Feel like my degree was a waste of time

I’ve got around 6 months experience working as a cover supervisor in schools. I’ve also done an admin temp job at my old university. I was a team leader with ncs after uni as a summer job. I also worked various jobs during my degree including a catering assistant ect.

I sadly became unemployed as of last week, as I was working in a school as a cover supervisor through an agency but sadly the school closures mean I am getting no work through the agency and therefore no pay...

I’m constantly applying or things. Even today I applied for another audit grad scheme but I am absolutely terrified to complete the online tests based on my past performance

Don't waste your time purchasing psychometric tests etc. **** that advice.

I always tell people this so many times on here but they never get it until it actually sinks in. STOP You will actually find you don't have to go through all this b.s. psychometric tests etc.

When I've applied for jobs - mainly in medium sized companies over the last 10 years - around half of the positions require aptitude tests. Of course such percentages can be sector specific.

I gave Op two options not necessary just teaching. At the moment he/she is unemployed, therefore they can doing something in the meantime. What's your suggestion? Because based upon the post that op made it's clear that stress and frustration is kicking in and sitting down doing nothing is only going to make it worst. I wish I had someone like to tell most of sixth form teacher how horrible they are forcing 17 years to go to university when half of them can barely obtain a post university job.

Have you looked into the civil service fast stream?

I was in a similar situation but I graduated from a dodgy uni from a dodgy subject and I just got an offer from PwC as a grad. I got rejected from EY and Deloitte before. I have been (sort of) looking for jobs since I graduated last November. I had applied to all sort of jobs not just grad schemes and all of a sudden I got offers for all the jobs that I had interviews and ACs with - I got a paralegal offer, BA cabin crew (although the offer has been withdrawn now due to coronavirus) and PwC! BA was my backup if I didnt get the PwC job but I think from my experience, all the interviews that I had has built up my confidence in talking to people and not be too nervous in front of the interviewers. It helps me understand what sort of personailty they want their staff to have! All the SJT, tests that I passed for other grad schemes were good practices too! I actually quite enjoy the AC experiences! Keep your chin up! You will get there!

Don't waste your time purchasing psychometric tests etc. **** that advice.

I always tell people this so many times on here but they never get it until it actually sinks in. STOP applying to grad schemes and apply to direct entry level jobs at smaller to medium sized companies instead. Graduate schemes are extremely competitive and aren't worth all that energy.... you'll end up going to a AC where they are only 3 positions on offer and like 30+ people competing for it at the final stage. It's a waste of time because any little thing that you do "wrong" on the day goes against you and you end up spending so much energy for such little return.

Honestly its so much easier to just interview for direct roles instead but I cannot stress this enough HAVE A PLAN and don't just aimlessly apply for everything. You will actually find you don't have to go through all this b.s. psychometric tests etc.

Agreed.

Why? I raised the point above that I have found them common in many sizes of organisation - especially for graduate level roles.. This seems horribly bad advice unless my experience is particularly unusual.

You were probably applying for graduate schemes rather than an entry level role at a small company where even older applicants can be present weren't you? That's not the norm for a lot of entry level roles at smaller companies.

No - I'm a middle aged Chartered Accountant working in industry so my involvement has been on both sides of the table. Its really worth knowing how widespread the tests are in sectors you are looking to work in. Very common in housing associations for example. Can't be too hard to find out whether London universities use them for entry level admin positions, or following that for career development roles.

Smh, is a London university a small sized business?

I rest my case.

No - but its a type of organisation that the OP is interested in.

Whilst you are wating around, try and diversity your skillset. Start learning something new or at least try to. Make yourself stand out, don't forget to keep practicing and take feedback on board! It can take years to secure a good job with the desired career prospects. Just got to keep at it. Good luck!

Thanks for your advice; recently I’ve been working on online courses and recently completed one in SQL which I found quite enjoyable.
I’ve also been trying to focus on maintaining good fitness during this time, in going for runs and doing home workouts which has kept me busy