Job Hunting ....

[Mummy Bean]

Any one else struggling to find a job?

I never in a million years thought getting a job would be this hard. I worked for a bank for 6 years and progressed real quickly with numerous promotions but sadly the company decided to withdraw from the UK market and offered redundancies across the board. I was one of the first to go as was on maternity leave at the time.

I started looking in Jan and having applied for 000's of jobs I have had 1 interview which they never got back to me about.

whilst I don't have a degree, I do have a Diploma in higher education in Education/religious studies, a further certificate in higher education 3 A levels, 2 As levels 11 GCSE's. I am also studying a Diploma in Accounting which included Microsoft office certificates. - what more do they want?

I have had my CV looked over by numerous agencies and even paid for some one with my redundancy money who said it was as good as it was going to get.

I am signed up to every online agency going and still nothing.

For the first 2 months I was only looking for part time jobs out side of the city - which I what I really want, but after nothing I spread my search to any thing and everything and I am still not getting anything back. I mean I looking at jobs that more then half the salary I was on, and entry level jobs and still not peep.

It SOO time consuming as no one wants CV's any more they have 15 page applications with supporting letters/essays. I mean I had to write a 500 word essay today just for receptionist job.

I am starting to get real worried as we just sold out house and moved in to my late grandmother house with the promise we would raise a mortgage to pay for it by the end of the year and were in April already.

 

[aimee-lou]

it is soul destroying.

i had been looking for work for a while and got offered interviews for mcdpnalds, care work and call centre work. all minimum wage and unsociable hours. i have a degree and 10 years experience in various related fields. i've found that its easier to get work when you're in work so start at the very bottom. oh and i also doctored my cv...... I've dumbed it down major to only show my gcses and my degree only gets a brief mention. i also only have my last 2 jobs on there which were lower down the scale. i've had much more luck thus time than last year when i didn't get a single reply off over 100 applications. shame i wasn't able to see any of them though (family stuff has meant i've hads to give up for now).

good luck x

 

[emyandpotato]

It took my OH a year to find a part time shop assistant job that he despises. And he has a degree and a great portfolio of clients. Similarly, most of my friends who went to university are working in jobs they dislike, of they have jobs at all. It's simply how things are now, and everyone is in a similar boat if that makes you feel any better, which it probably doesn't!

 

[BellaBoo0512]

I'm struggling to find a job. I moved towns whilst on maternity leave and to return to work would of meant catching 8 buses a day so I had to hand my notice in. I've been looking for jobs for a couple of months now and applying for everything I possibly can. So far I've had one interview and I wasn't successful. I've worked in a recruitment agency in the past so I've done my cv the best I can.

I've been pretty lucky with jobs in the past so it's making me quite fed up keeping applying and getting no where.

 

[sue_88]

I've been really lucky, I applied for 1, got 1. I did already have a job, my carrer, but I will not work 5 days a week so I resigned and I am having a career break and working in a cafe. Pays pennies but that's what I have my savings for as saved for years to have a baby.

 

[MrsButterfly]

Huge hugs. Sounds like you're doing everything you can. It's a really tough situation where you'll probably be considered over qualified for some roles and they will worry you'll leave again quickly which is probably why you're not getting anywhere with some roles.

I really hope something comes through for you soon. I don't know what the situation is like in London but in yorkshire in my specialism most roles are dealt with by agencies now. Can you go and meet agencies in person? I find that they push some of their candidates more if they've met them.

Good luck x

 

[Yo_Yo]

So sorry your having trouble finding a job.
Not sure if it would help, but are you on LinkedIn? My hubby is on there, and has loads of connections within his industry and has been approached for jobs.

When we were looking to move, he contacted a few companies saying he was looking too.
Don't give up or lose hope

 

[catty]

I think it really depends on location and who you know, I no there are a handful of jobs I could probably get if I wanted (once I have baby) but there minimum wage and mainly things I wouldnt love to do.
To get anything even slightly above minimum wage I think id struggle!
Do you no anyone that could put in a good word for you? Thats how I got my last 2 jobs.

its so time consuming and really disheartning when you dont hear back or sont get it
Im qualified as a nurse and I took that out my cv as at every interview 'why do you want to be a receptionist when your a nurse' or I just wouldnt hear back at all

 

[Rachel_C]

I definitely second LinkedIn or at least reaching out to people you know. What are people you worked with at the bank doing now? If you can get in touch with any of them, ask them if they hear of anything you could do to let you know, maybe put in a good word.

 

[Vicyi]

My partner is the same. He has a degree in psychology, numerous A levels, AS levels and GCSEs all of which are high grade and yet he is working in Tesco and volunteering at the local Mencap group! Every job he has gone for he has got through to the last stages but then misses out to others with 'more experience.' I do not understand how he can get more experience than he already has if no one is willing to give him a job? He volunteers twice a week (he cannot do more than this as he needs to work to support our family) he has done several training courses through his volunteering and still he is not getting anywhere. Its very frustrating.

 

[Mummy Bean]

Thanks ladies. Sorry to here so many of you or your partners are going through the same. It is soul destroying. Normally I would do any sort of job but why should I go to work to earn minimum wage when it cost me £10 a hour for some one else to look after my kids - that £4 deficit an hr.

Will try LinkedIn - always thought it was another annoying website but will have to give it ago.

It is my plan to start having meetings with recruitment agencies, we just moved house this past week so as soon as were settled that first on my list to do.

Good luck to all that are in a similar boat.

 

[Tui]

Hi there. I was in exactly the same boat as you and it can be very depressing. I can only suggest what has, and continues to work for me.

FORGET AGENCIES they waste your time and rarely come up with anything!

What I did was spend a little time perfecting an email that told people about my skills, what kind of work I am looking for, and a little bit of personal info (make it funny if you can). Then email it to everyone that takes your fancy with your CV attached. Do lots of Googling.

I am a geotech engineer so I emailed every geotech company and engineering consultant within a 20 mile radius. I picked up work from companies that weren't even advertising! A lot of bosses like people who take the initiative (and they don't have to pay ad fees etc).

Now I'm looking for part time work and have just emailed a few local companies looking for admin/reception type work. I got an interview 2 days later. Don't be afraid to call in places either, you never know.

Oh and remember, skills are interchangeable, try going for something different.

Good luck with it all. Hope this helps.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

I hope you manage to find something soon. Job hunting is so disheartening. I must of been pretty lucky in the past. Now I am applying for everything and anything and still getting no where.

I've tried cutting my CV down and applying for jobs I'm under qualified for and I'm still not getting anywhere. I've even tried applying for a few apprenticeships too.

I'm applying for at least 30 jobs a week and have had 1 interview in the whole 6 weeks I have been applying.

 

[Mummy Bean]

That's great advice Tui.

Heres hoping we all some luck real soon.