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Job troubles, a bit of frustration and moaning, help needed

I thought new thread for this is better for myself instead of writing on the looking for work staff one.

I have seen other people with a better success rate of getting help by making new threads....and people are really good on here for these kind of subjects.

I don't have an awful lot to moan about on a great scheme of things my life is good...it's just work, the unfulfilling dead end job that I'm sure a wide range of people on here can relate to, I know it's common, I'm not a victim of specific major unfortunate circumstances.

I recently got rejected by Apple after I passed an application process to work as a "specialist",I was excited upon knowing I could end up working for them as it's a job a lot more closer to home (eltham to Bromley instead of eltham to f*ckin Edgware!) and it looks an enjoyable place to work where I could get much better life experience and move forward in a career direction for a big company, you know, that exciting feeling.

I was devastated when, although unnecessarily awkward, shallow and pointless, I bottled the group interview stage, got shy and nervous, and didn't show em enough of myself and what I could bring to the job, I got withdrawn out of fear of rejection, which, was what eventually happened.

I have to go back to work Tuesday and I really hate it. No, it is not the worst job in the world, but I need a new challenge now.

I have customer service experience, plenty of it actually. Im currently working selling phones to people that are O2 contracted. I hate the pressure of sales and the fact that it is work of no benefit, no possible meaningful progression. I say that lightly as they have pointed out I will be promoted as team leader soon, but sales just isn't for me I have fallen out of love with it.

I know economy is still down, and if someone is going to get employed, I agree, it's someone that is jobless and looking for work.

Stab in the dark, but if anyone on here can possibly help me via employer, or recommendation, I would really appreciate it. I'm 24, enthusiastic and just want a job where I can progress and think my life is actually going in a direction of worth.


Thanks


Comments

  • This isn't a trite answer Dave. At 24 you are still young enough for the military (dependant on personal circumstances I guess?). From a totally biased point of view I would of course say the RAF, but irrespective, you will get the job satisfaction you crave, plus some - trust me!

    If that's a no goer the first question I would ask you is why did you 'bottle' (your words) the group interview stage? You have already stated that you deal with people on a daily basis and I bet you are good at it! So what was going on inside to cast such doubt over the group interview that stopped you from 'performing'? It's natural to be apprehensive about something new, the key is to identify your strong points and really go to town on them when you get as far as an interview. Remember, to get that far anyway you have already shown bags of potential and promise fella!

    You say that sales is of no benefit! But it is mate. The punter who comes into your store and who gets dealt with courteously, professionally, and with integrity, by you, will walk away singing your praises to people, that's a fact.

    So, next time, really challenge yourself and say to yourself, 'I am going to give them no choice other than to want to employ me'.
  • Why not keep re-applying to Apple? - they would probably be receptive to someone who was persistant.I'm sure there are other branches they are opening - if you really want to work for them then dont give up - keep bugging them
  • Sales skills are invaluable. Most companies need a good sales team to prosper. Wish I had good sales skills.
  • Dave, @bazjonster has given you some really good advice there, which I would just like to add to.

    Some people are natural sales people, they can sell anything and it is the sale itself that turns them on. But many other people have some sales instincts and can benefit from training, but they need to feel that what they are selling is worth selling from their own point of view. I guess you like Apple, so you can imagine that you can easily "sell" their stuff because you might buy it yourself and recommend it to friends.

    Of course Apple is hugely popular and thats why there is so much competition to work for them. But sometimes you can get a lot of enjoyment selling products or services that don't have such a high profile. But if they have a worthwhile place on the market, and you understand it, you might still enjoy it.

    You might need to work out whether working in the private sector for companies which have to compete to survive is for you at all, or whether doing something worthwhile means getting away from that completely, as Bazjonster suggests. But I think from what you have said is that you might be alright if you can find company doing stuff that you think is worthwhile.

    It's definitely not true that those who get employed most quickly are those looking for work. Do your best to stick with you current job, while telling yourself that you will spend quality time each week working out what you want to do, and chasing opportunities which fit. If you are without a job, you can end up taking another job you won't enjoy, because you feel financially pressured or have despaired at your unemployed status.
  • Really nice helpful advice. Thankyou.

    The problem I have with sales is, the specific role I do is ringing people and most likely when they don't particularly want to be bothered.
    The sale itself is usually of no major benefit to the customer, because more times then not, they could look elsewhere and get the product cheaper, whether that's an iPhone, Samsung galaxy etc or just put on a sim only plan.

