Dispatches - The Big Job Hunt - 8pm CH4

Wookster

PasturesNew wrote: »

If there is a job advertised they are looking for 'an exact fit'. With 100-200 applicants for a job of carrot picker, they'd even dismiss strawberry pickers and cauliflower pickers. Potato pickers might get a look in, but if they have 3 carrot pickers in that 100-200 then they'd interview them because they are an exact match for the job. Transferable skillsets are an illusion fed to job hunters by smug workers.

That is so true in this recession - employers realise there is a glut of candidates in the market and they just simply become more picky with who they recruit. Certainly my job hunting over the last year has reflected that and I'm an accountant!

PasturesNew

Radiantsoul wrote: »

Why not? She was only newly employed. If she gets another job soon she will be able to cover the mortgage.

She did get another job by the end. On 1/3rd of her salary. So she was looking to rent her flat out (which would just cover her mortgage) and rent another flat herself.

PasturesNew

Wookster wrote: »

That is so true in this recession - employers realise there is a glut of candidates in the market and they just simply become more picky with who they recruit. Certainly my job hunting over the last year has reflected that and I'm an accountant!

If you have a distinct profession you at least have a direction. For those of us brought up in an era where many jobs were less defined, it's harder.

e.g. I started as a fully trained PA, with a 2-year secretarial course. I can type at 105wpm and do shorthand (at the time at 180wpm, now about 120wm). I do minute-taking and full office practice. I've been a PA and several times an Office Manager. I can do any typing, audio typing, legal typing, medical transcription.

I can do accounts, I have installed accounts software, I have trained people in accounts software, I have written specifications for bespoke accounts software, I have worked as a project manager installing new accounting systems on thin-client systems and worked with accountants to integrate new systems with legacy systems.

I've worked in IT for over 20 years, in all roles. Helpdesk, Helpdesk Manager, Data Analyst. I was qualified in Network Support and took half the MCSE courses (NT4, so not current). Then on into IT Project Management, doing systems upgrades and roll outs. I've worked on company takeovers, mergers and acquistions - mostly in the finance sector.

I've been a Project Planner, Project Co-Ordinator, Project Manager.

I have above average report generating skills, with half a degree (OU) in programming, databases and data modelling.

I am a Prince2 Practitioner (big piece of paper for project management).

I have run digital online photo libraries, managed digital files and managed servers. I have internet marketing experience, including analysing stats and writing Google Adwords adverts. For one client I generated £400k of business on a £2k spend.

Can I get a job? No.

I am over-qualified to be a PA/Office Manager. I am over-qualified to be a Project Co-Ordinator in their eyes, yet for Project Management they want somebody usually that is industry specific and even in my industry specific experience I haven't actually "done it" for 3 years, so am in the bin.

Most jobs want you to have used a specific piece of software that they use. It's not that you couldn't use it - they want somebody to hit the ground running without having to train them in it. Can you be trained it it? No, because it's either not available, expensive or there's no point in training yourself in it because you won't find another potential employer using it.

Everything I have done I have self-taught at - and any training I've done I've paid for.

PasturesNew

b0rker wrote: »

I was once unemployed for 6 months. The Job Center sent me 150 miles down south to Stirling to study/sit some Microsoft exams over a 6 week period. They/you paid for my study, my accomodation and my travel. I had a job within a week of finishing my final exam. I have now been in employment permenantly in I.T. for the past 6 years with only a couple of weeks out of work in between jobs.

That is unusual. The only training I've ever seen have been literally introduction to a PC or basic literacy courses. Nothing to make you employable if you already have those skills.

Wookster

PasturesNew wrote: »

Can I get a job? No.

That is quite incredible, I would definitely employ someone with such a wide and varied skill set as opposed to someone with narrow experience for anything but then most mundane of roles.

Good luck with the job hunt and I hope you find something interesting soon.

PasturesNew

Wookster wrote: »

That is quite incredible, I would definitely employ someone with such a wide and varied skill set as opposed to someone with narrow experience for anything but then most mundane of roles.

Good luck with the job hunt and I hope you find something interesting soon.

I've not even looked for 10 days to be honest. Having had an interview, got the job, then having the role pulled 2 hours later kind of knocked me sideways a bit.

thriftybabe

Felt gutted for the relatives one from JCB and the other in IT who were applying for jobs as bin men. They looked quite down.

As for the government helping keep people in work - I don't think help filters through fast enough. We have a 4th year apprentice who we are trying to see out his time. We have asked if there is any help for him and we have been told that when we pay him off just to let them know and they will put them on a list. As everyone knows there is no chance of anyone taking on an apprentice in this climate therefore he will not get another chance. We are keeping him as long as we can however I think we only have another few weeks and then we have to let him ago. It is a real shame as he has come so far.

Wookster

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've not even looked for 10 days to be honest. Having had an interview, got the job, then having the role pulled 2 hours later kind of knocked me sideways a bit.

I remember reading that.

Its really poor practise on the part of the Company involved.

somabc

Radiantsoul wrote: »

Why not? She was only newly employed. If she gets another job soon she will be able to cover the mortgage.

To afford that you would need to earn at least twice average earnings. She is unlikely to find that kind of job so she had better sell or rent the property.

Prudent

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've not even looked for 10 days to be honest. Having had an interview, got the job, then having the role pulled 2 hours later kind of knocked me sideways a bit.

Sorry to hear that. It is very sad that someone with your experience can't get a job.