How can I find a full-time job? Trying since May, no luck.

detectivebox

please delete

[Deleted User]

Dumb down the CV and go for a classic c15k hard sell sales 'retention' job, if needs must.
Any reason why you can't go back to Insurance.? Or am I just lucky to
live near Ipswich and their insurance row!! As I'm always seeing jobs advertised.

Anyway I forwarded my CV to a parcel company as something having done in the past in the next county from a recent vacancy just on a job board - they rang and said whilst they couldn't consider my particular application for such a lengthy commute and location exceeding their company rules they would however kindly forward application to what would be my nearest depot. (I never actually knew there was a closer depot! Never did I see this location advertised) even if it doesn't come to much, certainly a boost and by heck something I wish I'd thought of doing sooner.

Doshwaster

detectivebox wrote: »

What can I do differently? How can I get ANY full-time job? I'll clean toilets, I don't care...I just need to be earning a full-time wage.

Very down at the moment, starting to consider whether crime is better paid or getting signed off sick with depression and claiming benefits as it seems so easy for some.

Make sure you register with all of your local employment agencies and tell them that you will do *anything*. The national sites are better for professional roles but the local agencies will have close contacts with employers in your area who need staff at short notice. Even if they can't find you something full-time to start with they should be able to get you plenty of short-term contract work for things like maternity/holiday cover, extra shifts needed over Christmas or for special events.

PixelPound

Do you not have any contacts from your old job? They may be able to give you contacts in companies closer to where you are now living, or make initial queries on your behalf.

Otherwise as has been said, dumb down your CV. Employers may see the experience you have and feel that you are overqualified for the role you are applying for - in essence that you will only use it as a stepping stone to getting another job elsewhere.

A CV does have to go into every minutia and you really should focus each one to the job you are applying for. Maybe a skills based one that highlights skills relevant to each job you apply for and omit skills not relevant. It will also mask that you had to resign to look after someone, which is better left for the interview stage where you can explain the employment gap (unfortunately if its shouting out from the CV, employers may see it as a risk that you could have to care for them again).

duchy

Depends on where you live and your expectations of "anything". This time of year delivery companies and retail stores advertise seasonal positions which can lead to permanent work .

Where are you looking for work? How far are you prepared to travel?
Are you applying for part time as well as full time posts just to get some recent experience onto your CV? Have you approached ex colleagues to say you are back in the job market, often companies have refer a friend schemes and don't recruit publically.

Johntea

You're not alone, I've been out of work since leaving my previous job in April (IT) to care for a family member

However what I would say is even though I've only applied for 10 or so jobs in the 6 months (I'm only just applying for 'everything apart from the kitchen sink' as of this week due to less care required) I've been to 6 or 7 interviews so I would say something is up with your CV somewhere, I've had some very good feedback on my CV and applications - one thing I don't do is talk a load of fancy nonsense I just get straight to the point in terms of my qualifications, skills (all on Page 1) then previous employment history and just a short statement about the care so people instantly know why I left my previous job (all on half a Page 2)

Another guy that left at around the same time as me (Worked in Marketing) is also still looking

System

I had a guy around today to fit smart meters he was saying they are desperate for more fitters , full training is provided.

marliepanda

I recently decided to change career and due to the long and specifically timed notice periods left in July this year.

Whilst looking for a role in the specific career I was wanting to do I have been trying to find a 'tide me over' job myself, and have had similar luck to you OP. Applied for Christmas jobs at Marks and Spencer and HOF, no response yet despite getting and passing interview stage (plus used to work at Marks and Sparks and didnt leave under a cloud, I dont think anyway!)

Applied for care work where I knew a friend worked and had three jobs, no reply. Got shortlisted for a few council customer service jobs but no joy. Was starting to get a bit disheartened with just supply teaching days keeping me above water.

Luckily I do now have a new job which I start on Nov 7th and cannot wait, but even that I only got due to 'being on the books' at a council due to me working as a lifeguard extremely occasionally at a local pool (last chance saloon if everyone else was off sick type thing, due to my FT job) so was therefore able to apply as an internal candidate.

Keep trucking, you seem to have experience in areas which will get you somewhere eventually

DCFC79

Definitely agree with dumbing your CV down, there's tonnes of xmas jobs being advertised (well where I am anyway) so think of the usual eg Argos, Sainsbury's and the rest, Royal Mail.

detectivebox

Sorry for the late reply to my own thread!

In reply to some of the questions other posters have asked...

In the short term, I'm willing to apply for anything and everything I reasonably feel I would be considered for. I've applied for Christmas temp-type stuff, retail, warehouse, Royal Mail.

In the long term, I really want to get back into a proper career. I have asked ex-colleagues, but nothing has come up. I just really want a career again. Someone asked how far I was willing to travel - up to an hour on public services is my answer.

It's so frustrating. I'm a perfectly capable, reasonably intelligent person who had a very good career up until recently and now I feel like I'm back to square one or like I've just left school with no qualifications, but less appealing to employers as I'm older.

YouAsked

I don't think it's even necessarily about dumbing your CV down, but making sure you tailor it to each job you apply for. You've worked in insurance so if you're applying for an admin job then really hype up all of the admin stuff you've done and ensure it's prominent. If it's a customer facing job (hospitality/customer sevrives) then hype all of the interaction you had in your insurance role - dealing with disappointed clients, managing sensitive situations etc.

Don't send the same CV off to each job. Tell the truth, obviously, but just ensure that what is most prominent on your CV matches with what their main requirements for the job are.

Are you on Linkedin by the way? That's a good way to see "informal" opportunities - you need to follow lots of companies and try and make connections with people too.

And yes, I agree with other posts above - join agencies.