What am I doing wrong?

millsymuttleylaugh

I've been unemployed since 2009, I had a temporary job for a month last christmas and then I was laid off and I'm back on JSA again.

I've just about done my year at A4e, I've been on confidence courses, job searching courses, I've been told my CV is great and my cover letter is brill.

But here comes the problem.

I've applied for a lot of jobs and I mean alot, I'm sending spec cvs out by the tonne, and making spec phone calls but still having no joy.

In the past month out of everything i've done I've received contact back from 2 possible employers, one telling me they didn't have any suitable vacancies (which was decent of them) and the other offering me a interview.

In my opinion the interview went great but low and behold I never got the job. I've tried ringing agencies, get told they'll book me in for inductions and I never hear from them again to set me on.

Just want to know what I'm doing wrong?

Theres nothing wrong with my cv, its been checked by numerous professionals and they all agreed its of a good standard, same with the cover letter.

When I'm on the phone or if I'm lucky enough to get a interview which is very rarely I'm always polite, try to ask the right questions, and just overall try to present myself well.

On a few applications especially agency ones it wanted to know if I'm on any medication or have any medical complaints, which I do - I'm on anti depressants and I'm waiting to see a neuro cos I get headaches pretty constantly. I thought it was better to be honest about it because if I end up needing any time off in the future they'll wonder why I never told them in the first place.

But anyway, its now over half way through 2011 and still no job.

Any pointers on what I can do? I'm honestly at the end of my tether, I've done alot of mock interviews at a4e and they say my interview technique is fine as well.

I know I must be doing something wrong or otherwise I'd have a job

LittleVoice

millsymuttleylaugh wrote: »

I've been unemployed since 2009, I had a temporary job for a month last christmas and then I was laid off and I'm back on JSA again.

I've just about done my year at A4e, I've been on confidence courses, job searching courses, I've been told my CV is great and my cover letter is brill.

But here comes the problem.

I've applied for a lot of jobs and I mean alot, I'm sending spec cvs out by the tonne, and making spec phone calls but still having no joy.

In the past month out of everything i've done I've received contact back from 2 possible employers, one telling me they didn't have any suitable vacancies (which was decent of them) and the other offering me a interview.

In my opinion the interview went great but low and behold I never got the job. I've tried ringing agencies, get told they'll book me in for inductions and I never hear from them again to set me on.

Just want to know what I'm doing wrong?

Theres nothing wrong with my cv, its been checked by numerous professionals and they all agreed its of a good standard, same with the cover letter.

When I'm on the phone or if I'm lucky enough to get a interview which is very rarely I'm always polite, try to ask the right questions, and just overall try to present myself well.

On a few applications especially agency ones it wanted to know if I'm on any medication or have any medical complaints, which I do - I'm on anti depressants and I'm waiting to see a neuro cos I get headaches pretty constantly. I thought it was better to be honest about it because if I end up needing any time off in the future they'll wonder why I never told them in the first place.

But anyway, its now over half way through 2011 and still no job.

Any pointers on what I can do? I'm honestly at the end of my tether, I've done alot of mock interviews at a4e and they say my interview technique is fine as well.

I know I must be doing something wrong or otherwise I'd have a job

They should not be asking about medical conditions until they actually offer you something. Ignore the question until you have a job offer. What have A4E advised you about this aspect of applications?

elisebutt65

Are you tailoring your CV & cover letter everytime to match the job description, or do you send the same one out regardless?

DCFC79

elisebutt65 wrote: »

Are you tailoring your CV & cover letter everytime to match the job description, or do you send the same one out regardless?

going by the OP it says spec cv's by the tonne but nothing about the letters

t0rt0ise

Little Voice is right.. they shouldn't be asking about medical conditions before an offer except in order to offer assistance at interview.

Emmzi

regardless of what the pros say if you aren't hitting at least 1 interview in every 30 or so applications, it is your cv. It doesn't match the specific job you are going for closely enough.

Go through the job add, note the essential and desirebale requirements, make sure it is damn obvious you have experience in these areas highlighted using the same terminology the advert uses.

And do not talk about illness except a) on an equal ops form or b) asked directly.

Oldernotwiser

Emmzi wrote: »

regardless of what the pros say if you aren't hitting at least 1 interview in every 30 or so applications, it is your cv. It doesn't match the specific job you are going for closely enough.

Go through the job add, note the essential and desirebale requirements, make sure it is damn obvious you have experience in these areas highlighted using the same terminology the advert uses.

And do not talk about illness except a) on an equal ops form or b) asked directly.

I would say that this advice is spot on.

It's no good having your CV checked over by professionals and then sending the same one out for all your applications.

Again, you don't need to be as upfront about your medical problems as you're being, particularly when it's illegal to ask.

SarEl

LittleVoice is quite correct - they shouldn't be asking about medical conditions (it is actually contrary to the law) - but they are, and that is putting you in a double bind because this information isn't exactly a selling point, and comcined with how long you have been out of work, it doesn't present you in the greatest of lights. It may be wrong and it may be unfair, but employers can pretty much pick and choose who they want to employ right now. And even if you were to lie about the medical condition (which I couldn't recommend you do) then you still have the hurdle of no recent employment references and a long period out of work.

Have you considered doing voluntary work - which is probably going to be a lot more help in getting employment that speculative applications to companies that aren't recruiting staff. There's plenty of voluntary work around, and opportunities in just about anything you could wish for. It will help you build up work experience and get you a recent reference - and probably do more for your self-confidence than a thousand courses in how to be more confident. It may open up more opportunities and get you experience of things that you haven't done before. It isn't an overnight solution, but then by this stage you won't be expecting one.

MrsManda

As SarEl said, voluntary work is a great way of improving your chances of employment. A recent reference is invaluable as not only are you able to show that you have up to date skills but also that you are capable of getting out of bed and regularly attending work.
This is especially important when you've been out of work for so long and if you have gaps in your employment history due to illness.
It's also good for improving confidence and giving you something recent to talk about in interviews.

It may be worth asking to speak to a Disability Employment Advisor at your JCP as they've very good at guiding people through the help available to people who may have difficulty getting a job due to their health.

What types of jobs are you applying for? It may be that you need to widen your scope and be more targetted with your speculative CVs. Have you signed up to temp agencies as these can be a good way of building up experience and getting a foot in the door.

The DEA at my JCP recommended http://www.do-it.org.uk/ as a good resource for finding local volunteering opportunities and many towns also have a voluntary service where you can talk to them about the difference opportunities available.

Total_2

Knock on companies’ doors in person and ask for jobs, it makes it harder for them to forget you compared to receiving another letter. If after two years you have not found work imo there is something wrong you are doing, be open and say what might be the reason for it?

Sambucus_Nigra

Did you get feedback from the latest interview?