Unemployed for the first time.. & struggling

19lottie82

Try and get some temp work while you look for a permenant role, it will keep you busy and pay the bills.

As others said it sounds like you need to lower your expectations slightly. It can be hard, esp if you’re used to well paid jobs, but the job market is tough these days.

Fireflyaway

I had something a bit similar happen last year. I hated my job, was miserable and close to just walking out. I started applying for jobs and like you I was quite picky. I wanted to move up in responsibility and salary. Anyway out of maybe 50-60 applications I heard back from only a few and it was mostly a no. 7 months and 8 interviews later I did finally land a job. Then.... Coming up to the end of my probation it didn't look like I was going to be confirmed in post. With the prospect of unemployment looming, I started applying but this time was less picky. Out of 5 applications I got 3 interviews.
I'd say apply for things your are likely to get quickly. It's easier to get a job when you already have one and long gaps of unemployment don't look good. Waiting too long will get you down and you will lose motivation and self confidence and probably not interview so well. Definitely carry on applying for jobs you really want but don't sit there waiting as it could take a while. If like me you are looking to progress it can be extra hard. There is a lot of competition and you really need to find someone willing to give you that opportunity.

diggingdude

Fireflyaway wrote: »

I had something a bit similar happen last year. I hated my job, was miserable and close to just walking out. I started applying for jobs and like you I was quite picky. I wanted to move up in responsibility and salary. Anyway out of maybe 50-60 applications I heard back from only a few and it was mostly a no. 7 months and 8 interviews later I did finally land a job. Then.... Coming up to the end of my probation it didn't look like I was going to be confirmed in post. With the prospect of unemployment looming, I started applying but this time was less picky. Out of 5 applications I got 3 interviews.
I'd say apply for things your are likely to get quickly. it's easier to get a job when you already have one and long gaps of unemployment don't look good. Waiting too long will get you down and you will lose motivation and self confidence and probably not interview so well. Definitely carry on applying for jobs you really want but don't sit there waiting as it could take a while. If like me you are looking to progress it can be extra hard. There is a lot of competition and you really need to find someone willing to give you that opportunity.

Could not agree with this more. I have previously worked some horrendous jobs but paying the bills, not having to answer to the job centre, and choosing who I wanted to apply to was a massive bonus and I believe that employers saw I was "a grafter" :rotfl: