I have no idea what any of this means, but the first google result was Okay, 2:1 is Upper Second-Class Honours, which sounds like a B+ average or 3.5 GPA or something, which really isn't that special. Maybe things are different in UK, but I don't think I ever listed my university grades on any resume or job application. I probably included scholarships and awards when I first graduated, but, at least here, I don't think anyone even cares about that. If you're applying at a law firm or management position they might want to know where you placed in your class, but for the kinds of jobs you're applying for, I don't think anyone cares about your grades.

Good question.

Its difficult to gauge it really. I mean, when I step out on the tube in the morning its packed with young professionals, so my instinct is to assume, naturally that they're all a bunch of really quite ordinary working people just like myself, but who nevertheless don't live at home with their parents or earn as little as I do.

On the other hand, as I look at the number of people applying for graduate roles and the amount of competition, it seems dead fierce and there seems to be a lot of strong candidates.

...and yet...well...normal people work in banks...normal people earn £30k salaries...normal people would consider my situation a disappointing and unsatisfying lifestyle.

I think the answer is twofold:

First thing is, don't forget that I never applied for the likes of PWC/EY/KPMG/Deloitte (the big four graduate employers) to work in professional services (or just work in sales/recruitment) like a lot of my peers do and did. Mainly because I don't want to work in an office all my life and I honestly think I'd literally prefer to be an unemployed bum than have my life revolve around maths and studying in the evening for professional qualifications.

That's not to crap on anyone who enjoys their job and is successful in such a role, but I personally really wouldn't like it. I may still apply for such a job because I have no choice, but yeah, I wasn't enthusiastic about it.

Second problem is interview technique and probably the most crippling nerves one can imagine. I remember I was telephoned and offered an interview for G4S in some kind of an analyst position (they found my CV online) and my instant reaction was to feel as if they'd made a mistake and I was doomed to embarrass myself.

I went to the interview sweating and shaking with nerves with a huge knot in my stomach. It was so bad that I honestly was about 50/50 whether I should even enter the building and whether or not I may as well turn around and go home. The interview wasn't disastrous but all I could think about was getting out. I just felt relieved it was over and the thought of actually getting the job wasn't even on my mind.

I had a similar experience where I was sweaty, anxious and panicky for an interview with another business intelligence company about 18 months ago. I had already made it through the application, phone interview and even the initial assessment day where I was competing in group tasks with around nine other candidates. All went well and I was enthusiastically invited back for a second interview. Frankly, I didn't think I ballsed it up too badly, but alas I didn't get the job.

I don't stutter or stumble through my words but I can definitely imagine coming across as nervous and panicky.

I had another experience on an assessment day for John Lewis (£27k+bonus starting salary) as a merchandiser about 14 months ago. I had made it through the application form, mathematical and verbal online tests and phone interview just fine, but really struggled in the interview and screwed up my presentation. In the third or fourth task which was an independent one I just ended up playing dumb in order to try and get out of there as quickly as possible. I went home knowing 100% that I didn't get the job.

My girlfriend told me (teasingly and affectionately of course) that I came off as 'so nervous!' on our first date and honestly, I thought I didn't do too badly!

The trouble is, I'm fairly socially active and quite confident normally, but when it comes to situations where we aren't talking about a thing, but are instead, talking about me, especially when I'm under inspection, I really do feel a nervousness that's utterly paralysing.

I remember the girl I had a relationship with at uni (the one who screwed me over once we tried to have sex) remarked that I 'never talk about myself' despite the fact that I'm usually one of, if not the most vocal member of the group. Maybe there's something in that as well.

mouse, not only is being a virgin nothing like racism, it's often seen as a virtue.
In the places I grew up in kansas and west virginia, the average guy upon the announcement you were a virgin would think lol but they wouldnt lose respect for it. In fact many people would find you MORE reputable and honest and likeable because you're a virgin. As famous examples look at Tim Tebow and Britney spears. In Tim Tebows case, alright on a poker forum its like the amalgamam is- well I hope that religious nut last ten seconds when he finally does get married, but in the south there are millions who look up to him as a hero and a trustworthy virtuous man that they would like to be- and good marriage material. Britney spears lied about being a virgin and denied her own sexuality because not being a virgin would hurt her reputation. In kansas most people dont do this but there are still thousands of guys who wait until they're married to have sex. And overall if a bit naive no one sees that as bad or disreputable thing. In kansas if you look another man in the eye and confidently say "im a virgin, ive never married"... only positive things are associated with that. theres a bunch of guys right now lying to there parents about being a virgin and saying things like "no daddy i never rolled around in the hay with her i swear!" I myself have lied and falsely told people i was a virgin at one point.

