Youth unemployment.

[Hornmeister]

Buzz on the intercom.
I press the button, "hello can I help?"
No answer from the caller.
I look out the window, and it looks like delivery driver so I buzz him in.
I go down stairs to meet a young chap, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.
"I saw your sign, what do you do here?" he immediately says without any greeting at all.
"We are a financial adviser, can I help you?" I replied (The clue is in the company title, which is clear on the sign)
"I'm looking for some work experience have you got any", waving a bit of paper which is obviously a CV.
"Er, no thanks, we're are a company of four people so will not be able to assist, but good luck"
Chap turns round and leaves not saying any more and leaving the door wide open.

10/10 points for getting of his bottom and looking but minus several million points for quality of execution.

Something tells me that's one of his "2 things you must do a week" to get a job and justify continued JSA.

[simms]

Buzz on the intercom.
I press the button, "hello can I help?"
No answer from the caller.
I look out the window, and it looks like delivery driver so I buzz him in.
I go down stairs to meet a young chap, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.
"I saw your sign, what do you do here?" he immediately says without any greeting at all.
"We are a financial adviser, can I help you?" I replied (The clue is in the company title, which is clear on the sign)
"I'm looking for some work experience have you got any", waving a bit of paper which is obviously a CV.
"Er, no thanks, we're are a company of four people so will not be able to assist, but good luck"
Chap turns round and leaves not saying any more and leaving the door wide open.

10/10 points for getting of his bottom and looking but minus several million points for quality of execution.

Something tells me that's one of his "2 things you must do a week" to get a job and justify continued JSA.

These days people aren't taught to do these sorts of things. Were they ever? When some of the older posters on here were in school were you told how to find work or what manners you ought to display during an interview for example?

[SM#16]

These days people aren't taught to do these sorts of things. Were they ever? When some of the older posters on here were in school were you told how to find work or what manners you ought to display during an interview for example?

I was, and I'm only 4/5 years older than you.

[downthevic]

Was this London or hertfordshire?

[simms]

I was, and I'm only 4/5 years older than you.

We were sort of, but it was one of those non-gcses that nobody really cared about. It was more about health and safety and basic tax and how to claim benefits, than interview technique etc.

[PotGuy]

I wasn't, but then most people are born with something called common sense which covers most of it. Look smart, be polite and be interested.

I didn't receive any lessons on tax, benefits or health and safety either. Did I go to some sort of parallel universe school?

[Hornmeister]

Manors, how to use an intercom, and how to close a door are not things that schools should need to teach. I was however taught interview skills and how to approach obtaining a job during a few workshop lessons in sixth form.

It was almost as if he expected us to give him a job.

[PaddingtonsYellowArmy]

in the mid 1970's when i was leaving school -we had a careers advisor from local authority visit the school and discuss matters such as getting a job etc - was advised to go for one interview ( knowing you are not going for the actual job) so you can learn and be prepared for the one you will want -

but these days so many unemployables are looking for work - why would a geezer want to interview the losers. yuk, nearly as bad as sitting in da rookery with the 3,786 boo boys.

boooooooooooooooooo

[wfcmoog]

Manors, how to use an intercom, and how to close a door are not things that schools should need to teach. I was however taught interview skills and how to approach obtaining a job during a few workshop lessons in sixth form.

It was almost as if he expected us to give him a job.

I studied this, but after 4 months on Burghley House, Gidea Hall and Langdon Court, I questioned how much use it would be in a job interview and dropped out.

[Whippendell Woods]

Expect another visit and all yet laptops to get nicked. He was casing the joint for likely pickings....checking out your response and CCTV etc...

[Hornmeister]

I studied this, but after 4 months on Burghley House, Gidea Hall and Langdon Court, I questioned how much use it would be in a job interview and dropped out.

Damn autocorrect.

Good comeback though.

