To think I am never going to get another job

[QueryQuery]

Sorry, it's all a bit woe is me.

Made redundant. It was unexpected. Can't even get an interview never mind a job. I don't have the flexibility I had pre child which limits what can apply for. I can't do a 4,5 hour commute. Nothing pays anywhere near what I was on.

I'm registered with several agencies. (Most of the jobs on their websites do not exist. On one there are 5 pages of ads, but only 3 available. None of which I am qualified for.) I have sent my cv to a million people and asked everyone I can think of.

I'm not really qualified for much. But I was bloody good at my job. But clearly not good enough.

The only slight positive is that I've picked up some casual work (at a massive 5p an hour over minimum wage, competitive salary my arse) so at least I don't have to sign on for now. But it's awful and I have to note on my time sheet if I go for a loo break.

Where am I going wrong?

[NoodleNuts]

What kind of job are you looking for and how long have you been looking?

Last time I was made redundant, I couldn't find anything that paid close to what I was earning before. The job I got eventually (through a friend) I hadn't even looked at when it was advertised as the wage was too low. I got desperate in the end though and took it anyway!

Its crap though, I was unemployed for 6 months so I do know how you feel.

[QueryQuery]

Only a few weeks, so I shouldn't really be moaning too much yet, it's just so demoralising When the rejections rolL in. And scary.

[ephemeralfairy]

I know how you feel OP. I am in a similar situation. Have just taken a PT Xmas temp job in Boots out of desperation.
I don't really have any advice, just hang in there!!

[Gottagetmoving]

I have been made redundant 4 times! Every time I was convinced I would never get another job but the longest I was out of work was 6 months.
I can't say I always got a job I loved though, I was just happy to be getting an income again. I am sure employers looked at my cv and thought I was bad luck because previous employers had gone bust!
I doubt you will be unemployed for long, but look at some opportunities different to your usual job too. I wish I had instead of sticking to what I know.

[QueryQuery]

Thanks & good luck, ephemeral fairy.

My sector is underrepresented in this area so I'm definitely looking outside of it. I'd be happy with a bog standard admin job. I think what I'd really like to get into is something like project management, but I have no idea how to make the switch.

[EagleRay]

I'm so sorry you're in this position - I've been there and it's so demoralising.

Do you have a profile on LinkedIn? It's heavily used in my industry but I was always a bit cynical as to its value. It seems to be used more and more for recruitment these days and I actually ended up getting my current job through it!

[Leavingsosoon]

Query - you WILL get another job, I promise x

[MillionToOneChances]

I'd definitely recommend filling in your profile on LinkedIn and looking for jobs there. Did you get a redundancy payout? If you can afford a Prince2 course that seems to be pretty popular for project managers, but I'm sure someone working in that field could give you better advice.

[QueryQuery]

I do Have a linked in profile & have tweaked it a bit, but no luck so far. I have a few agents on there, but most jobs are too far away.

Is there a way to add 'desperate for work' to your profile?

[MyCatIsABiggerBastardThanYours]

It is hard. I've just found a job after 3 months off. I will though have to be away 3 nights a week but DH is great so that makes it easier.

Things that worked for me:

• Had my cv reviewed an both friends who worked in snr positions and by a free place on the Web (Google and you'll find loads). I changed it around a lot and put successes for each job at the front which helped show what I had achieved.
  

• I signed on with a few agencies and got friendly with the people there. Always helps to have someone on your side (not sure what you do but I found Hays really good for me)
  

• I changed my cv and covering letter for each job I applied for to tailor it. That really helped.
  

• I found this website //www.jobserve.co.uk really good although I did eventually get work through an agency (Hays, as it happens)
  

• And finally, I just kept going, which in many ways was the hardest thing but proved worth it in the end.
  

Really good luck to you. You will get there!

[Yellowaveo59]

Some people change their status to actively seeking new opportunities on linked in.

[EagleRay]

You can add a status on the desktop site but not the mobile one (I think)

Definitely don't use the word desperate - maybe 'very interested in opportunities in x sector'

There's some useful tips here too

http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/545796/10-ways-you-can-use-your-linkedin-profile-to-get-your-dream-job.html

[MrsCorbyn]

With you OP. I am fortunate enough to be employed but I'm looking to move industries and facing rejection letters is soul destroying. Supposedly it is a numbers game so keep on sending out CVs. I second altering CV and covering letter for each position, although it takes a long time [frowns at file of 483 different CVs]

[QueryQuery]

Another day, another two rejections. Well, actually it was three, but two of them were for the same job. Clearly I am just that shit that they had to reject me twice.

[BobandKate0]

Well,you all say not having much luck ...but you can get causal or temp jobs - how ?
I can't even get a rejection letter ,applied for hundreds of jobs and not one reply -just nothing ,its like chucking coins in a well.
The worse part is that i will work for any wage or free just to get back into the swing,but if i say this i'm sure that will be a huge turn off.
Also i can not get any benefits.

[QueryQuery]

BobandKate, I'm sorry you're finding it tough. Can you do some volunteer work to get some recent experience? Or, if you have a uni or college near by have a look at any jobs advertised there as they often Take on people without experience.

[BobandKate0]

I have asked about volunteering but again everyone has said no thanks,there is a long waiting list.etc.
I have not looked at jobs via uni - are they on a noticeboard inside the school as trying to search online is a waste of time every so called job is in its own little sector box over the square root of a radius - no one works somewhere cause its exactly 19.9 miles away.

I wasn't even made redundant - the company got taken over by another so in effect went bust - so no reference,no back wages,just a fo letter.

I was thinking of hand delivering a few desperate letters to some places i might fancy working in - basically saying can i work for free please ? But everyone i've spoken to said this would make me look a right muppet and blacklist me ,if they advertise a real job.

I know from hiring staff myself,that the DHSS actually pay firms to take people on for a bit - so perhaps the day has come when one has to pay to for the pleasure to work.

But thanks anyway,Query - sounds like you will get a better job if you can get a good reference from the causal employer,but getting one up front while still working for them is tricky as no boss wants to hear good staff are trying to move on.

[QueryQuery]

Student unions often have a job shop or website.

Care work and telesales/call centre seem to be constantly recruiting. I suspect not what you're after, but they say it's easier to get a job When you have a job so possibly worth trying for a bit?

[rollonthesummer]

What was the job you were made redundant from and how did that salary compare to what you're on now? What's your highest qualification level? Have you done any PM roles before?

Just so maybe we can suggest areas to try!

[fiorentina]

You sound very down. Being made redundant is no reflection you. I work in the city and its very common when companies restructure etc. As others have said sharpen up your LinkedIn profile to reflect all your skills. I think definitely writing to companies you'd like to work for, but don't offer to work for free, see if they have vacancies they are considering. We've recruited people that have done this, it does work.

Keep positive, list all your achievements in your last role and in other areas of your life and think how good you are and how marketable you are. It's hard but it does help. Good luck.