Hey everyone,
A couple of months ago, I resigned from my job as a business journalist. It was very much a case of jump-or-be-pushed as I wasn't doing particularly well and frankly, I wasn't fussed about leaving. The pay was very low and there was really no scope for progression. I had been there for about 1 year 3 months and had previously worked as a business journalist before then for about 18 months. (I graduated in 2012 and just had callcentre/odd jobs before then)
Anyway. A large part of what distracted me from my job was the fact I had been applying to graduate roles in finance and accountancy. I managed to make it through to the partner interview with PwC (failed at the last stage sadly - can explain more if you like), but was encouraged by succeeding as far as I had. For a long time I honestly thought that those kinds of graduate schemes were simply 'beyond' me so it did give me a bit of a lift (although the rejection at the end was obviously a kick in the teeth).
In terms of other applications I've made it through to the phone interview with EY, the AC with Lloyds, the AC with RSM, the video interview with BDO, the phone interview with the National Audit Office and the AC with Nationwide - so I've got a few other opportunities. I also would have made it through to the AC with KPMG were it not for the fact they filled out their spaces. So all in all, fairly encouraging. I also have managed to get really solid results in the maths test (was in the top 10% of applicants for Lloyds, got the highest maths mark available for EY on their 1-7 scale and got the highest mark in the maths test out of all others at Kingston Smith's AC.
Forgive what seems like bragging! - I'm 26 years old, unemployed and live at home with my parents so when you suck at life as badly as I do you've got to take your small wins where you can!
Anyway, I was rejected from Kingston Smith at the partner interview stage yesterday and I'm beginning to worry if my being unemployed (my standard explanation is that I left to pursue other opportunities) is starting to look a little worrying to potential employers.
I also come with other baggage I'm afraid. Although I managed to get a 2:1 at uni (philosophy at Southampton - not a great degree but it does seem like most firms don't care about your degree too much so long as you get a 2:1) I failed my first attempt at second year at uni due to a medical condition which I was misprescribed drugs for and as such, got stupidly low marks in my initial attempt at second year (which I have to mention on my app forms if they insist on a full grade breakdown).
Now granted, my uni was very understanding and I was able to redo the year - but it still doesn't look great. The partner at KS brought it up and obviously asked for an explanation and although he was sympathetic (and I sure he being genuine from a human point of view), I wouldn't blame him for it putting him off hiring me.
Anyway, if this keeps going on and I'm faced with an ever-lengthening gap on my CV, it isn't going to look good. At the moment I guess its OK as its only been a month or two, but if this keeps going on its going to be a bit of a concern.
Ultimately, I was wondering if (lets say I'm 2 months down the line and still haven't found anything), I'd be better off saying I quit my job to go travelling and made up a phoney-baloney story. I'm pretty sure I could pull it off, simply by researching what I *would* have done if I went to Thailand or wherever and so on.
In general, most people in support of the idea tend to be people around my age who think nothing of it and are just like 'yeye just say you went travelling - its nothing', but the people dead against it tend to be the people you'd expect - parents, older generation and so on.
So I guess I just wondered what people's opinions were on here? Has anyone tried anything like that before? Surely if you just get your story straight you'll be alright - as it won't exactly be the focus of any interview or whatever.