With hindsight... (570 hits)
Category: NoneRating: -0.03 on 33 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by hannah (View user info) at 2006-04-11 07:11:10 EDT
Having recently finished university, I am currently looking for a position within an advertising or marketing company. Despite my lack of experience, I make up for this with hard work, commitment, excellent organisational skills, outstanding interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for the job. I am outgoing, confident, competative and would ideally like a position with potential. Please see attached my C.V. and thank-you for your time.
Regards, Hannah.
It seems that the professional world does not like lack of experience. Due to bad life choices, I decided to follow a career in teaching. Music. 6 months into my degree it dawned on me that music was not the career I was promised in school, nor was it my best subject. I gave up, and did the bare minimum to pass.
So here I sit, working for my dad, playing on the internet and writing meaningless posts on this site, waiting to be head hunted or offered even a glimmer of hope that, one day, I may actually amount to something more than a secretary.
Come to think of it, I'm hardly a secretary. I never have any work to do! Even this experience as a 'secretary' isn't enough to get me anywhere. I AM TOO UNEXPERIENCED TO EVEN WORK AS A SECRETARY FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN MY DAD. How pathetic?
The dreaded catch 22. You can't get a job because you have no experience. You have no experience because you can't get a job. I would like to think that I am capable of working in an advanced and intellectual environment. Despite my appearances, I can actually create some interesting pieces of work, although I have to admit, maybe writing novels isn't my thing.
Marketing and advertising jobs are few and far between, as you may already know. I need some sort of experience within a similar environment so I applied for a few recruitment consultant jobs. I went on a few interviews and failed - I have no idea what I failed on as they seemed to like me personally. Maybe it was my C.V. and lack of experience.
Yesterday I received a telephone call from a scottish lady, explaining that she has a vacnacy in recruitment and would I like to have a short interview then and there. I agreed and she asked me a few qustions about where I have worked and what roles I carried out. I explained that my cousin was into recruitment and the job description sounded like something I would enjoy and probably thrive at.
"So, what makes you think you would like to be a recruitment consultant then?"
"I would love to work within a faced pace environment and like the idea of working to deadlines. I also enjoy being busy and am quite motivated when working within a target driven environemtn."
"Interesting. What kind of qualities do you posess that would benifit our company?"
Now, at this point I thought it bast to take a step back, relax and think for a few seconds while I organise the answer in my head. I panic sometimes and felt I neaded to take a deep breath. "Erm, I don't know, I suppose...."
And she cut me off. I was just about to answer and she cut me off! I wish I had told her how rude she really was...
"You DON'T KNOW what kind of qualities you posess? What do you mean you don't know? From the point of view of our company, we require people who really thirst for this kind of position. Working in recruitment isn't just an easy ride you know. It is extremely target driven and you will not survive within this type of environment if you don't meet our requirements. I am looking for a candidate who has a hungar for recruitment, who lives for the commission, who can handle the pressurised environment and I don't think you would be suitable enough for this."
I was about to explain myself but there was no point now. How can I not want it enough? I need to get a foot in the door. I need to get more money so I can buy a house and begin to grow up. I want to feel job satisfaction. What I don't need is some jumped up bitch shouting at me down the phone, telling me I am worthless to her company and there are better candidates out there. I understand that this may be scare tactics and she does need the right person for the job, but I have had no experience within a real field. Sure, I'm going to need some guidance and training but that is what the company is supposed to provide.
I managed to get a word in and explained that I have had no previous experience within such an environment and have no idea what they expect, only what the job description tells me.
If I wasn't such a nice person (and actually had guts), it probably would have gon like this;
"Interesting. What kind of qualities do you posess that would benifit our company?"
"Erm, I don't know, I suppose...."
"You DON'T KNOW what kind of qualities you posess? What do you mean you don't know? From the point of view of our company, we require people who really thirst for this kind of position. Working in recruitment isn't just an easy ride you know. It is extremely target driven and you will not survive within this type of environment if you don't meet our requirements. I am looking for a candidate who has a hungar for recruitment, who lives for the commission, who can handle the pressurised environment and I don't think you would be suitable enough for this."
