I have started volunteering, but still can't get damn job!

Hedylogos

Hi. So i was able to apply for the volunteering role at a local library and i started there last Thursday and Yesterday, only two days a week. I will admit that i procrastinated on visiting the library to ask because i just kept having self doubt, but i figured i need to pull myself out the negativity. I want to get on with my life and feel like i have left it so long because i have had this self doubt.

I am still annoyed at myself for letting my mental state take over. However, it's a nice library, very quiet the days i am there and the members of staff are friendly, which i am thankful for as the last type of people i need to work with are judgmental types. One of the woman there baked a cake and brought it in for lunch haha, so that was pretty cool of her and it was nice.

Anyway, now i am volunteering at the library i did mention when i had an "interview" there how i was looking for work, so if i found work i may have to cut the hours or maybe switch to one day at the weekend or in the week, depending on what kind of work i found. I wanted to be honest as no point acting like i am not looking for work while i volunteer.

I am just struggling still to find work though. It is really frustrating and i am short on money. I reapplied to job seekers, but probably won't receive the money yet. I find now i have some motivation back i am in a bit of a groove and i'm confident things will improve. I just want to find a paid job so i can get back on the road to some kind of normality again after all these years. I wish i could rewind time and pick myself out there mess, but unfortunately mental health is kind of unforgiving and doesn't discriminate.

I don't know what other routes i can go down to find work. It is difficult at the moment, but i so badly want to get back into work and meet people. I have almost no friends and it's tough because i do want to meet people so badly and form a healthy social life, and getting back into employment would for sure allow me to do this. By the way, i did try some suggestions here to no avail, applied for many different jobs but no responses as of yet. I appreciate all the advice i have received as it's meant a lot, and really people were right because to pull myself out of the mess really did just take a tiny bit of courage on my part. It was difficult to take the first step, but i am glad i have managed to push forward a little bit, even if it's only a baby step :beer:

Flyonthewall

You don't get a job instantly because you're volunteering.

You only started volunteering last Thursday and competition for jobs is generally high.

You could do a part time course. It'll help with meeting people and qualifications. Once on benefits you can do certain courses free.

Keep applying for jobs as you have been.

It's not going to be an instant thing. Give it time.

Hedylogos

Flyonthewall wrote: »

You don't get a job instantly because you're volunteering.

You only started volunteering last Thursday and competition for jobs is generally high.

You could do a part time course. It'll help with meeting people and qualifications. Once on benefits you can do certain courses free.

Keep applying for jobs as you have been.

It's not going to be an instant thing. Give it time.

Lol, i know that but just something you know. It would be nice to hear i maybe have an interview or something positive. I went out earlier today but the weather was awful so i decided to come back tomorrow and see if there's any shops advertising vacancies.

I will take a look at courses available in January. I was hoping to get on to a pre-GCSE course because i want to get my GCSE in Maths and English if possible. I have to do a pre-course assessment which is 6 weeks long to prepare you for the GCSE exams.

I just want to move along with my life now as things have been so miserable, so it now feels like i can see the light at the end of the tunnel and i feel like moving things 100mph to make up for lost time.

elsien

Having paid employment doesn't necessarily equate to a healthy social life. Work colleagues as a rule aren't friends - in my last workplace very few people chose to socialise outside of work.
I'm glad things are starting to look up for you and you're feeling more positive. I just think you need to be careful with your expectations so you're not disappointed. Make friends elsewhere as well, then you've not got everything invested in one place.

Flyonthewall

Hedylogos wrote: »

Lol, i know that but just something you know. It would be nice to hear i maybe have an interview or something positive. I went out earlier today but the weather was awful so i decided to come back tomorrow and see if there's any shops advertising vacancies.

Your post (and others) give the impression you're expecting things to happen right away.

Even job replies are a rare thing to get and you won't hear anything until after the closing dates anyway and sometimes it can be weeks after that if they've had many applicants.

Sometimes the unexpected happens and things move quickly, but you shouldn't expect that.

Take your time in writing applications (quality over quantity) and keep volunteering. Something positive will happen in time.

I will take a look at courses available in January. I was hoping to get on to a pre-GCSE course because i want to get my GCSE in Maths and English if possible. I have to do a pre-course assessment which is 6 weeks long to prepare you for the GCSE exams.

Not having English and Maths GCSE is probably a big reason why you've been unsuccesful so far as every employer wants that. So certainly look to do them.

I just want to move along with my life now as things have been so miserable, so it now feels like i can see the light at the end of the tunnel and i feel like moving things 100mph to make up for lost time.

It's good you want things to move along, but you can't force things to go faster. Do as much as you can, stay positive and be patient. You'll get to where you want to be in time.

dawyldthing

Here's a few things I would possibly do:

1) have a wander around any factory parks near you - some will take cvs, others might advertise outside with a banner

2) get some cheap/ free from the library books on GCSEs maths or if online (I guess they still do it, it's 13 years since I did mine) look for bbc bitesize online to revise for maths and possibly English language GCSE's

3) network on your facebook - just put ive been wondering if anyone has seen any jobs advertised. It's not what you know but who you know often.

4) also possibly pop around pubs/ catering companies/ agencies - often at this time of year many will be crying out for staff. Once you show yourself to be reliable, flexible and keen they often will throw more jobs your way. It might not be ideal working some of the shifts, but could give you that first chance you need.

Good luck!

Tiddlywinks

You don't need to have a paying job to meet people socially.

Try looking on Meet Up to find local groups to meet people.

http://www.meetup.com/

You need to manage your expectations and not think everything will happen in the blink of an eye.

Tophill

Good for you volunteering and good for you staying positive. It takes a minimum of 3 months to get a job even when you are fully focused. Also in terms of recent work experience such as your volunteering employers are looking for a track record of around 6 months, which shows you are reliable and committed. This is particularly true if you have been out of work for a while. Have you checked locally for employability services particularly those geared towards people with mental health issues. Depending on the area you live in, there may be support from your Council or charity sector to help you back into work. A quick google search should find the, Good luck.

Moneysaver199

Tophill wrote: »

Good for you volunteering and good for you staying positive. It takes a minimum of 3 months to get a job even when you are fully focused. Also in terms of recent work experience such as your volunteering employers are looking for a track record of around 6 months, which shows you are reliable and committed. This is particularly true if you have been out of work for a while. Have you checked locally for employability services particularly those geared towards people with mental health issues. Depending on the area you live in, there may be support from your Council or charity sector to help you back into work. A quick google search should find the, Good luck.

Minimum of 3 months - why do you say that? Some agencies have work readily available and can have people in work almost right away. Perhaps depends on what industry/sector you are looking for work in, but I get the general feeling there is work out there just now. This time of year though is always going to be a little more challenging due to companies holding off towards the Christmas period.

kingfisherblue

It didn't take my daughter three months to get work.

controversy

kingfisherblue wrote: »

It didn't take my daughter three months to get work.

I'm afraid once you catch scrounger syndrome (being disabled) it sticks with you I'm afraid. I got scrounger syndrome too.