Unemployment Issues

Whatsisname

I dunno where to start really, I've been trying to get a job for the last 2 years, all I've managed to secure was a christmas job in retail and thats about it. Now that I'm finished college for the summer, I'm in even more need of something. I have a holiday coming up in just over a month and I've absolutely no spending money for it atm.

To make things worse, my parents won't lay off. They keep suggesting that I don't do enough to get a job and that I don't even want one. They seem to struggle to understand that most companies take applications online and not in person, yet my mother is a retail store manager. (You'd think she'd realise it.) Even though I've regularly handed cvs into stores who do it the old fashioned way, rather than online.

I'm losing hope. I don't even get replies. I went to an interview day for a call centre, did a pretty good interview and knew my stuff and I got rejected on a lack of experience. Well how can I get any if you won't hire me? to make matters worse, that same call centre hired people with absolutely no customer service experience, not like you need vast years of experience to work in one anyway. All around me I see people getting interviews and hired and I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

This is having a terrible affect on me mentally. I'm not half the person I was around christmas time. I've genuinely not been happy for a long time bar that brief 2 month spell of working at christmas. I used to be okay socialising, I wasn't the most out going but I wasn't pure silent either, now, I just don't even have an interest in talking to anyone bar my girlfriend. She's the only one whose keeping me anyway sane.

I'm relying on someone hiring me to help fix everything together, I WANT to be able to move out, I WANT to be able to drive, I want all of this, but I can't do any of it all because of 1 factor, being jobless. Its so incredibly frustrating.

Basically, what I'm asking is, is anybody else in this position and if so, how do you stay positive and motivated?

Peanut2011

Op, couple of things have struck me as strange first of all! You complain of no money and no job, but you are able to book holidays! I would be of sense to say you need to live within the budget you have rather then despair you can't afford things you want!

In relation to job searching, you can be rest assured that any job you see, that is not highly specialised will have hundreds of applications! In saying that the employer will obviously look more favourably to the ones with experience.

Have you considered going trough agencies or maybe getting some interview lessons?

Finding job is hard these days, never mind if you don't have extensive experience.

First off, lay off booking things you can not afford and take the pressure off yourself. Than concentrate improving your interview skills and look at getting help with your CV.

Whatsisname

Peanut2011 wrote: »

Op, couple of things have struck me as strange first of all! You complain of no money and no job, but you are able to book holidays! I would be of sense to say you need to live within the budget you have rather then despair you can't afford things you want!

In relation to job searching, you can be rest assured that any job you see, that is not highly specialised will have hundreds of applications! In saying that the employer will obviously look more favourably to the ones with experience.

Have you considered going trough agencies or maybe getting some interview lessons?

Finding job is hard these days, never mind if you don't have extensive experience.

First off, lay off booking things you can not afford and take the pressure off yourself. Than concentrate improving your interview skills and look at getting help with your CV.

Should have explained this better. I booked it when I was still working at Christmas and it was extremely cheap, almost too cheap not to and it didn't affect my financial situation much. I thought I had a few possibilities lined up, one being I was getting work experience in a bar, where I was told there was a likely hood the manager would keep me on/hire me at the new bar he ended up going to, that fell through.

beauf

What projects have you set for yourself to do while you're not working.

Whatsisname

beauf wrote: »

What projects have you set for yourself to do while you're not working.

What do you mean projects?

ivytwine

Hey friend,

I feel your pain, I was unemployed for over seven months and I was going mad in that short space of time, never mind any longer and I would have cracked up completely.

I wouldn't give you any stick for going abroad, sure like you said you were working and it seemed more work was on the way. People have a funny attitude to holidays I find, they can be very cheap and certainly cheaper than say, smoking.


Anyway, so I take you are going back to college again in September? Are you in the same place for college or a bigger city/town? Would your schedule be free enough for you to try working during the semester?

Your mother is of the generation where you spruced up in a suit, gave the manager a firm handshake and handed him the CV. I would try and ignore her as far as you can, things have changed rapidly and it's hard to keep up at times.

