Mummy, where do jobs come from?

Results of a study published today reveal that 68% of todayís youngsters are in desperate need of advice on how to get a job, as over a fifth (21%) of British school leavers claimed to have received no career advice before leaving education. According to the research, from the UKís leading recruitment website, fish4jobs (www.fish4jobs.co.uk), 38% of those given guidance felt they did not know what to expect in the way of wages, opportunities and duties.

When it came to securing that first job, two thirds (69%) of candidates needed their parentsí help to apply. In most cases, this involved the basics such as how to write a CV and cover letter ñ and even where to look for a job. Recruiters supported this, saying they are often sent applications from parents on their childrenís behalf and some had even received calls enquiring about vacancies. In most cases, this was because young job hunters were motivated to look for work but very nervous about approaching employers directly.

The study of recruiters, first jobbers and their parents by fish4jobs (www.fish4jobs.co.uk) shows that those who dismiss the UKís school leavers as uninterested in getting a job are over-simplifying the issue. It reveals that although 52% of British teenagers had work experience whilst in education, they had been helped to secure positions by their school or college, and only 37% were given any advice on finding a job by themselves.

Joe Slavin, CEO fish4jobs, comments: ìAround the UK this week, thousands of students have been completing their final exams. Of those, 58% will be going directly into the job space ñ and it is a concern that so many bright, willing young minds are left without guidance or direction.

ìIn many cases it has been left to parents to help their children get a foot in the door. Weíd like these school leavers and their guardians to know that fish4jobs is a great place to start, with over 80,000 jobs a month*. By clicking onto www.fish4tips.co.uk job hunters can also find advice to help from deciding on their career path to drafting a CV and improving interview technique.î

Although youngsters are often passed over by employers as inexperienced or uninterested, the results of the study reveal that only a minority (2%) fit in with the unambitious, lackadaisical image often ascribed to 16 to 21-year-olds. Although first and second jobbers had initial trouble assimilating to a work environment, once employed they were keen to learn and were quick to overcome initial difficulties.

Employers noted that the improvement on issues with first jobbers, such as lack of confidence (54%), trouble with timekeeping (46%) and lack of experience (65%) was encouragingly fast as candidates were given more guidance and responsibility, and their self-assurance improved.

To help first time jobbers start on their career path, fish4jobs is offering these helpful hints:

ï Draw on things you like doing ñ although you may not have worked before, extra-curricular activities, hobbies and even helping your family can all provide valuable experience and skills

ï Collect references ñ these donít have to be from employers! Teachers or other members of the community can contribute

ï Donít be undone by silly mistakes ñ when youíve written your CV and cover letter, ask somebody else to read through it for you to ensure there arenít any embarrassing typos

ï At interview try not to be nervous ñ the person youíre calling or being interviewed by is just human, and they too had a first job once!

ï Keep busy ñ if you find that itís taking a while to find a job, volunteering or helping a family member out can help build up references and a CV

ï Donít be discouraged ñ finding a job can be tough, no matter how long youíve been working, so keep trying, the right one is out there!