[siffles93]

I finish my exams next week..and REALLY need a part time summer job. I'm going to all of my local shopping centres and i'm going to hand out my CV everywhere. Has anyone had any luck like this? Is it worth a try? I've applied to all the jobs available online, and there aren't much..I'm looking for retail preferably

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

On one lucky occasion I did it and managed to get a job from one shop. But on the dozens of other times I've done it I've been unsuccessful from everywhere I went. Seems like a bit of a luck thing, but give it a go anyway as you might get lucky.

[LRPerkin]

Completely in the same boat. I have decided to stay at the place I've come to uni at for the summer. Literally send out about 20 CV's and applied at loads of places online (Online applications take the p*ss tbh) Been doing this for the past 4 weeks and only just got a callback from Clarks. A few people I know have got jobs straight away just handing out CV's, although many large companies tell you just to check if there are any jobs online and don't accept CV's. Just keep going giving out CVs etc, the more you apply to the more chance you'll get something!!

[aeterno]

Handing out a bunch of generic CVs hardly works anymore. Most shops have an online application system so any CVs you hand in to these shops will get thrown away (I've worked in shops like these and the manager just bins them in every one of these shops). It might work in smaller shops/those without online systems/those with adverts in the window but, again, make sure it isn't just a generic CV. Unless your CV is particularly impressive as it is or the manager is pretty desperate for anyone, it's unlikely you'll get a job this way because it's pretty damn obvious when you're going around handing in the same CV to every shop in sight. Don't give off the impression of 'I need a job/I need money' but 'I'm the perfect employee for you'. With advertised jobs, hand in a cover letter with your CV and, if at all possible, hand it to the manager personally so you know they've got it.

[jennaz77]

I got a job at pret a manger that way, although that was nearly 3 years ago. I'm not sure if it still works like that.

[RedFeltTipPen]

I'm in a similar boat. I recently handed out about 10 CVs to various shops and just got a call about a job interview, so I guess it does work.

However, several places wouldn't accept my CV and said I could only apply online (eg. Next, M&S, River Island, H&M). Other places (eg. Lush) said they only accepted CVs when there was a vacancy being advertised in the window.

So my advice would be, give it a go, as each shop does things differently. Hopefully the shop would refuse to accept your CV if they were just going to bin it!

[Terpsikhore]

Just afer I left uni, I sent out a ton of CVs and emails begging for work experience. One firm told me they were too small to offer work experience, but a month later offered me an interview and subsequently a job, so sometimes you DO strike lucky.

In general, I'd say small independent places are more likely to keep your CV on file and actually bear you in mind for vacancies than big chain stores.

[pomme de terre]

We get a whole ton of CVs handed in at our work, some people do get jobs that way. But in my work at least the CV isn't really that important, it's the impression you give when you hand it in... people who are just like "hey can I give you my cv? ok thanks see ya!".... no chance!

[lovestoned]

I don't mean to scare you off but I left school last year and I've been doing this ever since and it's got me absolutely nowhere. This isn't to say its not gonna get you anywhere but the only time I've gotten in the door anywhere for an interview was phoning up a place when they're recruiting and also because a friend of mine already works there. Sometimes these days its not what you know, it's who you know.

Good luck in the job hunting. I wish you all the best. It's blooming hard!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[cranie1993]

I was in this position however after filling in about 15-20 if not more online applications, wandering round various shopping centres handing in CVs, and sending off another 10 in the post to local companies I found a position which was better than I hoped. Moral of the story - keep trying ... perseverance costs nothing and in the end I'm sure you will find something Good luck

[diving_queen]

(Original post by siffles93)
I finish my exams next week..and REALLY need a part time summer job. I'm going to all of my local shopping centres and i'm going to hand out my CV everywhere. Has anyone had any luck like this? Is it worth a try? I've applied to all the jobs available online, and there aren't much..I'm looking for retail preferably

Yep. Its how I got all my jobs.

By handing out your CV personally your potential employee's see a few things, 1) That you have the confidence to do it. Because trust me, not everyone does. I went to the job centre when I first left school and they asked me how i'd been researching jobs. I said 'handing out CV's' and the woman genuinely praised me. Sounds stupid, but yes. Not everyone does it!

And 2) Your appearance. Some job's want people who look a certain way. By handing your CV out directly to them they see how you present yourself.

So yes, keep trying with handing CV's out. I've always found if you engage in a conversation with the recipient of the CV you become more memorable. Rushing in, mumbling something and handing it to them rarely achieves anything. Especially if they have signs advertising jobs ask the rough hours, if its part time could it potentially go full time, whats the pay etc etc. Make yourself known

Anyway good luck. Through determination and perseverance you WILL find something.

[M1011]

Little tip, hand your CV in to big retail stores a few weeks before their sales period. They'll need extra staff for a few days, so it's a good opportunity to get your foot in the door. Worked for me back when I was getting my first job (Next) a few years back.

[Indieboohoo]

(Original post by pomme de terre)
We get a whole ton of CVs handed in at our work, some people do get jobs that way. But in my work at least the CV isn't really that important, it's the impression you give when you hand it in... people who are just like "hey can I give you my cv? ok thanks see ya!".... no chance!

So what are you supposed to do entertain them by singing or doing back flips

"Here is my CV please take it pleeeeaaasssseee I wish nothing but the best for you too" (imagine it sung in an Adele's voice to Someone Like You - it worked in my head )

[Clare~Bear]

Last year I phoned up a lot of places in the area. At least that way they can't ignore you just by throwing away/forgetting about your CV. In the end a cafe, where I'd been going with ym family for years accepted me. I took my CV with me to my interview. But I only did it this way, cos I live in a rural area, so the petrol to get to all the places to hand out CVs would be greater than the phone bill and probably the cost of printing them out!Plus I don't drive, so my mum would have to taxi me around which she wouldn't be happy with.

[pomme de terre]

(Original post by Indieboohoo)
So what are you supposed to do entertain them by singing or doing back flips

"Here is my CV please take it pleeeeaaasssseee I wish nothing but the best for you too" (imagine it sung in an Adele's voice to Someone Like You - it worked in my head )

yea good luck getting a job

[AndrewJames]

I did , try industrial estates as well , lots of smaller business that may need a helping hand , gave me a part time job for the last two years I have even been working from home doing work for the same company for the last few months as well. Also don't mail, email or phone them , do it in person.

[Indieboohoo]

(Original post by pomme de terre)
yea good luck getting a job

I detect sarcasm there

You still didn't answer the question

[Jellytots122]

Someone should a "how to hand in CV into shops" guide because I honestly don't know where to begin doing it, how to make the CV general, what to say, how to present yourself. I desperately need a job too!

[Tateco]

(Original post by Indieboohoo)
So what are you supposed to do entertain them by singing or doing back flips

"Here is my CV please take it pleeeeaaasssseee I wish nothing but the best for you too" (imagine it sung in an Adele's voice to Someone Like You - it worked in my head )

Why not go the whole hog and finish the line... DON'T FORGET ME, I BEG!!!!!!!!!

[gribeiro94]

Using connections is good (i.e. people you already know at those stores) but handing out CVs in person just isn't worth the time, from my experience. Networking is the most important thing, otherwise use good job sites and online application forms.