Make sure your LinkedIn and CV are polished completely. Try #jobfairy on Twitter, it's excellent.

When beauf means project I assume they mean volunteering or the like. If you don't get anything for the summer, try to keep busy, maybe there is something you have always wanted to do like learn a new skill or whatever.

Also, depending on your course you may be able to give grinds or coaching?

Roquentin

There are too many people and not enough jobs. its an employers market.

I am unemployed too. I send of CVs and hear nothing back.

So i busy my time doing stuff like exercising or reading.

During the boom, youd walk into a job. Now there is nothing. All my friends had to emigrate.

Whatsisname

ivytwine wrote: »

Hey friend,

I feel your pain, I was unemployed for over seven months and I was going mad in that short space of time, never mind any longer and I would have cracked up completely.

I wouldn't give you any stick for going abroad, sure like you said you were working and it seemed more work was on the way. People have a funny attitude to holidays I find, they can be very cheap and certainly cheaper than say, smoking.


Anyway, so I take you are going back to college again in September? Are you in the same place for college or a bigger city/town? Would your schedule be free enough for you to try working during the semester?

Your mother is of the generation where you spruced up in a suit, gave the manager a firm handshake and handed him the CV. I would try and ignore her as far as you can, things have changed rapidly and it's hard to keep up at times.

Make sure your LinkedIn and CV are polished completely. Try #jobfairy on Twitter, it's excellent.

When beauf means project I assume they mean volunteering or the like. If you don't get anything for the summer, try to keep busy, maybe there is something you have always wanted to do like learn a new skill or whatever.

Also, depending on your course you may be able to give grinds or coaching?

Thanks very much for your reply. Nice to see someone with a similar outlook to me.

I am indeed, I live just over 20 minutes from the college I go to so working during semester is definitely an option. When working at Christmas, I was still in college at the same time and found I really enjoyed going from college to work the same day, some might say I'm mad to enjoy it!

Also, my course, for the last 2 semesters anyway, have had just over 20 hours a week, so that leaves alot of free time, where I'd much prefer to be working rather than sitting around! I thought this would have worked in my favour, as I often brought a copy of my timetable with me handing cvs and during the interview I previously mentioned, not as of yet though.

Yeah, I'll have to, its my only choice really, failing that, I'll go off the rails completely if I cant sound her out.

Is LinkedIn effective? I've not ever signed up but didn't think it'd be great for the kinda roles I'd apply for, unless you'd suggest otherwise?

Oh okay I understand. I've tried not to think about it, I'm trying to get myself into a positive mindset of being employed this summer and expect to be but at the same time be wary of setting myself up for disappointment. I spent last summer bored out of my brains (I live in the countryside too) so that gives me alot less options to keep myself occupied.

ivytwine

Whatsisname wrote: »

Thanks very much for your reply. Nice to see someone with a similar outlook to me.

I am indeed, I live just over 20 minutes from the college I go to so working during semester is definitely an option. When working at Christmas, I was still in college at the same time and found I really enjoyed going from college to work the same day, some might say I'm mad to enjoy it!

Also, my course, for the last 2 semesters anyway, have had just over 20 hours a week, so that leaves alot of free time, where I'd much prefer to be working rather than sitting around! I thought this would have worked in my favour, as I often brought a copy of my timetable with me handing cvs and during the interview I previously mentioned, not as of yet though.

Yeah, I'll have to, its my only choice really, failing that, I'll go off the rails completely if I cant sound her out.

Is LinkedIn effective? I've not ever signed up but didn't think it'd be great for the kinda roles I'd apply for, unless you'd suggest otherwise?

Oh okay I understand. I've tried not to think about it, I'm trying to get myself into a positive mindset of being employed this summer and expect to be but at the same time be wary of setting myself up for disappointment. I spent last summer bored out of my brains (I live in the countryside too) so that gives me alot less options to keep myself occupied.

LinkedIn is probably better for 'career' jobs but it's no harm to have it, I've applied for things through it and got interviews and stuff. Plus if you are going to be Googled, I'd much rather and employer come across my LinkedIn before my Facebook :pac:

It's not the end of the world if you don't get anything for summer, as Roquentin says it's an employer's market. If you like to read or watch movies even, try to use the summer to catch up on all the things you've missed.

