Unemployment Making Me Utterly MISERABLE!

sackcloth

Dear all, I'm back and feeling much better, thanks for the best wishes and positive vibes which I am sure helped me get over this cold. :beer:

RR: great advice there and it's certainly worth investigating the company even before you go for the interview just in case.

I always take the view that I am also interviewing the company I am visiting (it's a two way thing you see) so it's useful to take note of the office atmos and the surroundings when you arrive. Talk to the receptionist as well (just pleasantries) - they can often be quite representative of the company ethos.

Also if the job spec does change after you start don't be afraid to challenge it. And if you decide to move on then be honest with your next interviewer/employer that you left because the role wasn't as presented at interview. I usually know within a week or so whether it's a good move or not and even then I still give around 3 months to settle in and decide one way or another. A life raft standing by is usually a good option during this time. :T Of course, this was during the good days of mass employment and not really relevant now, but when things get better it will be a bit more normal out there.


Medini: welcome along and great to have you in our merry band of whingers!! :rolleyes: Can I offer you some positive advice? You are being proactive and good for you for applying for so many roles. However, a tip I was given was to follow up every email or web application with a telephone call to confirm that they have received your application and/or to discuss the role in a bit more detail. That way you get to the top of the pile and you can also offer some role-specific information from your CV.

At the moment, if you've seen the Reed site, there are hundreds of people chasing each role. You need to make yourself a bit more recognisable. Give all the agencies you signed up with another call or if you haven't been to see them, arrange to go and register with them. They like to know who they are dealing with and a personal contact is likely to remain in their memory for longer.

When you do actually apply for a role, try and tweak your CV first before sending it off. I have several now, for different roles including a "lite" version so I don't frighten off jobs that I am over qualified to do.

Finally, follow everything up at least a week after your first contact. Treat this as your full time job right now, so set aside some time each day to jobsearch and then give yourself the rest of the time to do chores and exercise if you can.

So what's new in my little world? Well, apart from posting here and realising that we've hijacked Truegho's thread to have a proper whinge, I was thinking that maybe we should start our own one? Suggestions for a title anyone?

Apart from that the job market seems to have picked up a bit. After whining and applying to a well known DIY store last week, I have had an interview today plus I have 2 lined up for tomorrow. These are all jobs that a few months ago I wouldn't have considered because the salaries are a lot lower than I was on but with OH still not getting anything offered, I am hopeful that perhaps it will make a difference for us if I get one of these. Having said that, these will be numbers 7, 8 and 9 interviews since I was laid off and the first in June. The problem is that I had just decided to myself to actually get started on setting up my own business...!! But needs must and I certainly don't intend to let go of my dream now it's out in the open.

Right oh, got to get on... keep positive everyone and let me know about the new thread idea?

Chin chin,
Sackcloth

medini

Thanks for the tips, I'm going to put together a 'general' cv to target shops/bars etc and keep my proper cv for more important jobs.

I got to see my dentist for free today so being on JSA has some plus points.

I've been feeling a little jealous of my partner recently as he gets to go to work and I stay in and do all the housework. I hate that I can't provide for us through working at the moment.

sidcat

My other half and I are both out of work after having very well paid jobs we are living off our savings which having kids/mega mortgage etc are going down fast! Iwent to anNHS recruitment day (admin, nursing assistant stuff etc) and the queues were horrendous-it was like the depression of the 30's, went for interview today and 80 had applied (part time/mimimum wage) -no chance there either!Other half used to earn 65K and had had 3 interviews last week for jobs much less than half what he was on and got none of them!The stress is really getting to me as I can see no light at the end of the tunnel-cant even get the crap jobs , cant get any benefits cos we saved! should have splashed out on a new BMW instead! Getting all bitter and twisted

rosered1963

Sackcloth - you are the guru of this thread Don't go away and leave us unless you get a brill job that is!
I hope anyone reading the thread will join in .


Medini - don't beat yourself up! Try to enjoy this time as much as you can - I'm in the same boat as you. I do all the housework and I am growing vegetables for our food and scouring markets for bargains so I am contributing and so are you. It won't be forever!

