How on earth does anyone find a job?

teribar

I really need some advice.

I have been with my current employer for 7 years and until a few months ago loved my job. Having missed out on a promotion I expected, I find myself working for a manager who has taken away all my responsibilities and keeps me out of the loop.

Obviously I need to find a new job , but despite applying for literally dozens I haven't had any luck.

I have revamped my cv and applied for jobs every day but no luck. Is it my age (60)? My skills (customer service?) or am I going about this all wrong. Signed up for lots of job sites and get alerts from them. I'm starting to feel really despondent. Any advice would be appreciated.

dawyldthing

Put it on sites like cv library but keep it un hidden. Other thing is is go round to areas, sometimes they advertise like it as they have folk applying that need to meet targets if on job centre website

jonnygee2

literally dozens

On average, when i am recruiting we will reject several hundred CVs for each applicant we hire - that's normal.

I'm sure you'll find a job. but 'dozens' isn't even close I'm afraid. You need to apply for a lot more.

Also, make sure you get the basics right. Make sure each application you fill in is well tailored for the position and 100% error free. Spend time on each one, like it will be the one, then spend more time on the next.

Applying for jobs is like a full time job in itself. If it's serious, I'd be expecting to spend 4 -5 hours a day on applications and sending about 2-3 a day. But with a bit of graft, you'll find something!

buglawton

And create a LinkedIn profile with your status set to 'Looking for opportunities'.

Comms69

jonnygee2 wrote: »

On average, when i am recruiting we will reject several hundred CVs for each applicant we hire - that's normal.

I'm sure you'll find a job. but 'dozens' isn't even close I'm afraid. You need to apply for a lot more.

Also, make sure you get the basics right. Make sure each application you fill in is well tailored for the position and 100% error free. Spend time on each one, like it will be the one, then spend more time on the next.

Applying for jobs is like a full time job in itself. If it's serious, I'd be expecting to spend 4 -5 hours a day on applications and sending about 2-3 a day. But with a bit of graft, you'll find something!

It depends on the job.

I would say dozens is too many; I apply for 1 or 2 at a time.

I would suggest the OP is overestimating their potential if none of those have resulted in an interview.

motorguy

Comms69 wrote: »

It depends on the job.

I would say dozens is too many; I apply for 1 or 2 at a time.

I would suggest the OP is overestimating their potential if none of those have resulted in an interview.

+1

Best to apply a focused route rather than a scattergun approach.

I tailor each CV i submit to emphasise the skills i have for the role's prerequisites and key requirements.

DCFC79

Any new offices being built near you, the firms going into them will need staff.

tacpot12

Sorry to hear you are finding it difficult to secure a new role. The job market is very difficult at the moment. You age may be a factor, but there is not much you can do about that. You could make sure that your CV highlights any of the benefit of employing older, experienced workers that particularly apply to you. If you have trained or help develop more junior staff, make sure this appears in your CV.

You might also consider whether you really need to change jobs. Your idiot manager may have taken away your responsibilities, but you are still being paid the same. Some people might see this as a very beneficial arrangement!

Good luck, I hope you get sorted quickly.

ohreally

teribar wrote: »

Is it my age (60)?

Are you disclosing your age?

moneyistooshorttomention

Have you considered this new manager may be trying to get you to "leave of your own freewill"?

This may not be YOUR decision to leave iyswim.

Personally - I'd be working out whose decision it really is and if MY decision was still to stay then I'd be figuring out ways to do so.

That is voice of experience time I'm afraid. I worked for the Civil Service for many years latterly and it dawned on me after a while that THEY had decided I was to go and what tactics they were using to try and make me think it was me that had decided to go.

I worked out what else I would land up getting for a job instead, ie:
- zilch job security
- going from an office job and traditional office hours (including flexitime I decided on)
- 6 weeks a year holiday

What I'd have had instead for the rest of my worklife would have boiled down to:
- periods of unemployment
- alternating with cobbling together several part-time jobs to make up the full-time salary I need
- I wouldnt have fit in in many of those casual part-time jobs (I could just picture how colleagues would have probably fallen round laughing the second it came to time for a mid-morning/afternoon drink and I started getting out my cafetiere to make real coffee or letting my fruit teas "settle" before squeezing in my slice of lemon with it:rotfl:). That's just to give one example where I just knew there would be raised eyebrows and demands to make myself a quick instant coffee and get back on with the job...if the chance was there to make myself any sort of drink at all.

So I just resisted the pressure and, when it really amped up, turned round and told them I knew what they were trying to do and it wasn't going to work. If they wanted rid of me - they'd have to do it "properly" (ie with suitable pay-off etc). Otherwise - I was going to stay put - and I did - until retirement.

I learnt to mentally "blank out" the workplace the second I walked out the door and I made sure I went out every lunchtime (even if I didnt need to do any shopping or anything) and I would just go for a walk if that was the case. Admitted that was a Southern England city - so I could rely on the weather not stopping me going out basically.:cool:

EDIT; Be wary of your employer trying to "manage you out" with something like getting dismissed ostensibly on ill health terms (I had to fight off a couple of fake ill health dismissals they tried to pull on me for temporary ordinary commonplace ailments a lot of people get).

kingfisherblue

My son has recently started working. He applied for numerous jobs, each letter tailored individually for the company. In several cases, no job had been advertised, but he really wanted to work after he finished college. The main problem that he had was being unable to drive, but has been asked to contact a few companies again once he has a full licence. Unfortunately, he needed a job to be able to pay for lessons!


The time spent on applications and letters paid off. He is now employed in his chosen field, in a job that was not advertised. Admittedly he is currently on low pay, but he has opportunities and he is keen to learn.



Companies are more likely to consider someone whose application stands out, rather than a generic cover letter and CV. Showing an interest in the company and what you can bring to it is going to generate more interest in you than a CV that has been printed out dozens of times. Spending time to individualise each application is time consuming, but worthwhile.