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Struggling to attract attention....

Hello guys,

I am a final year politics student on course to get a 2:1 and I have been extremely motivated about forging myself a career after I graduate.

I am part of two societies, bilingual (Somali being my other language), articulate, good with people, do not get nervous in public settings and work great in a team. However, I have had no luck with applications at all with a 100% rejection rate, I have never even had an interview for a paid job before and I am wondering what it is I am doing wrong.

I know my lack of experience is going to affect me in my search for a job and I am doing my best to get experience, including volunteering with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the British Heart Foundation.

Any advice on how I can make myself stand out and make sure I can create the career I so desperately want?
Original post by Hamsey45
Hello guys,

I am a final year politics student on course to get a 2:1 and I have been extremely motivated about forging myself a career after I graduate.

I am part of two societies, bilingual (Somali being my other language), articulate, good with people, do not get nervous in public settings and work great in a team. However, I have had no luck with applications at all with a 100% rejection rate, I have never even had an interview for a paid job before and I am wondering what it is I am doing wrong.

I know my lack of experience is going to affect me in my search for a job and I am doing my best to get experience, including volunteering with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the British Heart Foundation.

Any advice on how I can make myself stand out and make sure I can create the career I so desperately want?


Whilst you are still at university go and make the most of your university careers service- show them your CV, the structure and content can make a difference and get advice on how to write a cover letter/answer competency questions - better still show them a past application you've done and they can help you know where you have gone wrong.

I can only give generic advice as to why people aren't successful in getting interviews, including
-Spelling & grammar mistakes
-CV/Covering letter not tailored
-Poor structure
-Don't meet essential criteria

Obviously I have no idea if any of the above apply to you.
Original post by Hamsey45
Hello guys,

I am a final year politics student on course to get a 2:1 and I have been extremely motivated about forging myself a career after I graduate.

I am part of two societies, bilingual (Somali being my other language), articulate, good with people, do not get nervous in public settings and work great in a team. However, I have had no luck with applications at all with a 100% rejection rate, I have never even had an interview for a paid job before and I am wondering what it is I am doing wrong.

I know my lack of experience is going to affect me in my search for a job and I am doing my best to get experience, including volunteering with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the British Heart Foundation.

Any advice on how I can make myself stand out and make sure I can create the career I so desperately want?


The lack of paid work experience will be your biggest problem. The volunteering will help, but you will have to stick at it long term to make a difference. In my experience, recruiters will always pick the applicant with experience compared to the applicant without experience- they want someone who has a proven track record of being reliable and who will hopefully be aware of workplace norms.

Being a member of a society is not really relevant to most employers, and speaking Somali is only a benefit if it is a job where speaking Somali might be useful on occasion.

If there is a particular field you want to work in, look at doing some unpaid work experience to try and get your foot in the door- you may even find a good work placement will lead to a job. If nothing else, it will give you a recent reference in your field, and this may well help you stand out from other graduates.

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