Maybe its time to totally give up looking for work.

Widelats

I have not been replied to for a job in over 4 years yet applied for many, hundreds.

The last straw has come from volunteering, i sent away email applications for volunteer work for the blind, the peoples kitchen working with homeless, the cyrenians, and the red cross and not one of these volunteer groups have got back to me!

For me i am giving up, and moving abroad ASAP i trulyy from the bottom of my heart hate this country and its organisations, its businesses and the way its people are, if they are not corrupt they are ignorant, i have had enough.

Thanks for reading.

mazinmouse

And to where are you planning to go?

NorthernLas

Get back in touch with the Cyrenians, they are a local charity to you.

Phone them up and ask if you can speak with someone about volunteering.

Don't get disheartened because they did not reply to your email. There could be lots of reasons for this and it is unlikely that it is because they are being rude!

cannyscot_2

I don't want to dishearten you but if you are getting rejected at the application stage it isn't you it's your application. You need someone to look at it objectively for you. I think you have been pretty brave to keep on applying for 4 years. If you haven't got anyone to look at it I'd be happy to help you via PM.

chocsessential

I find that voluntary organisations don't reply to emails, so I don't know why they bother giving out their email addresses! Phoning is a good idea, please don't give up.

Vader123

If you have been job-hunting for four years you are doing something wrong!

Will you move for a job?

Have you actually been to the charities in person? (Keyboard/internet applying does not work)

Have you been round your local town handing in your CVs to local shops?

checked at your local pub?

Had someone look at your CV?

vader

donquine

Widelats wrote: »

The last straw has come from volunteering, i sent away email applications for volunteer work for the blind, the peoples kitchen working with homeless, the cyrenians, and the red cross and not one of these volunteer groups have got back to me!

Ah, you're from Aberdeen? No idea about the Foyer and the Cyrenians, but I do know you'll get a better response from BRC by calling. They have part time volunteers covering Aberdeen and other cities, so move about a bit. Call, really, don't drop them an email.

There are lots of charity shops which will appreciate a hand with sorting the bric-a-brac - pop into one and ask to speak to the manager. I know there's one on Union Street (perhaps the BHF one?) that always seems to be advertising for volunteers. PDSA as well is always looking. There are quite a few branches.

If you're after something a bit challenging, try calling The Samaritans for an info pack on 08705 62 72 82. (They're based on Dee Street.) I've never volunteered for them, but I've received training given by them for another charity and I was humbled. If you're emotionally strong enough, it sounds very rewarding.

If you've had no luck getting a job in 4 years, not only must there be something wrong with your CV, but it's also going to look quite out of date by now. If you walk into a charity shop tomorrow and ask if they need your help, they'll take it and soon you'll have something to talk about on your CV.

How are your qualifications? Up to scratch or could you do with jazzing up the academics on your CV? You're on a low income, ILA Scotland will give you £500 free to do some learning: http://www.ilascotland.org.uk/Course+Search/search.htm

You may also be entitled to other government funding/college support at somewhere like Aberdeen College. If you're allowed to train for free due to a low income, that's an opportunity worth grabbing.

How is your English? Does it let you down on application forms? Try a free course here: http://alison.com/AllCourses

After 4 years, I can understand why you're feeling demoralised, but that doesn't mean you have to give up. You just need to change your approach.

FATBALLZ

Agree that email applications are a bit crap. I don't know why a lot of businesses do online applications, I've filled in 5 or 6 over the last couple of months and had zero reply. However going through job agencies has gained me loads of interest and interviews. You'd be better off ringing up or going to the site if possible to chase up your applications, and make sure your CV is read and you get feedback.

briona

Widelats wrote: »

I have not been replied to for a job in over 4 years yet applied for many, hundreds.

The last straw has come from volunteering, i sent away email applications for volunteer work for the blind, the peoples kitchen working with homeless, the cyrenians, and the red cross and not one of these volunteer groups have got back to me!

For me i am giving up, and moving abroad ASAP i trulyy from the bottom of my heart hate this country and its organisations, its businesses and the way its people are, if they are not corrupt they are ignorant, i have had enough.

Thanks for reading.

I respectfully suggest that it's not the country that's the problem but rather your applications. If you haven't had so much as a response in over four years, you are doing something wrong. I suspect it involves blindly firing off the same CV/application for every job and never asking for feedback.

Re. being rejected for volunteering, ask yourself what you have done in the past four years that makes you think you would be an asset to any team. I know it's harsh but four years is a long time to have sat around doing nothing. In four years you could have volunteered, raised money for charity, re-trained, travelled the world, worked/volunteered in Europe... Not so long ago you were talking of doing a diving course. I take it you never followed that (or related careers) up? See: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1698845&highlight=

What makes you think another country is the answer? The UK is far from perfect but you have the advantage of actually speaking the language, and in the event you can't find work there is a fairly generous social welfare system in place – one of the few in the world which pays out even if you have not paid in.

Briona

Oldernotwiser

mazinmouse wrote: »

And to where are you planning to go?

And, more importantly, what are you going to live on when you get there?

dave4545454

Widelats wrote: »

I have not been replied to for a job in over 4 years yet applied for many, hundreds.

The last straw has come from volunteering, i sent away email applications for volunteer work for the blind, the peoples kitchen working with homeless, the cyrenians, and the red cross and not one of these volunteer groups have got back to me!

For me i am giving up, and moving abroad ASAP i trulyy from the bottom of my heart hate this country and its organisations, its businesses and the way its people are, if they are not corrupt they are ignorant, i have had enough.

Thanks for reading.

4 years is nothing, i've been looking for a job for 18 years. it's not your fault the uk job market is so terrible at the moment....8 million unemployed, 8 million part time and only 1/2million vacancies.

you will get a job eventually, keep trying, never give up. some employer will eventually appreciate your skills