The Student Room Group

Finding it hard to get a job

Well I've graduated, got a degree but finding it so hard to get a job. Can't even get one in ASDA. Is it like his for most graduates? I'd rather a job in my major but even there tough to get to 2nd stage processes.

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Uni, Degree and Grade all matter.
Reply 2
What is your major and where do you live?


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Reply 3
Games Design and I'm from the Uk
Reply 4
Original post by JV1990
Games Design and I'm from the Uk


Very specialised degree, and some employers for more general jobs might think of it negatively. Do you have a portfolio of game design projects you have done or just the degree? What about previous work experience, were you working through university? Is your CV well made/written?
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 5
No I've been in education most of my life. The only work experience I've had is a 2 week experience in university.
Reply 6
Original post by JV1990
No I've been in education most of my life. The only work experience I've had is a 2 week experience in university.


That's probably the issue. From an employers perspective you are a "Games Design" graduate who's basically never worked before (not knocking the degree just making you aware of the likely prejudices they would have - they're likely questioning your attitude to work and lack of experience in a working environment). You're gonna have to apply for pretty much entry level jobs that are fairly easy to get such as bar work and get at least 6 months experience as a worker. ASDA are actually fairly competitive.

You really should have tried to do even 1 day a week working even as bar staff or waiter while in uni though, or maybe internships at technology based companies.
(edited 9 years ago)
It might be worth getting a Masters or internship. Or, at least applying for them whilst you work a bottom of the barrel job.

I've got even less work experience than you. :P

Mind you, I've never wanted a 'normal' job. Have you tried using your portfolio to apply for positions in Indie development teams? You could try your luck as an intern with them, I imagine.
Reply 8
I've started to have a good look at indie scene. As I think it's gonna be the best way to get in. As I'll have at least 1 title shipped under my belt then. But I'mm still surprised on how hard it's getting. I've applied for a few entry level stuff as well.
Reply 9
Original post by BestProfileName

Mind you, I've never wanted a 'normal' job.


It's really naive to say you never wanted a "normal job" - if you had spent any time in the real would you would soon realise that a job is a job, pays for what you need and gets you experience and transferable skills. Far too many graduates expect to walk out of uni and get a good white collar job, and it's just not gonna happen unless you have worked through university etc. It's entitled.
Reply 10
this might sound a bit random but apparently dundee's economy has a lot geared towards the game industry and computing, go try up there?
Original post by Letters
It's really naive to say you never wanted a "normal job" - if you had spent any time in the real would you would soon realise that a job is a job, pays for what you need and gets you experience and transferable skills. Far too many graduates expect to walk out of uni and get a good white collar job, and it's just not gonna happen unless you have worked through university etc. It's entitled.


It's not naive at all; I've never had the goal of having a 'normal' job, although I acknowledge that I will probably have to have one at some point in future.

I don't know what this 'real world' that you speak of is, but I also never expected to "walk out of uni and get a good white collar job". It seems you're being highly presumptuous and..."naive".
Original post by JV1990
I've started to have a good look at indie scene. As I think it's gonna be the best way to get in. As I'll have at least 1 title shipped under my belt then. But I'mm still surprised on how hard it's getting. I've applied for a few entry level stuff as well.


I don't know what your portfolio looks like, but I've noticed a lot of map designers getting positions for work they've done on mods. Perhaps it is just my ignorance in the field, but if I were to try and get any sort of position, paid or intern, I would probably try to develop for a mod. In a sense, I suppose you could argue it's work experience, especially if you can garner a positive response and cite webpages wherein people have bigged up your work.
Reply 13
I'm actually working on a mod at the moment. :smile:
I should say, though, that I know a number of graduates with upper second class degrees, or better, who have a lot of difficulty getting positions (I speak for skynce). Some of them even have Masters degrees, actually, so you're not alone at all in your position.

There are fewer jobs now than there were 6 years ago, but many more graduates. Either one gets a highly sought skill, gets a lot of experience during their degree, or goes into further study, in general. I don't know how in-demand games degrees are, but I imagine that to get an in, you need a very big portfolio, considering it's viable to get work experience in it from the age of 10.
Reply 15
Yeah I got a second class degree and it is hard i know people who have firsts and struggling
Volunteer........ I haven't worked before, but I have volunteering which I have put on my CV and to write about on applications. It is all the same as a paid job, and gives you lots of good rep if the charity/organisation is a highly credible and reputable one.
Reply 17
Original post by hellodave5
Volunteer........ I haven't worked before, but I have volunteering which I have put on my CV and to write about on applications. It is all the same as a paid job, and gives you lots of good rep if the charity/organisation is a highly credible and reputable one.


I've actually considered volunteering lately. I'm giving it another week, then I'm going to start looking at charity shops.
Original post by JV1990
I've actually considered volunteering lately. I'm giving it another week, then I'm going to start looking at charity shops.


Try fundraising, they like to take people on (more money for them). Charity shops are good too :smile:
It's good to do, even if its on the side. It sounds great on a CV (not bothered with my CV building, but it does come in handy undoubtedly), whilst you're also doing good.
Original post by Letters
That's probably the issue. From an employers perspective you are a "Games Design" graduate who's basically never worked before (not knocking the degree just making you aware of the likely prejudices they would have - they're likely questioning your attitude to work and lack of experience in a working environment). You're gonna have to apply for pretty much entry level jobs that are fairly easy to get such as bar work and get at least 6 months experience as a worker. ASDA are actually fairly competitive.

You really should have tried to do even 1 day a week working even as bar staff or waiter while in uni though, or maybe internships at technology based companies.

I never had a proper job in my life..

instead this summer I chose to do work experience in hospital pharmacy for 2 months..

was it the right move:?

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