What's the point in applying for jobs and attending interviews.....

wantsajob

When the answer is always "you were unsuccessful on this occasion" - or more likely no answer at all? Other than keeping Jobcentre happy of course. Particularly if (like me) you are nearing 40, have never been offered a job of any kind, and have a disability that makes interviews go like a lead balloon...

Have 4 weeks unpaid work experience lined up in a Government department. But yet again, it's further proof employers do not want to pay for my time. Plus I believe it's only a token offer in light of my disability. Previous experience has shown that voluntary work does not help, and merely adds further drain on my already weak financial resources.

Even though a first class honours degree came with relative ease, there seems no hope of achieving anything worthwhile. Been wondering, for a long time, whether life is worth continuing with.

dandelionclock30

If you really feel that low then you need to talk to someone like the Samaritans or the G.P. You are more than your job you know!. So what if you havent got one it sucks but you can still do things you know. You can help family and friends, volunteer(which you said you've done), keep fit-swim,cycle, walk, read-join interest groups etc.
When I was signing on a few months ago a man came into the jobcentre in a wheelchair and had no legs whatsoever.
I just thought I had a lot to be gratefull for.
The absolute reality of the job situation is that its absolutley dire, even for those without any barriers. I've got friends who have good work histories, no criminal records, no discliplinaries or dismissals etc and they cant get anything. You can only do your best dont beat yourself up about it.
I find myself projects to get on with, this week I've been digging up the garden as it was like something from Narnia and a mate is giving me loads of cuttings to start me off again- cost nothing.

Dunroamin

Have you taken a really good look at the CVs and applications you send out? If you're not even getting any interviews there could be a problem with them.

If you are getting interviews, have you looked critically at your interview technique?

brightonman123

keep yer chin up!

May be worth having a hard, HONEST look at cv - would YOU take you on?

As this is your 'advert' to possible employers.. it may need tweaking / shortening, or a total rewrite!

get the reader's attention, then give them a reason to keep reading..
relevant skills, qualifications, recent achievements etc?

tweak a word or two, and repost to cv listing* sites every couple of days -
i am told this keeps your info at/near top of any search!

have a look on / pimp your talents (!) on twitter, facebook, linkedin..

*job listing sites- worth checking am and pm, in case of any late entries!

https://www.reed.co.uk
https://www.totaljobs.com
https://www.monster.co.uk
https://www.cv-library.co.uk

also check any relevant trade papers / magazines..

PS, re interviews- always check out what the company is doing, and ask questions!

LadyMissA

Dunroamin wrote: »

Have you taken a really good look at the CVs and applications you send out? If you're not even getting any interviews there could be a problem with them.

If you are getting interviews, have you looked critically at your interview technique?

Lots of other probabilites than just the CV being no good.

Horace

Ask for feedback when you have been interviewed or after receiving rejection notices without an interview.

Speak to your Disability Employment Advisor at the jobcentre and ask to be referred to Remploy or refer yourself like me (only because I dislike the DEA at my local jobcentre immensely)
.
Remploy are great and look at your ability rather than your disability and work with a whole raft of companies so that you can get a job. I know someone who used Remploy successfully and he now runs the menswear dept in a local branch of John Lewis so when I needed help recently I approached them. I have some sight loss and have been suffering quite badly with stress and anxiety. I have had a few interviews, I have done the Marks & Start workshop and now I am waiting for a placement with them with a view to employment. I attended an interview last week to work on a sales desk and I have been invited to a 2 day work trial for the job to ensure that I like them and the team like me. Remploy refund your bus fare (they copy your bus ticket and give you a refund there and then), they will run workshops on building confidence and run through mock interviews to build up your interview technique. I have done more since I registered with Remploy than in the months prior when I became unemployed and was jobhunting on my own.

I think that as a disabled person with a first class honours degree you have a great deal to offer a prospective employer. If you are having suicidal thoughts, however, I seriously recommend that you talk to your GP.

Dunroamin

LadyMissA wrote: »

Lots of other probabilites than just the CV being no good.

If you have just the one CV that could be the problem right there!

LadyMissA

Dunroamin wrote: »

If you have just the one CV that could be the problem right there!

and if it doesn't get read as the employer has far too many applicaints, that's another or you are over qualified, or not from the same industry etc

an9i77

Its a numbers game and needs to be treated as such. The more applications you make the more interviews you get. The more interviews you get, the closer you get to that offer. I would think of each interview as like rolling a dice, eventually I am going to get a six. And I did. Keep going. It's tough but if you persevere you'll get there in the end.

FATBALLZ

Not for everyone of course but you could always try starting your own business.

pesky85

FATBALLZ wrote: »

Not for everyone of course but you could always try starting your own business.

I agree, what was your degree in? What are you interests? I'm thinking of starting my own business at the moment.

More people than you could imagine are in your shoes right now - desperate for a job and just hitting a ridiculous amount of brick walls.

Chin up!