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

detectivebox

YouAsked wrote: »

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.

Thanks for the reply. I already tailor each CV to the job I'm applying to, focusing on the relevant skills from previous jobs that are appropriate for the job I'm applying to. I'm already signed up with numerous agencies too.

I'm not on LinkedIn though.

polgara

detectivebox wrote: »

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.

The thing is you need a job first as you are right, you are effectively back at square one until you have recent working experience - have you done any voluntary work?

detectivebox

polgara wrote: »

The thing is you need a job first as you are right, you are effectively back at square one until you have recent working experience - have you done any voluntary work?

No I haven't done any voluntary work - I help an elderly relative out during the day time when I'm not looking for work - they have a full time carer now, but there are still odd jobs I help out with for them. I really don't want to be working in a voluntary role for any length of time, I really need to get back into work as soon as possible.

asajj

Also, try to utilise Linkedin. You can establish contacts there. What sort of area you live in? I appreciate you say you can do anything but sometimes companies are not willing to recruit "everyone", especially if they are qualified. You said you want a career but what sort of career? Having a job and a career are not necessarily the same.

motorguy

detectivebox wrote: »

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.

Find your local call centres and apply there. They are almost always looking for people. You have loads of customer service experience by the sounds of it, and try to get onto an inbound contract where you're helping customers, rather than outbound which is hard sell.

Once you've some time under your belt there, you might well find it easier to move onwards and upwards, either in that environment or back out the insurance world.

Mersey_2

detectivebox wrote: »

I've been out of work since mid-2015 (I resigned from my last job in insurance).

I'm absolutely desperate for work. I cannot live off Universal Credit any longer. I've applied to over 150 jobs - jobs in my old industry (insurance) as well as everything any anything - shelf stacking, warehouse work, office jobs, ANYTHING! Not had a single response in nearly 6 months.

I've had my CV looked at by several people who all say it is fine and little needs changing. I'm signed up with recruitment agencies. I've done a couple of voluntary/unpaid roles in a local animal shelter and a shop for a few weeks but this doesn't seem to have improved anything.

I'm getting VERY frustrated. I just want a full-time job! I was doing very well in my old job, earning £35k+ a year

I sympathise as I know 3 former colleagues who were all still out of work a year after being made redundant (and one is a solicitor).


Govt/MoJ changes including fixed fees have led to a lot of layoffs in the insurance field, so this may be a reason.


I disagree with the 'dumbing down' of the CV advice, but obviously it's your choice.


I'd simply say - don't give up.


Of the 3 people I referred to, 2 found new well paid jobs after 2 years.


Alternatively, have you considered being a claims investigator? I know of a dozen firms who employ these (most are ex insurance or ex-coppers). They go out and take statements from witnesses and photos etc.


Equally, I'm sure you have the skills to be self-employed (although I realise this often takes capital to start-up).

marliepanda

SteveMc60 wrote: »

Sorry to hear your predicament. One thing I noticed - you said 'CV' in the singular.
You *must* customise your CV for *every* job you apply for. No two jobs are the same,
and using one CV doesn't work these days. Ive also found zoek.uk to be a useful jobs board for jobs and job (and CV) advice.

Are you just spamming? You bumped a months old thread to say something that the OP already says they do.