Can't find a job ANYWHERE GRRR

gemma1979

I have sent my cv and covering letters to about 15 different jobs this week and not heard a dratted sausage in return not even a courtesy letter saying sorry not this time The jobs i did apply for some werent exactly what i want in an ideal world but out of desperation i applied for anything and everything i could do and STILL no luck I cant even obtain a cleaning job they want previous experience it seems you need previous experience or a qualification to wipe someones butt these days its ridiculous i mean how hard do they think it is to pick up a mop bucket/hoover or whatever i run a house with 3 young children i clean efficiently every day i cant get an office job as they want 2 references and i only have one i have offered to work on trial basis's and everything it is really really peeing me off now On top of all that i have not seen any new vacancies i can apply for for last 2 days i have checked jcp website and other websites more than twice a DAY so i can be the early bird when one pops up local newspapers the lot I am getting really disheartened and fed up on top of that i have to deal with the dwp who seem to think everyone is work shy and look at you in a questioning manner when you tell them things and like you are stupid i hate being skint!!!

Evilm

I appreciate your anger - I have office experience and still get overlooked for other people and seem to only ever hear from 1 in 5 of the people I contact! (and thats normally a no or a "it was filled internally" etc).

Have you considered using a friend as a personal reference for the second reference? Some should accept that.

Also volunteering could get you a second reference, as long as its under the 16hrs per week it won't affect your JSA.

Good luck!

tiff

I'm no expert in this, am being made redundant and recently applied for two school jobs and both times got an interview (but didnt get the job!) Have two more applications in awating the closing date.

First of all is your CV and covering letter good enough? Is there someone you can show it to or maybe on here without showing your name?

Why do you only have 1 reference? When I had not been working for a long time after having children I gave my most recent employer and someone who had known me a long time but not professionally.

You dont always need a qualification, but you need to prove to them that you either have experience or have the skills from other jobs. I didnt have an NVQ 2 in playwork when I applied to be a play worker but they were happy for me to do the NVQ once I was employed.

I am going for admin jobs and have experience in admin but dont have an NVQ. As long as you show you have all the skills required it should be enough to get an interview.

dmg24

JessicaBabe, you've just been reported to Abuse!

(JessicaBabe is an AE who has been banned many times.)

Gleeful

JessicaBabe is PPR'd already, fantastic!

gemma1979

Hi

Thanks for all your replies.

My CV is the traditional chronological variety and I think is about average. I think the layout is okay and I have basic qualifications such as GCSEs RSA etc, no degree though. I think its the lack of reference thing whats putting them off plus the fact I last worked in 2005. This is because I've been a stay at home mum since then. I have 3 children aged 9, 4 and 3. I think this also puts them off, although legally I know it shouldn't but in reality I think it does as they'd be worrying about childcare falling through or me having time off if they become ill. Plus the various rights attached to having children like parental leave. I think in particular it puts the smaller firms off. Plus because of childcare I'm not as flexible as some; for example can't work evenings/nights/weekends. Its really frustrating. Had another fruitless search today and not heard anything from any I have already applied for. I'm not on JSA my partner is on ESA and claims for me. My youngest has special needs and gets DLA so I am also classed as a carer although I don't claim it but I have underlying entitlement for it. So I don't know how volunteering and things work in this situation. Its my partner who is struggling with the DWP as the medical criteria etc stricter and they are very wary of people lying so they don't have to work at the moment. He is completely incapable as he is schizophrenic and quite badly so plus the effects of the medication he is on makes him drowsy and sleep but I dont know how they assess all this and they may require him to hunt for some form of work in which case they will be making a big mistake as he will end up in hospital or prison and definitely sacked. But its a worry as its my income it affects as well. I cant claim in my own name with him here. Unless he moves out. So if he loses his esa I lose income and Housing benefit etc too and I have no means of paying it as i have no income other than child tax and child benefit. So I am really stressed. I have the kids and him to look after and now this as well. So I am desperate to find a job.

