I feel like I have no option but to lie about my work experience. Please help!

MEM62

GangBusters wrote: »

I can say I'm fit and eager for work all day long but if they have 20 other applicants who don't have a history of mental illness, well who would you pick... Anyways thanks for the advice, I'm going to try some agencies then.

Don't start selling yourself short before you get anywhere. You say you need to be given a chance so given the agencies a chance to give you a chance. In what part of the country do you live? Have you had any help addressing your mental health issues?

[Deleted User]

Charity shops will bite your hands off and some with Aldo let you gain your L2 in Retail/Customer Service.

I would also get on Indeed, the amount of Christmas jobs I’ve seen advertised I’d crazy.

GangBusters

MarkN88 wrote: »

Charity shops will bite your hands off and some with Aldo let you gain your L2 in Retail/Customer Service.

I would also get on Indeed, the amount of Christmas jobs I’ve seen advertised I’d crazy.

I know, it just freaking sucks that I'm in desperate need for a paid job yet I have to give my labour away for free. Volunteering should always be a side thing, for people who have a few hours of free time and want to contribute to their community. Not as a means to gain validation so employers will give you the light of day.

I'll try agencies first and if no luck there then I guess I'll work for free to get some credibility.

bouicca21

But validation is exactly what you need. Why should anyone give you a chance after 10 years

Sitting on my !!! feeling sorry for myself moaning that the world isn't fair

without some evidence that you are actually prepared to turn up and do a day's work?

Sea_Shell

I realise it seems harsh, and you say you're ready, but you've had 10 years without the structure and rules that come with work (both paid and voluntary).

You need to be able to prove "you can do it", so chances are that means starting at the bottom, in whatever sector, thereby gaining a track record of reliability and work ethic.

There are no shortcuts in the cutthroat employment sector.

Good luck.

tiger_eyes

If you've only had two job interviews, I think it's too early to decide that employers won't hire you. Keep working on your applications and interview skills. Your local library probably has books available to study and the jobcentre should be able to refer you to specialist programmes to help the long-term unemployed get back into work.

GangBusters

Sea_Shell wrote: »

I realise it seems harsh, and you say you're ready, but you've had 10 years without the structure and rules that come with work (both paid and voluntary).

You need to be able to prove "you can do it", so chances are that means starting at the bottom, in whatever sector, thereby gaining a track record of reliability and work ethic.

There are no shortcuts in the cutthroat employment sector.

Good luck.

I guess this makes sense. Beggars can't be choosers and all that.

Ridgerunner

Have you looked at https://www.rfea.org.uk/jobseekers/early-service-leavers/?

GangBusters

tiger_eyes wrote: »

If you've only had two job interviews, I think it's too early to decide that employers won't hire you. Keep working on your applications and interview skills. Your local library probably has books available to study and the jobcentre should be able to refer you to specialist programmes to help the long-term unemployed get back into work.

I applied to Tesco and I even used to work there before.... Doing basically the same job, left on good terms but they still rejected me.

It's obvious they just don't want to hire someone who they think is going to have a mental break down every other week.

This may seem outrageous but I honestly believe saying I was in prison for 10 years due to accidentally killing someone in a car crash would look better than 10 years of mental illness. Accidents happen after all, right?

Ridgerunner

You seem to have decided very early on that your mental health history is the reason that you haven't been employed and that there's little point trying. The positive is that you have got two interviews in the first place and I believe that competition for retail positions is quite fierce; lots of applicants for every job. You did work for Tesco before and left on good terms -but that was over a decade ago so cannot expect that to garner much goodwill today.

As others have said, the way to prove that you are hard working, reliable and keen to work is by volunteering. Demonstrate a positive approach and determined mindset rather than letting the defeatist attitude that comes from your posts sabotage your prospects.