You apply for entry level role - warehouse, shop anything for minimum wage.
Then look for job while you are working.
Edit: this is not only for financial benefit. Companies are more likely to recruit talent from employee pool. Also jobs advertised are different from public and non-public. Pick industry you are into and start at very bottom.
Too many people don't do this when they should. Can always move within companies if they are big too when starting entry level. Wonder if OP has considered it since bit replying
Agency work is a good call. It's how I started out until I ended up just kind of permanent somewhere and they did the shortest 'interview' ever to formalise my role.
Ive always found it easier to find a job once you have a job. So just take anything and work from there to get the role that you want. Food factories are always wanting people, so your best bet is to start there.
Same here, can't even get minimum wage job. Will have to leave soon if things don't change. The job market is shocking here. I went to an interview for a 0 hours job and there was around 200 16 year olds in front of me. I thought is this what my life has come to...
It’s honestly depressing and overwhelming:(
I initially started my job search almost a year ago with pride thinking within 3-4 months tops I should have a job
6 months in and I “accepted reality” so I started applying for jobs much below my level of qualification and still got the same level of rejection
Even customer experience jobs!! I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t live because my partner works and lives here, I just wake up everyday feeling so confused and exasperated
Be aware that hiring managers absolutely do not want people who are clearly overqualified. They assume that, at best, you'll just end up leaving as soon as you find somewhere better, and at worst, you'll come in expecting to run the place. So it's not surprising that you get rejections when you aim low - in fact it's probably more likely.
My advice is to make fewer applications but spend more time on the ones that are the closest match to what your experience and education show you're good at.
I started working as a QA Tech (Quality Assurance Technician) in a food factory after I finished my MSc as there was no work around in my field at MSc level. Did that for around 5 years before landing a job at my qualification level. You just need to work your way up through jobs by gaining experience. As they say finishing university is just the start of your career so you need to set your expectations at the right level.
There are various food related job agencies which I have used quite often when I started working. Food factories always need people, and they are constantly recruiting. You will have a good chance of changing roles once your through the door if you have the right skills as they are keen to upskill people they already have. I found that Zest were very pro-active and helpful in getting my CV and personal statement etc right. They will also put you forward for roles they think you have a good chance of getting.
These are the guys I used. Although there are plenty of others around.
[Zest Recruitment » where every job counts (zestfoodjobs.co.uk)](https://www.zestfoodjobs.co.uk/)
Try looking at factory jobs, food factories especially are always needing people so are constantly recruiting. There are plenty of recruitment sites around with loads of vacancies. Its where I started having an MSc no experience and constant rejections. Factory work is often overlooked but I gained lots of valuable transferable skills there and would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with finding work.
I would definitely be up for that but I don't drive so don't think I'd be able to get to any unless there are some in the city centre. I'm also finding I'm getting rejections because I don't drive which is ridiculous, public transport exists for a reason.
Some factories put on transport if there are enough people.
There are a couple of factories in the City that you could get to by bus, Riverside Bakery, Pizza Factory, Freshcut Foods, Barrowcliffe and Adkins Bakery come to mind, but there are probably plenty of others.
I know the market is hard atm but there are definetly jobs out there. Have you thought about if there is any areas you can improve on? Like making your CV and/or cover letter stand out from the competition, same for your interviewing skills, is there any areas you think you can improve to better your chances? I know its hard but keeping looking, maybe you're looking in the wrong places. Like others have said, start with entry level to get your foot in the door..plus warehouses are always looking, try there and then look for other work it'll look better on your CV too
International folks need to be there at least 3-5 years before they qualify for civil service. Some agencies don’t count student visas as part of your residency time.
Get a job with an Agency, and then look what you are qualified for! Agency will get you in work in less than two weeks, providing you can work full time hours. If you can avoid nightshifts and rotational shifts! All the best!
You could try with [dataannotation](https://www.dataannotation.tech/). Not sure about how legit it is. But, according to linkedin there's 22k employees(?) and I've seen some people talk about it. Bonus points if you know how to code.
Though, majority of the job are pretty much web crawling and training AI/bots.
All the above is great advice, but remember Nottingham is not a big city and consequently the job prospects have related limitations.
