Unemployed NQ

[madasasheep]

Congratulations Del!! Do you start soon?

I started mine last week. Talk about being dropped in at the deep end, but it's going well so far!

For all you NQ out there, don't give up. Ignore the recruitment consultants and send out speculative letters with CVs. It worked for me!

[Del]

Originally Posted by madasasheep

Congratulations Del!! Do you start soon?

I started mine last week. Talk about being dropped in at the deep end, but it's going well so far!

For all you NQ out there, don't give up. Ignore the recruitment consultants and send out speculative letters with CVs. It worked for me!

thank you! I start on Monday. I agree with what you said about the recruiters, I've never heard such tosh. Lots of places don't advertise vacancies or use recruitment companies so not sending out speculative applications is likely to result in missed opportunities

[Ganymede]

Originally Posted by Del

thank you! I start on Monday. I agree with what you said about the recruiters, I've never heard such tosh. Lots of places don't advertise vacancies or use recruitment companies so not sending out speculative applications is likely to result in missed opportunities

What is your view on sending speculative CVs to small/medium sized firms for TCs? I'm never sure if it's worth doing...

[Del]

I reckon it's worth a shot, the worst that could happen is:

a) they ignore

b) they tell you have they no vacancies

[Ganymede]

Originally Posted by Del

I reckon it's worth a shot, the worst that could happen is:

a) they ignore

b) they tell you have they no vacancies

I suppose, I always thought it was a lot of effort for little reward and that I should focus my time on applying to firms that are advertising...

[Del]

well, as you probably know, I work in legal aid and most firms very rarely advertise. I got 2 interviews via speculative apps. In relation to the first interview, the lady said to me that she was contemplating taking on another person in the crime department and that my CV 'landed on her desk at the right time'.

But I don't know what the deal is in relation to other firms, I can't see how it would be a waste of time given that all you have to do is adapt the cover letter to specific firm you're applying to

[dragon]

Congratulations, Del!

It's good to know that people are finding NQ jobs. I qualify in September and I'm already getting stressed about finding a job... when is too soon to start looking?

[Del]

Originally Posted by dragon

Congratulations, Del!

It's good to know that people are finding NQ jobs. I qualify in September and I'm already getting stressed about finding a job... when is too soon to start looking?

thanks Dragon! I actually left it quite late and started applying for a job about 2 months before I qualified. I would not recommend you leave it that long! Do you know for sure that your firm will not be retaining you upon qualification?

[dragon]

Originally Posted by Del

thanks Dragon! I actually left it quite late and started applying for a job about 2 months before I qualified. I would not recommend you leave it that long! Do you know for sure that your firm will not be retaining you upon qualification?

I was thinking of waiting until after Easter, but I can't stop thinking about it! No, I don't know for sure, but it doesn't seem likely. There are several trainees qualifying at the same time and I can't imagine they'll find jobs for all of us, if any at all.

[madasasheep]

Originally Posted by Ganymede

I suppose, I always thought it was a lot of effort for little reward and that I should focus my time on applying to firms that are advertising...

I got my TC by sending out speculative applications. It is so worth doing! Not many people send them, whereas 100s apply for advertised positions.