Is it just incredibly bad luck or am i doing something wrong?

turlybork

three years! its been three years since I started job hunting, now granted I'm only 19 now, but still, come on there has to be some sort of cut off point when failing getting jobs turns into getting jobs!

here's the story of my complete lack of luck in seeking employment.. If this seems like a request or a rant about jobs, dont take it as that. Im not asking for anything, just maybe some empathy with the people who may be in the same situation as me.

I started a job hunt when i reached the age of 16. I figured since I'm about to enter college life, that I should try to start fending for myself now and not to rely too much on the parents for help. I made out a CV, Highlighting anything successful that I may have done in my life. I'm a scout, and at that time I received the national and Chief scout awards (which as i was told, were incredible things to put on the CV) I reached Patrol leader status... anything that was for the taking that would be of benefit for me, I had. I got excellent junior cert results and I thought I was set.

It was coming up to christmas so I said "hey, lets apply for a job in the post sorting office" I found their job description online and i sent them my "killer" CV but no joy..

I finished my leaving cert then, with way above average results and i then put that on the "killer" CV I hoped for good things from that when i went for an open interview with a major supermarket... but again no joy (but a gobsh**e from my class got a job)

I thought it was my people skills, but everyone i knew said i was funny and they could talk to me, so i didnt know what it was..

then i went for another interview with a video shop... no luck..

all this time I'm sending out CVs left, right and centre to any sort of shop, disco, production company, (I once applied for a modelling job) and anyone that would need staff really..

A brief moment of excitement came over me though, when I had an absolutely brilliant interview with another supermarket. I was practically assured the job and i was told to bring prof of ID and some other documents in the next day! I did that and then i was asked to go on a training course, and also to bring in some more pieces of information. I did that and then I went to the supermarket for the training course. I sat there waiting... and waiting... until the manager came and told me "that second bit of information, we didn't get it on time, so it'll take too long to enter into the system, and we cant pay you, so eh... sorry, bye" even though i brought it in when i was asked to. They made a mistake... so I got punished for it, no luck...

This has been going on and on... an endless cycle of rejection. In fact just yesterday I was at an interview for a fast food restaurant, I thought it went well but apparently they didn't.. I got an automated email saying they chose someone else (note they didn't even bother to ring or personalise the email) no luck..

lets just say I'm Slightly annoyed. I nearly have a degree in college, 3 years of which i have been funded by my parents, which i don't think is fair. I know people are in far worse situations to me but that recent rejection really just triggered this annoyance. I need a job, I need experience, which I can't get without having a job... its a catch 22 -ish situation.

I am a scout leader... a general all round good guy, have a great family, I don't think I personally did anyone (in any HR department) any harm, I don't smell, I do what I'm told, and I can lead if I'm asked to....

so what gives? who else wants to strangle the next person that refuses them a job?

sorry if I wasted anyone's time...

who_ru

most job seekers have asked themselves the same question after a while and very few can give you an answer.

it's not bad luck it's just that there are a lot of experienced candidates out there, chasing a limited number of jobs.

personally i've been turned down loads of times, but you've got to keep applying.

one piece of advice - consider higher education - sounds like you are ready for it to me.

best of luck.

DanGlee

+1 from last poster.

I myself am looking for work and its very very tough out there. At present I would not threat too much, there are thousands of people in your situation, so from the past year or so, its probably nothing you have done, its just this damn recession!

Don't give up on education, it will pay off in the end and esp when this recession is properly over, you will have a nice piece of paper that will mean the world to you. I have a Masters, out of work for a year and barely an interview. For me, I have the option of leaving and going to the UK or any country where there is work! When you finish your education, you might have to consider leaving Ireland, it will be worth it though, the experience you will gain, in life and work. I'm originally from the UK (yes, I'm English!!! ) and I've worked in the UK, Scotland and Ireland for the past 9 years, I've got a wealth of knowledge, both from work and different cultures (Scotland is an eye opener!) but so was moving here.

Soldier on your still young, you have the world to see, and when you have a 50k paying job from all your studying, you will forget all the rejections and bad times!

Best of luck dude... now get of boards and hit the books!

DG.

turlybork

oh yeah I am in higher education... 3rd year studying computing, actually about to get a degree but still nothing

mood

Go to college. By the time you have a degree or whatever hopefully the recession will be over.

