Why won't anybody employ me?

[Guest Nicole]

I've got to talk about this somewhere, because it's actually making me feel depressed.

 

I finished college for good on the 27th of this month, and even before this I've handed in numerous application forms for different jobs. Mainly the jobs have been bar work and shop assistant roles.

 

I've received no phonecalls, been offered no interviews and basically had no correspondance from anyone.

 

Could it be the fact that I have a few too many qualifications? I have tried leaving grades off, but that still seems to put people off me.

 

I've got 9 GCSES' (5 A's, 4B's) a Young Enterprise qualification, 1 AS level and 4 a levels pending.

 

I don't like to lie on forms about my grades, because I don't want to have to admit to somebody in an interview that I actually have got qualifications.

 

 

I rang the dole office the other day to start a claim, and I felt absolutely humiliated by the fact I can't get work. I've got a meeting with somebody on Tuesday about it all, but I'm just worried they are going to say that I need to apply for jobs which need more skills, which is something I don't want to do. I only want a simple part time job like the rest of my mates.

 

I know they are going to try and palm me off to connexions, which is a service I hate because of its condenscending attitude. They rang up for my sister last week, as she was a trainee hairdresser when she left school, but had to leave hairdressing for ill health. When I said she was now working as a waitress, they said it was sad that she had to do that now. I really don't want that sort of attitude thrown towards me, because I'll end up giving them a piece of my mind.

 

My mates are all threatening to disown me because I've got to go on the dole, yet I'm trying really hard to get a job. I'm going to have a chat with a local cafe owner on monday which J's nan set up, but I'm not sure that she'll want me, and it'll probably end up with my name and number being taken, and eventually being chucked in the bin.

 

Depressed :(

Edited June 29, 2007 by Nicole

[Guest Al Stevens]

Nic don't worry about it.

 

I know this is going to be hard at first however at the current time (because i am looking for work myself) there doesnt seem to be any jobs going unless you want to work in a care home or a school.

 

The one best bit of advice i got was actually from an interviewer a few weeks ago, don't let it get you down. Keep smiling and you will find a job.

 

PS.

 

There is no shame about going on the Dole for a time being, personally if any of my friends said that to me i would tell them to shove a chainsaw where the sun doesn't shine!

 

However good luck with trying to find a job though :xyx

[Guest ahsatan]

At this time of the year there are so many people looking for work, it's a bad time to need to look, but don't lose faith. :)

[Guest Steenalizer]

keep trying and never give up.I often feel this way best way is to go into town with a load of cvs and hand them out everywhere especially pubs this time of year theyll be looking for staff for the summer and shops since the students are all finishing soon

[Guest Nicole]

Things is, they don't seem to want "students" as such in shops, rather they want school leavers who have no qualifications at the moment because exam results haven't come out yet.

 

I've been applying for jobs for the past year, and nothings happened. Makes me wonder whether its more than just my qualifications putting people off employing me.

[Guest Inno]

I get what you mean about it being humiliating applying for the dole. I felt like **** because I needed help, and the idiots at the job centre didn't help one little bit. I got my current job off my own back, not because of anything they did for me - every job they made (yes, MADE) me apply for, I told them I wouldn't get it, but they still made me do it. I'm still waiting for replies from some of them.

 

It's really annoying that some companied can't be bothered to even send you a standard "thanks, but not thanks" letter.

 

Only thing I can say is try anything and everything, Nic - I got lucky and landed a job I really wanted in the bookies - know what they say, throw some mud at the wall and some sticks eventually :D

 

I wouldn't bother about qualifications holding you back either - My CV is the biggest work of fiction since the bible and I still got the interview with Hill's because of (or in spite of) it.

[Guest Steenalizer]

I get what you mean about it being humiliating applying for the dole. I felt like **** because I needed help, and the idiots at the job centre didn't help one little bit. I got my current job off my own back, not because of anything they did for me - every job they made (yes, MADE) me apply for, I told them I wouldn't get it, but they still made me do it. I'm still waiting for replies from some of them.

 

It's really annoying that some companied can't be bothered to even send you a standard "thanks, but not thanks" letter.

 

Only thing I can say is try anything and everything, Nic - I got lucky and landed a job I really wanted in the bookies - know what they say, throw some mud at the wall and some sticks eventually :D

 

I wouldn't bother about qualifications holding you back either - My CV is the biggest work of fiction since the bible and I still got the interview with Hill's because of (or in spite of) it.

 

 

yeah mate i more often than not get jobs that arent via job center..my local job center freely admits theyre usless :)

[Guest The Great Ahmar]

I know how you feel. Connexions are the biggest ****s going. Long story short, I told them to basically **** off. They don't help you one bit. They tried to palm me off to some Beginners course in building doing nothing I wanted to do. Meanwhile I enrolled at College for my one day a week Electrical Course which in the long term makes you a fully qualified Electrician. They almost pulled the funding (Comes from some charity) to pay for me to go to college, which they have no right to do. They didn't even tell me about going to college.

