Poll of the Day > Should I go on work experience?

(+) Yeah! (+)

So as some know here I'm currently out of work and actively seeking employment. I see a adviser every fortnight to help me try and gain employment and they have suggested work experience to add more work experience to my C.V as it's been a while since I last worked. Said work experience would be 8 weeks of unpaid labour with no job opportunity at the end of it.

I've done this before in the past and I feel they don't help gain employment at all and just end up making me feel more worthless as it's implying I'm only good enough to work for free. I also have experience from paid work too already so I'm leaning towards rejecting this as I see very little point in doing it when I'll just end up in the same position more or less after 8 weeks. However my adviser isn't wrong in the sense it would give me more experience even if it isn't much. Thoughts?
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Don't bother, get them to pay for a CSCS card and the associated safety tests. If you still have trouble with a card, get them to pay for your training for something simple like cherrypickers or signalling.
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wwinterj25 posted...

it's been a while since I last worked.

How long has it been since you last worked?

Unemployment gaps are a huge red flag to employers and could possibly be why nobody wants to hire you. If you have an unemployment gap of more than a few months, then you better have a very good reason. If you don't, then the employer is going to assume that you are either lazy or just got out of jail or things like that.

Any job is better than no job. Flipping burgers at McDonalds is better than not having a job at all. At least you would be working. A burger flipper job on a resume looks much better than a large unemployment gap.

Is it really 'work experience' if you're not getting paid? Sounds wrong to me.

DPsx7 posted...

Is it really 'work experience' if you're not getting paid? Sounds wrong to me.

Yes, it is. Many college internships are unpaid, but they provide invaluable experience. In this case, the experience is the payment.

rogerskg1979 posted...

DPsx7 posted...

Is it really 'work experience' if you're not getting paid? Sounds wrong to me.

Yes, it is. Many college internships are unpaid, but they provide invaluable experience. In this case, the experience is the payment.

I've heard of internships, they're sort of part of the coursework. Since you're past that part it just sounds like a free labor scam where you don't benefit. At the very least call it hands on training with potential for a position there.

Yea, tell them you need a paid job. You're a capable adult looking to contribute and work hard.
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rogerskg1979 posted...

How long has it been since you last worked?

Sevral years but I did a self marketing college course at the start of the year.

rogerskg1979 posted...

If you don't, then the employer is going to assume that you are either lazy or just got out of jail or things like that.

Probably. I have no other excuse other than I've been looking for work. I can't change the past though so eh.

rogerskg1979 posted...

Any job is better than no job.

That's not actually true but still we are not here talking about what's a good job and what isn't. I'm applying for many types of work some that's even seasonal as I've done that in the past and paid work is always welcome. The issue here is free labour.

DPsx7 posted...

Is it really 'work experience' if you're not getting paid? Sounds wrong to me.

... being as you're getting work experience yes. I did that shit at 15 when I was just about to leave school and after that too just to gain experience. It didn't make me more attractive to employers or anything like that so I don't see the point.

SunWuKung420 posted...

Yea, tell them you need a paid job. You're a capable adult looking to contribute and work hard.

Oh they are aware I want paid work but she thinks this would help me get paid work. It just seems to me she's looking to get a bonus for getting people into work as she's throwing everything but paid work opportunities my way. She asked why I think I don't have a job and I flat out told her "it's the luck of the draw as some employers will probably find someone better than me on paper" she didn't think it's down to luck as if the employer is looking for something and I have it they will hire me. I simply said "exactly my point others will probably have something I don't" she then said "other than that what do you think is the issue? Short of telling her to go ask them herself I simply said "lack of experience at a guess" and that's when she went on about these free work "opportunities". I'm sure she's aware if I was interested in that I'd be doing it already.
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Yeah maybe you shouldve told her that you are not sure why. Also, maybe one thing you could do is ask the employers who didnt hire you what you could do to increase your chances of getting hired with them. Then, maybe you would have something better to tell the adviser than your own guess.
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jramirez23 posted...

Yeah maybe you shouldve told her that you are not sure why. Also, maybe one thing you could do is ask the employers who didnt hire you what you could do to increase your chances of getting hired with them. Then, maybe you would have something better to tell the adviser than your own guess.

I've got automated rejection emails saying they have found someone better in short so. You're right though I probably should have just said "I don't know" that way she can't try fling shit at the wall hoping it'll stick. The best thing about all this is she's just filling in for my actual adviser as my actual adviser has two jobs going.
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rogerskg1979 posted...

In this case, the experience is the payment.

Were you able to type this with a straight face?
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