ON Monday, Kelly McGrath thought she was going nowhere - now she's brushing down her business suit for job interviews.
The 22-year-old student with a first-class honours degree has seen a remarkable turnaround in her fortunes since we highlighted her plight in the Manchester Evening News.
In those four short days after we reported how Kelly had been rejected from more than 80 jobs in the past year, she has been shortlisted for two positions.
The Manchester University graduate was so fed up of being told by employers that she lacked experience or was over-qualified that she even considered removing her degree from her CV. But nowshe has been offered two job interviews - as well as a topless modelling contract with a national newspaper, which she has rejected.
"Before I contracted the Manchester Evening News I was a bit dejected and wasn't really going anywhere," said Kelly, from Hazel Grove near Stockport. "But now I am really positive that something good has come from it."
Trainee
One of Kelly's interviews is at Stockport-based Trevor Jones, a chartered accountants specialising in the motor trade. She is one of 16 graduates competing for eight trainee places on offer.
Sales and marketing director David Kendrick said: "She seems like just the sort of person that would be applicable for one of our jobs.
"I was in a similar situation four years ago. I wasn't actually unemployed but it is very hard to get in front of people."
Kelly, whose degree was in drama and screen studies, has also been asked to an interview by Fresh, who are looking for an event management trainee, an area of work she is particularly keen to go into.
"They are looking for someone to train who didn't have much experience," said Kelly. "I am feeling really positive about it. I have been reading up on event management and am doing everything I can to give a good interview."
Initially Kelly had hoped to work in publishing or event management. But in the past year she has applied for dozens of administrative jobs in the public and private sector.
Her only success was with an insurance company where she had worked while job-hunting, but she was made redundant in July.
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Hope the MEN take a head hunting fee for this. The Cheek!
Well done Kelly, youve got to play the system in this country and take what you can. As you have already found out theres noone there to help you but yourself!!! Get the experience you need then emigrate!
"whose degree was in drama and screen studies"
try doing a degree in something you can actually get a job in, too many people leave uni with a degree on paper but no real chance of getting a job in the subject they study, still, good luck to kelly
Good luck for you.I am also a graduate and achieved a 2.1 in a Finance degree in Feb 2005.Todate am still looking! so make sure you succeed coz life in the market is tuff.
I think she should go for the topless modeling contract. she's definately got some good qualities in that area.