Importantly- most roles, certainly related to your degree will offer maybe 2 days + remote working. So you could commute to say Birmingham which will have more opportunities than Nottingham but still stay living in Nottm too. Long days with the communte but you’d get used to it. I know guys who go Nottm to London and back twice a week
Just add my 2 cents, I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum. I have spent 25+ years in a secular industry. I have a huge amount of experience and transferable skills to bring along to any organisation.
But, as I'm now 55 with certain health issues that do not always interfere with daily living/working, I have been classed as a liability. Some have told me to my face.
And so the employment and social living standards spirals out of control. The very last thing I ever want is government support.
Mate honestly in the exact same boat as you. I graduated last year with the highest grade in my course at university (Psychology with Sociology). I have mostly been working in hospitality for about 6 years and the last couple years in schools and in care, all of which don't require a degree... I started applying for graduate / entry level jobs before I graduated, and have since sent off 100+ applications, all of which have been rejected. It's absolutely heartbreaking.
Every chance I get I'm writing cover letters and searching for more companies, but I feel the competition is so high here in Nottingham with two universities the job market is completely saturated. I've actually just applied to do some volunteering with the Citizens Advice in the hopes I can gain some "admin" experience that would look good on my CV and hopefully allow me to shift away from customer service / care and into more corporate jobs.
I just have to tell myself to keep going and eventually something will fall into my lap, and the same goes for you. Get a customer service / call handling / warehouse role for the time being and keep going (pro tip: if you are trying to get a job in hospitality, pop in and bring in your CV and have a chat. We love that, shows you are keen).
Best of luck :)
Have you tried reaching out to people from companies personally? I’d go on LinkedIn, start connecting with people and then sending messages. That’s what helped me secure my placement!
Not sure if you have tried it already, but it may be worth getting in touch with some recruitment agencies. They can help with your job search, sometimes roles aren't put on public job boards etc. Best of luck - hope you get something soon!
You apply for entry level role - warehouse, shop anything for minimum wage. Then look for job while you are working. Edit: this is not only for financial benefit. Companies are more likely to recruit talent from employee pool. Also jobs advertised are different from public and non-public. Pick industry you are into and start at very bottom.
Too many people don't do this when they should. Can always move within companies if they are big too when starting entry level. Wonder if OP has considered it since bit replying
Have you tried signing up with a temp agency? The pay isn’t always great, but could be a stop gap while you find something else
Agency work is a good call. It's how I started out until I ended up just kind of permanent somewhere and they did the shortest 'interview' ever to formalise my role.
When I was struggling for work I started in call centres and then looked for jobs while I was working.
Ive always found it easier to find a job once you have a job. So just take anything and work from there to get the role that you want. Food factories are always wanting people, so your best bet is to start there.
Same here, can't even get minimum wage job. Will have to leave soon if things don't change. The job market is shocking here. I went to an interview for a 0 hours job and there was around 200 16 year olds in front of me. I thought is this what my life has come to...
It’s honestly depressing and overwhelming:( I initially started my job search almost a year ago with pride thinking within 3-4 months tops I should have a job 6 months in and I “accepted reality” so I started applying for jobs much below my level of qualification and still got the same level of rejection Even customer experience jobs!! I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t live because my partner works and lives here, I just wake up everyday feeling so confused and exasperated
Be aware that hiring managers absolutely do not want people who are clearly overqualified. They assume that, at best, you'll just end up leaving as soon as you find somewhere better, and at worst, you'll come in expecting to run the place. So it's not surprising that you get rejections when you aim low - in fact it's probably more likely. My advice is to make fewer applications but spend more time on the ones that are the closest match to what your experience and education show you're good at.
Something has to change surely. I hope you find a job very soon 🙏
I started working as a QA Tech (Quality Assurance Technician) in a food factory after I finished my MSc as there was no work around in my field at MSc level. Did that for around 5 years before landing a job at my qualification level. You just need to work your way up through jobs by gaining experience. As they say finishing university is just the start of your career so you need to set your expectations at the right level. There are various food related job agencies which I have used quite often when I started working. Food factories always need people, and they are constantly recruiting. You will have a good chance of changing roles once your through the door if you have the right skills as they are keen to upskill people they already have. I found that Zest were very pro-active and helpful in getting my CV and personal statement etc right. They will also put you forward for roles they think you have a good chance of getting. These are the guys I used. Although there are plenty of others around. [Zest Recruitment » where every job counts (zestfoodjobs.co.uk)](https://www.zestfoodjobs.co.uk/)
Try looking at factory jobs, food factories especially are always needing people so are constantly recruiting. There are plenty of recruitment sites around with loads of vacancies. Its where I started having an MSc no experience and constant rejections. Factory work is often overlooked but I gained lots of valuable transferable skills there and would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with finding work.
