Can't get a job

LTP323

I have been long term unemployed for 4 years on the 22nd of this month. My last full time job ended due to the company cutting staff to avoid going bust.

Since then, I have been claiming income based JSA. I have had 3 temporary jobs since, that literally lasted less than a month.

My working background is excellent. I am able to provide solid references from past employers. I have a strong education, with a multitude of qualifications. Since becoming unemployed, I have further enhanced myself by learning new skills through volunteering positions I sought out myself.

My preferred job CV is up to date, and scored 96% on a CV review through CV library. I have created different variations of my CV, highlighting my skill set for specific job categories showing I have the skills required to do these jobs.

The jobcentre can't send me on any of their courses. They have tried, and to the amazement of my advisor, I was returned to The Jobcentre from an external training provider I was referred to, as what I have in terms of qualifications, is stronger than what they provide. I did take the mock literacy and numeracy exam by the provider, and came in at Level 3 for both.

There is plenty of jobs around the county I live (Kent). I apply for every job I am capable of doing. I can drive, and I have a CBT. The CBT is a recent aquisition, so I could apply for takeaway delivery jobs. They require no experience, but still, I am not successful.

The jobs I apply for are from the most basic NMW jobs, to salaried jobs I have a background in. For every job I apply for, the only time I do hear back is to say I am unsuccessful, or from an agency wanting me to register with them. I have registered with over 20 different agencies, and still nothing.

Why can't I get a job?

bugslet

Well on paper, you seem to have a lot going for you.

I can only presume you interview badly ( you may interview well, I was just guessing based on what you have said ). Have you had external interview practise and feedback?

As an employer, if I interview someone that theoretically is good, but in reality turns out to have some dreadful personality problem ( again not saying that is you ), I'm not going to say that in the rejection letter because it opens up a whole can of worms.

Have you tried seeing if any friends can put a word in for you? The last 6 people we have employed have come to us because they knew someone that worked for us and we didn't advertise.

[Deleted User]

Is it something to do with the hours you are wanting? Appearing indecisive if applying for everything and anything and all that. Sure you'll get something come along soon : )

DKLS

Is your Cv getting you interviews OP?

SailorSam

Can you think of anything you could do as self employed.
A lot of people who start some sort of small business do it simply 'cos they're like you and can't find paid work. I think the JS still give help of some sort for the first 6mths of self employment.

TELLIT01

After 4 years of unemployment I suspect the OP would be unlikely to have the funds to go S/E. It might be worth checking with local charity shops to see if they need any volunteers. Just one day per week, or fortnight, would at least show something current to prospective employers.

PasturesNew

Your face doesn't fit. You can look great on paper, but the minute you walk into that building for an interview, within 10 seconds, they might've decided your face doesn't fit.

Maybe you're fat, or black, or too old, or too snotty looking, or have the 'wrong accent' ..... or maybe you're just arrogant sounding, or say daft answers to their questions .....

But your face doesn't fit.

Happens to me all the time. I'm probably too old looking (they're 25-40) and I do the "daft answers" bit

El_Torro

Your first post implies that you're not getting interviews, which is odd considering that there is demand in your area and your CV is supposedly good and you have good qualifications. From the information in your post I can't see why you're not getting interviews.

Maybe your 4 year work gap is part of the problem. You need to put a positive light on that gap, something more than just "have been looking for work".

If you are getting interviews then the problem is clear, you're not interviewing well. It doesn't matter what your CV looks like or what qualifications you have if you come across to the recruiter that you're not someone they would want to work with. The job centre should be able to help with this too.

asajj

May be you apply for the jobs that you are over qualified for ?

shopaholicz

LTP323 What area is your previous employment in? Where are you finding the jobs you're applying for? Have you tried just sending out letters without having a specific job advert?

Marin

And if you are sending out a CV and not getting any interviews then maybe the CV needs tweaking. Do you tweak your CV according to the job you are going for? When I was last looking for a job I used to adapt mine to focus on the most relevant info for the role being applied for.