Would you advise an unemployed person to go around asking for work?

skintpaul

Get your skills online, too- setup LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram accounts, and post samples of your work.

suki1964

Yes

Ask everybody and anybody. I'm in the job I'm in now because I just said to everyone I knew even slightly, I'm looking a job, I'll do anything, if you hear of one pass my number along. I was phoned the following day with a job offer. Not the most exciting of jobs, but I'm paid the going rate, I get the hours that suit ( zero hour contract) and it's a really friendly place to work.

ZHC aren't the worst things in the world. I've been on them since '99. I've always been given enough hours to get by on, lots more hours during busy times, and I'm always available to cover holidays and sick. I've never had a week where I've not been given hours nor have I ever been sent home because there was no work. This job I'm in, well it started as. 3 week cover job last July. Since the he's kept me on with at least 20 hrs a week and more often or not 35 to up to 50 hrs ( December ) I just learn to budget to my lowest wage, and bank the rest for those quiet weeks

stuartJo1989

SlipHook wrote: »

I know, but I can't drive and have to take public transport. The job was based about 15 miles away. I often hear that with zero hours they call you at any time to be in work. I need to know my hours beforehand because I need to know when to leave and make it there on time. If the job was more local I wouldn't have minded, but considering the distance and not knowing when my hours would be it would make it difficult.

Lots of excuses there.

I did time in a call center on a zero hours contract and they pretty much gave you 40 hours every week because the work was always there. SOMETIMES they'd ask people to go home, but most times you could say "no" knowing full well that most of your colleagues were dying to get out of the building. May be different in other lines of work, but generally they have full time work for people who are reliable + who are keen to work (you meet a lot of pikers in these sort of jobs, so they welcome hard-working and reliable people).

They gave you a rota about 1-4 weeks in advance (some lines of work, like care work, MAY need you to be available at shorter notice but its not always that bad) so you can plan around travel + life. As long as you can get there for the opening time, and get home after the closing time, then you need not worry unduly about your working hours.

Also, I commuted 10 miles each way per day. Took roughly 1 hour on public transport (I lived right next to a train station + a direct bus route so it was very easy for me, but my new job requires a 2nd bus which costs extra on top of the monthly bus pass and takes longer). Also have a moped which is brilliant + cheap for commuting, but awaiting repairs currently. If you want to work then you'll find a way to travel those 15 miles each way.

HardCoreProgrammer

The haste of some in judging others, based on what they read, is astounding.

OP From my experience when I was unemployed 8 years ago, this is unlikely to work without experience or qualifications. Please do not waste your time when you can do better targeted job huntimg.

I can understand why you are reluctant to take on a job if you do not have means of transport to get there on time. You could be sanctioned and lose your benefits if fired for being late, for example. I hope something better turna up soon.

motorguy

SlipHook wrote: »

I know, but I can't drive and have to take public transport. The job was based about 15 miles away. I often hear that with zero hours they call you at any time to be in work. I need to know my hours beforehand because I need to know when to leave and make it there on time. If the job was more local I wouldn't have minded, but considering the distance and not knowing when my hours would be it would make it difficult.

Did you actually ask the employer or did you just assume?

Moreoften employers will rota you at least a week in advance.

And surely worst case a days notice would allow you to plan travel?

demiruss

What was your last job? In answer to your question, I personally wouldn't advise it unless you live in a small area. Even chip shops advertise on Indeed now. That said, I got a retail job by calling my local store asking for vacancies + it saved me the trip (although I had worked for the same company). There's got to be something within 15 miles that isn't 0 hours that you could do? How are your IT skills?

enjoyyourshoes

Its one of the options you should be looking for, along with online job sites etc.

If you do visit retailers etc, ensure you go at heir less busy times, look smart and presentable, have some q's you intend asking if the owner starts a conversation and know what skills you can bring to the table for that job.

Consider what employer is critically looking for and demonstrate those skills when you turn up (customer skills- friendly smiling disposition, conversationalist etc)

You have used skills in the acting job, you possibly need to sit down and do some research on what competences employers want and consider what experiences you can demonstrate utilising those different competencies- write them down, work on them, practice them, so as you can use these fluently when in conversation with employer.

Great idea and great opportunity for you.

Don't forget getting a job is a bit of a numbers game, each rejection is one step closer to an offer.

Good luck

xapprenticex

You can knock doors but it works best with manual labor type jobs like warehouse and even FL driving.

But as said (im guessing), most jobs are not advertised.

[Deleted User]

Go to reed job board, set up account adding CV, type in 'Immediate start' in What box then select your chosen location in Where box
https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/immediate-start

https://www.reed.co.uk/help/temp
This can get picked up by both employer and recruitment agency

It really can work, you can even get jobs without interviewing this way.

Other then that search all the big chain websites you can think of under Careers/We're Hiring even down to the unique ones.

https://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/unemployment-advice/tips-for-unemployed-jobseekers

stuartJo1989

HardCoreProgrammer wrote: »

The haste of some in judging others, based on what they read, is astounding.

We judge each other on a daily basis and for all manner of reasons. You are judging me whilst you read this, making your own mind up about what you think about me.

Wouldn't say that anyone has been overly impolite with any "judgements" towards OP though! Myself included...