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AIBU?

To just want a JOB! I can't understand why I can't get one!

54 replies

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 05:16

I've been freelancing as a copywriter and social media manager since my oldest DD was born 12 years ago and now both DC are older, I want a job...I've had enough of finding work chasing money and working on my own at home.

It was good for a while...fitted in with having small children etc but now I want to be out in the world again!

I've applied for everything from shelf stacker to social media manager and not had ONE INTERVIEW! Not ONE!

My CV is good! I've worked for huge organisations...world renowned ones! I'm not blowing my own trumpet here but my little business garnered commissions from really well-known companies and now I can't even get a job at a fucking supermarket OR a small events company OR a large museum!

What do I do? I've actually got two CVs...one with my writing and social media stuff and one with the more mundane stuff I did before I had children.

I've just had it! Today (I'm in Oz) I've had two knockbacks from local cafes (I promise I look nice and presentable) and have had to start looking into my freelance stuff again. I'd stopped doing it in the mistaken belief that I could easily find a job but now DH is naturally worried and so I'm having to scrabble about for freelance work again.

:( I just want to get out of the house!

OP posts:

Report

araiwa · 09/10/2017 05:29

Why are you applying for cafes and supermarkets and not jobs related to your previous work?

Dumbdown your cv if youre applying for basic jobs as they all think youre overqualified and will leave quickly when you get a 'proper'job. Ive had the same problem before

A cafe would rather get a student in who will probably stay a while than you who will leave when you get a copywriter job offer

Leilaniii · 09/10/2017 05:32

What about a job in a school? Could you do social media manager and copywriting on the side?

FreakEmOut · 09/10/2017 05:33

I'm in a similar field, in Oz. What type of work are you looking for? Heaps of full time jobs in Sydney at the moment...

FallingSkye · 09/10/2017 05:46

Also in oz (Near Brisbane) where are you looking for work?
To be honest (I'm in catering/hospitality) I would be unlikely to hire you over a teenager/student with no experience/some waiting or porter experience, especially if your CV was full of that stuff. It's just different worlds, really.
Could you look more at temp admin for now? Might be more along your lines than waiting or cooking

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 05:50

Thanks all. I'm in S.A. I live in a very small town and to be honest, I just want a job with little or no stress. I don't think they will think me overqualified because as I said, I have two CVs. My "cafe" CV has bar and shop work on it but because my last work in that field was 10 years ago, I've fluffed it up with some voluntary stuff.

Skye temp/admin would be hell. I want a job that's not in an office if possible.

OP posts:

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 09/10/2017 05:51

I mean this kindly but could it be how you are presenting yourself to the more mundane positions? Could you possibly be giving the impression that you are doing them a favour by merely applying? I assume they have enough bosses if they are looking for a shelf stacker.....

In the UK, the one field where you will almost certainly find work is in care of the elderly. It’s not for everyone admittedly, but companies simply cannot recruit enough staff. Do you know if that also applies in Australia?

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 05:52

Santas no. I'm definitely not presenting myself like that.

I've looked for care work but there's nothing in the area at all! Not in homes or visiting.

OP posts:

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 05:53

And as I said...I have two CVs. So the shops and cafes are only seeing that I've worked in bars and shops and I have references from those jobs too!

OP posts:

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 09/10/2017 05:53

What about fast food restaurants; McDonalds, KFC, Burger King? They're crying out for staff.

Very few people are declined at interview stage.

haveacupoftea · 09/10/2017 05:55

Jobs In cafes and things tend to go to someone the small business owner knows through someone else. Sending a CV is quite formal for that kind of work. You'd be better served asking to speak to the manager and explaining you're looking for a few part time hours and asking if they could bear you in mind if anything comes up.

FallingSkye · 09/10/2017 06:34

Suggesting Burger King etc, in Australia?
Shows you don't know much of the local market...
sorry OP. Wish I could be of more help... looks like you'd be best off going back to freelance and just applying for what you can as and when. Keep an eye on seek and hope for the best.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 09/10/2017 06:40

Suggesting Burger King etc, in Australia?
Shows you don't know much of the local market

I suggested fast food restaurants, then listed possible ones.

No, I don't know what fast food restaurants Australia has; it's a long time since I've been.

I'm sure the mention of Burger King doesn't actually take away the option of working in a fast food restaurant, though, so I think OP's good.

