Curtains Down, Curtains Up

You've shaken a hand, a piece of paper has been handed to you and you've thrown your hat in the air. The curtain closes on your university career and you are expected to become a productive member of society. For me, this was an amazing experience and as a result, I got to do the most satisfying thing I have ever done; I updated my CV to say "BA in..."

"Done" I thought. "I'm sorted now. I'll send this bad boy out and watch the interviews and offers come rolling in". I'm going to try and say this without sounding arrogant, but I genuinely thought that would happen. I know the job market is horrible at the moment and the people who were one "Senior Account Managers" are having to take "Junior Account Manager" jobs to make ends meet but I honestly thought I could be different. Stand above my peers and fill a niche that a company desperately needs filled.

To begin with, I sent my CV's out into the internet at a relaxed rate. I had holidays booked, I wanted to lay on a beach somewhere after three years of working hard at uni. So I sent my list of experiences out into the world only to not hear back from a single one of those companies. That was fine, I didn't even want a job at the point. I had the rest of my loan to live off and I just wanted to enjoy my summer.

It was when I sent off my 20th CV that I started to panic. I was nervous and angry at the fact that companies wouldn't even take five minutes to write me a "Sorry, better luck next time" email. I shouldn't had let this get to me. I know now that companies don't have time to answer everyone otherwise they would never get anything done. At the time though, this left me wound up tight without any direction in how to make myself more presentable to potential employers. I had to take drastic measures.

I started giving my CV to anyone who would read it. Friends, parents of friends, my family, anyone! I then consolidated everything they told me into one CV to make my ULTIMATE CV! This is the best advice I can give, let everyone read and edit it. I can share some points but I know nothing compared to the amount of experience those around you have.

I learnt that you have to tailor each CV for the role you are applying for whether that's in an office, a dance company or a coffee shop. I got shown that it isn't enough to display your achievements, you have to expand on them and explain why they will make you invaluable to any employer. Finally, also put "References on request" rather than pick two at random to put on there. This means that you can pick the best reference for the job you are applying for.

These were three simple things I learnt from asking for help rather than sitting in my room getting annoyed because I wasn't getting there. If you're in a rut, try it. It will help, I promise.

Until next time,
Tom

Level 1...

Coming out of university, I've found that I am not prepared for the world like I always assumed I would be. University is a bubble that teaches you to become sort of self-sufficient. I can cook for myself, clean my clothes (probably not as well as I should be able to) and I have an extensive selection of fancy dress garments that I can call upon at any time. But does this mean I'm set? No. A lot of the time, I still feel like a child trying to figure out what I want to do with my life.

A little about me: I just graduated from uni with a 2:1. I spent three years forming a group of very tight friends, going to lectures like a good student and becoming more well-rounded as a person over all. As pathetic and clichéd as it sounds, I'm lost without that security. I want to run back into its arms and have it whisper to me that "it's all going to be okay". But I'm not going to do that. I'm going to wear suit trousers, and I'm going to amble into adulthood as best as I can.

So this blog is about that. Me becoming a graduate and starting at Level 1 on a new game I don’t quite know how to play. Me getting over the fact that I'm no longer in my comfort zone. Me whining a whole lot, in all likelihood. I'll try and throw in the odd funny anecdote where I can, and I’ll try to be helpful too. I hope this might even set up some third years on their way out of uni, so they don’t feel like they’re about to jump into deep freezing water from a great height. The transition is hard, but if I (a man who gets so overwhelmed by being an adult sometimes he has to sit in the corner and eat Wotsits until he feels better) can do it, then so can anyone.

Everything I write on this is going to be factual, though I will change names and places though to retain that little bit of mystery.

Until next time,
Tom