A Different Approach

Hey,

So since I last posted I really haven't got much further.

I've pretty much accepted now that an apprenticeship at my age is pie-in-the-sky not possible. I've now changed my approach when it comes to applications.

I am still sending my CV to as many places as I can find (though I must admit, my options are now running thin as I've applied to so many places now..) but I've added a little extra something to improve my chances of getting the one thing I really need - more so than an apprenticeship, at the moment.

Experience.

So let's roll back a bit and explain how I came to this conclusion.

Let's assume the odds of me getting an apprenticeship is impossible. This leaves me with going to college to get my NVQ Level 2. This is fine, I'll still get qualified in the same way an apprentice would - but it would leave me with no experience in a real salon environment. If I'm already struggling to get a placement now due to my lack of salon experience, think how badly I will struggle when I've completed my NVQ and go around asking for a full time position as a fully qualified stylist.

I'm pretty sure I'll struggle a lot, as experience speaks volumes these days - particularly in such a customer service based role as hairdressing.


So this leaves me with the need for a position that will give me this valuable experience I so sorely need. This is why I have added the following statement to the bottom of my CV:

"I understand that many training providers cannot take on apprentices over the age of 19 due to difficulties funding their education. If this is the case, I ask you to consider me for a position as a part-time salon assistant. This would provide me with valuable experience in a salon environment while also giving me the flexibility to fund my own education. Many thanks for this consideration."

Feel free to borrow that statement for your own CV, but I recommend editing it slightly if you do so for the sake of originality. I'm fairly sure that if I do succeed in this, it will be by fluke. Most salons probably wouldn't hire someone so unqualified and essentially useless unless they would help them bring in more money, but at this point I would accept a few days volunteer work anyway just to add that experience to my arsenal. And I may get lucky and find somewhere desperate for a receptionist anyway.

 Following on from my previous posts; Toni & Guy still haven't got back to me despite me approaching them asking for feedback (to which they replied they would 'get in touch soon' and a week later.. Still haven't) and the hairdresser I phoned a couple of weeks ago hasn't been in contact either. So far, not so good!

The rejection count is toppling around the 20 mark.

I guess I have to keep on keeping on.

 - Alice