 

Anyway I quit the Building Course as it was 1 day a week practical and all the other days were English and Maths. Which no off sense to the other guys there they needed but I didn't. I got a B in English, C in Maths and C in Science which would get me into any college I wanted if I did. They ****s still ring up and try to get me to go down there and "Talk". I'm call you all a bunch of worthless ****s again should I?

 

But yeah I'm still and have been looking for an Electrical Apprenticeship for over a year now. I've had a few interviews with big firms sadly nothing came off them, I'm not giving up mind I really want to be an electrician.

[Guest Inno]

That's shocking Omar...

 

I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself :P

[Guest Redneck Messiah]

I can relate and feel for you although I know things are different from where you are compared to where I am in the United States. I graduated with a major of Public Relations and sent out around 70 resumes and cover letters the following ten months. I think I heard back from two of those jobs. No "Thank you for applying" letters, no phone calls, no return of some follow up calls, and other things except for two of the places I applied. I was told by one job that I had no experience and that they wouldn't hire me. Well that's where of course it's frustrating. How do you get experience if nobody will hire you to do so? I had an internship at college and would have worked part time somewhere to gain experience. I do live in a more rural area so that hurts but did apply for a mid sized city a hour away often times. I ended up getting really depressed and had to work at Subway for a year and a half for 4.75 a hour. One of the worst stretches of my life and I lost all my self esteem.

 

I ended up taking a overnight position in a group home with emotionally troubled youth. I ended up working there for six years and was treated like crap at the end so I left. I then went on the job search again and had difficulties again landing a decent job. Most jobs paid under ten bucks a hour that I was being offered and often around the eight dollar mark. I couldn't believe that with my experience, outstanding references, good interview skills, and follow up techniques I used. I've been working various social work jobs the last three years and just quit my last job two months ago because of an unsafe environment.

 

I want to get out of social work but sadly they pay a few more bucks then anything else I try and I've found it diffucult to land in a new job path. I just took a job at a dentention center 50 minutes away from my home with no benefits. I've been quite depressed but trying to keep going. I really need to move to a city but I want to stay by my family. They say the unemployment rate is going down here but that's not in my area. One part time job I applied for I knew somebody there and they stated they got over 80 resumes for the position. It makes it quite difficult to get a decent job. I've tried various job sources and civil services too but haven't had any success with those either. Sad thing is I even tried to go back to my old job that I left that I had six years experience at but they basically want to pay "newer" people because it's cheaper.

 

I guess I'm just letting out my frustrations as well. You are not alone in the difficulties that some people face getting work. Stay persistant and I hope something turns up for you. I'd maybe say doing volunteer work somewhere in your field. I think I should have done that earlier in my paths after college. If I could do things over again I'm not even sure I would go to college. It really hasn't paid off for me and I still pay student loans. Good luck with everything and I hope things turn out well for you soon.

Edited June 29, 2007 by Redneck Messiah

[Guest The Crippler]

I've got to talk about this somewhere, because it's actually making me feel depressed.

 

I finished college for good on the 27th of this month, and even before this I've handed in numerous application forms for different jobs. Mainly the jobs have been bar work and shop assistant roles.

 

I've received no phonecalls, been offered no interviews and basically had no correspondance from anyone.

 

Could it be the fact that I have a few too many qualifications? I have tried leaving grades off, but that still seems to put people off me.

 

I've got 9 GCSES' (5 A's, 4B's) a Young Enterprise qualification, 1 AS level and 4 a levels pending.

 

I don't like to lie on forms about my grades, because I don't want to have to admit to somebody in an interview that I actually have got qualifications.

 

 

I rang the dole office the other day to start a claim, and I felt absolutely humiliated by the fact I can't get work. I've got a meeting with somebody on Tuesday about it all, but I'm just worried they are going to say that I need to apply for jobs which need more skills, which is something I don't want to do. I only want a simple part time job like the rest of my mates.

 

I know they are going to try and palm me off to connexions, which is a service I hate because of its condenscending attitude. They rang up for my sister last week, as she was a trainee hairdresser when she left school, but had to leave hairdressing for ill health. When I said she was now working as a waitress, they said it was sad that she had to do that now. I really don't want that sort of attitude thrown towards me, because I'll end up giving them a piece of my mind.

 

My mates are all threatening to disown me because I've got to go on the dole, yet I'm trying really hard to get a job. I'm going to have a chat with a local cafe owner on monday which J's nan set up, but I'm not sure that she'll want me, and it'll probably end up with my name and number being taken, and eventually being chucked in the bin.

 

Depressed :(

 

The problem is if you have all those qualifications and then you are going for a part-time job, they may feel like you're going to up and leave them when a "better" job comes around.

 

I dunno really. I've just got my degree at University but I haven't sorted myself with a job. Probably largely due to me concentrating on my studies and maybe foolishly not looking too far ahead. I've not started looking for a job until I've got my classification whereas others had been more proactive. I'm on jobseekers as well now and it doesn't fill you with confidence when you go there. I get bad vibes when I go there. It's a depressing environment. I'm hoping I don't have to wait about too much longer as I've sent off for 3 jobs this week.

 

Just stick in there. You're obviously a very bright person but perhaps employers are overlooking you due to your qualifications and them thinking you will be wanting to move ASAP to another job.

