Feeling Unemployable

Jinks_65

Hi All, this is my first post - so I hope I do it right! I didn't really have anywhere to talk about this apart from a forum as I have not told friends or family about my latest job application, which has left me really despondent.

Briefish background, I am an administrator by trade and worked in such a post for a public service for several years until last summer. Cuts meant my job was removed and I chose voluntary redundancy at that point so I wasn't hanging around wondering what jobs may be available, if any. I made a choice to hopefully change my career now my kids are 'grown' and was excited to get on a PGCE course, Sept 11, but unfortunately, it was the part time one and so I needed cash. I did delivery driving and Lionbridge whilst looking for work that would fit in to my uni and work placement (two days a week) but have failed to date.

After finishing uni for the summer I spotted two jobs where I used to work, fixed term until next summer with flexi hours, so I gave them a shot. Never had an answer from one but had an interview for the other. I presume my application met the profile of the job and I presume taking VR was no problem to have got the interview. It seemed to go fine but I later received a generic e-mail stating I was unsuccessful. Although I tried not to bank on getting the job I was more disappointed by not getting this than the others.

I do feel I must be pretty unemployable now to not even get a temporary post with my previous employer - I obviously have direct experience of the organisation and can use their systems already too. I also previously passed an interview with them although I know I'm not the best at interviews. I guess I feel a bit humiliated at the end of the day that I tried back and failed on one to be shortlisted at all and another to pass the interview - feel they must have been glad to get rid of me in the first place now but I don't know why. Linking this to failure to get other jobs I'm wondering if I should just accept I'm not going to get anywhere in the employment market. I'm also so worried I won't be able to do the second year of the PGCE - VR plus life assurance plus the bits and bobs got us through last year but won't again - seems like everything has been a waste of time

Not a cheery first post but I can't admit to family and friends that my ex-employer, that I used to rave about as I loved the job, doesn't think I'm adequate to even do a temp post.

Thanks for 'reading' - any suggestions welcome too

marybelle01

I totally get why you feel utterly despondant... but if I may say so, it's utterly rubbish that you are unemployable. You have proven work experience, but unfortunately so do a lot of other people so it's tough competition out there, and part of that competition will be people who also had redundancy from the council - voluntary or not - who will have the same or even better experience than you. That doesn't make you unemployable, it just makes life a bit tougher for you and everyone else. Unemployable people don't have the get up and go to dream of doing something to make things better, never mind actually doing it. You haven't been unemployed for a year - you've been bettering your chances and doing something you wanted to do. It is only a waste of time if you give up. So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back in there. Whatever it takes. You have one more year, out of the whole of your life, to get through this. It's worth the tough times.

whitewing

Doesn't mean you weren't right for the job, just means that there is another different experience waiting for you in your near future.

I think you have made some really good decisions about your future, chill out a bit, be proud of your achievements, and look forward to new possibilities. This disappointment - and I understand why you are disappointed; I would be too - will soon be a dim and distant memory. Don't let it cloud how happy your time at the company was. It just wasn't your time to go back that is all, nothing to knock your confidence.

princessdon

Public Service - Have you considered that the post was gone before you even applied? At times your CV can be dipped in gold and diamonds but an internal candidate will get the job.

I had an interview last week, didn't get it and they couldn't give any constructive advice Re Why - just kept saying it was close. I found out who got the job and it made real sense then.

Jinks_65

Thank you very much for your replies - you're all very kind - why I posted here (I have lurked for a long, long time!)

I know you're all right - I did wonder if someone's name was on either job but I can't see that it could be - for various reasons I won't bore everyone with! I guess I feel really dumb or as if something has been said about me/my work that would adversely affect my re-employment - which would be disappointing - I will try, however, to retain my happy memories and move on

I am worried about how to fund myself through uni another year as I - stupidly - did not realise how hard it would be to get temp or part-time work nowadays - I have never had a problem with it before. I could do with not working Wed or Thurs but have tried to be flexible with this and still my availability does not seem sufficient. Fingers crossed for temp agencies and kids gaining a liking for jam and bread :cool:

It's all getting a bit like I wasted the last 30 years - learned nothing and got nowhere - I initially trained as a secretary but whilst raising my family in the very early years this role sorta changed into admin, of which I have either less, or very specific skills in, I have ended up with outdated qualifications and a useless (but enjoyable) degree but nowhere to take them - though I'm hoping the PGCE can work out - so I have done admin assistant (lowest-ish of scale) and I'm happy with that work but now I'm struggling to even get that I'm getting fed up. I have applied for retail, driving, cleaning and bar jobs but don't even get a reply for these - guessing that's down to less experience. I really don't care about the wages or the job - just would really like something.

I am trying to avoid thinking that I passed the big 40 a while back and it's since then I've not got anywhere but - it's tough for everyone right now - best wishes to all

Summerstage

Jinks, what you are feeling right now is very natural, it is very hard to have always been working and then feeling, as you say, unemployable.

As others have said, you are NOT unemployable, you sound like you are being proactive, updating your skills and have a lot to offer.

I know that some companies will not take someone on who has left them for whatever reason, so it may be this or again, as someone has already said, the job was already earmarked for someone else.

Do not give up. Make sure your CV is targeted to the position you are applying for, focus on skills or transferrable skills if different sector, research the company and make good use of the covering letter to say why you are the best candidate.

When I took redundancy after many years, I was initially very upbeat as it was my choice, then when I found it difficult to get another job, I went from shocked to angry to downtrodden lol. I had to give myself a talking to, I signed up to a few agencies, some I found were no better than useless, but then found one who I connected with and found work again...not in the same field as I had been working in but have been there for 6 years now and enjoying it.

I wish you luck, keep going, take advice, and vent on here if you feel the need xx

tescobabe69

[STRIKE]You took VR and think they would re-employ you ?
Like a change of scenery with a cash bonus, sounds great, wonder why it didnt happen ?
If you wanted to stay why take VR?[/STRIKE]
Sorry, you cant have your cake and eat it.


Give my love to Pixie & Dixie.

marybelle01

tescobabe69 wrote: »

[STRIKE]You took VR and think they would re-employ you ?
Like a change of scenery with a cash bonus, sounds great, wonder why it didnt happen ?
If you wanted to stay why take VR?[/STRIKE]
Sorry, you cant have your cake and eat it.


Give my love to Pixie & Dixie.

All you have done is demonstrate that you know nothing about public sector employment or VR and that you didn't read the post.

tescobabe69

marybelle01 wrote: »

All you have done is demonstrate that you know nothing about public sector employment or VR and that you didn't read the post.

Oddly enough I took VR six years ago, there was a clause in the contract that no one taking VR would be reemployed for at least three years.
Worryingly (you're right I know nothing of practices in the public sector), you appear to be suggesting that taking a payoff and then being re-employed is a regular occurance. Yet again public money being wasted, unless of course there is a clawback of some monies.

Dunroamin

Is there a reason why you didn't do your PGCE full time and receive funding for it?

Loobs1000

I returned last year from a stay in France to unemployment here in the UK. I needed a part-time job and applied to work as a care assistant. This involves going to people's houses (elderly or otherwise) and assisting with washing, cooking etc. It is not a well paid job but it is strangely satisfying and I have met some wonderful people whilst working. I currently do 2 weekends per month but a lot of agencies are so desperate for staff they will let you do full or part time work - as you wish. No real qualifications needed but you will need a security check (understandably as you are going into peoples homes) Some people 'look down' on this type of work (you could earn more on a supermarket checkout) and it is totally undervalued but worthwhile - give it a go?