OTOH if you had been black and in the same life circumstances you would face the problems you have now plus additional problems and challenges. Those things are not like one or the other.

Not "successful" quite yet, but have uneventfully done all the things that throw Rastamouse into an existential paroxysm. (E.g. studying humbling subjects like mathematics, developing marketable skills, getting jobs, practicing interviewing, applying for better jobs, etc.) And obviously my hurdles were 10x bigger.

Really hard to believe his level of self-entitlement is sustainable, but it wouldn't hurt to randomly rewire a bit of the old neural net with a touch of the old 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine.

have you tried to prepare for the interviews?

The word 'entitled' is very quickly losing its meaning in this thread.

I could probably trip over a flagstone on the street and it'd be put down to having the temerity to believe that I was entitled to walk across perfectly flat paving highlighted by the fact my head wasn't on my feet the whole of my half-mile journey.

Oh yeah, but I still get whacked with an anxiety attack once I'm there.

I hate being analysed or personally evaluated and assessed, which is why I never talk about myself to anyone really. That's why I've used 2+2 as my outlet even though I know I frustrate a lot of people.

I suspect, that you preparation was something like reading through some questions and answers for half an hour the evening before the interview.
Am I right? If not, care to describe, what have you done to prepare? May be some feedback could help you to tune the procedure.

edit: in case you wonder if I am qualified to give advice about interviews. First two interviews to which I went, I was doing BAD. REALLY BAD. I learned from that. Now the last 5 interviews (years later), I had every time an offer.

For me is your attitude still shocking. I mean you have send out, I think not even 5 applications, and you get frustrated, If you don't get a response to one of them. If you keep getting frustrated because of such things, you will have tough live.

Since you don't mind using all kinds of pills, might as well get some diazepam for the interviews.

Whoa whoa, those examples were just examples. I've probably applied for like, at least 50-100 jobs over the last three years since uni. Those examples were just the close ones where the interview bombed.

Rasta,

Have you done mock interviews with someone acting the role of the company interviewer?

What things have you done to distinguish yourself from all the other people with similar looking resumes?

One reason people keep saying you sound entitled is you keep explaining the reason why someone with your qualifications is very hard-pressed to get a type of job you want, then get frustrated when exactly what you predicted happens.

You've identified flaws (average educational background, poor interview skills, etc) but what steps have you taken to address those flaws?

When asked about things like podcast, blogging, etc, you say you should be able to get a job without doing stuff like that. Why should you vs all the other candidates you describe? Not thinking you need to do something to separate yourself from the pack is indeed an entitled attitude.

I agreed with all of that up until the last sentence.

If I were attending a trial for a Premier League football club, then sure, it would be very entitled to believe that I shouldn't have to differentiate myself from the competition.

I however, am simply asking for something a little below the average, not anything remotely special. Does every single person earning enough money in a respectable job to move out of their parents house have amazing A-levels and loads of extra-curricular stuff? They all seem like pretty normal people to me.

I just want to be normal. To earn enough money in a bearable job to move out of my house. Do I really have to do a podcast and maintain my own blog to do that?

Re. interviews, it isn't so much technique as anxiety. I can talk to people just fine, its more the unpleasantness of it all thats the problem. I'd imagine I will need either counselling or drugs to solve this.

Coping with anxiety is nothing more then a technique usually, you learn these techniques in therapy/counseling or on your own.

Also, you shouldn't do the podcast blog because you have to but because you want to.

Yeah, and I do very well each time. I remember when at the jobcentre a few years ago to collect benefit (welfare) they'd make us do similar exercises to try and 'coach' us for jobhunting. I did all of those ok.

The reason I got into the University I did was also on the strength of my interview (I was 17 at the time). Even though my predicted grades were very ordinary (BBC) and the requirement was AAB/AAB-sort of territory I destroyed the interview completely. I was able to have an in-depth conversation about philosophy, current affairs, show knowledge beyond my years and do all of it in quite a sociable and affable manner.

Job interviews are different. They're not just looking at what I know, they're evaluating me, and that's what ****s me up (I think).

I just have this crippling, immobilising feeling of inadequacy that lets me down each time I guess.

Rasta,

Yes, given the candidate fields for the jobs you're applying to, it does sound like you need to do something to distinguish yourself based on that description.

You're not ENTITLED to a job just because you think you deserve it. You have to work for it. Whether that's a podcast, a blog, volunteer work, or whatever else, that's up to you.

Have you looked into counseling options for your anxiety and possible depression?

I was very the same way. Anxiety before exams, interviews and every stuation, where someone judges me. My soluton was that I prepared so long and so well until it was no issue any more. Try this mock interviews many times. At least 5 times before any real interview. Try them with someone who can put some realistic pressure on you and give you constructive feedback.

