So very very fed up :-(

SevenOfNine

If you have registered with local temp agencies, then you need to give them a polite and friendly phone call first thing on Monday mornings to see if they have anything for you - better yet (according to my friend), is to pop in (again on Mondays) and ask. You must be pushy, if you sit back 'waiting' they'll just give the work to other regulars they have got to know.

Why don't you look at www.do-it.org.uk and see if there's any voluntary work you could consider, just 3 hours a week (or 6 split between 2 organisations), give you something worthwhile to get you up and about...........and to stick on your application forms.

Do you have a Women and Work organisation in your area, a web search should identify if you have. Very helpful with CV's, applications, interview skills, assorted training etc Free with some expenses paid to you.

Have you asked if your Local Authority or hospital have their own temp registers? Also some of your bigger companies - call HR and see if they have their own or do they use a particular company - then go and register with that one. Speculative CV's are fine, as long as your covering letter is addressed to someone specific within the company (apparently).

You're not just 'churning out' applications are you? Each one needs a lot of work, not a "one size fits all" approach! Good luck

Swifteaves

elfieb wrote: »

Im applying for around 30 jobs a week, how many of these vacancies actually exsist I am not sure, as the majority tend to be with recruitment agencies

Elfieb, I can totally empathise with your situation.

You say you are applying for around 30 jobs a week - if they are all agency jobs you need to look at doing direct employer applications.

My tip is to use the Advanced internet search functions using keywords such as "Our People", "About Us", "Experienced Hires", "No Agencies". You have to trawl through a lot of pages but you will find other opportunities this way. You can also add location e.g. "Manchester" - Give it a try.

Keep a table of your all of your applications. Use the information to work out how many jobs you need to apply for each week in order to get an interview. It may well end up being 35 applications per one interview, but at least then you have a target to work to. Separate the agency jobs from the direct employer ones. Build up a picture. If you are getting no interviews at all, then do look at ways to improve your CV.

You will find something eventually. Don't despair and whatever you do, don't give up.

Dizzy_Ditzy

Have you tried your local NHS? they may have a clerical bank which is pretty much an internal agency but it may be of help to you- i know ours generally tends to book staff for longer term assigments to cover long term sick, unfilled positions etc.

Is worth a go if nothing else.

Dont give up. I know someone in the same position and know how hard they are finding things, but it willhappen, keep your chin up :-)

elfieb

Thank you all for your replies.....

Little breakthrough today....applied for a job directly to an employer on totaljobs, and within 20 minutes of submitting my CV, I recieved an email offering me an interview on Wednesday!! This in itself has perked me up.......so nice to get a response to an application!!

Trying not to get my hopes up too high though.....had an interview for the "dream" job a few weeks ago, and was devastated when the phone call never came :-( Taking this one, one step at a time.......

Deep_In_Debt

elfieb wrote: »

After weeks of trying not to let my job hunt get me down, tonight I appear to have hit rock bottom.

Im looking for a job in administration. At the beginning of my search, I was hoping to find a suitable secretarial job, but at this point I would take just about anything.
Im applying for around 30 jobs a week, how many of these vacancies actually exsist I am not sure, as the majority tend to be with recruitment agencies, who seem to take great delight in making you fill in a multitude of forms, never to be heard of again!

The numbers absolutely terify me.....when apply for jobs online on one website in particular, you can see how many other candidates have applied......almost everytime the numbers are in the 200s.......how can you possibly compete??!!

Ive had occasional brain waves in thinking of going back to college, to perhaps retrain, but then reality hits in....how am I supposed to live on fresh air?? I feel absolutely trapped and helpless.:(

I know what you mean about the number of applicants...but somebody has to get the job! I felt the same when I applied for my job in Aug 2008 to see there were over 100 applicants the first day it was advertised...but if I hadn't sent my cv off I'd never have got it! You don't know the standard of the other applicants.

Temping is a way I've got jobs. I do secretarial but have done anything in a company to get my foot in the door and see what they had.

Good luck and don't give up.

Deep_In_Debt

Just another thought and I don't know how practical or easy this is for you to do, but in my previous company I used to do a lot of recruitment and frequently got calls from the receptionist saying that there was someone in reception with their c.v. asking to speak with the person responsible for recruitment. If you leave your cv with reception, make sure you get the name of the HR person and follow up with a call a couple of days later, just to make sure they've received your cv and to answer any questions they may have and a chance to sell yourself while you're at it! I recruited a few people that way as I could informally chat with them first and gauge how keen they were. If they weren't suitable, I'd take their cv anyway and send to other departments in case they had opportunities.

Gives you a chance to see a bit of the environment and the people too so works both ways.

pineapple

I was unemployed for 5 months and was practically full time job hunting. Still don't know how you manage 30 applications in a week though. I could easily spend a couple of mornings on one application. There again, the employers in my field do not accept CVs. They require applications on longwinded forms including a point by point 'essay' on how you meet the job specification.
I signed up for email alerts with every job site going and registered with several agencies. But I also visited specific employers sites.
I was on JSA and kept a record of every job enquiry/application and the results. I'll swear they used to flinch when I came in with my list.
I would have thought, with admin, you have plenty to go at - with a choice between the public, private and charity sector.
Try not to pigeon hole yourself!

Hellyboro

elfieb wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies.....

Little breakthrough today....applied for a job directly to an employer on totaljobs, and within 20 minutes of submitting my CV, I recieved an email offering me an interview on Wednesday!! This in itself has perked me up.......so nice to get a response to an application!!

Trying not to get my hopes up too high though.....had an interview for the "dream" job a few weeks ago, and was devastated when the phone call never came :-( Taking this one, one step at a time.......

Sympathise, my dream job recently went to someone else and apparently I was 2nd, which is nice to hear but also not nice.Im so fed up. I seem to get invited to interviews then must be so awful I never get the job. Good luck with your interview

jessbob

elfieb wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies.....

Little breakthrough today....applied for a job directly to an employer on totaljobs, and within 20 minutes of submitting my CV, I recieved an email offering me an interview on Wednesday!! This in itself has perked me up.......so nice to get a response to an application!!

Trying not to get my hopes up too high though.....had an interview for the "dream" job a few weeks ago, and was devastated when the phone call never came :-( Taking this one, one step at a time.......

Good luck with your interview:)

SevenOfNine

Hellyboro wrote: »

Sympathise, my dream job recently went to someone else and apparently I was 2nd, which is nice to hear but also not nice.Im so fed up. I seem to get invited to interviews then must be so awful I never get the job. Good luck with your interview

Sorry to burst your bubble Hellyboro, but I 'temped' in HR a while back and had the task of ringing unsuccessful candidates. Was instructed to tell them all they "did well and came a close second"!

Unhelpful or what, means they may not look to improve their interview skills if they're led to think they nearly got the jobs.

I should add that sometimes getting picked is just down to pure luck - your time will come so keep trying.