I feel like I'm never going to get a job...

fufu_banterwaite

BillJones is right, there are plenty of jobs out there. I am sorry but that is an undisputed fact.

Anyway the OP posted this thread and then hasn't even bothered to check back in, so he can't be that desperate for advice!

wapow

Do not disagree that there aren't plenty of jobs. Do disagree with thinking that anyone would apply for these plentiful jobs. hence my post about the many factors involved in applying for the type of job suitable for you and your qualifications/experience.
A director would not ideally be applying for a role below a director if they were looking for similar or progression.
This is not taking into account if they are desperate or looking for a new lease on life etc etc.

melysion

As of January this year, there were 2.33 million people out of work. There are about half a million jobs.

There may be "plenty" of jobs, but the number is woefully inadequate for the number of people chasing them. Those are the facts. Just to make that very clear. Now, you don't need to be good at maths to work out that there are approximately 4 times the number of unemployed people than there are jobs. And of course, many of these jobs won't be full time and a significant number will be zero contract. Not exactly an optimistic picture, to be fair.

BillJones

melysion wrote: »

As of January this year, there were 2.33 million people out of work. There are about half a million jobs.

And you can't get yourself into even one of them?

Why do you think that this is? What is it that excludes to from half a million possible openings? Why, for each and every one of them, are you unsuitable?

You see, turning the numbers around paints a very different picture to the way that you want to use the statistics.

mattcanary

BillJones wrote: »

And you can't get yourself into even one of them?

Why do you think that this is? What is it that excludes to from half a million possible openings? Why, for each and every one of them, are you unsuitable?

You see, turning the numbers around paints a very different picture to the way that you want to use the statistics.

The numbers are straightforward. There are around four times as many people looking for work as there are available jobs.

You can put whatever kind of spin you want on that but it is pretty straightforward really. Currently, there will be many people looking for work that do not succeed in the short term.

Yes, individuals can change how they apply for jobs, etc which may bring them success. However, it is a competitive environment. Plenty of people will still be left disappointed.

I can't really see why I am labouring this point. It is blindingly obvious. Bill Jones, you are clearly intelligent. So why can you not seem to understand this basic point?

melysion

There will always be people who think that getting jobs are easy and that anyone who is unemployed is sc*m and that's it their own fault that they are in the predicament they are in. Those people are simply not worth anyone else time.

Just for your information, BillJones, I've been employed for the last 14 years.

However, I have also been trying to break into another industry. I was chosen out of a pool of 60 applicants for a writing test, which I'm told I excelled at. I then went for an interview that went well and way over the allocated time.

I didn't get the job. When I asked why, they said I interviewed well, but they had a large number of excellent quality candidates to choose from - including me. So, why someone else and not me.

Luck of the draw? Perhaps my face just didn't fit? Who knows? What I do know is that, whether you believe it or not, there is very stiff competition for what is out there and GOOD candidates as well as bad DO MISS OUT on job openings.

Now I have another writing test to do after a successful phone interview and another interview lined up for Monday. But please try not to look down so much at people - many of them good, experienced people - who are all trying hard and are simply chasing too few jobs.

fufu_banterwaite

I would say four people going for every job is actually a very low ratio indeed, I thought the figures would be far higher than that. On average for every four interviews you attend you should be getting offered a job.

I work in a housing association. I know that we have recently had to re-advertise two jobs as we got so few applicants in that we couldn’t draw up a good shortlist.

Also the OP has experience caring for others. I don’t think anyone can deny that no matter what your view is on the job situation the care industry is one sector that is absolutely crying out for people – he should have no problems getting a care based job. Whether that is what he wants to do long-term is another matter, but if he is desperate for work then he should be prepared to at least try it.

melysion

I agree care work is a good option for the OP. I'm just frustrated that people (like you) think it's SO EASY to get a job based solely on a few isolated experiences.

For many people it isn't. To get to my last interview, I had to fight past 60 other applicants. Bear in mind, of course, it's not just the unemployed chasing each and every job either - its people like me too.

mattcanary

fufu_banterwaite wrote: »

I would say four people going for every job is actually a very low ratio indeed, I thought the figures would be far higher than that. On average for every four interviews you attend you should be getting offered a job.

I work in a housing association. I know that we have recently had to re-advertise two jobs as we got so few applicants in that we couldn’t draw up a good shortlist.

Also the OP has experience caring for others. I don’t think anyone can deny that no matter what your view is on the job situation the care industry is one sector that is absolutely crying out for people – he should have no problems getting a care based job. Whether that is what he wants to do long-term is another matter, but if he is desperate for work then he should be prepared to at least try it.

You are clearly incorrect.

Do you think that only unemployed people apply for jobs? Or that everyone not working is claiming unemployment benefit (housewives and househusbands now looking for work, students etc)?

And as I have already said, the unemployment statistics are misleading as, for example, people on work experience through the DWP (yet not receiving a wage) are not counted as unemployed whilst doing this work.


Why did your organisation feel the need to draw up a shortlist?
A shorlist should only be required when you gets lots of applications. You don;t need a shortlist if it is quite logistically possible to interview all of the people that apply.
So why didn;t the housing association interview all these people?
Do they not realise that candidates may not be perfect? That they may have to train some of their staff? That they should just be able to appoint the perfect candidate at a whim and not put anything in themselves?

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

What I suggest is the #saveukjustice Campaign. I don't work but I do more work (blogging, tweeting, deep discussions with leading campaign folks, innovating . I#JoePublicwantstolearnhowtoMockTrialandthensome, protests,) than if i had a proper job.
The Campaign appears to be opening doors ie #JoePublicwantstolearnhowtoMockTrialandthensome I appear to have Lawyers at the top of their game believing in me as a Non Lawyer with all kinds of affirmation, inclusions etc.
I think THIS kind of scenario would help you no end as it is helping me.
I have to look good. the old destructive kate is willingly killed.
i have to be save uk justice NAUGHTY come up with the stuff to survive!!!
I have to undertand the campaign law to survive.
I have to be able to get the public over to our args.
I have to be able to contributea args of my own to add to the pot of debates.
I have to be able to be myself no matter what.
Problem solving is par for the course.
I have to be able to win lawyers over to our cause.
i have to learn to become Court ready so no hiding kate bar what .
is PRIVATE.
I have to learn to be absolutely private and confidential
I have to learn how to handle the lawyers right but not let them walk over me.
I could go on