I need a job, EMPLOY ME

[ColinJ]

And look where it's got you.

Just sayin

Well, it got me a good degree ...







... but I certainly didn't enjoy the subsequent career much!

 

[Moodyman]

I know that it seems funny to make fun of Matthew, but youth unemployment is rife. So many talented youngsters with a real hunger for work are leaving school/college and Uni with very little opportunities. We should be encouraging and offering Matthew advice with his job search.

 

[Archie_tect]

It's a tough world Matthew and it's getting tougher, so stick with the search. The most important thing is to like what you are doing because then you will be enthusiastic, that's the key, and as a result you'll be good at it.... and then because you're good at it, you will be happy! If you don't enjoy it then, after a giving it a decent go, find something else- you only have one life [apologies for stating the obvious]

 

[Arch]

Only 11-13 hours a week - blimey! I did about 4 full days and one half day a week of lectures, labs and tutorials and often stayed behind to use the library and computers in the evenings (pre- t'interweb).

When I was doing my degrees (BSc, MSc) at York as a mature student, I treated it as a fulltime job - when I didn't have lectures, I was in the library, or essay writing, 9-5 (or all evening, if need be).

Being a mature student, I knew what having a real job was like, and that this was nothing like as bad. All the other mature students on the course agreed. All the 18 year olds just moaned about having to meet deadlines etc...

 

[screenman]

Why not start a small business of your own, grass cuttings, car washing, house cleaning, dog walking, gigolo, fence painting and the list goes on and on.

 

[Archie_tect]

Picking something like things on screenman's list, which everybody has to do [avoiding gigolo/ rent boy ] guarantees a percentage of the market if you price your service right and living at home with no overheads and not having to charge VAT on the service [until you're really doing well] will give you a marketing edge....

 

[ColinJ]

When I was doing my degrees (BSc, MSc) at York as a mature student, I treated it as a fulltime job - when I didn't have lectures, I was in the library, or essay writing, 9-5 (or all evening, if need be).

Being a mature student, I knew what having a real job was like, and that this was nothing like as bad. All the other mature students on the course agreed. All the 18 year olds just moaned about having to meet deadlines etc...

Quite!

Actually, I've done both ... My first degree attempt (aged 19) fizzled out within a year for one reason or another. 9 years later, I had done 5 years of hard physical labour and saw studying hard as the easy option, and much more interesting too!

 

[Matthew_T]

Picking something like things on screenman's list, which everybody has to do [avoiding gigolo/ rent boy ] guarantees a percentage of the market if you price your service right and living at home with no overheads and not having to charge VAT on the service [until you're really doing well] will give you a marketing edge....

Okay, how would I start the actual company? Do I have to make applications for permission to start something like the list above from the council/government? And wouldnt I have to pay fees to the government when I start earning over a certain amount?

 

[Trembler49]

Okay, how would I start the actual company? Do I have to make applications for permission to start something like the list above from the council/government? And wouldnt I have to pay fees to the government when I start earning over a certain amount?

Matthew, You don't need to do any of that until you are over the VAT threshold, which is a lot.

Just start by deciding what to do and getting on with it, e.g. advertise your services, cold call, do house to house calls etc. Most people don't mind being approached by an approachable person.

Go for it.

 

[Trembler49]

You will need some infrastructure, but you can use spreadsheets to record cash in and out, use a word processor for invoices and so on.

It's a shame they don't teach this basic stuff in schools and colleges.

 

[Archie_tect]

If you have a bank account, ask to see your local Business Start-up Advisor... they will give a great introduction to what you need to do.

 

[Hip Priest]

I wish I was your age Matt. Sadly, I am a 'grown-up' trapped in a job I loathe, but I can't get a job elsewhere which pays as well, and I've a mortgage to pay, two school age children and a wife in university. Take Archie's advice, find something you love, and do that.

 

[Matthew_T]

If you have a bank account, ask to see your local Business Start-up Advisor... they will give a great introduction to what you need to do.

Thanks.

 

[Night Train]

You will need some infrastructure, but you can use spreadsheets to record cash in and out, use a word processor for invoices and so on.

It's a shame they don't teach this basic stuff in schools and colleges.

Could just use an invoice book, recording in triplicate for the sales. One copy to the customer, one filed for the accountant if needed, and one for your own records. They can be bought from most good stationery supplies. Would be cheaper then printing an A4 sheet each time.

I was teaching the basic business stuff to school links kids (15-16 year old) at college who were studying construction trades. Some thought it was boring but most figured it out as important.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I know that it seems funny to make fun of Matthew, but youth unemployment is rife. So many talented youngsters with a real hunger for work are leaving school/college and Uni with very little opportunities. We should be encouraging and offering Matthew advice with his job search.

Agreed.
Mathew, are you sending CV's, sending in application forms or letters? Is there anything the scribes can do here to make your words/layout more impactful and get you noticed?
I've seen a lot of good ideas from this forum's bright sparks.