How to successfully return to employment after long period of unemployment?

steampowered

The only thing I would add is that "6 or 7 interviews" during the course of a year is not a lot.

It is not unusual for people to do 6 or 7 interviews in a week or two while they are job hunting.

You have to keep going to these interviews until you get a job. I'd encourage you to stick at it. Treat each interview as a learning experience, you should be getting better and learning something every time even if you don't end up with a job from that particular interview. You will keep improving and eventually get something.

Don't take rejection personally. There are a lot of candidates for jobs, so a rejection is not necessarily a reflection on you specifically.

As others have advised, it is best to start with an entry level job like shelf stacking in a supermarket.

SlipHook

Yeah 6/7 interviews isn't a lot, but because I have been unemployed for such a long time I am fortunate I even got that many. Before that I had even fewer interviews. I am sure if I applied for more I would have got more interviews, but when I was getting rejected left right and centre it just left me disheartened. As for the panic attacks, I was on beta blockers for a while and I didn't find them much use. I would get lightheaded, tired and still get the panic attacks. How would I even go about claiming esa or jsa? I got turned down for disability allowance before, so I don't see how I would get either of those two. In all honesty I just want a job. More time alone means more time to think, for me that's not a good thing.


It's hard to move forward with life when I have these crap mental issues. Shelf stacking wouldn't be a bad thing, but I've applied to supermarkets and I was unsuccessful. Do you think I should just continue applying and hope for the best? Students and older people can get jobs in these stores, so I really don't see why I can't if I don't put down my health problems. The emotional freedom technique seems interesting,will have to check it out thanks. I have a similar issue with panic attacks coming and going. Usually my panic attacks range from mild to bad, the mild ones being palpatations and maybe a little warmth to the skin, but the bad ones can be horrible with my face tingling, legs heavy, palpatations, dizziness, weakness, sweating and the general need to get away from wherever I am at that moment. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy, they really do feel crippling and these can also carry on for a sustained period of time (sometimes weeks, occasionally months) before going back to mild to moderate ones.

annandale

Do you honestly think after describing panic attacks that can last for months that you would be able to cope with a full time job just now.

Post on the benefits board to get advice about claiming benefits

Savvy_Sue

And see your GP about alternatives to medication (including CBT and talking therapies) which might help reduce the panic attacks.

steampowered

SlipHook wrote: »

Do you think I should just continue applying and hope for the best?

Yes, I do.

It is disheartening to be rejected time and time again when making job applications. We've all been there. But you do have to keep trying.

Even for something like a shelf-stacking job, supermarkets can sometimes get dozens of applications for each opening. They often have to make a decision between different people based on very limited information.

If you get rejected that is not necessarily a criticism of you - it may simply be a case of there not being enough available roles.

I think it helps if you treat each application/interview as a learning experience. Even if you don't get the job, you get more practice and hopefully better at doing interviews. That way you can see it as a positive experience rather than a negative one.

Its worth getting someone to take a look at your CV to see how it can be improved, and getting any assistance you can, but otherwise keep trying and there's a good chance you'll get something :beer:

bartelbe

The employment market is brutal and I have much sympathy for you. I was in a similar situation and like you I don't interview well. Years of unemployment after uni and even now the full time job I have isn't exactly my dream role. Still I managed to get work.

The first thing I did was volunteer for a charity. Employers are very wary of people without employment histories. How do they know will even be capable of the basics, like turning up on time?

Volunteering gives you skills, a reference and shows you can be relied to turn up at a workplace week in week out. It also gives you a chance to meet people, which will help with the depression.

Next find a temporary job, alas Christmas is the best time to do this, they're desperate for staff. The advantage of that is you can build up an employment history and if you can't hack it, it only lasts for 3 months. You didn't quit, your contract ran out.

Look at low level jobs, even stuff which is a couple of hours a week. Your council probably limited hours jobs other people don't want. Use this to build experience.

I would also recommend the public sector, they tend to be more forgiving than the private sector and other roles tend to open up for you. Good luck.

DCFC79

First of all Id get rid of any alcohol and go and see your GP for the reasons suggested.

Getting a whiff of alcohol on your breath could have been 1 of the reasons why you have been unsuccessful.

Explore the volunteering option. Do you have anyone (maybe someone who is in HR or been successful at interviews. ) who would be blunt with you with regards interview techniques and maybe look over a CV.

DevilsMoJo

"I see you've been volunteering. Why would I pay you when you clearly have no problem working for free?"

annandale

Some employers would prefer a prospective employee to have volunteer experience than gaps on their CV

passatrider

Volunteering is more than working for 'free'. It shows a prospective employer that you are reliable, trustworthy and like to get involved. It's been a lifeline for me to staying sane in the past and is looked favourably on by employers.

Funnily enough when people find out you volunteer whilst on benefits they see past the tax payers argument. :T