Why can't I get a job? Unemployed for 1.5 years!

JamesWMH88

shop-to-drop wrote: »

Is your voluntary work related to your engineering.

I'm volunteering for an IT company at the moment, not really related for engineering, but I at least it's more 'technical' than working in a charity shop etc.

It seems it's time to start looking further afield then. Although I'm not sure what I could offer that they couldn't get someone local to do. It's been a while since I graduated, and can't remember a great deal.

theoretica

JamesWMH88 wrote: »

I It's been a while since I graduated, and [STRIKE]can't remember a great deal.[/STRIKE] I have more life experience and a maturer outlook

Don't bring relocation costs up until you have been offered the job - if mentioned at interview I would suggest you say something like 'I am happy to relocate though as I have been unemployed I don't have any savings at present which will present challenges.' Once they have decided they want you to do the job is the time to ask for help from them, relatives, banks and come back here for more ideas to make it happen!

bristol_pilot

Companies don't usually pay relocation expenses unless you are a homeowner and it's a professional-level position. Certainly don't mention this at interview as it will be seen as raising a barrier to employing you. Sometimes new grads get a golden hello of £1,000 or so if they're lucky.

If you are looking for your first proper 'graduate' job, essentially with no relevant experience, you need to apply for jobs regardless of location. The main employers of graduate materials engineers are in certain locations and if you are not prepared to go to those locations this will be a a major barrier to getting a job. In fact, being picky about location for a first job is the commonest reason I see for 'failure to launch' of graduate careers.

Interview techniques can be improved by training. I appreciate you might not have the resources to pay for training but a lot can be learned online for free, especially things like how to approach competence-based interviews.

brightonman123

get your cv on the various listing sites, and load with tag words matching all your skills. rejig every other day or so, to keep near / at top of any employer or agent's search.. i got current job this way, agency didnt even need to advertise the post!

considered volunteering? just to keep mind active, & may open other doors..

lizzydarcy

If you are under 25 (which you are barely), you should be able to get unpaid work experience.

At my local job center, they have boards showing local vacancies for work experience. While it might not a paid job, its still an opportunities to get some experience and connections that may help get that all important paid job.

You don't say where you are located at present but in Wales, there is a government run scheme to get under 25 year olds into work. These are six month jobs that are paid at min. wage. A couple of friends got jobs through the scheme and both were offered permanent work at the end. If you are not in Wales, maybe look to see if there is such a scheme in your area.

Also, if you are getting interviews but then failing at this hurdle, it might be necessary for you to improve your interview skills. Again, it would depend where you are, but I know of several local free schemes which hold a workshop each week where you can improve your job search skills including interview technique.

Finally, I have to say don't give up hope - the last thing you want to give off in an interview is the feeling that you have given up.

jennikitten

JamesWMH88 wrote: »

As for 2 interviews a month being very low, it's not when you consider that I hear back from about 10 - 20% of all the jobs I apply for. Most I never hear back from at all, even after repeated 'chase ups'.

That's exactly my point. You're only hearing back from 10-20% of the jobs you apply for, which indicates it's a problem with your CV. If you were hearing back from 40-50%+, I'd be saying it's your interview technique you need to look at.

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

2 interviews a month is very good to be fair!

Not really...I had a friend applying for jobs a couple of months ago and she was getting 2-3 interviews a week (including second interviews). I have a friend job hunting at the moment and he's had 4 or 5 in 3 weeks. Both about the same age as the OP.

Devon_Sailor

Hi OP,

Dont give up. You say you are happy to relocate - have you considered a bit of "outside the box" thinking and looked at overseas engineering jobs? Not only would they mostly (by definition) pay for relocation, but there are generally spreaking tax advantages on wages, and you are opening yourself up to a massive potential experience for future job interviews.

Regards

D_S

Bigmoney2

https://unilever.taleo.net/careersection/external/jobdetail.ftl

Is this one any good for you?

Often large companies will know of people who are looking for a lodger, so will be able to advise on relocation if a job offer is made, may even pay for a cheap B&B or travelodge till you can arrange something yourself.

JamesWMH88

Bigmoney2 wrote: »

https://unilever.taleo.net/careersection/external/jobdetail.ftl

Is this one any good for you?

Often large companies will know of people who are looking for a lodger, so will be able to advise on relocation if a job offer is made, may even pay for a cheap B&B or travelodge till you can arrange something yourself.

Thanks for the link but I get the message "This job is no longer available"

Bigmoney2

Its showing a closing date of 8th Aug for me.
Follow the careers links from here, just look for jobs in UK
http://www.unilever.co.uk/

Design Engineer(
Job Number:

13000HN7)