    It's my job to convince them, basically lying to them, that we can give them the best deal. Yes, it's a job and not my problem if someone has agreed to an overly expensive 24 month contract that comes with the selling point of an exciting new phone. It's a game, and it has a slight ugly side which is just to make money of course, but I like to be open and honest with people, genuinely helping them.
  • With customer service experience, Thames Clippers?
  • Have you looked at the sort of sales where you get out face to face? I know a few lads who do it and love the life. On the road, to a degree your own boss and the chance to travel around for work. I had a similar issue earlier in the year where I'd lost the passion for what I do. Ended up taking a bit of a hit financially and can safely say its the best decision I've made. Ended up in an area of what I do that I really do love and its got that fire back in my belly.

    I guess what I'm getting at is. What got you into sales in the first place? Was it out of choice? And is there something that you think you would really enjoy selling? If there is, simply start door stepping and sell yourself to companies. As has been said, you're young enough to take a change of direction if that's what you want as well
  • Dave, here's some advice, which I hope helps.

    You should think about the differences between what you don't like about what you currently do and what you really want to do.

    So, what I would do, is spend a few minutes writing down - physically writing, with a pen, on a bit of paper (because it take more effort and concentration than writing on a computer) - everything you don't like about your job. Make it a complete list. From sales, to the pressure, the people you don't like working with and for, the commute, the clothes you have to wear, the times... everything. Make sure the list covers absolutely everything about your job. When you've completed the list, fold it up, put it away and ignore it.

    Next... write a similar list, covering everything you *do* like about it. The fact they pay you, on time, every week/month; the fact people ask for your opinion and value it; the holiday pay... whatever. Complete that list as well; fold it up; put it away; ignore it.

    Once you have done that - and really, only after you have done that - you should think about what you really want to do. NOT what *job* you want to do; but what you want to do. Do you want to learn new stuff? Teach stuff? Do you want to surround yourself in movies? Music? Food? Football? Really concentrate on the one - or the few things - that really, really make you want to get up in the mornings. What's the thing that really presses your buttons? What's the thing that you tell people, with bags of enthusiasm, what you like. What you REALLY like.

    Dave, I think you can only decide what the right "job" is when you know what the one thing is that floats your boat. So ignore what JOB you want to do and think to yourself what THING you want to do. Once you have got that, go after it, single-mindedly. Don't let anyone get in your way. Go out and TAKE the opportunity that comes to you.

    Once you hold, in your head, the one thing that makes Dave tick, no-one is going to get in your way. Good luck. And make us all jealous when it all happens for you.
  • Chizz said:

    Dave, here's some advice, which I hope helps.

    You should think about the differences between what you don't like about what you currently do and what you really want to do.

    So, what I would do, is spend a few minutes writing down - physically writing, with a pen, on a bit of paper (because it take more effort and concentration than writing on a computer) - everything you don't like about your job. Make it a complete list. From sales, to the pressure, the people you don't like working with and for, the commute, the clothes you have to wear, the times... everything. Make sure the list covers absolutely everything about your job. When you've completed the list, fold it up, put it away and ignore it.

    Next... write a similar list, covering everything you *do* like about it. The fact they pay you, on time, every week/month; the fact people ask for your opinion and value it; the holiday pay... whatever. Complete that list as well; fold it up; put it away; ignore it.

    Once you have done that - and really, only after you have done that - you should think about what you really want to do. NOT what *job* you want to do; but what you want to do. Do you want to learn new stuff? Teach stuff? Do you want to surround yourself in movies? Music? Food? Football? Really concentrate on the one - or the few things - that really, really make you want to get up in the mornings. What's the thing that really presses your buttons? What's the thing that you tell people, with bags of enthusiasm, what you like. What you REALLY like.

    Dave, I think you can only decide what the right "job" is when you know what the one thing is that floats your boat. So ignore what JOB you want to do and think to yourself what THING you want to do. Once you have got that, go after it, single-mindedly. Don't let anyone get in your way. Go out and TAKE the opportunity that comes to you.

    Once you hold, in your head, the one thing that makes Dave tick, no-one is going to get in your way. Good luck. And make us all jealous when it all happens for you.

    Sound advice.

