Jobs in London........

[shrimper loz]

Now im not looking for any of you zoners to give me a job (unless you want to of course!) but im just seeking a bit of advice as to how to go about getting a decent job in the city.

Ive recently finished my A levels at the king john sixth form and when i pick my results up next month and that will be it for me and education. Have decided not to go to uni as i have really had enough of education if im honest. Would rather be out earning some decent money than being talked at in lectures and what not so will be hopefully venturing into the city come september/october.

Now I finished the year with just the two a levels and these were in History and ICT. Now providing i get decent results (C and above), what sort of field of work should i be looking to get into? Insurance and banking really appeal to me but im not entirely sure how to get into it and realise that my A level in History may come to no use!

Any help or advise would be hugely appreciated!

 

[Pubey]

basically be prepared to start from the bottom and work really hard. from my year, a couple of lads who have done really well in the city didn't go to uni but started right at the bottom at trading firms and insurance companies. try sending personalised cv's to any contacts or family friends, and to any firms you're interested in. also head up to london to the local branches of reed job agency, a few friends got good city jobs through them

 

[Harold Bishop Killer]

I manaed to get a good job through a friend at Lloyds. Worked there for 4 years and now have experience on my side I managed to walk into a great job in Sydney.

But prepared for rejection but dont give up. Keep plugging away. Like Pubey said send off your cv to the world and his dog. The more your name gets out there the better chance you have of getting interviews. If you are very lucky the first interview you get may lead to a job offer. If it doesnt just take the interview as practice for the next one. In interviews I have found the most important aspects are confidence (but not cockyness) and eye contact.

Any Alevel comes into play - (I have one in Georgraphy and now work in insurance). Also any previous work experience or even world experience you have comes in handy. Team sports and individual sports are also looked upon.

Basically like I have said just keep plugging away and eventually something will come fruitful. Good luck mate.

 

[OldBlueLady]

There are agencies that specialise in banking in particular, so do a bit of research. Pick up some of the free London mags and papers if you can, they often have information in. Write to the HR sections of the major players in each field, enclosing a full CV and a well drafted cover letter - get someone to check this over for you. I left school at your age and went into banking at Midland, thoroughly enjoyed it until HSBC took over and it became more sales driven. I'd recommend the independent and overseas banks more these days.

Good luck!

 

[Southminster_Shrimper]

With the current financial turmoil, not sure that wanting a job in that area is a good idea. These companies are more likely to be making cutbacks than recruiting.

However, most (indeed probably all) of the big names will have a careers section on their website. In there you can either look for jobs they are advertising or you can just download your CV.

Heres the one for HSBC for example:

http://www.jobs.hsbc.co.uk/htse/apply.aspx

Just downloading your CV will go onto a speculative CV list and they will contact you if something in your area comes up.

As stated by others, you will need to go to agencies aswell and register your interest there aswell.

Good luck.....

 

[fatshrimp]

Try tese websites:

www.efinancialcareers.co.uk/
www.cityjobs.co.uk

You may have to be quite specific in determining the search on each, but the second website, CityJobs, has lots of links to agencies so you could perhaps contact them direct and they might be able to give you some direction.

Years ago, the free mags (9 to 5, Midweek) used to be full of job ads, and as a result, loads of agencies ads, but recently I haven't seen so many around. CityJobs might be a good starting point.

Some agencies may also help you in writing a decent CV too.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I would suggest you investigate the industries in which you would like to work and the types of roles for which someone with your qualifications and experience would be suited.

If the company are looking for any particular skills or experience make sure you tailor your CV to highlight any of your skills or experience that is relevant.

Make sure you get a couple of people to proof read your CV because if it has any spelling or grammatical mistakes it will be straight in the bin.

Look online for lists of common interview questions such as "What are your weaknesses?" and "Where do you see yourself in five years time?". Prepare and practice your answers to these before hand.

You may be asked some simple logic questions such as "Given a three pint and a five pint jug explain how you can measure exactly four pints of water". There are loads of websites dedicated to these types of puzzles so take a look.

