Keep applying for jobs and no responses whatsoever...what else can i do?

Got2Save

I have been applying and applying, but no responses. I signed up on Indeed and have been applying for many jobs, from call centre, to warehouse, to customer service etc. I have a gap on my CV due to unemployment and wondering whether that's the issue. I have received emails saying employers have read my application, but they haven't responded with a yes or no. Would my best option be to go into stores and speak to management face to face?

I live close to a seafront and there's a lot of restaurants and cafes on the front, so should was thinking of going there and asking inside. I went to a greek restaurant the other day and asked if there were any vacancies, spoke to the manager and he said unfortunately they were not looking to recruit. I just want a simple job, minimum age, anything to start off and get on the ladder then I can go to adult college in summer and upskill to get a better job, meanwhile i can save and start focusing on starting a business which I would like to do.

Flyonthewall

Have you checked that your CV is well written and contains no mistakes? That can put off many employers even if it's a simple typo.

Also, remember quality over quantity. Write a good cover letter and tailor it and your CV for each specific job. Take your time with each application, don't just send off hundreds of general CVs and cover letters.

If you have a gap in employment try volunteering so you have recent experience.

What's stopping you going to college now?

You can go to college without a job, it's much harder to get the job first and then try and improve yourself by going to college when jobs look at your education. Even if it's not the course you want to do later on or something you're not really that interested in, just doing even a short, part-time course would look good on your CV. It shows you're doing something now to better yourself.

Is the business not something you can start doing now?

Maybe you could ask one of the restaurants or cafes if you can do a work trial so they can see that you can do the job.

bugslet

Got2Save wrote: »

I have been applying and applying, but no responses. I signed up on Indeed and have been applying for many jobs, from call centre, to warehouse, to customer service etc. I have a gap on my CV due to unemployment and wondering whether that's the issue. I have received emails saying employers have read my application, but they haven't responded with a yes or no. Would my best option be to go into stores and speak to management face to face?

.

Just to give you a bit of feedback from the other side of the fence so to speak. We put up a job with Indeed for a van/7.5 drivers job for the first time a couple of months ago.

After four days, we had plenty of applications and closed the job advert. Being a first time user of the site, we didn't realise that on doing that, it meant that we could no longer use Indeed's e-mail system and the only way then would be to back and forth on our own e-mail system, which was not what we wanted.

Secondly, I did run out of patience with people responding who clearly weren't suitable. Some people responded who didn't have the correct licence and secondly people replied who were obviously applying for any job they thought they could feasibly do. If it's a job that attracts many applicants, then unless you have good experience and tick all the boxes, you'll not get a look in.

I understand the reason that you have applied for a variety of jobs, but so have lots of other people.

motorguy

Got2Save wrote: »

I have been applying and applying, but no responses. I signed up on Indeed and have been applying for many jobs, from call centre, to warehouse, to customer service etc. I have a gap on my CV due to unemployment and wondering whether that's the issue. I have received emails saying employers have read my application, but they haven't responded with a yes or no. Would my best option be to go into stores and speak to management face to face?

I live close to a seafront and there's a lot of restaurants and cafes on the front, so should was thinking of going there and asking inside. I went to a greek restaurant the other day and asked if there were any vacancies, spoke to the manager and he said unfortunately they were not looking to recruit. I just want a simple job, minimum age, anything to start off and get on the ladder then I can go to adult college in summer and upskill to get a better job, meanwhile i can save and start focusing on starting a business which I would like to do.

Most jobs applications on the "big" job boards are in the first instance handled either by a computer or a lowly admin person to pick out relevant key words.

It does sounds like you are using a scattergun approach and sending one CV to everyone.

I would personally have several "tailored" CVs, each one highlighting the relevant skills for the type of job you are applying for.

For example, as an IT Contractor i have a Configuration Manager CV, a Configuration Analyst CV, a Migration Manager CV, a Migration Analyst CV and a Data Analyst CV.

Also, look at the "essentials" for each job role. If you dont have a least 80% of them, dont apply. And if you do have them, make sure its clear on your CV.

Most jobs these days require experience. Even Call Centres expect you to have 6 months or a year customer service experience - however this can be quite loose. For example, my son worked part time in a filling station for 2 years, where he was dealing with customers, handling money, etc, which then got him experience to get into a call centre part time when he was at Uni, and that experience got him in to Santander when he finished.

Yes, check local supermarkets, filling stations, restaurants, corner shops individually locally if you're doing nothing else anyway. Have copies of your CV handy with your contact details clear on it so when you speak to the manager you can give him a CV for future reference.

motorguy

bugslet wrote: »

Secondly, I did run out of patience with people responding who clearly weren't suitable. Some people responded who didn't have the correct licence and secondly people replied who were obviously applying for any job they thought they could feasibly do. If it's a job that attracts many applicants, then unless you have good experience and tick all the boxes, you'll not get a look in.

+1

Its amazing how many people we used to get CVs from for IT Engineer work who just because they had used a computer at a previous job thought that qualified them for an IT Engineer role.

foolofbeans

motorguy wrote: »

Also, look at the "essentials" for each job role. If you don't have a least 80% of them, don't apply. And if you do have them, make sure its clear on your CV.

The Job Centre requires benefit claimants to apply for a number of jobs so this could be a reason many applicants apply for a job that is unsuitable - a waste of everybody's time.

OP - I applied for lots of jobs and didn't hear anything then 3 months later I got a call so you may hear something soon but it still may be useful to get your CV checked over, there's a lot of job clubs that give free assistance.

motorguy

foolofbeans wrote: »

The Job Centre requires benefit claimants to apply for a number of jobs so this could be a reason many applicants apply for a job that is unsuitable - a waste of everybody's time.

I dont think its a terribly large amount? 2 a week or something?

Shouldnt be difficult to stick a tailored CV into a specific job to meet that

frenchplonka

motorguy wrote: »

I dont think its a terribly large amount? 2 a week or something?

Shouldnt be difficult to stick a tailored CV into a specific job to meet that

With the new rules you now have to document that you are applying and looking for work for a minium of 5 hours per day 7 days a week

HappyMJ

motorguy wrote: »

I dont think its a terribly large amount? 2 a week or something?

Shouldnt be difficult to stick a tailored CV into a specific job to meet that

You used to be able to negotiate that if you were qualified and there were only a few suitable roles to apply for.

If you're unqualified you're expected to apply for almost anything even the jobs you know you will not get.

If I got an application from a clearly unqualified applicant it would just be binned and no response given.

Guest101

motorguy wrote: »

I dont think its a terribly large amount? 2 a week or something?

Shouldnt be difficult to stick a tailored CV into a specific job to meet that

For the few months I was on job seekers it was 12 a week. Given my sector, there were not 12 jobs available within 100 miles every week.


In the end I cancelled my claim prior to employment as it simply wasn't worth the hassle

auldblerk

I think some people here should read up on the 'claimant commitment' requirements in universal credit which is rolling out to the rest of the country. The claimant commitment doesn't discriminate on whether you are qualified or not.