frustrated and really upset with not finding work

alizee

Hello, to understand the issue better ill give a bit of background info.

I moved to england from my native country about 1 year ago. Before i moved i was attending university, after finishing school and college and passing all my exams. I met my (now) husband, and we decided i should move to england to be with him. I had to give up my university course because there were no options of continuing it here.
We got married a few months ago and i have been trying to find work ever since. Now, i understand we don't live in a very big town but i have applied to plenty of jobs, but i have been offered no interviews, and no offers. The problem is, i have no full-time work experience, i have done voluntary work since i moved to england, and before i moved, i had no time to get a job while going to school full time ( mon-fri 8 hours a day) I have had 2 part time jobs one as a translator and one as a personal tutor when i was younger but that's pretty much it for my work experience.

Now, my problem is, i understand i'm not qualified ( even if my exams are equivalent to gcse's and a levels), but i have plenty of skills and there are plenty of jobs i could easily do with no training ( receptionist -done before whilst being a translator, customer assistant, etc).
I understand people want experience and professional references but if i can't get a job how am i supposed to get that? I am just feeling so disheartened and i feel like i'm letting my husband down because he works so hard and i can't contribute with anything financially. We're trying to save money to rent a place (we live with his parents and still pay rent) but it's impossible without me having even a part time job.

I really don't know what to do, i have applied to so many jobs, i don't know if people are ignoring me because of the preconceived ideas about my nationality ( i know there are plenty) or because of not having any experience thus assuming i must be an idiot. I'm not even expecting anything more than a part time minimum wage job. I don't know if i should go to an employment agency or if they will laugh at me because of my lack of experience.

p.s. i am not claiming any sort of benefits nor do i want to claim any.

rant over

TEDDYRUKSPIN

Have you got indefinite leave now?

Nationality? If you are married, have you explained that you have the right to remain and work now? You must explain this as it is important.

Anyway, everyone is in the same boat - unfortunately. As you have explained, you only have equivalent to GCSE's and A-levels. So many people have got degrees and still have no jobs.

So you are now fighting for jobs for people who have higher qualifications and no experience. Also people will little education and more work experience.

As you are getting interviews, it seems you are doing the right thing at least. Have you asked for feedback regarding interviews?

Have you thought about going back in to education and studying a degree?

alizee

I have got no restrictions of living/working in the uk whatsoever ( Blue card ) i had an interview a long time ago but i have no way of asking for feedback as it was a recruitment centre ( rented for a couple of days) i got a letter saying " thank you we were very impressed with your application, we will keep you on file" etc but that the other applicants were better. which is fine, but the same company are hiring again and i have had no contact from them yet.
I have had a single job offer a while ago but that is probably because no one else would want it, 4 hours a week contract, because i am 21, but not 22, they offered to pay me £4 something an hour - would have even taken that job but unfortunately it didn't cover my travel expenses to and from work

as for every application i have been refused ( not even refused, mostly just ignored) i have tried to ask for feedback but my emails were once again ignored..

So sorry for misleading in the first post, one offer (see above) and one interview in about 7 months, after applying to hundreds of jobs..

grastgirl

Perhaps you need to look over how you're presenting your qualifications, and also if you're applying by CV make sure it's in a more British style (although I'm sure your OH will have looked it over?).

Good luck with your search, I was out of work for a full year, just about ready to give up on getting a job that used my qualifications, then I got my dream job. I know it's very disheartening, but you'll get there in the end. You don't say what your nationality is, but perhaps it is worth contacting companies that work with/are hoping to work with your home country and offering your translation services.

alizee

Thank you for the reply, I have been in contact with the jobcentre (not for getting JSA, just help with finding a job) and my C.V was updated and re-done and they were very happy with it.
The town i live in has about 20k people in it and most of the jobs are in retail, where they won't even look at me if i have no experience.

I will keep trying and applying it's just so disheartening when you get turned down from places like supermarkets where you don't really have to be an expert to learn how to use a till or how to stack shelves.

poet123

I think maybe you are attributing your lack of sucess to something about yourself, nationality, lack of experience, etc. Wgen the reality is that there are very few jobs out there, and feedback or even any kind of contact is rare. My son and his friends all graduated in June with degrees ranging from Law to PPE, Economics etc and few of them are in employment, get few responses to their CV's and some are working MW jobs, many have gone back into education to get post grad quals to pass the time till the job situation improves. Additionally, if you are in a small town you will have even less chances, so dont give up and odnt blame yourself, it is just the economic situation. Good luck.

alizee

well i have been blaming myself, i'm just terrified at the fact that everyone wants experience and references and if i don't get a job because of that i won't be able to get any references or experience..

thank you everyone for your posts, i will have a chat with my husband tonight as i have been crying my eyes out all day and i'm just having a really bad day. it was all triggered by a job i have applied to, being reposted on a job website, and i had no reply to my application, i mean it's obvious they didn't consider me since they re-posted the job but even a "thanks but no thanks" would have given me more peace of mind

tanith

Have you thought about volunteering in the mean time ? This can sometimes lead into a job of some sort..

alizee

I have thought about it but i live quite far away from the town centre and i simply can't afford to commute if i would be volunteering.

DCFC79

Ok well what businesses are nearby that you could get to and send them your cv

hennagirl

Hi Alizee I really don't think it is you - it is the current environment. I have been a SAHM for 13 years and have been trying to get back into work for the last year - I have had a few interviews but the problem is that there are a lot more people chasing after the same job as you - If they have the slightest advantage, they get the job. No thought is being given to the potential of that person to do the job, stay in the job etc. You just got to keep trying. I know it is hard - I have had a real tough week after being rejected at interview. I am fed up too but what can you do - don't give up and try to arrange some kind of volunteer work; thats what I am in the process of doing now. Chin up - I think we need a pep talk thread for jobseekers to have a rant and rave and a shoulder to cry on because the brick wall is giving me a mega headache!!!