University of Edinburgh Applicants' chat thread

Just curious: how hard would it be to get a job at Tesco or Sainbury's or the like, especially if you have no previous work experience?

Actually, come to think of it, how hard is it to get any job with no previous work experience?

Just curious: how hard would it be to get a job at Tesco or Sainbury's or the like, especially if you have no previous work experience?

Actually, come to think of it, how hard is it to get any job with no previous work experience?

To be honest, most jobs are hard to come by in Edinburgh at the moment. I haven't been able to get a job over the summer and I've had no trouble getting employed in the past - I've had about 15 interview offers but due to living abroad for the last year I've not been able to attend any of them, and now I'm home I just can't find anything. The job situation is pretty dire at the moment... I know a lot of people who are unemployed for the fringe which is pretty unheard of here. If you've got no expereince, or no work experience at all you're obviously going to be done out by the people applying who do have it. As you're living in Leith it might be easier as you're a little out of the main student areas, but certainly Tesco on Nicholson Street always states experience neccesary on their job adverts, which are few and far between. It might be worth doing some volunteer work in charity shops when you first get here so then you'll have experience working on a till and serving customers. Bar/Club work is easier than shop work to come by in Edinburgh I'd say, certain clubs have such a high turn over of staff (look at that how you will) so are constantly hiring, but I know people who have worked in the said clubs since first year and they love it.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. I'm probably not going to try to get a job my first semester, so I have a chance to adjust to university life, but after that, I'm probably going to need one. Maybe the job market will have opened up a bit by then. Is it also difficult to get a job in a cafe or something?

I'd say everything is just as bad as the next thing at the moment, esspecially for someone with no experience. Cafes might be easier as well, there is less to learn with waitressing than if you work in a shop (I've done both). Your best bet like I said would be getting a job on a bar or glass collecting in a club, but obviously that will entail a) working until 5am ish and b) you can't go out at night and c) it ruins your sleep process abit, but as I said, my flatmates have done it since 1st year and they love it. I'm sorry to paint such a downer on this as things might have picked up in a few months but I've really felt it this summer, it's my first year of being unemployed since I was 16 and I've ended up moving back home with my mum to save money as I can't afford my rent in Edinburgh.

:/ Sorry about having to move home. That must really suck. Can these jobs at bars be only on the weekends, as it looks like I will have multiple 9am starts?

Also: In America, there are often on-campus jobs, where students are hired by the university. Is there anything similar at Edinburgh? I have no idea if this kind of thing is unique to America.

okay so i have a query regarding bank accounts. I live in northern ireland and currently have an account with alliance and leicester (which they obviously have in edinburgh too). But i was thinking about opening a new student account with RBS cos they have an attractive offer (with the biggest student overdraft allowance!)

Is this a smart idea?when should i open it?etc,etc

any advice appreciated

they don't have a student account so think im gona open a separate one with rbs!don't know if i should wait til i get over there or do it before...

wellll its just that there are 3 seperate log ins, the layout is particularly unhelpful and i don't understand why you have to use it to reply to offers but they email you accomodation details!? It's as if they are being deliberately awkward! But, as someone going in for mathematical physics (a combination of subjects my grasp never extended to beyond the age of 16) these things would not be too difficult for you i guess! As an American, how do you feel about studying in Edinburgh?

Just looking for all kinds of canny people off to Edinburgh this september be ye foreign, southern, geordie, jock, whatever, who also dont have a clue what to expect, who to talk to and how to use the f*$£ing "Euclid" portal.

Cheers