Support Each Other In Looking For Work?

DCFC79

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

Nothing for me to apply for today so I've also done an hour on the wii fit (I do most days). I've become quite addicted to it.

I gave up wearing high heels to interviews. I don't have a car and so rely on public transport which often means wandering around industrial estates for a while (45 minutes in one case - I could hardly walk when I got to the interview!).

I've got a bit of an issue with my interview next week. Its for a secretary and includes audio typing. I have an ear complaint (which causes balance problems) which means that I cannot use in-ear type headphones - they have to be on-ear (hope you know what i mean). Do I explain this at the interview or leave it until I start should I be successful. I know that the firm has to make reasonable adjustments etc but I am happy to pay for a set of headphones myself if it means I get a job! Its only a small business and I don't want them to say no just because of a pair of headphones (I think maybe I'm starting to get a tad paranoid after so many rejections).

im not an expert but would you be asked to do some audio typing at the interview, if you are then id say something

livermum

November5th wrote: »

I think that's why I felt a bit tearful after my recruiter interview today (lovely people). We are sitting there looking at what is a great cv, I clearly have the skills and experience, yet I am unemployed. I started to feel a bit of stigma tbh.

I think that this is what makes it so hard, there is just no reason for it! Everybody says the CV is excellent, the experience is relevant, the interviews go fine and yet still there is no job! It would be so much easier if there was a "problem" to fix such as a bad CV or problems with interview technique but when nobody can give you any negative feedback it somehow makes it worse!

Drea

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

Nothing for me to apply for today so I've also done an hour on the wii fit (I do most days). I've become quite addicted to it.

I gave up wearing high heels to interviews. I don't have a car and so rely on public transport which often means wandering around industrial estates for a while (45 minutes in one case - I could hardly walk when I got to the interview!).

I've got a bit of an issue with my interview next week. Its for a secretary and includes audio typing. I have an ear complaint (which causes balance problems) which means that I cannot use in-ear type headphones - they have to be on-ear (hope you know what i mean). Do I explain this at the interview or leave it until I start should I be successful. I know that the firm has to make reasonable adjustments etc but I am happy to pay for a set of headphones myself if it means I get a job! Its only a small business and I don't want them to say no just because of a pair of headphones (I think maybe I'm starting to get a tad paranoid after so many rejections).

I'd tell them, most headsets are the "on-ear" type for audio typing anyway so chances are it wouldn't be an issue. Only if it's brought up though.

Saturnalia

livermum wrote: »

I think that this is what makes it so hard, there is just no reason for it! Everybody says the CV is excellent, the experience is relevant, the interviews go fine and yet still there is no job! It would be so much easier if there was a "problem" to fix such as a bad CV or problems with interview technique but when nobody can give you any negative feedback it somehow makes it worse!

I know, there's no rhyme or reason to it at times. Several occasions I have got to the final interview stage and lost out to a candidate who just had 6 months more relevant experience than I had. It's gutting isn't it.

November5th

TGWTARN wrote: »

I've had that response before (nervous, not the height) - what do they expect? - it's an interview and in that situation, who wouldn't be nervous!

A recruiter reported to me that a previous candidate for another role had been 'too relaxed'. Can't win, eh?

ferien_uk2011

Saturnalia wrote: »

I'm looking for PA & secretarial work and manage to apply for over 20 jobs a day but hear nothing back.

From the last time I was unemployed, I actually found I started to get more interviews when I decreased the amount of jobs that I was applying for. I find it's better just focus on a few, then you can spend more time making sure your application/ cover letter are just perfect.

And for those saying they regret going to uni, I disagree. I graduated almost 6 years ago and have never got a job using my degree, but I'm still so glad I went for the following reasons:

a) it was the best time of my life and all my closest friends now are people I met at at uni
b) living away from home gave me the confidence to go travelling on my own, which I have done several times since then
c) sense of achievement gained from just having a degree, even if I'm not using it
d) put off starting work for a few years - so maybe those who started work at 16 may be in better positions now, but you've got the rest of your life to work and you'll be sick of it soon enough!

And yes I have also experience the limp handshake by an interview. I don't aim for a break-your-hand-handshake, but try to have a fairly strong confident handshake and then it's just awkward when theirs is weak.

lexilex

ellanutella wrote: »

Just got mine through the other day, very similiar number. Depresses me so much. I struggled through uni because I hated it so much and now I can't even get the sort of jobs I was working whilst struggling through uni! I wouldn't mind so much if I felt like I had some knowledge out of it but I did English and don't even feel particularly well read. Complete waste of money. Plus it's all very well saying "you don't have to pay it back til you're earning over x amount" but in the mean time the interest is racking up. Worst decision I ever made was to go to uni.

Saturnalia wrote: »

Totally agree with Ellanutella, I feel my degree (modern languages) has been an utter waste of time and money and if I'd known then what I know now I would have gone to work at 16.

I wouldn't say I regret uni. I loved the subject (psychology) and I am so proud of my degree because there was so much hard work involved. Having said that, if I had my time over, I wouldn't go. All the people I know who went into jobs at 16, who at the time we laughed at, are now in great jobs, having worked their way up. Experience is more important than a degree.

saxonrosecliff

Just got another two rejections in the post. One of them was round the corner from where I live and would have been ideal - no excuse for being late for work.

I seem to be getting more and more nervous about interviews (hence the stupid question earlier about headphones), you'd think as time went on I'd be more confident but its the opposite. Its around 15 years since I did any secretarial work. I think they picked me for interview because I have experience in their line of work - property management but again it was years ago that I worked in that sector.

I'm now so bored I'm thinking of doing another hour on the wii fit!

Drea

Interesting interview. They knew about me setting up freelance and asked me to let them know if I'd be willing to shut it down if I got the job. Just phoned them back and told them I would, they have more interviews Monday and will let me know next week.

TGWTARN

I agree with ferien_uk2011 and lexilex. Uni gave me so many life skills as well as the qualifications (and debt!). And as so many of the companies out there are looking for someone with a degree, it can be a factor in making it to an interview.

I've had two interviews this week - yesterday and Wednesday. I already found out that I didn't get the job on Wednesday but I think it's an achievement to get to the interview stage, especially when there were only four of us. Should hear about yesterday's interview by the end of next week. Nothing else to apply for today either.

I keep a spreadsheet of the jobs I've applied for and try to keep the application forms/ letters to use as a basis for new ones - saves a lot of time, especially when they want the career history, addresses etc.

Trying to avoid checking my emails every other minute, going to do cleaning instead! Might have to find some sort of reward for myself when it's all done!