    Thank you.
  • Dave, I don't really have anything very helpful advice to offer in addition to the excellent points already made above but it seems to me you are not particularly money driven nor happy effectively selling overpriced things to people they neither want or need. In the past I would have suggested that you might want to look at what careers might be suitable in the public sector (which has it's own pros & cons!). These may be more suited to someone looking for more than a short term sale. It's worth keeping an eye on your local councils vacancies but tbh it's not a great time and there's not a lot of public sector jobs around but you may get lucky, in fact many LA's are moving over to in house , multifunction contact centres so your experience may well stand you in good stead.
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  • Chizz said:

    Dave, here's some advice, which I hope helps.

    You should think about the differences between what you don't like about what you currently do and what you really want to do.

    So, what I would do, is spend a few minutes writing down - physically writing, with a pen, on a bit of paper (because it take more effort and concentration than writing on a computer) - everything you don't like about your job. Make it a complete list. From sales, to the pressure, the people you don't like working with and for, the commute, the clothes you have to wear, the times... everything. Make sure the list covers absolutely everything about your job. When you've completed the list, fold it up, put it away and ignore it.

    Next... write a similar list, covering everything you *do* like about it. The fact they pay you, on time, every week/month; the fact people ask for your opinion and value it; the holiday pay... whatever. Complete that list as well; fold it up; put it away; ignore it.

    Once you have done that - and really, only after you have done that - you should think about what you really want to do. NOT what *job* you want to do; but what you want to do. Do you want to learn new stuff? Teach stuff? Do you want to surround yourself in movies? Music? Food? Football? Really concentrate on the one - or the few things - that really, really make you want to get up in the mornings. What's the thing that really presses your buttons? What's the thing that you tell people, with bags of enthusiasm, what you like. What you REALLY like.

    Dave, I think you can only decide what the right "job" is when you know what the one thing is that floats your boat. So ignore what JOB you want to do and think to yourself what THING you want to do. Once you have got that, go after it, single-mindedly. Don't let anyone get in your way. Go out and TAKE the opportunity that comes to you.

    Once you hold, in your head, the one thing that makes Dave tick, no-one is going to get in your way. Good luck. And make us all jealous when it all happens for you.

    'Kin 'ell... wish I had careers advise like this when I was younger!

    The thing is when looking for work or a new career, you won't find anything unless you know what you actually want. If you know roughly what you want to do, make a short list of some companies that you would like to work for. Then, search for them on LinkedIN and approach managers etc directly. I recall hearing that something like 90 percent of jobs aren't actually advertised so you need to find different ways of sniffin' em out!

    Employers like people who approach directly asking for jobs in specific roles. It makes you look determined and makes you stand out from the crowd.

    But yea. Can't really beat Chizz's advice. You need to know what you're after in life really.
  • Only thing I would add is once you know what you want to do don't just apply for jobs identify companies you would like to work for research them and approach them directly telling them how you could benefit them. Companies will sometimes create roles for people that they think are good it has happened to me
  • All great advice here, and I'll just add one thing to it, make sure you don't compromise on the new job, don't take less money than you want, don't commit to a ridiculous commute, don't accept a different job at a company "just to get your foot in the door" as all of these things will count against your job satisfaction. Persevere and don't give up
  • How's it going Dave?
  • Chizz said:

    How's it going Dave?

    Thanks for asking Chizz.

    Still in the same job but things have picked up slightly, not as miserable for a start!

    Where long term aspirations are concerned I think I might have to play the pro active waiting game for a little longer but feel more content with what Im doing, still frustrated, but more content.

    Also the season is back...football helps the ride along.

    Cheers for your previous advice too.

    Things like that helped my mindset.
  • sam3110 said:

    All great advice here, and I'll just add one thing to it, make sure you don't compromise on the new job, don't take less money than you want, don't commit to a ridiculous commute, don't accept a different job at a company "just to get your foot in the door" as all of these things will count against your job satisfaction. Persevere and don't give up

    Strangely the complete opposite of what I did 6 months ago. I decided what I wanted to do, because it was the same work but different industry I had to take a hit financially as well as having a 2hr commute each way! Yet I've not regretted a single minute of it, in fact my next contract isn't much closer to home! I can probably count on 1 hand the days I've woken up and thought "I really can't be bothered today" and they've all been days where I've not got much sleep the previous night.

    For me it was getting a role doing what I had an interest in, I know the rewards will follow and then in turn so will a location closer to home.

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