[Ryan 188]

My mates are all threatening to disown me because I've got to go on the dole

 

Then their clearly not your friends, there are jobs out there, just keep searching :)

[Guest Amy]

Don't worry Nic! If I can get a job anyone can!

 

I started applying for loads of jobs in August and didnt get a new one until January, it takes time but you'll find something in the end.

 

Don't trust agencies though, I had alot of trouble with a few agencys over xmas when I got made redundant and was just looking for some temp work, I think they must just lie to you so it bumps their commission up.

 

Have you got any supermarkets near you? not ideal but supermarkets will take on anyone.

[Guest Steenalizer]

Then their clearly not your friends, there are jobs out there, just keep searching :)

 

 

 

your mates are idiots then if im honest and you shouldnt care what others think its not like school they arent gonna start name calling as your not part of theyre click.

 

as for signing on theres bugger all wrong with it its giving you money whilst you job hunt..would you rather starve than have no money at all?

[Guest Nicole]

Don't worry Nic! If I can get a job anyone can!

 

I started applying for loads of jobs in August and didnt get a new one until January, it takes time but you'll find something in the end.

 

Don't trust agencies though, I had alot of trouble with a few agencys over xmas when I got made redundant and was just looking for some temp work, I think they must just lie to you so it bumps their commission up.

 

Have you got any supermarkets near you? not ideal but supermarkets will take on anyone.

 

I got rejected from the supermarkets :( Thats really bad aint it?

 

I know its not bad to be signing on because I actually need the money, I just feel ashamed that nobody wants to employ me.

[Guest Inno]

I had no problem with the signing on, just the attitude of the peeps in the office, who seemed to think there WAS something wrong with it. Never seen so many people look down their nose at me in one day...

 

Meh. It'll all work out in the end, just keep the faith and keep your chin up, don't let it get to you. Trust me, from someone that DID let it get to them... it doesn't help.

[Guest Steenalizer]

I got rejected from the supermarkets :( Thats really bad aint it?

 

I know its not bad to be signing on because I actually need the money, I just feel ashamed that nobody wants to employ me.

 

dont be daft sonme one will just keep looking sign up to agencies look in newspapers and online etc.Theres a jobs paper out every friday chock full of jobs.

[Guest Nicole]

I'm not touching agencies with a barge pole. Everybody I know who has dealt with them has found them absolutely useless. Just applied to two betting office jobs online, which makes it about 10 jobs I've applied for in 2 weeks.

[Guest Steenalizer]

Not all agencies are usless Absolute Recruit are rather good and are always setting up interviews for me.

[Guest The Man Beast]

maybe you could become a stripper and or Hooker....Just an idea if all else fails

[Guest Rog]

The problem is most employers now are recieving appliacations from students galore now that Summer is in, on top of that most people I was talking too were wary of taking someone on who wasnt going to stick around come September, so the notion of "summer jobs" seems to be going out the window. You are either part time or full time, fully commited for the long term.

 

I am currently working a job I loathe, and waiting by the phone any second for a response from another job that I really want an have gone through the interview process for, the second that call comes in I am out of that dump for good!! So stay optomistic Nicole.

[Dead Crow 370]

No one likes you, that's why.

 

In honesty, it took me about 3 months to get hired last year, and I only lasted 2 weeks (they called me up 2 weeks before uni started). Even now, I'm finding it hard to find anywhere (although I have a friend who thinks she can train me for her post as a club DJ, which rocks hard). Just a case of perseverance and sending CV's everywhere.

 

Don't remove your grades. Just don't name them specifically. "9 GCSE's (A-C)" will suffice.

 

If you've done voluntary work, put it in. Employers like people who show enthusiasm for working for free.

 

Anything you've done with J's band, whether the website, booknig gigs, etc, put it all in. Shows commitment, outside-the-box skills and independance.

 

And make sure everything is in order as relates to specific jobs. If you apply for a shop and you have work experience in a shop, don't put that experience down at the bottom. Employers pretty much skim your CV so everything relevent needs to be as high as possible.

 

And above all else, feel free to lie. Once you get the job, you can just blag it.

[Burakiosaurus 129]

a decent CV is the start. short, concise, well laid out and to the point. most employers will look at a CV for about 7 seconds before making a decision if they want to see you or not

[Guest Walshy]

As has been said don't lose faith, at this time of year students applying for jobs are going to quit come september.

 

On the grander scale it seems that employers are unwilling to employe people who are educated because they are likely to move on when they have experience, I was lucky to get into where I worked at the time but once I got in there things were awful, in my opinion though it my seem expensive univeristy is the best place to go, although you may not end up where you want, you at least have a better CV to get above the worst of the employers

[Guest FreeSpirit]

Just keep on trying Nicole is the only advice I can offer you, you will get rewarded for your hard work. I've been in your position many times before, and all I can suggest to you is keep handing in application forms, keep sending off CV's and you will eventually get rewarded for your efforts by someone.

 

I would recommend recruitment agencies though, they are the easiest way to get into work, and their commision a week varies from £2-£5, which I dont think is that bad at all, considering they take all the stress away in finding a job for you,