[nascot]

I was in the Brewdog pub in Edinburgh last week when a young lad walked up to the bar and asked about work. After handing his CV over the barman asked if he drank beer to which he replied "not really". The barman then helpfully pointed out that it was a beer parlour and staff were expected to be very knowledgeable on the subject, before handing him back his CV.

[Cude>2<]

I wasn't, but then most people are born with something called common sense which covers most of it. Look smart, be polite and be interested.

I didn't receive any lessons on tax, benefits or health and safety either. Did I go to some sort of parallel universe school?

I left school 7 years ago at the age of 16, and never got taught interview tactics etc at school. But as PG said, it's common sense. If I was genuinely interested in a career (I'll take Hornmeisters scenario as an example) I'd accept his response, thank him for his time, and then ask if he had a couple of minutes to possibly provide any advice on the career path - E.g how he got into the career in the first place, as an experienced professional - what could he advise me to get on the job ladder etc etc etc. You cannot discount first impressions, and certainly not the people you meet. I got my first job in the City after making a very good impression to an Investment banker - I didn't get the role his company was offering, however I kept in touch and he passed my CV onto his connections. Just so happens a week later I got at another company he was on the board off.

First impressions count. For a start - Jeans and t-shirt? Not what I'd have done, but each to there own. I, at the least, would have had a decent shirt on, a decent pair of shoes and trousers - Even at a recruitment agency.

[99mph]

Out of interest Meister, if it was a presentable guy who was curtious, pleasant and convincing, would you consider giving him work experience? Or was the small company size a geniune reason?

Training people and giving people work experience can be quite time consuming from what I've seen

[Hornmeister]

Out of interest Meister, if it was a presentable guy who was curtious, pleasant and convincing, would you consider giving him work experience? Or was the small company size a geniune reason?

Training people and giving people work experience can be quite time consuming from what I've seen

No we wouldn't have been able to offer anything. Even with a highly qualified temp who's worked for the company off an on for 3 years, it's often easier to let staff work build up if they are away for a couple of days, than manage the hand over's work load etc. For such a small company it's just not logistically possible without having a staff excess to assist with hand holding and training.

[leighton buzzard horn]

I was in the Brewdog pub in Edinburgh last week

I was in the one in Camden a few weeks, a decent place to drink and some good beers.

[wfcthroughandthrough]

These days people aren't taught to do these sorts of things. Were they ever? When some of the older posters on here were in school were you told how to find work or what manners you ought to display during an interview for example?

Should the school provide lessons such as how to talk to people in a polite manner? No, its how you pick it up in your childhood and experience from your parents.

At school we were given work experience for 1 week in Yr10, some took the opportunity to do some proper work (i went to an AD company) others went to 'work' with their dad, which involved sleeping, tv, and very little else.

A number of years on, i'm currently freelancing at the ad agency for a couple of months in between uni to get some more experience and earn a bit of money. I don't have any relevant qualifications, I lost interest in the industry during my sixth form, but my experience and the fact I can do what an art director wants on a computer, got me the job.

I think, like a lot of things, this generation has been let down by lazy parenting. More discipline and guidance needed.

[Hornmeister]

Not necessarily just lazy parenting but the need for both parents to go out and work longer hours than say 20 years ago meaning less time to be able to bring up kids properly.

[wfcmoog]

Not necessarily just lazy parenting but the need for both parents to go out and work longer hours than say 20 years ago meaning less time to be able to bring up kids properly.

And a dearth of good nannies or governesses. It's a nightmare.

[scummybear]

These days people aren't taught to do these sorts of things. Were they ever? When some of the older posters on here were in school were you told how to find work or what manners you ought to display during an interview for example?

Is this a serious question?! I am probably no more than 4 years older than you, I was never taught how to find work or do interviews yet I have been offered a job after every interview I have had. It confuses me why so many people these days expect everything to be done for them, and assume they missed out on vital lessons that everyone else had in some kind of mass conspiracy. Its not hard - look smart, be polite to EVERYONE you see, discuss something non work-related on a friendly level, be interested (even ask questions you know the answer to) and above all... Research the company! Simples.