Keep applying for jobs as well. It's time consuming but will eventually pay off.

And the best person doesn't always get the job. You will see this happen all your life. I have been shocked a few times!

Welease

Strangely enough, in the short term your continuing education can actually be one of the issues. (but obviously don't stop getting that education!)

With some of the jobs you are going for, it's fairly obvious to the employer that you don't intend staying there for very long (post your degree). If they take you on, you will leave in 12-18 months or so, and they will have to restart the whole process again and retrain your replacement etc. It can actually be more beneficial for them to hire someone with less immediate prospects..

As an aside, it can sometimes be worth asking for feedback from those who interviewed you.. I have often been asked in the past, and have been happy to provide some information on how I felt they could improve their prospects.. You may feel you are doing well, but there could be something you are overlooking etc.

Best of luck.

woolymammoth

ever thought about completing your education in another country where part-time job prospects might be slightly better?

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions, just thinking out loudly on ma keyboard! :pac:

I would say unfortunately for you, you came into your working age just as the country took a nosedive. It's not your fault, there is nothing wrong with you, it's just damn unfortunate. The important thing to remember is to keep trying. Don't let it get you down. I'm sure your parents are more than happy to help, and you have plenty of time to return the favour.

Recessions are an endless cycle. It will end. And it will return.

Chin-up boyo!

donkey balls

FFS us your scouting skills:) thats what i did all those years ago i reckon the training i recieved while being in the scouts upto leader has helped me along my career.
what about the other leaders in the unit &kids parents get networking( i hate that f**king buzz word)but it works.
years ago having anything on your C.V regarding voluntary work/GAA opened doors for you although i heard from a very good recruiter that some employers dont like it now.(probely think you would be looking for nights&weekends off all the time).
maybe its just me been biased but when i was a mgr i would allways favour someone that helped out in the local area than someone who just sat on there arse best of luck.

kittenkiller

I hope as you've been progressing through college you've been amending your CV accordingly?
I'd put less stress on your scouting accomplishments and more on the employable skills you've developed through college.

If you're desperate for experience, try volunteering or asking any business owners/managers you or your family know if they'd give you a month or two work experience with little or no pay during hours around college/study.

At least that will show that you're motivated and determined on your CV.

I know that being rejected time after time will get you down, but do what you can not to let that show during any interviews, people want enthusiastic people working for them.

Does your college offer jobs around campus?
Shops/bars/union/grinds/disability assistance?
You'd be surprised where you can find jobs to tide you over, especially if you're not looking to be paid the earth.

And if the worst happens and you don't get your next interview, call them the next day and ask if they could give you feedback on your interview, you never know your luck!

As for the non-personalised email, you were lucky in the first place to get a notification that you didn't get the job.
Most companies I've worked for wouldn't dream of sending a mass alert like that and would just leave people to stew or go through an agency to find out how things went.

Best of luck with the hunt.
Don't give up hope yet.

ScouseMouse

This is not criticism.

Just an observation.

You mentioned you put in a KILLER cv. Is is possible you could be coming across as cocky or overly confident?

Just a thought.

Euro_Kraut

You did your leaving Cert aged 16? Seems very young to enter college to me.

I wouldn't be too discouraged. You are looking for part-time jobs. These are usually not filled by merit but rather through contact and 'favours'. Once you get to apply for full-time positions your skill set will become far more relevant and the process is generally much fairer.

Your experience in the scouts will stand to you. But in itself it means nothing. In an interview you need to explain how that experience aquips you for the job you are applying. CVs don't speak for themselves. Employers need to here what you learned and how that is relevant.

Another tip: Once you get to interview your qualifications are largely irrelevant. By getting the interview and employer has acknowledged that your CV meets the standards required and you could do the job. An interview allows an employer to asses whether or not you are the type of person they would like to work with. Make sure you try to come across as well as possible. Arrogance or overconfidence is a no-no. Don't oversell yourself, especially if you are going for a job that you are over qualified for e.g. a supermarket. But do be confident and show enthusiasm for the industry you are looking to enter.


10/10 for the attitude though. Perhaps you could consider doing some work for free in an relevant industry to get some experience and crucially some work related references?

jdivision

Some people will view you as overqualified and will worry you'll be bored. Others will think you have zero experience so therefore others might work better. You'll get there in the end