Can you help my Girlfriend?

[thedesigntailor]

Hi guys

My girlfriend has been unemployed for a few months now after her last employer went under and did a runner with the wages.

She has mostly worked as a legal secretary and has a level 3 diploma but there is few to no jobs in that area in Bristol. She'd make a great PA or secretary, administrator, anything really, even cleaning jobs would be considered at the moment!

I am self employed and things are running smoothly but I can't really afford to support us both.

Do you know of any jobs or have any in your company?

I would be so happy if I can help her find something. Please help people!

 

[Richie N]

Hi, has she registered her CV on the job sites?
CV library, Reed, Monster, Totaljobs etc.

Thought about registering with agencies that specialise in this area?
Not sure this is the right site to help your girlfriend but if you don't ask you never know....

 

[manaboutmoney]

he best companies to work for tend to rely heavily (up to 40%) on employee referrals. Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Call each one and ask them if they know of any openings that they could recommend you for. Don't be too humble or apologetic; tell them what you've been looking for, but let them know that you're flexible and that if they have any suggestions, you're open to them. This is not the time to be picky about jobs; a connection can often get your foot in the door, and you can negotiate pay or switch positions later, once you've gained experience and established your reputation.

 

[thedesigntailor]

Thanks both - Yes she's registered just about anywhere.

Agencies only put her forward for legal jobs even though she will do much more, and with hundreds of people going for the same jobs its difficult.

I hope that someone who is looking to employ but doesn't want the expense of a recruitment firm might see this.

 

[Ashley_Price]

In the meantime, does she help you - looking after the admin side of your business while you concentrate on the bits you set the business up to do?

If she doesn't already, get her to help out and you may find that you cannot be without her. Having someone in the "office" to take away all the important, but time-consuming, paperwork and admin can take a big weight off your shoulders, especially if you find that you are having to work evenings and weekends on that side of the business just to catch up.

You may even find the cost of employing her yourself is far outweighed by everything she does for you and your business.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Have you looked in this?
http://www.peopleperhour.com/
Never used them,know nothing about them.

Has she tried the Job Centre? A friend's son spent a long time looking for work.Spent time on the JC job centre website - nothing.
He went to the JC and found jobs there that were not on their site.

 

She should join linkedin, and really network it..

 

[office man]

I'd get her to print 50 copies of her CV off and apply some good old shoe leather - this shows great initiative, the sort that will impress an office manager or business owner.

 

[thedesigntailor]

Thanks guys - really helpful stuff.

She is helping a little at work but we're pretty well staffed. Could always do with more coders but that might be outside her comfort zone!

Visiting JC fortnightly.

 

[thedesigntailor]

I'd get her to print 50 copies of her CV off and apply some good old shoe leather - this shows great initiative, the sort that will impress an office manager or business owner.

We tried that with clothes shops but not offices - do you think HR managers will appreciate it or be annoyed at the interruption?

 

[Ashley_Price]

I'd get her to print 50 copies of her CV off and apply some good old shoe leather

Funny enough, if you had said this a month ago I probably would have replied with saying it's not a good idea to drop into offices, etc., unannounced as they are busy and she will probably be frowned upon, and it will go against her... but...

Last month we had someone drop in on us unannounced who has set herself up as a virtual PA and was dropping into local businesses to introduce herself. Now, while we didn't have anything for her, I spoke to her later in the week at a networking event and she said to me that she had picked up several contracts thanks to exactly this approach!

So, it obviously can work.

 

[monthlylocal]

My advice:

Make a list of all the companies in your area that hire people with your partners expertise.

Then make some calls to find out the name of the person at that company responsible for recruitment.

Then write to them directly, in a handwritten envelope, with a great covering letter. Then follow up.

I did this for my partner when she wanted a career change. Sent 30 letters had 5 interviews and 2 jobs.

 

[thedesigntailor]

My advice:

Make a list of all the companies in your area that hire people with your partners expertise.

Then make some calls to find out the name of the person at that company responsible for recruitment.

Then write to them directly, in a handwritten envelope, with a great covering letter. Then follow up.

I did this for my partner when she wanted a career change. Sent 30 letters had 5 interviews and 2 jobs.

Was that recently?

Worth a try definitely - she used to be able to get a job with a click of a finger but nothing is happening now - shes had two interviews in two months

 

[monthlylocal]

4-5 months ago