"First of all, if you had let me finish, I would have explained all of that to you in the first place. Second, if you are going to be so rude to your prospective employees, how do you expect to recruit anybody? And finally, from what I have just heard, I think I may take up the offer I had this morning because I wouldn't want to work for your company and end up in your position, I am quite clearly better than that, even without the experience. You might as well work in a call centre you scottish bitch."
I wish I had now. Damn it.
User Reviews
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-04-11 17:02:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
JOIN THE ARMY
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:15:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:12:43 (#)
Ranking: 0
Don't be a bitch Hannah. Be an adult.
For further reference "But she started it" is not a grown up phrase.
-----------
Damn. I was just about to say that.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:12:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Don't be a bitch Hannah. Be an adult.
For further reference "But she started it" is not a grown up phrase.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:11:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
another thing, who is dumb enough to mention a lack of experience in a resume? you don't mention your short comings you play up your strong points. did you seriously put that in there and expect a job?
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:09:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:05:20 (#)
Ranking: -2
you didn't die yet?
------------
You must have been picked on a lot at school. Searching the uber world to make yourself feel better or maybe trying to inflict the hurt that you felt as a child?
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-04-11 11:05:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
you didn't die yet?
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-04-11 10:54:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Ummm...I don't know.
Or, give a fuck.
If you're not sucking me off, we can never be friends.
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 10:40:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-04-11 10:20:05 (#)
Ranking: -1
Do you have any experience sucking dick?
If so, I have a "job" ready for you right here.
--------------
there are some positions i am far too qualified for. and there are others, like being a bin man, which i just wouldnt want to lower myself too. pick one which best describes the answer to your application.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-04-11 10:20:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Do you have any experience sucking dick?
If so, I have a "job" ready for you right here.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-04-11 09:33:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
And yes, I meant to say 'heave' and not 'have'
Whores
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-04-11 09:31:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It might be noted that I am also AMAZING at getting the best out of CVs having written literally of Hundreds for our students AND I actually heave a qualification in Human Resources.
I've also got the best job title EVER.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-04-11 09:27:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 09:06:42 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:59:17 (#)
Ranking: 0
Listen to Berty. He writes "I know the script for every episode of Button Moon ever" on his cv.
--------
That's an even better thing to put down than "give me the job and I won't sleep with your wife".
---
p.s. I am not bent, but I will do anything to get this job. Anything.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 09:06:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:59:17 (#)
Ranking: 0
Listen to Berty. He writes "I know the script for every episode of Button Moon ever" on his cv.
--------
That's an even better thing to put down than "give me the job and I won't sleep with your wife".
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:59:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Send it to yeastmonkey.at.hotmail.com
I'll look at it in a bit and give you whatever feedback I can.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:59:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Listen to Berty. He writes "I know the script for every episode of Button Moon ever" on his cv.
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:54:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
whats the link for berty? i can send u my cv if you want! obviously blanking out certain details! :)
Submitted by Brendon (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:44:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Get this book ->http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007197691/qid=1144759440/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/202-0742620-1022238
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:44:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:25:45 (#)
Ranking: 0
some interesting points berty, thanks.
however, i have tried to applie for other administrative positions and they say i havent got enough experience. i really dont understand the reason for this, unless they generally dont like my approach?!
-------------------
What positions have you applied for?
If you'd like, I can take a look at your CV for you. I can't promise much because I am, at the end of the day, not actually employed in HR.
http://www.itftennis.com/wheelchair/gallery/gallery.asp?id=112&sbmStatus=custom¤t=19274
Submitted by hour_man (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:26:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by fuzzy_buzz (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:48:31 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by georgemichael (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:24:19 (#)
Ranking: 2
i worked for my father for years and it wasnt too bad
---------------
Was that in a kebab shop?
---------------
Hahahahaha! This was...meh. Not good, not bad, just meh.
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:25:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
some interesting points berty, thanks.
however, i have tried to applie for other administrative positions and they say i havent got enough experience. i really dont understand the reason for this, unless they generally dont like my approach?!
Submitted by Sphagnum (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:04:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
W T F???
I'm not reading a single line of this horseshit.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 08:01:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Just remember that recruitment is a sales job. As is marketing really. It takes a certain kind of person to do sales work, not a bad sort od person obviously but a very specific kind of perosn. That's why they offer high salaries for relativly little qualifications or experience.
It's a good job if you can do it. I've tried it myself. I sucked.
