Irish Independent - 30th June 2005
CAREER DOCTOR

Question:
I am 28 years old and hold a degree in history and sociology, a master's degree in film and television and a master's degree in PR. After my studies I spent some time travelling, then came home and worked in my parents' pub. I want to start a career. I have been applying for all types of jobs, including sales and PR, but I have kept getting the same answer, which is that I don't have enough experience am overqualified.

Answer:
Generally, when people are looking for a new career they review their work experience to date, their skills, strengths and talents, and what is important to them in a job.

Because your CV shows almost exclusively an academic background and not enough work experience, employers may find it difficult to see where you would fit within their organisation, particularly as your qualifications are wide ranging, from history to PR.

You need to find a way to gain work experience and be prepared to start off in a junior position, as once you are in a job you can prove your ability and worth to the company. Where are you applying for jobs? Are you going through agencies or directly to companies? Go through an agency and you will be matched against a set of predetermined criteria. If you were to make appointments to meet decision-makers in companies, you would have the benefit of at least discussing possible opportunities without being compared to other candidates.

It helps to network, meet people and make connections, and sell yourself. What are you prepared to do in order to get a job? Would you work somewhere on a short-term basis for free in order to build your skill base? Obviously, for many epople this is not an option as financial commitments would prevent this, I understand your family has a pub. Could you work there again in order to fund your 'investment' in a new set of skills?

Rather than applying for lots of different jobs, I would encourage you to focus your search on careers that would really interest you. If you are applying for any type of job and your heart is not in it, then you are unlikely to be offered anything, and this can in turn knock your confidence.