Do you have a workplace dilemma?
If you have a work related question and are unsure where to turn for advice then click on the 'Ask a Career Surgery Question' button below and we could be helping to solve your career problems very shortly.
The First Step
I am stuck.I'm well educated; I spent 5 years undertaking an undergraduate degree in Spanish with Marketing, with two years spent in Spain. I thought about becoming a modern foreign languages teacher, but half way through the Postgraduate course I realised that, well to put it bluntly, I am not too keen on kids!
I desperately need a job that pays well and more importantly one that poses a challenge and is interesting - but since finishing university I seem to have been shuffled between one temp clerical or telephony job to another.
I am really creative, buzzing with ideas, full of potential, but I can't even get my foot on the ladder as a marketing junior. It's the same old catch 22, you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job.
I'm now having to sell my home to pay back student loans and the bills -please help- my life is going nowhere!
Comments
Put the 'marketing' bit on hold for the moment. Marketing bods are two-a-penny, and selling your home to pay off student debt because you can't get a marketing job doesn't show too much savvy.
However, you DO have proficiency in Spanish; something which is in relatively short supply, but in high demand. So focus on that aspect of your skill. Proficiency in Spanish will serve you well for any number of jobs across Europe, not to mention Latin America and even Miami in the US, where Spanish is more widespread than English.
Do some research and select a number of international companies you would like to work for with business interests in Spain, Latin America or Miami. Then send them two letters and two CV's; one in Spanish, the other in English and tell them that although your degree is in Marketing, you want to be able to capitalise on your proficiency with Spanish. This should, at the very least, ensure that you get a higher level of responses with the greater probability of an interview. After that, it's up to you.
Charlie - June 11, 2007 3:49 PM
Hey there!
I'm in exactly the same situation. I graduated two years ago in Spanish , realised I hate teaching children (and adults) and I can't find anything other than admin roles filling up databases.
I went into sales but I don't want to do this for too long. My plan is to make as much moneyas I can in commission and then move overseas where knowledge of a foreign language is given more appreciation.
Becky - June 12, 2007 7:45 PM
Identify interesting companies or industries and employment hot bed areas e.g. London and Media.
Move to the area, debt free after selling your house hopefully.
Take a Junior role or Temp position....... and work your backside off.
Read books like 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' and 'Emotional Intellegence' to help you climb the greasy poll.
Try and be a Quadrant 2 person in the Covey Time Management Matrix.
Good luck.
Ade - June 29, 2007 10:44 AM