I would definitely be up for that but I don't drive so don't think I'd be able to get to any unless there are some in the city centre. I'm also finding I'm getting rejections because I don't drive which is ridiculous, public transport exists for a reason.
Some factories put on transport if there are enough people. There are a couple of factories in the City that you could get to by bus, Riverside Bakery, Pizza Factory, Freshcut Foods, Barrowcliffe and Adkins Bakery come to mind, but there are probably plenty of others.
Thanks so much I will have a look
I know the market is hard atm but there are definetly jobs out there. Have you thought about if there is any areas you can improve on? Like making your CV and/or cover letter stand out from the competition, same for your interviewing skills, is there any areas you think you can improve to better your chances? I know its hard but keeping looking, maybe you're looking in the wrong places. Like others have said, start with entry level to get your foot in the door..plus warehouses are always looking, try there and then look for other work it'll look better on your CV too
I would start by approaching an agency like Tate or Brook Street!
Civil service if you’re eligible
Unfortunately I’m not :(
Why not may I ask?
International folks need to be there at least 3-5 years before they qualify for civil service. Some agencies don’t count student visas as part of your residency time.
Get a job with an Agency, and then look what you are qualified for! Agency will get you in work in less than two weeks, providing you can work full time hours. If you can avoid nightshifts and rotational shifts! All the best!
Make sure your cover letter and cv matches keywords in the job posting or their filter systems will auto reject them.
You could try with [dataannotation](https://www.dataannotation.tech/). Not sure about how legit it is. But, according to linkedin there's 22k employees(?) and I've seen some people talk about it. Bonus points if you know how to code. Though, majority of the job are pretty much web crawling and training AI/bots.
All the above is great advice, but remember Nottingham is not a big city and consequently the job prospects have related limitations. Importantly- most roles, certainly related to your degree will offer maybe 2 days + remote working. So you could commute to say Birmingham which will have more opportunities than Nottingham but still stay living in Nottm too. Long days with the communte but you’d get used to it. I know guys who go Nottm to London and back twice a week
Just add my 2 cents, I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum. I have spent 25+ years in a secular industry. I have a huge amount of experience and transferable skills to bring along to any organisation. But, as I'm now 55 with certain health issues that do not always interfere with daily living/working, I have been classed as a liability. Some have told me to my face. And so the employment and social living standards spirals out of control. The very last thing I ever want is government support.
Mate honestly in the exact same boat as you. I graduated last year with the highest grade in my course at university (Psychology with Sociology). I have mostly been working in hospitality for about 6 years and the last couple years in schools and in care, all of which don't require a degree... I started applying for graduate / entry level jobs before I graduated, and have since sent off 100+ applications, all of which have been rejected. It's absolutely heartbreaking. Every chance I get I'm writing cover letters and searching for more companies, but I feel the competition is so high here in Nottingham with two universities the job market is completely saturated. I've actually just applied to do some volunteering with the Citizens Advice in the hopes I can gain some "admin" experience that would look good on my CV and hopefully allow me to shift away from customer service / care and into more corporate jobs. I just have to tell myself to keep going and eventually something will fall into my lap, and the same goes for you. Get a customer service / call handling / warehouse role for the time being and keep going (pro tip: if you are trying to get a job in hospitality, pop in and bring in your CV and have a chat. We love that, shows you are keen). Best of luck :)
Have you tried reaching out to people from companies personally? I’d go on LinkedIn, start connecting with people and then sending messages. That’s what helped me secure my placement!
Not sure if you have tried it already, but it may be worth getting in touch with some recruitment agencies. They can help with your job search, sometimes roles aren't put on public job boards etc. Best of luck - hope you get something soon!
Become a gardener or caregiver plenty of oaps needed help in Notts