I worked through college too, only at weekends tho, it's definitely an idea. You could try a call centre coming when you're back in college? Not the greatest job in the world but still!

Whatsisname

ivytwine wrote: »

LinkedIn is probably better for 'career' jobs but it's no harm to have it, I've applied for things through it and got interviews and stuff. Plus if you are going to be Googled, I'd much rather and employer come across my LinkedIn before my Facebook :pac:

It's not the end of the world if you don't get anything for summer, as Roquentin says it's an employer's market. If you like to read or watch movies even, try to use the summer to catch up on all the things you've missed.

I worked through college too, only at weekends tho, it's definitely an idea. You could try a call centre coming when you're back in college? Not the greatest job in the world but still!

Haha, thats very true when you put it that way!

In that case, I'm making a start on that, aiming to finish The Wire and The Shield throughout the summer if possible, so thats my back up! :pac:

Regarding call centres, the one I did an interview for, which are regularly hiring, my dad told me a friend of his who works there is gonna go speak to a manager about me tomorrow morning. I guess its alot about who you know and not what you know these days. Hoping for positive news.

ivytwine

Whatsisname wrote: »

Haha, thats very true when you put it that way!

In that case, I'm making a start on that, aiming to finish The Wire and The Shield throughout the summer if possible, so thats my back up! :pac:

Regarding call centres, the one I did an interview for, which are regularly hiring, my dad told me a friend of his who works there is gonna go speak to a manager about me tomorrow morning. I guess its alot about who you know and not what you know these days. Hoping for positive news.

Hopefully- I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

beauf

Whatsisname wrote: »

What do you mean projects?

Do projects that will look good on your CV. Be that a volunteering, taking on a sporting goal, cycle event, running, learn a new relevant job skill. Do an online course. Etc.

It will stop your head from getting wrecked. A lot of careers were started on working for free getting work experience. You'll make contacts (networking) and while a lot of job hunting is done on the web, a lot is also done through word of mouth, people you know. (networking).

Whatsisname

beauf wrote: »

Do projects that will look good on your CV. Be that a volunteering, taking on a sporting goal, cycle event, running, learn a new relevant job skill. Do an online course. Etc.

It will stop your head from getting wrecked. A lot of careers were started on working for free getting work experience. You'll make contacts (networking) and while a lot of job hunting is done on the web, a lot is also done through word of mouth, people you know. (networking).

Oh yes i understand you now, thats a good idea, thank you.

In other news, I've decided to completely revamp my cv and added to the fact I study graphic design, use these skills to make it unique to others. Hopefully it'll be a good decision.

stargazer 68

beauf wrote: »

Do projects that will look good on your CV. Be that a volunteering, taking on a sporting goal, cycle event, running, learn a new relevant job skill. Do an online course. Etc.

.

Definitely take on board the above advice. Got to be in the right place at the right time and that could be volunteering, playing netball/football or doing a charity event!

baby and crumble

Can I ask, op, are you still enrolled full time in college? If so, you are a student, and a far less attractive bet than 90% of other people for jobs, because you already have other commitments. There are people looking full time for jobs and it's insane out there. I've two masters degrees and ive been trying to get a job for 9 months! The jobs I go for have an average of 150 applicants, so don't feel bad that a student like yourself with no qualifications yet is struggling.

If I were you I'd focus now on building your experience for your applications after you're qualified- by all means try and find a summer/ part-time job but imagine for a sec it's this time next year. You're finished, you're a graphic designer (I'm assuming from your last post this is what you're studying) and you have zero experience on the field. Not an attractive prospect.

Take some time over the summer to work on a portfolio, maybe do some free designing for a charity or local community group. Set yourself up on Fiverr and get some people using your designs. If in a years time you graduate as a designer and you can show examples of your work bring used in the real world you'll be in a very good position.

I know it's boring not working full time but just use your time wisely even if you're not getting paid for it and eventually you'll get out of unemployment.