RRX

rosered1963

sidcat wrote: »

My other half and I are both out of work after having very well paid jobs we are living off our savings which having kids/mega mortgage etc are going down fast! Iwent to anNHS recruitment day (admin, nursing assistant stuff etc) and the queues were horrendous-it was like the depression of the 30's, went for interview today and 80 had applied (part time/mimimum wage) -no chance there either!Other half used to earn 65K and had had 3 interviews last week for jobs much less than half what he was on and got none of them!The stress is really getting to me as I can see no light at the end of the tunnel-cant even get the crap jobs , cant get any benefits cos we saved! should have splashed out on a new BMW instead! Getting all bitter and twisted

Hey Sidcat - I know exactly how you feel. Going from being well off to nothing is terrible. I remember the recession of the early 1980's and this is far far worse. Keep your chin up and I hope you keep posting. have you tried everything to cut your costs? There are some great tips on this website regarding food etc. If you par it down as far as possible, that's all you can do - and best wishes to your OH - it must be very hard for him and I know what it's like.

RR

scrooge2008

Hi everyone,

All the best Sackcloth for your interview tomorrow. You don't have to give up your dream of self employment. I think I am about six months further down the line than most of you. Lost a job paying £50k+ and was the major breadwinner in our house so on redundancy family income dropped 2/3rds.

Have pulled myself out of the pits done the menial jobs to pay the mortgage and things are beginning to fall into place. Last week I officially registered with Companies House as own business has proved to be viable and I have turned a corner. Menial jobs are still necessary though to ensure day to day expenses are paid.

I have learnt to survive on a tiny budget, became a much better cook, my health is improving dramatically as I eat home grown food and count my blessings. I am determined to be the person I always wanted to be but never had the time to be.

I've got a long way to go, but I am beginning to enjoy the journey. As Churchill said, "If you are going through hell, keep going!"

toasterman

medini wrote: »

I got to see my dentist for free today so being on JSA has some plus points.

I've been feeling a little jealous of my partner recently as he gets to go to work and I stay in and do all the housework. I hate that I can't provide for us through working at the moment.

Hi Medini,
Do you have to register or something for that? I'm on JSA and Housing Benefit, and should have had a dentist appointment at the end of April but have been putting it off. Is it a case of not paying, or do you pay and claim it back?

I don't have anyone to provide for, but I feel the same about not being able to provide for myself. Despite how I'm only claiming benefits I've paid into through working, I feel rubbish about doing it.

hr100

I too was earning a good salary and also had a great job, there is never a day when I minded going to work because it was my dream job.

Then it all came crashing down and I lost my job, it was very emotional and it took me a little time to come to terms with it.

Now, I am looking for my next challenge but its hard hard work, I have seen a job I really want to do and I have done everything I can to get an interview but know if I dont it will really knock my confidence again.

I am calling companies I want to work for, trying to speak to people, networking, applying for jobs online, sending spec letters etc. Not sure what else I can do

Still chin up

lufcgirl

I know how everyone feels. I've never been out of work in my life till I lost my job in April, now I just feel completely stuck and I'm only 25!

I've been applying online on these jobs websites, even considering retraining at college to do something else, checking the jobcentreplus website everyday (thats useless because it brings up the same seven non-existent jobs on the front page every day!) but still no luck.
I've now found a job too that I'd love to do, it's perfect for me in every way. Wasn't advertised nationally, just in a local newspaper and sent off my details so fingers crossed I hear back from them. If not I'll give them a call tomorrow.

How people can survive on £60 a week I'll never know. I can't buy my clothes I'm used to, eat out like I'm used to or anything and relying on OH for flights to and from seeing them (unless I find the £10 ones which usually has me jumping!). Thats my time away from it all. I think I'd go crazy without some time away from jobhunting!

andygb

toasterman wrote: »

Hi Medini,
Do you have to register or something for that? I'm on JSA and Housing Benefit, and should have had a dentist appointment at the end of April but have been putting it off. Is it a case of not paying, or do you pay and claim it back?

I don't have anyone to provide for, but I feel the same about not being able to provide for myself. Despite how I'm only claiming benefits I've paid into through working, I feel rubbish about doing it.

Toasterman, you should be eligible for free dental treatment if you are on JSA. I only signed on in September last year (Previously didn't because of "pride" - stupid me), because my teeth needed more work (after paying out hundreds of pounds for them whilst working). I found a NHS dentist, and signed a form, and they did my teeth.
Go for it, there is no pain like toothache!
Andy