavvy I heard of Camp America. That would be so awesome. My son is getting married in June so my DD can’t really apply for it, what a shame. We really need to think outside the box but it’s getting harder and harder each day that passes by. Thanks anyway

@nationalsausagefund Thanks for the shout. I’ll pass on the message.

@Woollyguru sadly she cut herself off from most of her friends. I guess she is embarrassed she hasn’t found a job yet. Very sad really.

@TheOTC I can imagine. Sounds that having a first or a Master doesn’t guarantee anything. In the end it’s just pure luck.

She could adjust her expectations. It is hard out there rn Many are in similar positions unfortunately

@Rainingalldayonmyhead Many thanks for this. It is helpful.

@Splendud thanks so much for offering. I just pm you x

As well as actively looking for jobs she should also try and get out of the house and into places where she can strike up conversations with people

I was going to say this. Out of the house each day for a walk and some fresh air - especially now we are getting some sunshine (at least where I am). Don't use headphones, use eyes and ears and pay attention to the world around her. Strike up conversations anywhere - charity shops, local visitor attractions, especially small obscure ones, local libraries. They all use volunteers. Show interest in other people and what they do. If she gets known as a friendly, interested person, opportunities may arise.

Also look at Adult Ed classes starting after Easter. The subject doesn't matter really as long as it's something that interests her. It's to give her a routine, get her out of the house and meeting people.

Marketing is ultimately about people isn't it, so interacting with and learning about people is useful experience, as well as good for mental health.

Not yet. These efforts were over the past few years for jobs. Last summer we faced another uphill struggle as she tried to find summer jobs. It was tense again. But she ended up in her university city working with an agency doing catering and bar work. Before she found that, she was rejected by even the previously awful cleaning job, housekeep. Even though they were exploitative and cruel, she was that desperate. They rejected her saying she wasnt a good fit. 😫 There were two options she was pursuing out of desperation. One was residental volunteering just to get her out of the despair. The other was trying to get a job at a festival.

But last night I met up with her in London, where she was doing an assessment centre for an internship. She's been rejected from them all so far. We went out for dinner and I said don't take it too seriously, it's random who they pick. And it really is. I've recruited tens of people and been involved in hundreds. It's very rare that an application and interview process is successful. The best workers are not usually the ones that do well at interview. Different people shine.

Once your daughter gets a job, and it will happen eventually, she will work her way up. I hope you can diversify her interests in the meantime to keep her safe🙏

@anon666 thanks again x You sound like a great Mum. It’s really hard to keep going but somehow our girls will get through it 🫂

Can you afford a gym membership for her? Can she get herself to a gym? Exercise would boost endorphins.

Does she take a vitamin D supplement - if she doesn't leave her room much she needs vitamin D from some source other than sunshine. A deficiency can lead to symptoms of depression.

With her three languages, I'd be applying to hotel jobs in a major city - international chains, as well as national brands.

She should seriously consider a postgrad course in hospitality management.

Definitely do a low paid unrelated job in the meantime. Anything will do - just get out of the house. Bar work or something interacting with others is best. When you’re ‘out and about’ like this you never know who you will meet. That’s when other doors open. My daughter was in the same boat. She worked in a delicatessen after Uni and found a suitable job offer through someone she got to know as a customer!

@Bluelagoon02 Some ideas to add for consideration…

For immediate here and now money, she could use her language skills and provide online conversation practise and coaching to pupils studying at GCSE/ A level. Also, she could coach students doing Business Studies at A level. Companies like Tutor Crunch - there are a few good ones - are worth talking to.

Tour guiding companies always need guides that are fluent in European languages. My sister guides visitors who are French and German who arrive via Dover and Southampton and day-trip to London, Canterbury and other south coast places of interest.

Casinos are always looking for people to train as croupiers - there is a high dropout rate because of the antisocial hours.

For medium term money, she could train as a management accountant or an auditing accountant. This would directly support her Business Administration aspirations and they take people at all levels (GCSE, A and degree level). The thing with accountancy is that progression is based on passing professional exams - similarly for Purchasing and Supply specialisms. Companies like AZETs and RSM are always advertising for trainees. They seem to have a rolling recruitment process.

I would also echo those who suggested the Civil Service. They train you well and training in being a commercial/ contracts person is directly transferable to the private sector.

Finally she could also consider the military. And apply for a short service commission or one of the admin trades. Both would give great training and don’t necessarily involve being sent into harm’s way.

It is very dispiriting being continually knocked back. I hope she gets something soon.