I mean HR and whoever conducts interview are evaluating you based on certain requirements/points. This requirements can be put in words. That means you can read it and just learn, to show exactly that what is required.

And if you can do well in the mock interview, that is VERY good. That means, that you CAN do it.

Another point is that you should also evaluate your opposite. I mean the goal is to find not any, but as suitable as possible position. You should think before what do you need to know to decide for or against a job offer.

That you're asking for *anything* tends towards entitlement.

Also, you have no idea how "normal" those people are. Some are undoubtedly very average, or even below average. Some have worked incredibly hard and are working their way up, even more were gifted with connections, and some have made their own. Stop making assumptions about other people and thinking you're not "asking much" because other people who are at your same level have more than you.

Yeah, had a feeling someone would leap on that.

Look, lets just cut the bull**** at both ends guys. If you're on a packed out tube carriage full of suits and business skirts, you're obviously going to assume that most of them aren't geniuses with an ironclad work ethic and that those that are indeed neither are nevertheless able to live independently.

This is a completely reasonable assumption that every single person would make.

I completely agree. I'm informing you of my disappointment, depression and sadness, not anger at a sense of any injustice.

I'm a libertarian believe it or not. Check my posts in the politics section.

I really ought to. The thing that's discouraged me is always a combo of:

1) I thought, to be quite frank, that I had a bit of a ****ty life and that most people in my situation would be plain old miserable.

2) That it was just teenage/young adult/struggling graduate angst

3) In most areas of my life I'm very confident and outspoken.

4) I can often overcome it to the point that it won't have any negative effects.

Take the paranoia for instance, on Monday me and GF are sending each other dirty texts and so on and so forth (my point being, y'know, things are all good) and organise to meet Wednesday night. I text her on Tuesday saying I've got the tickets for a show we're seeing and don't get a message back for like 7 hours (she takes ages to text back anyway). But yeah, I felt super worried and paranoid that something had happened. I know that there's no reason to feel that way, but it makes no difference. I still feel worry and anxiety.

Nevertheless, the rational side of my brain is able to obviously realise that my emotions are ridiculous and that either way, the best course of action is to simply wait patiently, which I did and everythings obviously fine.

That's a small example but you get the idea. I might feel anxious and emotional and whatnot, but I can still realise how irrational those emotions might be and act on the rational side. The problem is that its still very unpleasant to suffer that anxiety and there are times, like in job interviews where you can't simply put it to one side the way I've described in the above scenario.

But yeah, I'm 24 now and a 'proper' adult. And its still the same. I should get this sorted.

Thanks for the advice!

I think you could cope a lot better with interview anxiety if you got counseling for it. There are reasons that a therapy that brings great results is simply putting people with arachnophobia in a VR environment. Its like a mock situation but it still helps tremendously with their fear when they are in a similar situation in the real world.

Alright - even if they're perfectly ordinary, maybe even below average people - they have jobs (maybe). You have a job as well - one that doesn't pay you "enough", but it's a job. So let's say they have a better paying job than you, why do you think that is? Why does someone else having a job while also having mediocre qualification mean you're not "asking for much".

Let's cut the bull**** all around - you don't have a higher paying job because you haven't worked hard enough for it. You aren't asking for much, but you are asking, and not really doing.

You should see a mental health professional, not because you're broken or anything like that, but because life doesn't have to be as miserable as you think it must be.

Well, I'm kinda doing. At least I am now.

Still no reply from either my email enquiry with LSE and my application for the content editor job.

Rather cryptic reply from LSE but it does seem to imply that my degree would meet the necessary criteria to apply for a master's.

Anyway, interesting development aside from that:

In light of not giving me a pay rise the company have allowed me to work two days per week from home. This, quite simply, changes everything about how much I do/don't enjoy the job.

I write articles for the company blog, and frankly, can get away with simply copy and pasting stuff from other news sources. They never check it. Its a doddle.

As such, 'working from home' for two days a week equates to close to simply having two days a week off from work. Frankly if I were younger I'd happily stick with this job and stick with living at home for another year or two, as I'd just have so much damn time on my hands to do what the hell I like, coupled with enough money to fund an easy lifestyle that that is likely what I'd indulge in doing, especially with a girlfriend and good group of friends.

Having said all that, I can't live like this forever, but the temptation of comfort has most definitely increased.

There are still times where I fantasise about somehow being able to live with my parents until they die, inherit the house and just live without ever having to work. I realise how insufferably lazy and frustrating that is to read but I may as well tell you the truth; those thoughts still enter my head an awful lot.