Trying hard to find a job? What on earth am I doing wrong?

unemployedbloke

I have now been unemployed for 3 months, and it's bloody rotten.

I have been involved in trade development for the last 10 years or so, but every time I apply for jobs, I either hear nothing back, or I don't get them. My CV is up to scratch, and has been checked by someone in the know. I have also been on an interview techniques course arranged by the job centre, so I know I am giving sufficient answers in interviews. I have also been to a course showing me how to find hidden and unadvertised vacancies.

What really hacks me off is that most of the jobs in my field are advertised via recruitment agencies, and more often than not they just fabricate vacancies to get jobhunters enrolled with them - one particular job required me to travel nearly 50 miles to the offices of the recruitment agency: the job opportunityI was interested in did not actually exist.

My last interview required me to drive around 40 miles in the p!ss!ing slushy snow. I spent nearly £40 on temporary car insurance and £20 on petrol specially to get there. The interview went well: I showed terrific competence, they told me my skills and knowledge were ideal for the job, and they promised to inform me of their decision within 10 days: 2 weeks came and went, and nothing. I decided to ring them in case they had forgotten about me, to be told they had loads more people to see, (So bloody nice of them to leave me hanging).

I have also sent a really nice letter along with my CV to virtually every manufacturer and supplier in my field (Around 40-50 companies). To date only one of these companies have replied saying they will keep my details on file. Why won't more companies at least email me or something to say 'thanks but no thanks'? I can appreciate business may be slow at this time of year, but hey....

Going to the jobcentre is mind-numbing. I go there, all revved up to find a job, but the place is just full of 5h!tk!ckers who have no intention of working, and the job centre staff all treat me as if I can't be bothered either, when it is not the case.

Can anyone offer me any more advice on what I might be doing wrong? I really am trying everything. Please

alenax

I don't think this is a job advertising board...

nuttyp

well done in your commitment to job hunting, i work in the retail sector and see so many people who just go on to reproduce even more children and quite openley admiit they have no intentions of getting a job. I wish, i have 2 part time jobs.

I really wish you the best of luck, and i hope someone has some more info of a possible job vacancy in your area. Unfortunatley im not in your area, but i truely hope someone reads this and offers you some work.....

unemployedbloke

alenax wrote: »

I don't think this is a job advertising board...

Sorry. I have edited the post accordingly:o

singingkettle

I really hope you find something soon. It sounds like you are doing the right things, maybe you need to broaden the type of role you are willing to take on, outside your field of experience?

Is it possible you could train to teach people something using your knowledge an experience. One of my local colleges is looking for people with specific work based experience e.g tradesmen, finance etc to work as tutors. Could be a possibility. My Dads mate did this as a stop gap.

Sorry these suggestions are not great hope you get something soon. My partner is unemployed and has been for 2 months now. After months of applications (he knew firm was going belly up for a while) he has finally got two interviews this month, before that nothing.

alenax

unemployedbloke wrote: »

Sorry. I have edited the post accordingly:o

I didn't mean to sound rude, so sorry on my part too I can't really offer you any advice other than wish you luck and hope things go better for you in the future. Jobhunting sucks at the moment!

dizzy_lizzie

It's only an idea but how about doing some voluntary work in something that really interests you.(Not sure how it would affect your benefits though) May lead to you getting some free training whilst there, and sometimes if a vacancy does arrive at least you've got as good as chance as anybody else, if not more. Can also broaden which jobs you do go for if you can do voluntary. Also your local college should have free IT courses available if you need to brush up on your skills and once again recent updated skills may give you that edge over someone else. Or how about college part time in the evenings and learn a completely new career, I think college courses are free if you're in receipt of benefits.
Just a few ideas and hope they give you something to think about.
Wish you all the best in your search, sounds like you're really determined and I'm sure with that outlook something will come along.
Dizzy

underlay_guru

Hi,

Can concur with the above. Maybe volunary work can lead to something paid within the same type of organisation? Being unemployed ain't good, and the job centres always seem to be full of negativity.

pineapple

I have just found a 3 day job after being unemployed for 5 months. Coincidentally they have just told me I will be getting some mortgage help so I probably won't be that much better off. However it could maybe lead on to other things.
You are right, it sucks signing on. I don't think the staff are that bad really but they are mainly just going through the motions. They can't magic jobs out of thin air. Employers are saying they are being flooded out with applications. So you have to make yours stand out somehow. And then, even if you get an interview, you have maybe a 1 in 6 chance of getting the job. It's so demoralising.
My neighbour was unemployed for 6 months and has ended up with a job in a call centre. Totally unrelated to his previous work. But his attitude is, it is better than nothing until something else turns up. I think you have to look outside your normal field. There will be some transferable skills. And if it is a new area for you, you could even try selling yourself as being able to give a fresh perspective.
Of course the longer it gets the more difficult it becomes. Employers like to know what you have been doing. I was asked that outright in a job interview recently. The reply 'Looking for work' doesn't quite cut it. So I would look at part time college courses and volunteering. Good luck!

DCFC79

unemployedbloke wrote: »

My last interview required me to drive around 40 miles in the p!ss!ing slushy snow. I spent nearly £40 on temporary car insurance and £20 on petrol specially to get there.

ive been through this as well and its not good, the agency said there was a job at so and so so i said yes ill go for an interview at the employer to be told teh job didnt exist, the agency didnt even apologise. I felt a bit of a prat to say the least.

Hope you find something

peter999

unemployedbloke wrote: »

To date only one of these companies have replied saying they will keep my details on file. Why won't more companies at least email me or something to say 'thanks but no thanks'? I can appreciate business may be slow at this time of year, but hey....

Can anyone offer me any more advice on what I might be doing wrong? I really am trying everything. Please

You're probably doing nothing fundamentally wrong.
Agencies & employers have always behaved that way.

If the jobs aren't there, the jobs aren't there.

Keep plugging away, keep adapting.