I just can't get a job!

adecor

Wish you lots of luck & am sure if you keep positive something will eventually come up (law of averages). I've posted this before, but when you get to interview stage this might help as both myself & son got the job when adopting these techniques (supplied to me via an agency).

Interview Tips

These pages are designed to provide you with some useful tips so that you can maximise your success through the application and interview process.
Whilst this is only a guideline, it is often the simplest of things, which can make the difference between securing the job you want, and being rejected as a possible candidate.

BE PREPARED


It is often the simple and most obvious things, which can make the difference between securing or losing your ideal job offer. Before the interview there are several things that you can do to give you the leading edge over other applicants. A positive attitude is essential to convince the employer to offer you that lucrative position.
Here are some helpful hints.
Research
Research the company in as much detail as you can. Visit the company websites for more detailed information and request a copy of their Annual Report. You can also contact your consultant who will have expert knowledge of the client, the environment you'll be working in, the company culture as well as the employer's expectations and candidate requirements. Take advantage of their experience and they will help you secure your ideal role.
It is important to find out specific facts about the company:

• What its products and services are?
• What is its growth potential for the future?
• Who are their main competitors?
• How are they viewed in the market place?

There are a number of research applications providing this information. Among the most helpful are:

• The company's annual reports
• Kompass
• Textline
• The Stock Exchange Research Handbook
• The Internet/Company websites

Ensure that you are up to speed with the facts and figures of your present/former employer. You will be expected to know a lot of information about the company you have previously worked for.
Presentation
First impressions count. Ensure that you wear your smartest suit and act in a professional manner throughout the interview. A company is more likely to hire somebody who is well presented as they will be future representatives of their company.
Punctuality
Ensure that you know the exact time and location of the interview. Your recruitment consultant will provide you with a contact name and also a map of how to get there if required. Allow plenty of time in case of travel delays.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Interview Do's

• Introduce yourself courteously
• Arrive on time or earlier if possible
• Express yourself clearly
• Smile during the interview
• Show how your experience can benefit the company
• Ask questions concerning the company for which you are being interviewed for
• Construct your answers carefully
• Show willingness to learn and progress
• Be assertive without being aggressive
• Switch your mobile off during the interview!
• Prepare 10 relevant questions, you'll probably cover 5 in the interview

Interview Don'ts

• Don't be late for the interview
• Don't be unprepared for the interview
• Don't answer questions with a "Yes" or "No". Expand whenever possible
• Don't lie. Answer all questions truthfully and honestly
• Don't overemphasise money. Do not discuss salary in the 1st interview unless they do; getting the job at this stage is the main priority - salary negotiations will follow
• Don't say negative things about previous employers
• Don't show lack of career planning

For every responsibility/requirement on the job specification, ensure you have at least one example of an experience or a transferable skill that covers that requirement for the interview.
Typical Employer Questions:
Ensure that you know the exact time and location of the interview. Your recruitment consultant will provide you with a contact name and also a map of how to get there if required. Allow plenty of time in case of travel delays.
Q: Tell me about yourself? (Interviewer thinks: I want to hear you talk)
A: This is a conversation starter and is nearly always asked. Talk about your qualifications, career history and range of skills. Particularly emphasise those skills that are most relevant to the position on offer.
Q: Describe your achievements to date: (Interviewer thinks: Are you successful?)
A: Another common questions, so prepare beforehand. Select an achievement that is career related. Identify the skills you used in this situation and quantify the benefit.
Q: Has your career met your expectations? (Interviewer thinks: Are you confident, happy, positive, ambitious?)
A: Answer must be a resounding "YES", however, if you feel you are moving too slowly, then give reasons for this. Qualify your answer.
Q: Tell me the most challenging situation you have faced recently and how you dealt with it? (Interviewer thinks: Are you logical? Do you show initiative? What is your definition of difficult?)
A: This is a trap question. To avoid it select a difficult work situation that was not caused by you, the options available, how you selected the appropriate one and why and how you resolved it and what the outcome was. Ensure that it is positive.
Q: What are your strengths? (Interviewer thinks: I hope you're honest, what have you got that's different? How can I use you in the team? What value will you add to the company?)
A: You are going to get asked this question, so there is no excuse for not being prepared. Discuss your main strengths. List three or four ways they could benefit your employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency, ability to learn quickly, determination, positive attitude and your ability to relate to people and work as a team. Provide examples and be prepared to back them up.
Q: What are your major weaknesses? (Interviewer thinks: I hope you're honest, what aren't you interested in? What will you need help with? What's your self-awareness like.)
A: Don't say "none" - we all have. There are two options available when asked such a question - use a professional weakness such as lack of experience on your part in an area that is not essential to the job on offer. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered a strength and the steps that you have taken to combat this.
Q: What decisions do you find difficult to make? (Interviewer thinks: Are you decisive? Do you have a human side?)
A: Your answer must not display weakness. Focus on decisions that have to be made without sufficient information. This will show your positive side.
Q: Why are you leaving your current employer?
A: Should be a straightforward answer - looking for more challenge, responsibility and experience. DO NOT be negative in your reasons for leaving, positive reasons are better.
Q: How do you deal with confrontation? (Interviewer thinks: Are you strong? Can you admit you're wrong?)
A: Again - this is a trap question. Demonstrate that you're willing to listen, implement changes where necessary, but you have the courage of your convictions and will be firm when necessary
Q: Why do you want to work for this company? (Interviewer thinks: Are you prepared, knowledgeable? What's the image of the company externally?)
A: Show you have researched into the firm's position in the market, what the company's strategy is, how long the particular department you are interviewing for has been around and what their corporate image is looking to project.
Likely Questions