StealthPolarBear · 09/10/2017 06:40

Do they not have those there?

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 06:43

No Burger King here. We have Hungry Jacks which is basically BK.

I'm not working in HJ or MDs. Nope!

I'll work as a carer or a cleaner or in a cafe or shop though!

cupoftea I've not been sending my CV...I've been dropping in and asking if they've got anything available at the moment and a couple have asked for a CV to be left.

OP posts:

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 06:46

I should clarify...we're not starving. I have some ongoing remote work at the moment which pays the bills but more would be nice. And if we want to have extra luxuries then I do need to earn a bit more.

Which is why I think I can be slightly choosy and choose not to work in a fast food place. Here they seem to only employ very young teens anyway.

OP posts:

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 09/10/2017 06:58

I'm not working in HJ or MDs. Nope!

So you don't "just want a job" then, because if you did, you could get one.

I work in McDonalds and I absolutely love it; best job I've ever had. Great managers, great co-workers; we have a lot of fun. And their management program is one of the best out there; it's highly respected.

But people have a preconceived idea of McDonalds and judge it before they've given it a chance.

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 07:05

WhatToDo well good for you! My not wanting to work in ONE type of food industry has nothing to do with my lack of success though.

And your comment So you don't "just want a job" then, because if you did, you could get one. just sounds ridiculous when compared with the efforts I've made to get a job.

So what should I do in your opinion? Give up simply because I don't want to work in a hamburger place? I don't think so.

Anyway, my nearest are too far away. Not that I'd apply if they were next door.

OP posts:

HotelEuphoria · 09/10/2017 07:05

I think the employment market has changed. A few years ago it was similar here and you couldn't get any job for love nor money but Australia was still the land of milk and honey. Now the downturn in the mining industry is having a knock on effect on other employment in Australia.

Try not to take it personally.

strawberrypenguin · 09/10/2017 07:13

Are you hitting the ‘key phrases’ on your application form. You need to big up any customer service experience you may have. Also mention cash handling, phone skills etc

whyismykid · 09/10/2017 07:19

So, if you have two CVs and each one only shows the either cafe or marketing work, then your CV will have huge gaps in it, which is off putting for employers without an explanation. Rather than two CVs, you need to tailor the cv that you send to each application so it shows the skills relevant to that role - if it's a customer service role, show how you demonstrated exceptional customer service in all of your jobs.

Are CVs still 10 or 15 pages long in Australia? I worked in recruitment in Melbourne 15 years ago and was surprised at how different the process is from the UK. Here, a CV is two pages long max, and rather than list everything you have done in a job, you just list your biggest achievements - so it's easier for the employer to see why you would be suit to their particular job. See if there is a way that you can make it obvious why you can do the job without the hard work?

Also, indentify the business in your town which you would love to work for, and approach them - this is what I could do for you. Approach a search for full time work like a search for freelance

scrabbler3 · 09/10/2017 07:21

Where I am, most cafe/bar/hotel/retail jobs go to 16-20 year olds because they're cheaper than people in their twenties and older. I posted on another thread last week about the local supermarket giving older people fewer shifts whilst taking on sixth formers. Is that the case there, possibly?

BeyondThePage · 09/10/2017 07:22

To be honest (purely from your responses on here... sorry...) you sound a bit snippy, a bit of a problems person, not a solutions person. Not sure if I'd hire you if that comes across...

You may think you have a great CV, you may have a tailored CV - but they are not getting you the job - so something is wrong with them - they are not great for the purpose if they are not even getting you an interview.

Have you asked for feedback? You sound overqualified, you probably come across as overqualified. Even a dumbed down CV can come across as being from someone who is overqualified.

Though someone who thinks of care work or retail as having little or no stress has not worked in either recently - which may be part of the problem too.

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stopfuckingshoutingatme · 09/10/2017 07:24

You are over qualified !

Focus on work more oriented To your line of business and maybe have 2 CV one 100% focussed and one more office /comms focussed ?

Therealslimshady1 · 09/10/2017 07:27

I think you are aiming too low?

Write to the big companies you have done projects for instead!

MargeryFenworthy · 09/10/2017 07:27

Ignore the negativity OP, I think you sound great. And why shouldn't you have preferences as to where you work? You've already said that you're not starving so can pick and choose to a certain extent. Could you build up the freelancing a little more for the moment? Sounds like it is more lucrative than shop or restaurant work? Best of luck to you.

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