Jobseeking is driving me mad!

looby75

Boldaslove, for a change I do actually remember the name (well the first name at least) of the person who I spoke to, because it's the same as mine

The thing about agencies is no matter how hard you try to avoid them it's almost impossible these days if you use any kind of job website. The pharmacy I applied for is actually in the village I live so I called in and asked for an application form in person in the hope of bypassing the agency (it was advertised on the jobcentre website with contact details of the agency) I was told that they couldn't handle applications themselves so I had no choice but to go through the agency.

I feel a bit like I'm doing all this totally handicapped, I'm limited by my health (back problems so no heavy lifting or sitting/standing for long periods) no childcare for my youngest so can only work school hours, and crappy public transport so limited to where I can work. Add on top of that wading through which are the real jobs and which are agency's trying to up their numbers and sometimes I really do wonder why I bother

All I want is a job!

staindude

The problem with reed's site for me is it never saves the location I search from despite the "save this location" checkbox so I'm always entering my postcode and distance. The amount of jobs on there was quite good though when I started searching online a few weeks ago.

Something I've learnt this year is that the jobs you don't get can be for the best. Early in the year when my confidence was really low I went for a job I didn't see as a career but could do well and enjoy for a bit. They messed me around and even though I complained, it came to nothing. A few months on and I applied for something I didn't really want but they contacted me first so thought I might as well go for. Even though I've passed it before this time I failed their insane phone exam and at the time I was insulted by it :rolleyes:

But now I'm so glad those things happened, I wouldn't have been happy staying in those jobs at all. I'm reminded of the first one everyday and think "god, that could be me, I'm so glad it's not".

A_little_stressed!!

My jobseeking still doing my nut! Got a second interview for a job I don't want next week! !!

Had a good, but nerveracking interview for a job I DO want last week, but a little unsure how to read their impression of me. The interviewer said she'd had fun at the interview, is that a good thing or not? I'm very bubbly and friendly, maybe a little kookie, but I'm also in my early 20s do you think this means she doesn't see me as a candidate as I'm not serious/mature enough?

therealdessie

I'd say if you got early feedback and it's not "we don't want to see them again" then it's not necessarily a bad thing. I guess it depends on the job you went for!

A_little_stressed!!

It was said at the end of the interview, but it's for a very 'proper' trainee accountants role at a large finacial company!!

It was my second ever real interview and I was way to excited/nervous to not let my personality take over a little!

therealdessie

Ahh I'm with you. It's hard not to over-analyse the comments people make at the end of the meet because every employer has a different tactic - I used to tag team interviews and agreed with my co-interviewer that if we liked the person we would go on to discuss benefits, holiday allowance etc. If we didn't, we wouldn't, and the interviewee would be none the wiser until we gave the agency their feedback.

That said I had a recent interview where the interviewer said at the end "well I wish you all the best with your job hunting" then stumbled as he realised what he had said and followed up with "err... that's not to say you won't have a chance at this one". I just smiled, kept my chin up and left. It's important to remain professional no matter what happens

A_little_stressed!!

Thanks for your reply, the interviewer did bring up holiday entitlement, as I hadn't asked AND told me how it's best to book up anything special straight away.

I went to the interview for a basic job, more as practice than actually wanting the job, but during the interview found it a very interesting company with varied day-to-day activities and we actually discussed an upcoming vacancy a few levels above the one I applied for. So I'm feeling confident on the basic job, but now want to be seriously considered for the higher job!!

therealdessie

Well good luck with both, as some work is better than none Funny how these things can come out of the blue isn't it - I've had plenty of interviews I haven't wanted to attend but did so as a courtesy to the agency, and ended up loving the company after all!

Oldernotwiser

looby75 wrote: »

Arrrggggggggggggg

Bloody agency's.

I phoned up for a job in a pharmacists, the description said they wanted someone computer literate and who has retail experience, they also wanted someone who could do deliveries occasionally, but that wasn't the main part of the job. I can drive but haven't driven for a long time (over 10 years) so I would need refresher lessons before I got behind the wheel again but it wouldn't take long, a month max. Anyway the hours fitted in with the hours I can work and because jobs with those hours are few and far between round here I decided to apply anyway. The person I spoke to at the agency took my details said they would put my application forward and they didn't think that the driving thing would be much of an problem as it wasn't the main criteria for the job and it's something that could be resolved fairly quickly, they also asked me to send in a copy of my CV.

Just received a letter saying they HAVEN'T put me forward and they won't deal with me the future as I gave incorrect information to their advisor. !!!!!!???? What incorrect information, that I have a full clean driving licence but that I would need some refresher lessons They are closed for the weekend so I can't phone to find out what the hell they are going on about. I am SO mad right now :mad::mad::mad:

I don't understand their comments about giving incorrect information but you really didn't help yourself with getting this job. Surely you could've just left it at "full clean licence" and then rushed off for a couple of refresher lessons if offered the job? Presumably delivering for a village pharmacy would be pretty local and not involve hours in an HGV on the M6? Sometimes people do show a lack of common sense and initiative at times, it's not surprising that they struggle getting employment!

orlao

Just a comment to anyone trying to "read" their interviewer......remember that a lot of the time the person interviewing isn't an experienced HR person and they can often be a bit misleading about the applicants chances......

Either they stay a bit too po faced (and you go away thinking they hated me!) or they get a bit overexcited and may talk the job up( OMG, you thought it was a waiters job and really they want a new MD)

I work with a lovely guy who is a bit excitable and when we are interviewing tends to really big up the company, promotion prospects etc but I've seen too many people listen to the spiel and forget what the job description and person spec actually say....then when they start they think they'll be doing a completely different job to what is actually required, you can imagine the problems that causes to both sides:eek:

This bloke really doesn't mean any harm (and now hates me sitting in on interviews because he reckons that he ends up with bruised shins and that I'm *negative* when I interrupt:D ) but he's now beginning to see the points I'm trying to make about someone being pleasantly suprised about their new job rather than immediately disappointed and feeling hard done by on their first day. The other thing is to look beyond the job title....I work in an industry where every second person is a manager , many on minimun wage, what's the point of that and people apply thinking that the job is something more than it is!!!!

Not trying to be negative, honest, just trying to make sure that all the JSers on here are aware that not all businesses behave in a truly professional manner and that often it's not your fault when you get mixed messages....

I'm keeping an eye on this thread because I'm about to start applying for jobs in my local area, 12 years:eek: after my last job application/interview.