Rubberchikken

you want to work, therefore, you will. it's a matter of time and a bit of luck.
hopefully the person your dad knows might be able to help. you're right when you say it's who you know sometimes.
employers don't want to go to the trouble of hiring someone and then being let down, so it makes sense to get someone that a friend can recommend.

volunteering for the summer, if you can, is good. i know there's no money involved, but it gets you out there and you don't know what connections you can make and there's the chance of a good reference at the end. plus the benefit to the community is great.

i know it's tough to be unemployed, short of money and young. was there myself too at one time. the short of money issue never really went away:;

hope things pick up

Whatsisname

Hey guys,

Called into the shop I worked at over christmas today and found out one of the girls is leaving in a few weeks so i'm in with a shout. Was speaking to the assistant manager and he said i have the experience, i know what im doing and they'd love to have me back and he was very happy to see me! he told me to call into the manager tomorrow and have a chat with her.

Finally a bit of good news, lets hope it pulls through!

beauf

Whatsisname wrote: »

....I've decided to completely revamp my cv and added to the fact I study graphic design, use these skills to make it unique to others. Hopefully it'll be a good decision....

I don't think you should do that. Keep it simple. They read these in about 10 sec. make it as easy and fast to read as possible. People stand out because of whats in the CV, not how it looks.

If someone interested in your graphics they want to see relevant work. Not a tarted up CV (no offence). By all means make it look good. But go faster stripes. Definitely not. Clarity and Brevity.

If you've done graphic design. Have an online portfolio and a link to it. Have a A4 printed version for interviews. Even if its just working in a shop, its useful thing to have done.

beauf

Whatsisname wrote: »

...Called into the shop I worked at over christmas ...

I would make a general point, that its hard to look past the now when you are not working. But I would try to look forward 2yrs at what you like to do then, then work backwards and make as much as what you do now, helpful towards that. Even if its free, or voluntary, or unrelated.

For example do them a website, or the signs in the shop/bar. Do online courses relevant.

One thing you have is a wealth of free time. Which you won't have when working. Invest it wisely. its an advantage that someone else working doesn't have.

Whatsisname

beauf wrote: »

I don't think you should do that. Keep it simple. They read these in about 10 sec. make it as easy and fast to read as possible. People stand out because of whats in the CV, not how it looks.

If someone interested in your graphics they want to see relevant work. Not a tarted up CV (no offence). By all means make it look good. But go faster stripes. Definitely not. Clarity and Brevity.

If you've done graphic design. Have an online portfolio and a link to it. Have a A4 printed version for interviews. Even if its just working in a shop, its useful thing to have done.

I'm only done my first year of my graphic design course rather than have a degree in it, might have mixed that up a bit in the previous posts.

I didn't add a whole lot too it, its simplistic and concise now, just more appealing to the eye to catch attention rather than get dumped into a pile of plain white black text cvs.

But everything else youve suggested I'll take on board, I appreciate you taking your time out to help me with this, thanks very much. Everyones advice in here has been very helpful, allowed me to get a lot of my chest too.

beauf

Agencies often scan CV's so if you use formatting they may not extract the right information just to be aware of that. Often designer do their CV's as PDF's but I'd only do that if its a graphics studio as job agencies might not read a PDF. Agencies generally look for a basic Word doc, with no formatting.

If you want to scare and inspire yourself, check out http://www.coroflot.com/ and the CV's portfolios online there. Also the jobs.

Aim high. Enter competitions. Always be working on something. Give yourself deadlines even for your own projects.

Everest is climbed in small steps. A lot of them.

Semele

http://volunteering.force.com/OpportunitySearch

I just had a look at this website and even under the "Technology" heading there are loads of voluntary opportunities! Have a good look through the site and you could find an ideal opportunity. Some of these are quite substantial pieces of work, such as setting up a website for a charity, and it would look great on a CV as well as being public accessible, so you could have quite the virtual portfolio to direct potential employers towards! I got into my career (unrelated) via volunteering. It really is great to both network and show you have experience of using theoretical skills learned in uni in a real world setting.