job seeking tips

Dovah_diva

Homeagain wrote: »

The OP is asking for advice. I think you are being mean just pointing out errors in his post - its certainly not helpful at all. I have seen far worse spelling and grammar over this forum that that of the OP.

Advice comes in many forms. The poor spelling in the OP is a case in point and I used it. That is not mean at all. Mean would have been saying something like 'You are stupid because you can't spell and you'll never get a job, thicko.'.

Sometimes people get advice that is uncomfortable to hear. Doesn't make it any less valid. Yes, there is often worse spelling and grammar, but it is likely written by people that haven't asked for job seeking advice.

Homeagain

I suppose you are right to an extent (especially bearing in mind that I made a spelling error in my post)! I just felt that the OP was being made fun of and that's not fair.

Dovah_diva

Homeagain wrote: »

I suppose you are right to an extent (especially bearing in mind that I made a spelling error in my post)! I just felt that the OP was being made fun of and that's not fair.

Your error was a typo, not a spelling mistake

shadowlight

not sure what I can do about my spelling other than what I have been doing already. My Mum is an English teacher and I get her to proof read most of my CVs and applications, my current CV has been proof read by 12 people as I wanted to get as many opinions as possible. I am trying with my spelling, believe me if I was not putting effort in and checking it myself you probably would be unable to read it :P but I have done courses and tried to improve it myself, not really sure what else I can do on that one.

I never said it didn't matter on forums... I said that forums seem to be the only place where it becomes a major issue, elsewhere people never seem to mention it unless what I write is literally unreadable. Sorry if I seem defensive, just it is an issue that I am very aware of and have tried on multiple occasions to rectify. I think maybe it is the case that all people have a weakness and one of mine happens to be my spelling.


I have put this post through spell check on Open Office so hopefully there are less errors

[Deleted User]

shadowlight wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone might have some tips or advice for job hunters like myself? I cannot think of anything else to try, but at this point maybe its one of those cases that I can no longer see options as I am too close to the situation and just stressed lol


anyway, thanks for reading

Yes this is what it will be trust me your not alone I subscribe to the over doing it so much so you can't see the wood for the trees, my tip look and apply for jobs you ordinarily may not because it really helps open your horizons

The one job you may not consider, can actually turn out to be the dream - in fact the job I'm starting with I answered one of the screening questions 'incorrect' but still got through

Don't offer your weaknesses so easily to the employers - anyone can improve and build bridges

Good luck, go easy on yourself, repeat to yourself your going to get there

PS hope your appealing your sanction

Dovah_diva

shadowlight wrote: »

not sure what I can do about my spelling other than what I have been doing already. My Mum is an English teacher and I get her to proof read most of my CVs and applications, my current CV has been proof read by 12 people as I wanted to get as many opinions as possible. I am trying with my spelling, believe me if I was not putting effort in and checking it myself you probably would be unable to read it :P but I have done courses and tried to improve it myself, not really sure what else I can do on that one.

I never said it didn't matter on forums... I said that forums seem to be the only place where it becomes a major issue, elsewhere people never seem to mention it unless what I write is literally unreadable. Sorry if I seem defensive, just it is an issue that I am very aware of and have tried on multiple occasions to rectify. I think maybe it is the case that all people have a weakness and one of mine happens to be my spelling.


I have put this post through spell check on Open Office so hopefully there are less errors

So what about the latter part of my post?

marybelle01

Leaving aside spelling and grammar (which are points I agree on, but aren't really getting us any further), what is the "everything" that you have tried?


Have you tested the market to see whether retraining in woodwork will make you any more employable, because I seem to recall reading often that such skills are not particularly in demand these days? If not, is attending college worthwhile if it is preventing you from seeking full-time work?


If you have mental health difficulties, are there any local resources that might have employment advisors? The Job Centre has disability advisors, and a number of mental health charities have employment advisors or projects.


Why have you been sanctioned? if your are abiding by the rules as a job seeker and applying for whatever your agreement says, then how can you be sanctioned? If there is something you haven't been doing, can you not do it, and why?


"Everything" isn't very helpful to others here, as it doesn't really tell us what you have or haven't been doing.

shadowlight

Sorry, didn't mean to seem like I'd ignored the rest of your post. Just forgot to respond to that bit or something. Yes, I have been trying speculative applications. I have sent letters, emails, and just walked into places, one of these I thought was going to lead to a job but it fell through last week.


Ye, fair point my first post was not overly specific... I have been applying for jobs on the universal jobs match website, and on others websites, I have tried speculative approaches, and am registered with several agencies, I have tried to get a work trial, I have offered to volunteer at places, I have asked for work placements, I have been on employability courses, I got my Functional Skills English qualifications, I did a computing qualification, I have asked friends to keep and eye out for jobs for me, I have got several different CVs for different sectors, I have had everything proof read by several people, and I have seen advisers at several charities. I was also seeing a DEA not a regular JSA adviser prior to the sanction

I did contact MIND recently, but they only take on a limited number of job seekers a year and so cannot assist me at the moment – funding reasons apparently.
I've also been to the job shop at college, but for funding reasons they can only assist people up to a certain age, and I am a fair bit over the cut off.

It was the job centre who suggested woodwork originally as there are so many transferable skills from metalwork, I would hope that they would know the local job market. To be honest I am applying for full time jobs too, with the thinking of if I get one I will leave college and maybe go back in a few years or switch to a nightclass.


As for the sanction, as stupid as this may sound I am not 100% sure on what happened... I am awaiting a full explanation currently, the DEA I usually see was off that week and so I saw a different (none DEA) adviser, on a different day and at a different time. I am hoping whatever happened was some sort of misunderstanding or something but I genuinely have no idea
I have been turning up to all appointments and applying for way over the stated amount of jobs a week though, think I am due to go onto the work programme once the sanction ends (not that the adviser seems to want to tell me what the work programme is) which they seem to be implying will mean that I will have to leave college but I'm not really sure as I know very little about what it is

Dovah_diva

Have you considered expanding your further education? Are there any more courses you can take? Evening classes or even the Open University, perhaps. Any local job fairs? Is your local council offering any apprenticeships? Mine always have loads, not brilliantly well paid, but better than JSA and you are learning a useful trade, with a good opportunity for a permanent job at the end of it.

Can you relocate for work (thinking vaguely of work like cruise ships, although they are't easy to get into) or even abroad, like rep work in the summer.

shadowlight

I was doing an OU course for a bit, but couldn't afford to continue it. As I have been to uni already I get no funding, same with apprenticeships as I am too old and have prior education to too high of a level. I was lucky to get my college course funded to be honest. I have been applying for apprenticeships though, just been advised not to expect much response

In theory I guess I could relocate. But I have done that a lot in the past (lived in 4 cities in the last 5 years) and so would like to stay in one place for a little bit now, and I am renting a house with my partner who does have a job and I doubt would want to relocate. Not sure he could afford to keep the house on his own long term and my paying for a rent here and paying for somewhere to live elsewhere seems mildly counter productive really