March 7, 2011 9.02 am This story is over 156 months old

Students struggle for jobs in Lincoln

Struggle: City employers receive up to 250 applications for one job, as students in Lincoln are struggling to find a job.

Some local employers receive up to 250 applications for one vacancy, as students in Lincoln are struggling to find a job to keep them going through university.

Jessica Shield from the University of Lincoln’s Job Shop explains the service is swamped with students trying to find jobs and each vacancy is filled fast.

“We have about twenty new jobs a week on the website, but the [total] number of jobs displayed doesn’t increase because they go so quickly.

“One vacancy can be advertised one day but be gone the next because the sheer number of applicants.”

“Jobs with local small companies and in industries like catering or bar work are easier to get because you could start work in a few days,” Shield added.

Sam Kelham is one of the students to get a job: “When I had my interview, they told me that around 250 people applied for the job and just 15 people got hired.”

Kelham works at the University of Lincoln’s Engine Shed.

Peter Johanesen, a 19-year-old Computer Games student, says he has been looking out for signs in shop windows to find jobs.

But he points out “Usually there’s no reply. When I do [get a reply], they say it’s about the lack of experience.”

Jessica Shield from the Job Shop explained that it could be the students’ fault when they are unsuccessful with a job application.

“As well as positive feedback, we also get a lot of negative feedback from employers.

“It’s mostly about being applications being poor, mainly blank emails being sent with a CV and not explaining the purpose, or being too familiar and using kisses and smiley faces,” Shield said.

The University of Lincoln is dealing with a 20% increase in student numbers and accommodation in the city is tight too.

Presently, the university owns only the Student Village accommodation, situated on the Brayford Campus for first year students.

Junxion, Pavilions, Brayford Quay, Hayes Wharf and other student blocks are owned by private companies and the university pre–books a select number per year.

If these accommodations are fully booked, students can also look for student houses run by private landlords across Lincoln.