finding an office/management job

[blocparty88]

Hi everyone,

First of all I would like to inform you that English is not my native language, because I live in Belgium, so it's possible that I don't use the right words or phrases. I'm currently looking for (my first) job, but it has been really difficult. I have a bachelor's degree in translation, with French and Portuguese as my languages, and the jobs that suit my degree are always office jobs, so that's what I'm looking for right now. Trouble is, I really don't have the skills needed for such jobs, like good organisation skills, ability to multi-task (help!), ability to process information quickly, ability to identify problems and come up with solutions (by yourself) and so on.
I've been to different temporary employment agencies and they always do a sort of test job interview, and for me that has been just awful. They then ask me why a company should hire me and I just can't come over convincingly, because I know I'm lying about these so-called skills that I pretend to have, and very often I can't find my words. I also haven't yet been invited to a job interview , most likely because I've hardly got any experience, I only did three student jobs, but that were worker's jobs, so not as an office employee. Plus I haven't got a driver's licence, so that''s also a big problem, because I live in a village and it's really difficult to get to some places by public transport... Of course, it's also difficult to write mails or letters to apply for a job, because you really have to "sell" yourself and I really don't know how. I haven't got any self-confidence due to severe bullying throughout primary and secundary school, and often being left out at college, so that doesn't help either. In most jobs, you have to be "a teamplayer" and "communicative", and that's also a problem for me, because I'm really shy and introverted and find it difficult to adapt to other people...
But I will finish now, because I'm practically writing a book I'm sorry about all the negativism, but I'm quite desperate and just have the feeling that I have no prospects. I'm 24 and still living with my parents, and as long as I don't have a job I'm still very dependent on them, and I can't get my own place. Which I really want, because most of the time my parents just drive me completely mad with their patronizing... They are just really fed up with me because I'm already this old and I still don't have a job or live on my own, like most of my peers.
So if anyone has any tips or advice, please let me know.

Cheers

[Tom fod]

Welcome Bloc Party

Must say I don't know Belgium too well but your English really does surpass my French/Flemish.

It's a cliche but I do know where you're coming from. I'm 37 now, but back when I was 24 I was still looking for a permanent job, I'd done work experience and had some idea of the theory but no one seemed prepared to give me a chance as I had no experience. I was equally hampered by fact I couldn't drive and lived out in Forest of Dean in West of England. Luckily bus services to Gloucester and beyond aren't too bad as long as it isn't too late at night.

Is translation work an option? From what I know it's quite an individual thing and you're obviously intelligent. I know full well that this makes the not having a job ten times worse as people, including you, expect and by not being able to meet expectations self esteem takes a nose dive.

I was quite good at filling out application forms though I hate and detest being put on the spot as in an interview situation. I'm afraid I don't know anything about how things are in Belgium but I can tell you have potential. It takes a a lot of patience and persistence but you can do it!

I hope you find some comfort, answers and inspiration here.

[blocparty88]

Hi Tom,

Unfortunately I can't work as a translator, because in order to do that you have to have a master's degree in translation , and I only have the bachelor's degree... I had started the master, but I gave up because I had a lot of trouble with certain subjects, like for instance subtitling, which I just couldn't manage. Normally I should have graduated a couple of years ago, so right now I just want to find a job, because I don't want to stay a student forever. Maybe I will finish the master, or do another one in the future.
Actually I don't think I want to be a translator anymore, because apparently it's not very well paid and you always have almost impossible deadlines, so you always have to work until late in the evening or night... Basically I just don't know what I really want as a job. My ideal job would be a writer or a musician, or maybe a music journalist because music and literature are my passion. But I haven't written anything since primary school and I don't think I will be able to play an istrument due to my poor fine motor skills. Plus in Belgium, you can't make a living of writing or playing music, unless you're really good and successful abroad. So most writers or musicians still have a day job in order to make ends meet. Sometimes I think that I would like to do something to help people, for instance give guidance to children or students with learning disabilities. But in order to do that, you have to have a degree as a teacher, so that isn't an option.
I know I'm not dumb or anything, trouble is there is a big difference between my theoretical knowledge and the practical side. For instance, I can read and understand texts on a highly advanced level in French, English and Portuguese, but when I have to talk, my vocabulary is quite limited and my sentences are quite simple. My English is quite good though, but that's because in Belgium there are a lot of British or American tv-shows, movies, songs etc. so that's where I mostly learnt it, not necessary in school.
Anyway, thanks for your encouraging message