I'm 17 and trying to find some work in between college hours, at weekends and evenings. I have scoured the Job Centres in both Barnsley and Hemsworth, as well as the Job Centre website, where there are few positions suitable for me. However, when i apply for the ones that are suitable, i am repeatedly told i am too over-qualified. Despite impressive GCSE results, the fact remains that i am a 17 year old student with little previous experience. Ventura( call centre), Iceland and now 2 chemists that were advertising for excellent positions in the Barnsley area have told me i'm too overqualified. This is beginning to get annoying and i'm not entirely convinced i'm being treat fairly. Does anyone have any positions availiable or know where there are some? TIA
Even though jobs are hard to find at the minute. This is what my mates have done and are doing. Go into various retail shops or anywhere that's likely to have a few part time employees and ask if they have any application forms in, they might give you one or they'll just tell you to fetch a CV in. Many shops hold CV's and application forms on file until a new position becomes available. And I work at JJB part time and I know that impressive GCSE's are a bonus and generally get you the job. So I'd say that the jobs turning you down for that reason are probably jobs you wouldn't be that happy to be doing anyway in my opinion. Hope this helps.
If the work you are seeking is of a casual nature and not one which requires police checks but basically just to earn monie I would be tempted to lessen the info. on your cv and manipulate it to fit the job. In other words Blag yourway through.
they're just trying to let you down gently and easily... Good gcse results are what i'll be looking for later this year. Shows you've got some aptitude.
Sounds like you've come against a few narrow-minded small-time managers with inferiority complexes who would regard someone who has potential with mistrust. How the heck GCSEs make someone over-qualified I don't know. They don't half give Barnsley a great name don't they. I agree with the post above... massage your CV... play their game!
Sometimes it's just an excuse they use following guidance from their HR departments. It reduces the chance of you taking them to a tribunal citing any one of the discrimination laws. You cannot refuse to employ someone if they are too young, too old, race, gay, lesbian, religious reasons, or disabled to name a few. The onus would be on the prospective employer to prove that it was not one of the prohibited reasons for declining to employ you if you took them to a tribunal. They find it much safer to say you are over qualified, if you have qualifications, or you are not qualified enough if you don't have qualifications. Both ways you don't really get an true indication of why you were rejected, so you cannot look at improving your chances in future applications. Wrong, I know, but the claims culture has pushed most things that way. I wouldn't dumb down your qualifications, but try and work out what they don't agree with. One I would always suggest to check it's not your age, would be to ask how much experience they would expect from an applicant. It would be an age thing if they said more than you could possibly achieve at your age. Another, is to ask about dress code. This will give you an indication on whether styles/body art/piercings etc. are having a bearing in their selection. Some ethnic cultures and religions are party to this, so they generally wouldn't refuse you on these grounds but would resort to some other unprotected excuse. You may be able to work out what they are against with some carefully crafted questions, without them implicating themselves. Hope this helps and good luck.
Don't put your age / date of birth on a cv and don't put what year you got your qualifications. Always tailor your cv to the specific job you are going for...........I don't mean lie, I mean pick up keys words from what they are looking for and bring out your qualifications / experience in those areas... If you are getting interviews for positions remember its a 2 way process...do they want you...do you want them.....ask questions ! And the one most people fall down on........sell yourself...be open and honest and push yourself
RE: Even though jobs are hard to find at the minute. Cheers, ill try more application form based jobs
My mate has a job at a chemist down hemsworth so i dont think you do...Maybe individual chemists have their own demands? Nevermind eh
Advice re ventura.... Been told that the best way into Ventura for students is Go onto their website and register.. There is a vacancy section BUT it doesnt relate to getting in there. As said register your email with them and they then send out to all those registered the jobs as they arise. Respond and you will probably get an interview, GO SMART and be interested in the job they are looking to fill.... Not a job for life but for students they do seem to be very accomodating... and the pay is good especially when you get over 18, you will have to work either a Sat or a Sun evening tho.
RE: Advice re ventura.... Cheers......when i went to ventura back in december she said that i filled all the prerequisites for the job( i turned up in smart shirt, jacket, shoes etc) and she seemed and stated that she was impressd. But she said I was too qualified, would definetly get bored and she therefore would consider it a risk giving me a job. I'm not a person who is difficult to work with, i consider what i say and do carefully and i always try to do the job asked....quite baffling really.....back to the jobcentre website eh...