Mathsguy

gemma1979 wrote: »

My CV is the traditional chronological variety and I think is about average. I think the layout is okay and I have basic qualifications such as GCSEs RSA etc, no degree though. I think its the lack of reference thing whats putting them off plus the fact I last worked in 2005. This is because I've been a stay at home mum since then. I have 3 children aged 9, 4 and 3. I think this also puts them off, although legally I know it shouldn't but in reality I think it does as they'd be worrying about childcare falling through or me having time off if they become ill. Plus the various rights attached to having children like parental leave. I think in particular it puts the smaller firms off. Plus because of childcare I'm not as flexible as some; for example can't work evenings/nights/weekends. Its really frustrating. Had another fruitless search today and not heard anything from any I have already applied for. I'm not on JSA my partner is on ESA and claims for me. My youngest has special needs and gets DLA so I am also classed as a carer although I don't claim it but I have underlying entitlement for it. So I don't know how volunteering and things work in this situation. Its my partner who is struggling with the DWP as the medical criteria etc stricter and they are very wary of people lying so they don't have to work at the moment. He is completely incapable as he is schizophrenic and quite badly so plus the effects of the medication he is on makes him drowsy and sleep but I dont know how they assess all this and they may require him to hunt for some form of work in which case they will be making a big mistake as he will end up in hospital or prison and definitely sacked. But its a worry as its my income it affects as well. I cant claim in my own name with him here. Unless he moves out. So if he loses his esa I lose income and Housing benefit etc too and I have no means of paying it as i have no income other than child tax and child benefit. So I am really stressed. I have the kids and him to look after and now this as well. So I am desperate to find a job.

Is your CV written in blocks of long text like the above?

If so, I think we have found the reason.

Samanthamum

Mathsguy wrote: »

Is your CV written in blocks of long text like the above?

If so, I think we have found the reason.

I suspect you are a troll, but don't be so patronising.

As the OP said she cannot work evenings or weekends has been as SAHM for many years and has 3 kids. This alone will put employers off, even if her CV was perfect. It is tough out there, especially for those of us with responsibilities and no family help.

GoodNewmover

gemma1979 wrote: »

I have sent my cv and covering letters to about 15 different jobs this week and not heard a dratted sausage in return not even a courtesy letter saying sorry not this time

You can improve on that this time and try 15 per day. Some people do this and do receive a response and even an interview. Check your CV is up to scratch.

gemma1979 wrote: »

The jobs i did apply for some werent exactly what i want in an ideal world but out of desperation i applied for anything and everything i could do and STILL no luck I cant even obtain a cleaning job they want previous experience it seems you need previous experience or a qualification to wipe someones butt these days its ridiculous i mean how hard do they think it is to pick up a mop bucket/hoover or whatever i run a house with 3 young children i clean efficiently

Yes come across alot of people doing the exact same thing with no luck. Nearly every position requires some experience whether that be a cleaning or banking position. Have you thought about proving to them that you can do what they require? They don't have to pay you until they've seen how good or bad you are.

gemma1979 wrote: »

every day i cant get an office job as they want 2 references and i only have one i have offered to work on trial basis's and everything it is really really peeing me off now On top of all that i have not seen any new vacancies i can apply for for last 2 days i have checked jcp website and other websites more than twice a DAY so i can be the early bird when one pops up local newspapers the lot I am getting really disheartened and fed up on top of that i have to deal with the dwp who seem to think everyone is work shy and look at you in a questioning manner when you tell them things and like you are stupid i hate being skint!!!

You've basically got four options in this climate:

1.Find a decent job if it works out.
2.Voluntary work then hopefully they'll employ you.
3.Job Seekers Allowance.
4.Self-employment.

Question, did you watch BBC's Money Watch this week? If you did not you can watch it on BBC iPlayer online. It may help you. They covered many things, job search, current climate, money saving tips and self-employment.

Mathsguy

Samanthamum wrote: »

I suspect you are a troll, but don't be so patronising.

As the OP said she cannot work evenings or weekends has been as SAHM for many years and has 3 kids. This alone will put employers off, even if her CV was perfect. It is tough out there, especially for those of us with responsibilities and no family help.

I am not a troll. I was giving a frank comment that if a CV is not structured properly and presentable then there is no chance for the candidate whether they are perfect for the role or not as noone will bother reading it. If the OP's posts are anything to go by, then I suggest that a CV review could be a step in the right direction.

GoodNewmover

Samanthamum wrote: »

As the OP said...

Errm, what is an ''OP'' Thanks. Does anyone know?