Job Searching: Careers Right For You

Unfortunately, it is a sign of the times that it is harder now than ever for people to find a job in any sector, let alone one they actually want to work in.

However, it is important to remember that relevant experience in one sector can, in some cases, be helpful in gaining a job in a different area of business, especially if the skills are transferable.

The problem most people have is that most employers want experience from people, whilst for most people, to gain that experience, they need to get a job, an unfortunate example of the classic “chicken and egg” situation.

I have found that the answer to this is voluntary work / work experience, as this allows an employer to see what your work ethic is like without actually having to pay you.

The most important thing to remember when working on a voluntary basis, is that employers may ask you to do tasks that they don’t want to do themselves, for example making the tea.

This is something that you will need to do in order to prove to employers that you are willing to “start from the bottom” so to speak, and work your way up to whatever positions they may have available in the future.

Although working for free may seem undesirable to some people, it is definitely worthwhile, as it means you gain valuable experience, and in some cases, this can lead to either a temporary or permanent position with the same employer, depending on how hard you work during your voluntary placement.

One of the best times for such opportunities is during the busy seasons, due to the fact that temporary workers are often needed during these times, meaning that most employers would definitely say yes to free workers, as it would save them money.

Although there are many sectors that have such opportunities available, the one with the most vacancies seems to be the retail sector, especially within the major supermarket chains, as these are often the busiest shops of all at any time of year.

Finally, voluntary work isn’t for everyone, although for most people, it is definitely something worth looking in to, especially if you have a lot of time on your hands or have been out of work for quite a long time.

Whatever you do decide to do to gain more work experience, best of luck to you all.

Article by John Courtenay @ Career advice website – The Dole Cave