Job hunting...am I doing something wrong?

cheghead

Been out of work for 4 weeks which I know at this time of the year might not seem too long. However I have applied for a dozen or more jobs which I would be capable of doing and have the experience to do. So far I have received just one no thanks reply.

I have to find permenant work at the moment as have MPP. Have registered with several agencies and check the papers and on-line job centre a-lot!

Any1 have any advice what else I could be doing? Is it just the SW of England or is the un-employment really that bad everywhere?

As Ricky says "Xmas my !!!!"

Astaroth

Ok.... firstly what sort of work are you looking for? (job type and seniority)

This is not a good time of year to be looking for work... the job market will become more active in the new year. The problem at the moment is that from this week on more and more people will be on holiday and therefore not in the office to read through CVs etc and the flip side is employers will want to keep the window for applications open for extra time for similar reasons.... I know with our internal application process all jobs posted from mid Nov to mid Dec are open for at least 6 weeks/ 2nd week of jan rather than the normal 3 or 4 weeks to cater for this.

As to the job market being bad.... it depend what line of work you are in... project management in the s.w and s.e certainly has a lot of jobs going esp if you are Prince2 qualified etc... prehaps in other lines of work the market isnt as good.

djdido2

just echoing astaroth really. not the best time to be jobhunting. these things take alot longer than they used to. application forms, interviews, it all takes time and everyone is wrapped up in the busy festive period.

apply for all the jobs you really fancy and stay positive.

good luck

UKJubilee_2

if it helps I am in the same boat, got made redundant end of Nov and applied for a good number of jobs before and since and haven't heard anything! I am in IT and it's just gone really slow from what I can tell.

Must look into when I am eligible for job seekers, I know redundancy has special rules!

filigree_2

I'm not sure what your field is but there might be specialist websites that feature jobs, also find out if there is a trade paper for your speciality. Lots of jobs go by word of mouth so perhaps you can phone round friends and family? That's how I got started in my first proper job. It sounds like you're trying hard already but leave no stone unturned as the saying goes.

I know this is easy for me to say but try not to get too disappointed when you don't get a reply, even if you think you're right for the job. There is a lot of competition out there and it doesn't necessarily mean that you have done anything wrong if you don't get a response. If you do ever get a rejection letter, ask if they would be willing to give you feedback - they aren't obliged to do this but it might be helpful.

I agree with the others that recruitment goes very quiet over Christmas (my office shuts down for a week!) so I hope you have better luck in the New Year.

jembie

I have been looking for work for over a year.
I go for anything and everything. Had my CV done and regularly get help from my lone-parent adviser but still not been successful.
I really want retail work but have gone for office jobs and even kitchen work.
Spend most of my time going on course after course just for something to do

Tetsuko

Don't get disheartened. I doubt it is you doing anything wrong. The job market is really rubbish at the moment. I am in the South East and a few years ago I could send my CV in for a job and get almost anything I wanted, within reason obviously . It was very rare for me not to get an interview.

However, since leaving my job in September I haven't been able to get anything. On one day I applied for ten jobs and never heard back from any of them

Keeping my fingers crossed that things pick up in the new year.

cheghead

Thanks for replies.....Not sure if I feel better or worse about my situation. Will have to continue trying.

Wannabee, I really don't think the immigrant situation is helping but certainly couldn't blame it all on them! Personally I think this 'Labour' government, with it's constant spin, is to carry most of the blame.

I have an electronic repair background but have spent more recent years in warehouse/admin roles. Heres hoping things get getter for all of us in the new year.

Happy new year every1 :O)

peter999

wannabee wrote:

its cos of all the immigrants mate prob get worse in the new year with them 2 other countrys joining the eu

cheghead wrote:

Thanks for replies.....Not sure if I feel better or worse about my situation. Will have to continue trying.

Wannabee, I really don't think the immigrant situation is helping but certainly couldn't blame it all on them! Personally I think this 'Labour' government, with it's constant spin, is to carry most of the blame.

Keep going, there's nothing else you can do.

We're all being turned into migrants with job insecurity.
The migrant issue is directly affecting the way sectors like building/construction hire & fire labour.

Unfortunately there is no flexibility in housing market to provide cheap affordable accomodation, so people can't relocate to take lower paid jobs.

Hey ho, that's the Labour government for you.

peter999

niceguyed

anasheed wrote:

blame the immigrants
THERE ARE VIRTUALLY taking over united kingdom
polish.iraqis,bosnians,kurdish.etc.etc plus more coming over later this year
bulgarians..and hungarians

blame tony blair for joining the EU

fat chance these days to find work..

Originally Posted by wannabee
its cos of all the immigrants mate prob get worse in the new year with them 2 other countrys joining the eu

Another ill-informed, illiterate zenophobe. Are you Alf Garnett in disguise? I guess you wouldn't argue if an immigrant dentist sorted out your teeth or immigrant doctor saved your life?
A lot of migrants are taking minimum wage jobs our homegrown wasters are too idle to perform. I would have thought you mentioning Iraqi nationals coming over here was really a two-way street considering we went over there and invaded their country creating civil war and reaking more havok than we have ever solved.
I think you need to become more enlightened and perhaps read something other than the Daily Star and comics. Free your mind..........

cheghead

Why is it when someone asks for advice regarding job hunting it turns in to a 'have a go at the immigrants time'?

Lets keep it on topic. If you haven't anything to advise please don't post because I and most others don't wanna hear it!

I am out of work and will be trying my best to find a job without blaming everyone else.