I really think that I lucked out with the experience that I ended up getting and though I am positive I will come across as a pleb, I'll say it anyway- I think it's going to look really great on my CV.
I initially applied to be a volunteer at a film festival but after going to one of the meetings and being proactive by introducing myself to the people who were 'in-charge' and emphasising my boundless availability a few days later I found myself at the end of a phone call summoning me into the office and being handed extra responsibilities.
I was thrilled! Once again- this would look great on my CV as well as ending the insomnia that had gripped me in my joblessness.
As the days went by I found myself working longer and longer hours and because I was a volunteer I was paying for travel myself.
It was then that the concept of volunteering and unpaid internships dawned on me. How many people in reality have the capacity to be able to work for free and give up that kind of time without earning money? Particularly with rising student debts. The irony is that the people who can give up the most free time find themselves being remembered by the 'important people' and are therefore more likely to be recommended for paid positions. It's an unfair system and one where many are taken advantage of.
The key, I think, is to make yourself memorable:
Always ask whether anything needs doing
Always ask if anyone wants tea or coffee
I have to say though that the pressure did get to me resulting, very shamefully, in a moment of tears. I completely regret this spell of weakness, I mean, I don't want to be THAT person who you work with! It was the idea of stressing over something when you weren't even getting paid. Hmmmm, maybe that means that I cared...!
Ultimately, in the long term this will look great on my CV. Also, more importantly I met some fantastic like-minded people. Some great contacts, as they say. The word 'networking' came alive in that very instance when I realised that was what I had been doing these past few weeks.
Conclusion: Thoroughly worth it...in retrospect.
Hopefully you'll be able to find some great work experience too. There are some brilliant websites for internships and other schemes. Anything to make your CV look great!
* * * *
I'm away for the next two months so it's unlikely that I'll be blogging; especially since one of my primary reasons for leaving is to get away from the headache that is job-hunting. But hopefully once I get back I will be raring to go in my quest for a career, sword in hand.
Ru
