Support Each Other in Looking For Work - Pt 2

joyce63

Sorry to hear you're so down Lancslass1982, it really is so difficult to get jobs at the moment, and harder still for graduates. Have you tried doing some volunteering to keep you busy? It can sometimes lead to paid work too.

As an ex-civil servant you have my sympathies at what's happened with your HMRC application. It's terrible they tell people they've been successful at interview and then there's suddenly no job! That's poor planning and a disgraceful way to treat applicants.

Just remember you have a lot to offer and the right job is out there for you.

Lancslass1982

Thank-you for your post joyce63. I did think about volunteering, but as I've been regularly applying for jobs and spend a lot of the day looking for a job, I thought that this might take away from this ability to job search, if that makes sense...?!

I am really unhappy with how HMRC handled the recruitment process and think it is incredibly unfair. It is also disappointing that they pay no regard to an individual's qualifications (not even asking for any evidence of even GCSEs) and instead base it solely on a 10-15 minute interview (which I passed). It is sole destroying!:(

Drea

Hi Lancslass, it's horrible out there at the moment, try not to let it bring you down. Easier said than done I know! I just keep thinking that the job market HAS to get better at some point.

Just finished my second day in my new job to find out that my "12 months fixed term role with a view to going permenant" is actually 6 months with very slim chance of going permanent so I'm still going to be looking. Had a call today about an interview so will need to ring them tomorrow at some point. It's going to be hard fitting interviews in around working!

lexilex

Lancslass1982, your posts fill me with dread. I'm almost 23, so a few years younger, but its almost two years since I graduated and I am still no closer to getting a proper job. I've worked temporary, but nothing related to want I want to do as a career.

I'm just back from my interview. It wasn't great. First I was asked questions by a couple of service users (job is with a charity) and they said how much they liked my application, which is probably the first time I have ever been complimented. Then I was asked questions by a couple of members of management. They were mainly situational questions. I managed to answer most of them, but there were a couple that I couldn't answer. I was very honest, told them I didn't have that experience but if I was in that situation this is what I would do...

I'm not hopeful, I just want them to ring and put me out of my misery.

Stew68

I had an interview this morning, it's a job that I have plenty of experience in and the interview seemed to go quite well. I was first one in this morning and there are four other candidates with possibly an extra person (the dreaded internal candidate!!) to be interviewed.

It's been a while since I was waiting for the phone to ring and then nervously answer it to find out my fate.

Have a good evening everybody.

Lancslass1982

Drea wrote: »

Hi Lancslass, it's horrible out there at the moment, try not to let it bring you down. Easier said than done I know! I just keep thinking that the job market HAS to get better at some point.

Just finished my second day in my new job to find out that my "12 months fixed term role with a view to going permenant" is actually 6 months with very slim chance of going permanent so I'm still going to be looking. Had a call today about an interview so will need to ring them tomorrow at some point. It's going to be hard fitting interviews in around working!

Thanks for your post Drea! It is horrible. I'm feeling better today. I went out for lunch with my mum (who has been so generous and helped me out so much whilst I've been unemployed) and whilst I was out I had a phone call about a job interview next Wednesday for an Academic Mentor role that I applied for. The closing date was yesterday, so they were really quick to sift through the applications!!

It seems that all there is out there at the moment is temporary, fixed term jobs. I guess companies don't want to commit to taking on staff permanently, with the economy like it is!:( How did the call about the interview go?:)

lexilex wrote: »

Lancslass1982, your posts fill me with dread. I'm almost 23, so a few years younger, but its almost two years since I graduated and I am still no closer to getting a proper job. I've worked temporary, but nothing related to want I want to do as a career.

I'm just back from my interview. It wasn't great. First I was asked questions by a couple of service users (job is with a charity) and they said how much they liked my application, which is probably the first time I have ever been complimented. Then I was asked questions by a couple of members of management. They were mainly situational questions. I managed to answer most of them, but there were a couple that I couldn't answer. I was very honest, told them I didn't have that experience but if I was in that situation this is what I would do...

I'm not hopeful, I just want them to ring and put me out of my misery.

Good luck with the job lexilex! Don't worry too much about not having experience of all the situations. You did the best you could with letting them know how you would handle the situation; much better than giving no answer at all! They will have known your level of experience from your CV/application and everyone has to get their experience from somewhere.:)

Stew68 wrote: »

I had an interview this morning, it's a job that I have plenty of experience in and the interview seemed to go quite well. I was first one in this morning and there are four other candidates with possibly an extra person (the dreaded internal candidate!!) to be interviewed.

It's been a while since I was waiting for the phone to ring and then nervously answer it to find out my fate.

Have a good evening everybody.

Good luck Stew! I also dread the internal candidate! Hopefully they won't want the hassle of having to fill their old position and will go external. Fingers crossed!!:)

lexilex

I'm still waiting to hear from my interview, despite saying they would let me know yesterday This has happened after interview I have had barring one, not letting me know on time. It really does annoy me. We spend days worrying and preparing for interviews and they don't even have the courtesy to get back to us. I've got a feeling these lot are whimping out of making the phone call and a letter will be in the post. I am getting tempted to send a 'thanks for your time' email to prompt some sort or response though...

lexilex

Couldn't wait anymore and sent an email. Just thanked them for their time, and said I looked forward to hearing from them soon. Out of office reply telling me he was out the office til middle April. Guess I won't be hearing back then :mad: Manners really cost nothing.

November5th

lexilex wrote: »

Couldn't wait anymore and sent an email. Just thanked them for their time, and said I looked forward to hearing from them soon. Out of office reply telling me he was out the office til middle April. Guess I won't be hearing back then :mad: Manners really cost nothing.

You have to wonder if they realise the impression they are giving of their company?

There is an American site where people review their interviews called Glassdoor, occasionally very entertaining!

lexilex

I've just had a phone call, I came second, like that should somehow make it better.