There are plenty of jobs out there!

dickydonkin

It never ceases to amaze me when people come on here preaching from the moral high ground how easy it is to get jobs.

These people will invariably be speaking from the haven of being in employment, have never been unemployed or out of work in the current climate.

I used to think the same before I was made redundant in 2007 - and I now sympathise with the many very able and competent jobseekers on here who are strugglung to get an interview - let alone a job!

The reality is that it is now an employers market and they can be really selective in the people they pick to work - and sadly, it will be this way for a long time to come!

November5th

My experience with the JC last year was apply for everything, doesn't matter what it is, what it pays, what skills they require. They broke me down completely I must say and I made many applications to completely unsuitable roles to which I of course received no response.

I pounded the pavements with my CV, which I now just look back on with embarrassment, I had no recent or relevant experience for retail and bar work, was too old and over qualified, which was obvious from even a dumbed down CV, on which I had added my Pizza Hut experience from the late eighties. I got one interview at a pub with a woman who after meeting me just couldn't understand with my skills why on earth I was doing this.

This started a change where I pulled myself together, smartened up my CV and ONLY applied for relevant positions I was qualified for.
It was like the sun coming out, I started getting a good response and interviews, and within 4 months was back in work.

I am job hunting again, and I will not let myself be bullied into depression and unsuitable applications ever again. It does no good for anyone involved. It is not snobbery about what I am prepared to do, it is about what the employers want, and where I am most likely to get hired.

The market is even tougher now - but I get around 3 interviews a week, as opposed to a big fat zero when I apply for what the JC prints out.

When the JC talks of hidden jobs, these are the jobs I apply for that are not on their system. A decent advisor will actually read your jobseekers diary and leave you to get on with it, but the bad ones think taking a large dump on you is an effective way to get you back in work - I would still be unemployed now if I listened to them.

gettingready

ILW wrote: »

I am totally on your side here. My response was more to the other poster (Getting ready) who believes they should not have to even consider lower paid employment due to their qualifications and will not even apply. But is prepared to go on taking the state handouts in the meantime.

No idea how many times I have to TRY and explain that I apply for enough jobs and meet my JSA requirements. They happen NOT to be NMW jobs so why should I apply for NMW jobs?

State handouts - over the years contributed to those several times over to what I am getting now so do not worry, I do not live off YOUR taxes. Thank you.

falko89

November5th wrote: »

My experience with the JC last year was apply for everything, doesn't matter what it is, what it pays, what skills they require. They broke me down completely I must say and I made many applications to completely unsuitable roles to which I of course received no response.

I pounded the pavements with my CV, which I now just look back on with embarrassment, I had no recent or relevant experience for retail and bar work, was too old and over qualified, which was obvious from even a dumbed down CV, on which I had added my Pizza Hut experience from the late eighties. I got one interview at a pub with a woman who after meeting me just couldn't understand with my skills why on earth I was doing this.

This started a change where I pulled myself together, smartened up my CV and ONLY applied for relevant positions I was qualified for.
It was like the sun coming out, I started getting a good response and interviews, and within 4 months was back in work.

I am job hunting again, and I will not let myself be bullied into depression and unsuitable applications ever again. It does no good for anyone involved. It is not snobbery about what I am prepared to do, it is about what the employers want, and where I am most likely to get hired.

The market is even tougher now - but I get around 3 interviews a week, as opposed to a big fat zero when I apply for what the JC prints out.

When the JC talks of hidden jobs, these are the jobs I apply for that are not on their system. A decent advisor will actually read your jobseekers diary and leave you to get on with it, but the bad ones think taking a large dump on you is an effective way to get you back in work - I would still be unemployed now if I listened to them.

While I can relate the problem is people get frustrated so they pound the pavements, I've done it myself and I guess I look bloody desperate, a 30 something present a CV to a supermarket. While your applying for 3 a week in your field if I took that attitude I wouldn't have applied for anything yet, I work in the construction industry and its totally dead. I often hear of the job centre bullying people to get jobs, This has certainly never been my case, as I have said before on here, they tell me "Sorry we can do nothing for you"

dandelionclock30

The jobcentre know as well as we do what the situation is,they have only given me a job or two here or there to look at and admit that theres not much and its very quiet.
The whole thing is a farce and really they should admit it and just sign people on, on line or by post. I know for a fact that there very little in the construction industry because I've got friends who are bricklayers who cant even get private work to be going on with. The system has totally collapsed but we all have to go on pretending that if we try hard enough we will get something. As far as bar work is concerned they want young people unless you own the pub! and shops are the same really!

falko89

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

The jobcentre know as well as we do what the situation is,they have only given me a job or two here or there to look at and admit that theres not much and its very quiet.
The whole thing is a farce and really they should admit it and just sign people on, on line or by post. I know for a fact that there very little in the construction industry because I've got friends who are bricklayers who cant even get private work to be going on with. The system has totally collapsed but we all have to go on pretending that if we try hard enough we will get something. As far as bar work is concerned they want young people unless you own the pub! and shops are the same really!

Exactly, I'd be happy enough in a shop but they don't want me, they want students

fannyadams

Sympathising (sp?) with you as I can't even pass the 'personality test tick box' thing for Tesco!

falko89

fannyadams wrote: »

Sympathising (sp?) with you as I can't even pass the 'personality test tick box' thing for Tesco!

Its f**ked up, My Mrs failed it and shes worked in a supermarket for over 20 years, I passed and I've never worked in one before.

pompeyrich

gettingready wrote: »

And still, living in London I will NOT apply or take a NMW job - if ever forced somehow to apply for one, I will apply and then make sure I do not get it, sorry but NMW jobs in London may be suitable for some people (young, living at home, having partners who earn more etc etc) but I could not live on one.

So presumably you are better off financially, on benefits than you would be on NMW. This is what frustrates me, no fit and able person should be better off not working.

November5th

falko89 wrote: »

Its f**ked up, My Mrs failed it and shes worked in a supermarket for over 20 years, I passed and I've never worked in one before.

That's mad!