Unemployment Making Me Utterly MISERABLE!

ThinkingOfLinking

catnamedog wrote: »

I have applied to all the supermarkets and diy stores. So far, the closest I got was a phone call from my local ASDA just before last Christmas, asking me if I was prepared to work nights. I told them "yes", of course. I heard no more, despite making several phone calls. The promised "someone will call you back" never happened.
I wonder if it is worth NOT mentioning my qualifications - a kind of dumbed down CV. I have been told a number of times that I am over-qualified! :mad:

My dumbed down CV has been ignored by many. I also cant get a job at Asda, or Tesco...it's sooo soul destroying. Even more so when you go to hand your CV in and see you're more intelligent/hardworking/suited than the job than some of the people already working at the place.

toasterman

andygb wrote: »

Hi Toasterman,
unfortunately a lot of people want something for nothing nowadays, and when they see someone like you or me, then they think it is time to take the mickey. I possibly have a wedding photography shoot lined up for October, but I get the impression that the couple want it done for free, and they don't even know me - cheeky sods. So, do I do this and use it as a learning curve, or do I just ignore it and move on?

The person with the illegal cable had a little dig about the cost with fixing some other stuff too. I think I charged her a total of £20 for two visits of several hours each, and god knows how long in phone calls before and after.
In your predicament, personally I'd probably do it for nothing, because I'm interested in photography but I'M not good enough to charge for it. Maybe it might lead to paid work in the future.
If you're a good photographer, I don't see anything wrong with asking for payment - they're presumably paying for clothes, catering, flowers.
Presumably they'll want multiple copies of photos for family members - area for some markup there?
Also, as catnamedog suggests, different formats of photo usage.

Good luck.

duncans-mum_2

Reading this thread has made me feel not quite so alone and worthless. Thank you.

I am on week 9 following redundancy after 8 years in a well paid job. Luckily for me things are not too bad financially yet as I was lucky to get redundancy and notice pay. Although trust me I am being so frugal with the pennies, as I have no idea how long it needs to last.

I honestly thought that I would have found employment by now. I do keep my day filled with reading, jobs around the house, and boy my garden has never been so tidy! And walking into town lots just to be around people and get a bit of exercise.

However I feel guilty doing these things as they are not work. Some days I wake up feeling so down as I try and think of what to do that day. Other days I can wake up, see the sunshine and think what a nice stress free day I can have!

I am going to see about doing some volunteer work in one of the many charity shops we have around here, just to feel like I am doing something to benefit others hopefully, not just myself.

Also, I know most people mean well, but 90% of people that I see now always start the conversation with "you got a job yet?"

What is also making me worried though is all the jobs out there that I can apply for now are such low wages. I know I was spoilt in the wage i had before redundancy but the jobs around now are less money than I was on 10 years ago. Not the end of the world I know, its better than JSA, but still makes me feel like a failure taking a step back. I know I am not the only one and I try really hard not to feel sorry for myself as I am in a better position than others financially. I think its just a case of pride.

catnamedog

I'm just reminded of my sister-in-law, who having moved into her new house, wanted the ancient privet hedges replaced with fencing. I suggested that I could do it, which she was very keen on. When I gave her my estimate of around £500 plus materials - making a total of around £1100, she was absolutely stunned! She told me "no" quite categorically. She then paid a local firm £1600 for the job, and was very happy with what she paid. I would laugh about it if I didn't think she is just plain stupid. I await the day when I can quote her for something else - with a huge mark-up!:j

rosered1963

duncans-mum wrote: »

Reading this thread has made me feel not quite so alone and worthless. Thank you.

I am on week 9 following redundancy after 8 years in a well paid job. Luckily for me things are not too bad financially yet as I was lucky to get redundancy and notice pay. Although trust me I am being so frugal with the pennies, as I have no idea how long it needs to last.

I honestly thought that I would have found employment by now. I do keep my day filled with reading, jobs around the house, and boy my garden has never been so tidy! And walking into town lots just to be around people and get a bit of exercise.

However I feel guilty doing these things as they are not work. Some days I wake up feeling so down as I try and think of what to do that day. Other days I can wake up, see the sunshine and think what a nice stress free day I can have!

I am going to see about doing some volunteer work in one of the many charity shops we have around here, just to feel like I am doing something to benefit others hopefully, not just myself.

Also, I know most people mean well, but 90% of people that I see now always start the conversation with "you got a job yet?"

What is also making me worried though is all the jobs out there that I can apply for now are such low wages. I know I was spoilt in the wage i had before redundancy but the jobs around now are less money than I was on 10 years ago. Not the end of the world I know, its better than JSA, but still makes me feel like a failure taking a step back. I know I am not the only one and I try really hard not to feel sorry for myself as I am in a better position than others financially. I think its just a case of pride.