If you get an interview dress conservatively. Don't turn up with a wild gelled/waxed haircut with a bleached stripe in it and a pair of diamond ear rings.

If you fail an interview don't be afraid to call the company and ask for feedback. It will help you next time.

It may be a while before you get offered an interview so in the meantime why not try and get a temp position at RBS or similar? Any work experience is better than none.

 

[Jaydeaa]

Drop me a line to info@globalrec.co.uk, I maybe be able to help... Does Finance / Accountancy, Financial Services interest you...?

 

[TrueBlue]

Now im not looking for any of you zoners to give me a job (unless you want to of course!) but im just seeking a bit of advice as to how to go about getting a decent job in the city.

Ive recently finished my A levels at the king john sixth form and when i pick my results up next month and that will be it for me and education. Have decided not to go to uni as i have really had enough of education if im honest. Would rather be out earning some decent money than being talked at in lectures and what not so will be hopefully venturing into the city come september/october.

Now I finished the year with just the two a levels and these were in History and ICT. Now providing i get decent results (C and above), what sort of field of work should i be looking to get into? Insurance and banking really appeal to me but im not entirely sure how to get into it and realise that my A level in History may come to no use!

Any help or advise would be hugely appreciated!

I have a job you mite be interested in, PM me

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Try tese websites:

www.efinancialcareers.co.uk/
www.cityjobs.co.uk

You may have to be quite specific in determining the search on each, but the second website, CityJobs, has lots of links to agencies so you could perhaps contact them direct and they might be able to give you some direction.

Years ago, the free mags (9 to 5, Midweek) used to be full of job ads, and as a result, loads of agencies ads, but recently I haven't seen so many around. CityJobs might be a good starting point.

Some agencies may also help you in writing a decent CV too.

Also try http://www.londonjobs.co.uk/

If you have done ICT, you could get a junior position in I.T Desktop support in a financial organization etc and move your way up onto Server support etc..

 

[sufcintheprem]

I would suggest you investigate the industries in which you would like to work and the types of roles for which someone with your qualifications and experience would be suited.

If the company are looking for any particular skills or experience make sure you tailor your CV to highlight any of your skills or experience that is relevant.

Make sure you get a couple of people to proof read your CV because if it has any spelling or grammatical mistakes it will be straight in the bin.

Look online for lists of common interview questions such as "What are your weaknesses?" and "Where do you see yourself in five years time?". Prepare and practice your answers to these before hand.

You may be asked some simple logic questions such as "Given a three pint and a five pint jug explain how you can measure exactly four pints of water". There are loads of websites dedicated to these types of puzzles so take a look.

If you get an interview dress conservatively. Don't turn up with a wild gelled/waxed haircut with a bleached stripe in it and a pair of diamond ear rings.

If you fail an interview don't be afraid to call the company and ask for feedback. It will help you next time.

It may be a while before you get offered an interview so in the meantime why not try and get a temp position at RBS or similar? Any work experience is better than none.

Agree with all of this really but for the part in bold, be prepared for it to be quite difficult to take, even when constructive. It's defintiely worth getting but you have to bear in mind that there are reasons they didn't want you for a job and they will list these in no uncertain terms.

Of course, it's all about learning from these - I used feedback from a Deloitte interview to change a few things with my interview technique and got my current job which I've been in since Nov 06.

In terms of the economic slowdown, I think that for the jobs you will be getting in to, there will not be such a huge impact. The banks will still be running and they will still need people to come in and do jobs that others can't. If you can afford to live at home cheaply, for instance, it may give you a financial edge over others.

 

[dashman]

Rethink Uni choice - 8,000 extra signed on for benefits last month.

Much luck.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Rethink Uni choice - 8,000 extra signed on for benefits last month.

Much luck.

I write financial software and used to get two or three calls a week from agents with positions to fill but I haven't received a call in the last month.

I am hoping the job market in my particular sector is not going to contract too much because I really want to move on at the end of the year.