There are no jobs.

[Depressystressy]

It’s relentless. I’ve applied for over 100 jobs that I’m qualified for. Have had several interviews. Each time I’m beaten by someone with ‘10 years more experience’ or ‘additional experience in xyz’.
Some I’m rejected before interview even though I have the exact skills. All of them have hundreds of applicants. There’s probably 1 job a day coming up within 15 miles That I’m qualified for (previously would have been far more) I have never ever had trouble finding a job before. I am so stressed.. is anyone else experiencing this? My job is gone. I was kept on furlough but now that’s ending, I’m done. How are people supposed to live.

No advice OP but sending you support. It’s a really bad situation and I hope luck is on your side soon x

I'm not sure I can offer any practical help/advice, just say I'm so sorry you are in this position and I really hope something comes up for you soon. Things won't be this shit forever! Good luck and keep your chin up, I'm sure any company would be lucky to have you.

At least there is one job a day coming up. That’s quite a lot in my experience. A friend of mine was made redundant just before lockdown and there were no jobs in her specialism for 3 months. It took her 6 months to find a role and she’s taken one at a level below her last role.

So sorry. I worry about being in this position, another lockdown would mean the end of the company I work for. Shit all around.

Where in the country are you and what sector are you looking at?

That’s so hard. What sector are you in?

Thanks everyone. I’m just outside of London. I’m looking for anything office based - customer service, admin, reception, finance, marketing, all of which I’ve done previously. My exact current field is very niche, there hasn’t been and likely won’t be any jobs in that so I’ve even removed that part of my CV and focussed on the customer care/admin side. It’s truly awful. I really don’t know what I’m supposed to do. We are not rich and the benefits we will be entitled to won’t even cover half the mortgage. I’ve reduced salary expectations massively and still nothing.

Have you tried applying for any care assistant/ support worker jobs?

Worry of mine too, I’m in 90 day redundancy period and shit scared. I hope you find something really soon

I did at first but as I have quite severe back issues, I was told it would be pretty impossible for me to do the role. Also, several care homes here have recently closed so those jobs will be getting a lot of interest from far more qualified people!

Good luck JellyBert!

Things are coming up but as you say, there is quite a lot of competition for everything.

A former colleague of mine is an accountant but he’s gone to work for a Covid clean company - they go into offices and do a Covid deep clean. Could you do something like that in the short term?

What about temporary agency admin work @Depressystressy have you tried that?

It's so hard. I have both Dd1 and Ds home and out of work and DD2 furloughed. A friend in Glasgow recently advertised a fairly low paid admin post and had 112 applicants!

I hope that the only good out of this is that 35 hrs of jobseeking per week is total bullshit - 2-3 hours a day tops.

How about learning a modern language, coding etc? Make sure you are maintaining your physical fitness - it is critical to look out of yourself.

Sorry to hear this OP. I have been out of work for a few months and start a new job tomorrow.

I've spoken with a few recruitment consultants about my field and they've said that the market is slow, but there are jobs coming in. The problem in my field is that people are applying for jobs they are over qualified for and are getting appointed over me. I've had to take a job that is a grade and salary cut in my new role.

My tips
Keep plugging away at your applications

Register with agencies

Update your profile online eg LinkedIn and keep active on there.

Good luck.