Hi Duncan's mum - it sounds like you are in a similar position to me, except I am five months down the line with absolutely no money. My advice to you now would be to really spend as little as possible and save everything you can for a rainy day - even if it's just stop buying impulse purchases. You would be amazed what the difference even £10 a week makes to utter misery or getting by. I have gone from a well paid job to living on a tiny amount of money - after bills are paid, we have nothing. I am doing some voluntary work as well - good luck to you.

I have subscribed to this thread - I hope others do as there are some nice people on here already.

HelenYorkshire

May I join you after a bad day?
Just had latest rejection letter... have been turned away from most agencies as I've none of the usual bar /retail / office work experience. Enquired about factory jobs, but "girls don't stay long" due to heavy lifting - a fair point to consider, but couldn't get rid of me quick enough after that.
I found a decent old car for sale - thinking ooo that will give me an advantage - but I couldn't afford to insure myself on it. So bang go all the "own transport required" jobs. But hey, people needing work doesn't stop the bus companies cutting back services does it?
I'd happily relocate (at the moment, I'd leave here tomorrow!) but I'd have to give a months notice to LL after job was offered - who's gonna want to wait an extra month for an employee??
I want to go back into training, have got a pittance saved for fees, but if I can't find a part time job then I can't do it as hours are too much to claim jsa.
I'm tired of feeling guilty for spending a tenner every few weeks to see my friends. I'm tired of being treated like scum. I'm tired of having to defend my actions, my failures, my aims. I'm tired of pointless conversations with people I can't stand.
I've always been skint, I can usually deal with that, but I can't cope with being judged constantly- be it housemates, employers, jobcentre staff, family...

Marcus_Sulley

Hi there

I am making a documentary about the reality of unemployment in the recent recession a google search directed me to this site. I wondered if I might have a chat with you sometime about your situation. It would be in confidence. Apologies if this post is agains the rules! My contacts are high-tide.films@ntlworld.com, 07930-334-391

Best wishes Marcus Sulley

rosered1963

HelenYorkshire: sorry to hear that. Gosh - I know exactly what you mean - well put! I know what you mean about being judged - I feel the same coming at me from all directions. It's so wearing!

I don't have a car either, and I live in a rural area outside York, and the bus fares are a lot, even just to get into town.

I hope you get some luck soon. I wish I could think of something to say to make you feel better. If you don't have any retail or office experience, working in a charity shop would help as you would gain experience of retail, merchandising, money handling and paperwork, all which would help you get a job - I think? (Not necessarily retail). Also, you would get an up to date reference. I know many of them pay your travel expenses.

Good luck and I hope you come back and tell us how it's going.

Rosered

sackcloth

Hello all,

DuncansMum, I know exactly where you are coming from. All those years of working hard, learning your skills and climbing the career ladder seem to count for nothing. My OH feels exactly the same as you that he is being forced to go backwards and it's not just pride, it's about fairness! After all, when we left school we were told that we should work hard and get on to be successful. I'm not sure I can say the same to my kids right now.

Rosered, great advice, as someone who's also scraping along (literally) as neither of us got redundancy payments as we hadn't been in the companies long enough, I'd say save save save right now so there's some money to pay the bills. Despite rejigging everything, the benefits don't cover the monthly bills we have and that doesn't include food costs and expenses for the kids. Oh to be "normal" again... lol!!

Finally, HelenYorkshire, welcome along to bad day city! We're with you hun! Please don't feel guilty about seeing your friends and DON'T YOU DARE feel guilty for being unemployed. I've found that my friends are very supportive and I think a lot of them are thinking it could be them instead of me. As for the rest of the world, ignore them. There are a lot of us out here and we demand to be treated with respect. Well I do, quite surprises the JC staff when I say good morning and ask them how they are... lol!! I have worked in an office for over 20 years so have very little retail skills (certainly not since my saturday jobs when I was at school) but I'm applying for as many roles as I think I can do. Talk about a !!!!-eyed optimist!

Have a good evening everyone and thanks again for your support today,
Sackcloth.

PS. Marcus Sulley - are you offering us all jobs? First in line please people... lol!!

rosered1963

Hey well said Sackcloth! You haven't lost your sense of humour! :rotfl::rotfl:

I always smile at the Job Centre staff and ask them how they are - now they all remember me when I come in! I don't think many people do this - but I think I would like to be smiled at if I was doing that job. Often when I go in there there are lowlives shouting and swearing at them. They are just doing what they are told - they don't make the policy.