Buy him now! Graduate looks to eBay in job desperation
Bryan Copland • Published 9 Feb 2012 09:27
6 Comments
FOR many graduates, the search for a job can be a fruitless task.
That's why a former student from Haddington has chosen a novel way of showing his worth in the job market - by putting himself up for sale on eBay.
Ross Laing, 24, graduated last summer from Edinburgh's Napier University with a 2:1 honours degree in marketing management.
Since then he says he has applied for "hundreds" of jobs with little feedback and not one interview.
But he has now decided "enough is enough" and started to think outside the box, which has led him to placing himself for auction as a 'marketing management graduate' on eBay, with a starting price of just 1p.
He hopes the idea will spark interest from potential employers, allowing him to leave his part-time job at Laing the Jeweller in Edinburgh and take on a full-time marketing post.
Ross, previously a bar manager at the Maitlandfield House Hotel in Haddington, said: "I am not sure this will get me a job but I felt trying an out-the- box idea like this one may provide me with a job interview.
"What do I have to lose? I am only trying to stand out in the crowd. When I am applying for jobs in Scotland I feel a CV is a very boring document which may get lost in the piles of CVs the company receives.
"I was aware of an Olympic runner putting himself on eBay to try to raise cash for the Olympics. He required a new sponsorship deal and I require a job.
"The eureka moment came a few days ago. If I can't market myself, how am I able to market a product or service for a customer?"
In his eBay listing - which includes a copy of his CV - Ross describes himself as being in 'new' condition and says that returns are accepted. Postage involves the free collection of him in person - but he cannot be delivered!
The auction is set to end tomorrow (Saturday) at about 7.20pm. As of Tuesday, however, he had not received any bids.
Ross - who attended King's Meadow Primary School in Haddington and George Heriot's School in Edinburgh - added: "The idea of the auction is to put myself in the shop window through innovative means as all other avenues seem pointless to me now.
"Any money I make from the auction will go to a local charity of my new employer's choice.
"Without help the listing on eBay will likely go unnoticed and a local charity will be out of pocket!
"My dream is to be a marketing manager and in order to get ahead in that business unique ideas are essential."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Dr Christmas Jones
Unregistered User
Feb 9, 11:13
Report commentGood luck to him. But this is really an example of why universities should not be allowed to pretend that these soft degrees will lead to a job. We need engineers and scientists - not even more marketeers.
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Yes 6
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Edinbusgrad
Unregistered User
Feb 9, 12:59
Report commentI agree with Dr Jones that we do need more engineers and scientists, but before this we need more investment in Scotland to create jobs for these people.
As for "soft degrees" this is unfair as not everyone wants a career in science/engineering, or realises how competitive the job markets are in these industries. I personally love physics but could not see a viable career in it. I graduated with a business degree in 2010 and now have a great career in financial services. Edinburgh Napier has one of the highest employment rates after graduation in Scotland and offers work experience and placement years as part of its courses so that students gain the skills that employers seek.
Best of luck to Ross, and well done to him for trying to stand out from the crowd.
Recommend? Yes 4
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Dr Christmas Jones
Unregistered User
Feb 9, 22:29
Report commentI don't mean to criticise Ross's efforts. My concern is directed at the way these courses are promoted by the universities. Here's what I see as the difference between an engineering and a business degree. An engineer could probably learn to do a job in financial services in a couple of months. How long would it take a business graduate to learn an engineering job? Most careers in financial services do not require a degree - they simply require an ability to sell.
Recommend? Yes 1
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Impressed..
Unregistered User
Feb 10, 09:26
Report commentI think that Ross has made a wise move in terms of separating himself from "the herd" of graduates looking for a job and I really hope that a potential employer reads this and at least interviews him. Re. the engineering comments I agree to an extent but can only wonder how many engineering graduates are also looking for a job. Lots and lots I suspect.
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Giz a Job
Unregistered User
Feb 10, 13:08
Report commentwelcome to the real world of getting job.
Folk
Recommend? Yes 1
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Joe and the job
Unregistered User
Feb 10, 20:21
Report commentGoes to show that being a public schoolboy is a waste of money...but he's a fab bloke.
Scotland sucks for jobs and always will. Move abroad Ross!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
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