• How does your job fit into your department and company? (Gives an idea of level of responsibility.)
• What do you enjoy about the industry? Why do you want to work in this industry?
• How do you respond to working under pressure? Provide examples.
• What kinds of people do you like working with?
• How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an example including the outcome.)
• What is the worst situation you have faced outside work? (Give an example including the outcome.)
• What kind of people do you find difficult to work with? (Be extremely careful when answering this question. Give an example and how you resolved/overcome the situation.)
• Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss. How did you resolve this?
• What are your preferred working conditions, working alone or in a group and why?
• How do you think you are going to fit in here especially as this organisation is very different to your current employer? (You may not be able to answer until you have established what he/she perceives as the differences.)
• What are you looking for in a company?
• How do you measure your own performance?
• What motivates you?
• Why do you think you would be good at this job?
• What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
• How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
• What example can you give me of when you have been out of your depth?
• What have you failed to achieve to date?
• What can you bring to this organisation?
• What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer.)
• Which part of this role is least attractive to you?
• How do you see this job developing your skills and experience?
• Why do you want to work in this area of this company?
• What qualifies you for this job?
• Where do you see this job going?
• Why do you think you would like this role?
• Where do you see yourself in five years time?
• Why should I give this position to you instead of the other people on the shortlist? (Strengths.)
• What reservations should I have about you as an employee? (Weaknesses.)
• What do you do in your spare time?
• What will you do if you don't get the job?

Questions to Employers:
The interview is a two-way process. As well as the employer interviewing you, you are also interviewing your prospective employer. Remember, employers ask questions to get information out of you - but it is a two way process - make sure you tell them the information you want them to hear. Prepare questions prior to the interview:

• What will my role entail?
• How has this position become vacant?
• How does my role fit into the structure of the overall department?
• How will my performance be monitored?
• Who will I report to?
• Will anyone report to me?
• What are the opportunities for further training?
• Where is your company going? Expansion plans?
• Will this position involve travelling?
• What is the next step? What does my daily routine involve?
• What is the objective of this organisation/department/team?
• What sort of person does well here?
• How might I influence my own future in the company?
• Which of my skills are required to do this job?
• How does the culture of this team, this organisation compare to others?
• How will this role satisfy my drives for success/progression/travel?
• What is it about this department and organisation that you (the interviewer) enjoy?

Closing the interview:

• If you are interested in the role, ask about the next interview stage if appropriate. If the interviewer offers you the job on the spot and you want it, accept it there and then. If you require further time to think it over, be tactful in saying so and qualify your reasons. Try and provide a definite date as to when you can provide an answer.
• Do not be disappointed if no definite job offer is made the interview stage. The interviewer will in most cases need to consult colleagues first or interview other suitable candidates.
• If you feel that the interview is not going well, do not be discouraged. Sometimes this is part of an interviewers technique to see how you perform under pressure - and may have no bearing on whether you will/will not get the job. Display a positive attitude at all times.