Secratarial work isn't that bad by the way. It's not badly paid and it's quite diverse work. You can go quite far with being a personal assistant.
It all comes down to identifying what kind of work environment you'd be happy in. Finance takes a very orderly mind but tends to favour those who like routine. There are more dynamic aspects like insurance or credit control but the underlying skill sets neccesary to achieve are the same.
For IT based positions one must be prepared to undergo a career of constant training and also the occaisonal unsociable work pattern.
HR is primarily an administrative function that throws up interesting scenarios now and then.
Purchasing and logistics management often tends to require a lot of people management skills and the general ability to get things done, which is harder than it sounds.
I don't have much experience with works personnel so I couldn't tell you much about that area, but the rewards are there in terms of both financial gain and career prestige.
If you don't like the sound of any of that you could always try a graduate scheme, as long as it's been less than two years since you passed your degree and passed with a minimum of a 2:1. Otherwise you shouldn't bother.
Teaching is an interesting oppurtunity for the graduate who finished their studies a long time ago or did not do particularly well in their studies. Even the most dismal failiures can rise to giddy heights in the teaching proffesion. Indeed, the public sector is a very different animal to the private so you'd be better off speaking to Nath about his experiences is working for 'the man'.
Submitted by fuzzy_buzz (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:48:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by georgemichael (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:24:19 (#)
Ranking: 2
i worked for my father for years and it wasnt too bad
---------------
Was that in a kebab shop?
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:47:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
how do i know its really barts email address? its ok, ill just stick with my stupid labels! thanks anyway :)
and with regards to the advice on working in recruitment, thanks. i just thought it was her who was a cow, maybe its just the general job. 5 years of hell? thanks for giving the 'escape now' advice! i dont think ill be applying for any more jobs in that field!
Submitted by Hilarity_Ensues (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:40:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Method's right, the whole reason for the e-mail is to verify that you are really you. Besides, he just can't use your name and password without authorization. It's against the rules.
Submitted by fuzzy_buzz (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:38:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
A word of advice. I worked in recruitment for nearly 5 years and it was undoubtably the worst 5 years of my life. That lady gave you a taster of what it is like to work in that sort of business environment, belive me.
I worked for two of the largest companys in the UK and they were both equally awful.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:32:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bad Method, no biscuit.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:29:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
well, how the hell is he supposed to know if it's really you, and not someone posing as you, if you don't send him your user name and password?
I mean, geez, the man's gotta worry about people stealing passwords, you know. It happens way too often around here. Happened even to me, and let me tell you, I was FURIOUS.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:29:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Okay. First things first, why do you want to work in marketing/advertising? It's an awful world full of lies, poorly conceived objectives, rushed deadlines and the dreaded 'project'. There's no real job security and it's really just a less hands on sales position. It's a hellish environment full of misery and despair. You'd have more job satisfaction working in an abatoir.
The same holds true for a 'recruitment specialist'. They tote themselves as HR practioners when they're nothing more than salesmen. Again, it's an awful shitty job and not one you want to get involved in. Plus your 'product', the people you foist on hapless companies are some of the lowliest dregs of humanity that can actually be found in the employment market.
Chill though, Berty is here with all the answers. The bad news is that most places do indeed want experience, the good news is that they will often settle for job related experience. The most obvious route into the world at work is through administration. With one or two years of general admin experience (which can be gained in areas like customer service) a person can move on to more specified administrative roles in other departments, gaining skills and experience that can be used to move into the area you want to be in.
During all this you can do training courses paid for by your company in your spare time. You should also talk to your boss about development programs, i.e. "I want more money and prestige, what would you expect from me in order to achieve that?".
Any further questions, I would reccomend asking somebody cleverererer than me.
Submitted by georgemichael (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:24:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i worked for my father for years and it wasnt too bad
Submitted by angel_2k01 (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:23:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i was going to - but ive not had the chance. besides, im kinda dubious about emailing my password to him, seein as he should already have it.
Submitted by Beano312003 (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:23:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Hannah
I may actually amount to something more than a secretary.
=======================
I a-mounted more than a secretary once.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-04-11 07:12:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bart said you never emailed him at cilfone.bart @ gmail.com with your user name and password, and the list of posts and labels you want deleted.
He doesn't have all day, you know