How many people are in the same boat as me?

[sufc1889]

been out of work now for a month and its getting to the make or break point with cash running out, bills stacking up and every job that i apply for a follow it up with a phone call a few days later and the response is '100s of people have applied and we cant get back to everyone'

 

If thats not the case its agencies advertising fake jobs, just to get your details on there books. Its soul destroying hard work and all you get off the government if your young is slogans like 'chav britain', 'lazy youth of today' there must be people in the same boat as me getting seriously fed up. I have even applied for every fast food outlet and got nothing back, and this is coming from a 24 year old who has constantly been in work since school and has only had three jobs in that time.

 

 

 

Frustrating is an understatment, but it really looks like this country is going down the pan and I dread to see what its like in the New Year when all the xmas temp jobs finish and the people fighting for jobs doubles or even trebles.

[Grandad.Malky]

Instead of blitzing applications for jobs that you don’t really want and are probably over qualified for be more selective in your approach ……… you see loads on here “ I will do anything, I just want a job” ……… what does that say to employers?

[max]

been out of work now for a month and its getting to the make or break point with cash running out, bills stacking up and every job that i apply for a follow it up with a phone call a few days later and the response is '100s of people have applied and we cant get back to everyone'

 

If thats not the case its agencies advertising fake jobs, just to get your details on there books. Its soul destroying hard work and all you get off the government if your young is slogans like 'chav britain', 'lazy youth of today' there must be people in the same boat as me getting seriously fed up. I have even applied for every fast food outlet and got nothing back, and this is coming from a 24 year old who has constantly been in work since school and has only had three jobs in that time.

 

 

 

Frustrating is an understatment, but it really looks like this country is going down the pan and I dread to see what its like in the New Year when all the xmas temp jobs finish and the people fighting for jobs doubles or even trebles.

 

I hope that attitude doesn't spill over into your applications as employers would hardly likely to be keen on employing people with negative feelings about their own country.

[sufc1889]

I sell the idea that I really want the job when applying, and believe me, I would work in a fast food outlet tommorow, you seriously cannot be selective when there is nothing to select. When every job has hundreads of applicants, they cant find the most suitable applicant, its like a lottery.

[Grandad.Malky]

I sell the idea that I really want the job when applying, and believe me, I would work in a fast food outlet tommorow, you seriously cannot be selective when there is nothing to select. When every job has hundreads of applicants, they cant find the most suitable applicant, its like a lottery.

 

You said it ……………. They know you would off like a shot as soon as something more suitable came along.

[sufc1889]

You said it ……………. They know you would off like a shot as soon as something more suitable came along.

 

 

so whats the answer, wait till the reccession blows over and jobs in my line of work come up, lie about my previous experience to make it look like i have never had a job and would work at said fast food outlet forever. Or just stick to my guns, apply for what I can to make sure my little girl gets the xmas she deserves and roof over head and food on the table?

 

 

 

i defy anyone in my shoes not to apply for anything at this time of year!

[gnomi]

Isn't it great and so very supportive when people post the kind of comments they have on this thread?

sufc1889- i feel terrible for you. Unlike other posters, i dont want to criticise you or pull you to pieces when you are already clearly struggling with unemployment and doing as much as you can to try and get work.

I honestly dont know what more you can do. My son is in a similar boat, although he is much younger than you and has no work experience. If it is any concellation, he has heard nothing back from the same fast food chains you have already mentioned, either.

I have been with him to register with Voluntary Action Sheffield to look at volunteering opportunites today- although that wont be an option for you if you have mouths' to feed?

Good luck and dont give up

[MobileB]

SUFC is may be worth looking at your c.v. and the quality of your covering applications. I have recently advertised jobs where I have had in excess of 200 apply for and you really need to stand out from the crowd. If you want to PM me I will take a look at your c.v. with you and see what I can do to assist.

 

One of the applicants covering letter stated:

"hi i seen u have a job goin i would be greatful if u could take the time to look at my cv"

 

She certainly stood out from the crowd!

[Grandad.Malky]

Isn't it great and so very supportive when people post the kind of comments they have on this thread?

 

 

 

I assume that’s aimed at me, can I suggest you look up the term “constructive criticism”

 

I wasn’t being negative in anyway, you only have to look at things from an employers point of view …………

 

I have recently advertised jobs where I have had in excess of 200 apply for and you really need to stand out from the crowd.

 

One of the applicants covering letter stated:

"hi i seen u have a job goin i would be greatful if u could take the time to look at my cv"

 

With plenty of covering latter / CV templates on the internet employers must be exasperated when they receive ones like the one quoted ………. and people wonder why they don’t get a reply.

 

so whats the answer

 

That’s the $64,000 question and I wish I knew the answer.

 

All the best

 

Malky.

[DerbyTup]

Are you waiting for vacancies to appear before you apply for a job? If so, it's not surprising you are having a low success rate. If you wait until a job is advertised you are then in a competition with thousands of others.

 

Did you know that most jobs are never advertised? There is a whole job market out there which goes unadvertised - instead it is accessed by direct approaches and networking.

 

I do feel sorry for you mate and believe me I know the feeling only too well. It's over a year since I last earned a regular wage and I've been trying to keep the family going on my own endeavours during this time. It isn't easy.

 

The first place I'd start, if I were you, is to work out what it is you have to offer to a potential employer - and be honest with yourself about that. What experience have you got that could be valuable to an employer? Sounds like you've got some solid work experience behind you? Next, what are your achievements at work? Could you demonstrate that you personally did something, achieved something, improved something, changed something, for the better? If not, then at least you could take the approach that you were part of a very successful team doing...whatever it was. But remember the employer will want to know not just what you did, but more importantly, HOW you did it. So, you need to have some examples that are well rehearsed which succinctly tell people what and how you did things and what the results of that were.

 

Your CV is really just a tool to get you in front of an employer - but it's important. Do you know how long someone will spend reading your CV? Between 10 and 30 seconds is the answer. So, it has to be short and punchy and the first page needs to shout out your skills, experience and achievements. Ideally you need a short paragraph, a summary of who you are and what you offer - a bit like estate agents do with houses in their brochures - 2 or 3 lines that sum up what you offer. And if you can't spell or type or use punctuation properly get someone to do it for you - badly presented CV's go straight in the bin.

 

It's easier to find work, usually, in an area where you have some experience rather than none. So, let's say your last work was in a shop - you have more chance of getting employed in another shop than in an office for example.

 

In any case you should be drawing up a hitlist of companies that you are interested in working for. Then, go to their websites and find out something about them and find out the names of people who work there. Don't just wander in on spec like something that's blown in off the street.

 

Target key individuals within that business and make a FORMAL approach to them. A short letter, or email (or both) with a CV attached can be very powerful. But it's important to get a name, don't just write to the HR Manager or whatever. And, make it clear that you intend to follow up within a few days with a phone call. Otherwise they will do nothing about it in all likelilhood.

 

I got the last 3 jobs by taking this kind of approach. Doing a lot of research on the company, finding out people's names and who did what job, using others who could network me to them and targeting them directly.

 

My situation is somewhat different now but that's my choice. It sounds to me like you don't have a lot of choice right now but if you go about it the right way you might just create some for yourself.

 

Good luck.