Ensure that you THANK the interviewer

Oldernotwiser

tyroneshoelaces wrote: »

Now that is just a childish remark, I do have savings put away which allows me to enjoy myself, which, lets be fair, I am entitled to. The JSA just about covers my fuel every month.

As for where i live, i am not stuck in the valleys, i live in between cardiff and swansea and 25 miles either way from me, means i am looking in cardiff and swansea.

The type of jobs I am looking for are not that well paid so travelling more than 25 miles isnt really that feasible due to costs of travelling. If the money was better then that would be possible.

\i would like to thanks the majority of you for your very helpful input except for oldernotwiser.....bit of an odd username for someone who posts such rubbish dont you think?

So, if your JSA pays your fuel and your savings pays for your entertainment, what money pays for your food, rent, utilities etc, whilst you're being so fussy?

tyroneshoelaces

thanks very much, i will keep the above information.

tyroneshoelaces

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

So, if your JSA pays your fuel and your savings pays for your entertainment, what money pays for your food, rent, utilities etc, whilst you're being so fussy?

Are you going to contribute to this thread in the correct manner or is this just your way of being extremely pedantic?

What has my financial situation got to do with you?

As i said the majority of people have replied with very helpful information, how to improve cv, what to do to improve chances, interview etiquette etc etc.

Why you deem it as ok to question how I pay for things is beyond me , I started this thread about not being able to find a job, not how i may/may not be struggling to pay for things.


I suggest you, re-read the OP.

wigglebeena

Nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition!

tyroneshoelaces

i love the way some people get all high and mighty, if i stated I was not bothered about looking for work and enjoyed living on the dole then I would expect nothing less than abuse but almost everyone has replied in a decent, honest and helpful way.
Some people just cannot help themselves.

magic57

Don't worry about the rude one tyourownlaces. Unfortunately some folk enjoy passing judgement and winding people up. I found this out on a thread I started recently. Ignore it if you can.

Good luck.

Oldernotwiser

tyroneshoelaces wrote: »

As i said the majority of people have replied with very helpful information, how to improve cv, what to do to improve chances, interview etiquette etc etc.

.

Actually, the majority of posters said that you were being too picky, too narrow and not applying for enough jobs!

JCP will only allow you to look for a narrow range of work for 13 weeks; after that you'll be expected to apply for a much wider range. You are also supposed to be looking within one hour's travel to work distance, which 25 miles is not and after 13 weeks you're expected to be looking within an 80 mile radius!

At your age, you will be put on New Deal after 6 months unemployment when you are expected to be jobhunting far more intensely and you will be put on an unpaid programme or some kind of basic training. If you have savings over £6,000 at this point you will lose some JSA as it will start to be means tested.

I'd start being more proactive; if you've been unemployed since January the clock is ticking!

Sunnie2812

Emmzi wrote: »

4 applications a week for entry level jobs doesnt sound like enough to me. It's a numbers game, you need to have more entries in the job lottery.

I am roughly doing 30 applications a week. !!!...so far without any luck, but a couple of interviews lined up.. so fingers crossed

Voyager2002

There is nothing wrong with being 'picky', so long as you are focussing on opportunities that would be realistic for you. However, if you have been looking for a long time without obtaining any interviews, you need to do things differently. Either you need to change the way you present yourself on paper, or else you need to consider whether your education and experience are adequate for the kind of jobs that you seek. A professional careers adviser could help with both of these areas, and has specialised skills that your girlfriend is unlikely to possess. Perhaps your rather sniffy dismissal of the advice to get professional help accounts for the severe comments from OldernotWiser, who is a careers professional and usually very helpful in this kind of situation.

I am not convinced that making a large number of poor quality applications would help. What is crucial is that you spot the opportunities that are right for you, and respond to each one with a high quality application to maximise your chances of getting an interview.

I am puzzled by your insistence on staying in your home town. I have been out of work since October 2007 and have attended interviews all over the place (including Ethiopia). The right opportunity might not be on your doorstep, but you can't afford to let it go.