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Original poster

I've been unemployed for nearly a whole year :(

47 replies

sadgrad · 17/12/2020 22:16

I have been unemployed for nearly a whole year. I graduated in January and have not been able to get a job since. There are barely any jobs to apply to and what I have been applying to I just keep getting rejection after rejection from. I don't think my self-esteem can take anymore rejection but I am trying not to take it personally.

I worked so hard at university and I didn't expect to just walk into a job but I didn't expect it to be this hard. :( I have a first and a distinction. I feel like a complete failure.

Sorry, just needed to vent.

OP posts:

waitinggame108 · 17/12/2020 22:18

Degrees mean very little without experience.

Get some volunteer work ASAP in your chosen field.

Get a basic level job in a warehouse ect - there are 1000's even with an agency to prove you're willing to work.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself; there is zero excuse to unemployed that long. It is hard but if it was easy everyone would be millionaires. You've worked hard at uni don't put it to waste.

Bluntness100 · 17/12/2020 22:18

Ah this is so hard, it’s not about you it’s take pandemic, when this gets under control you will be fine

What’s your degree in? What type of jobs are you looking for, and what have you been doing for the last year?

Mammyloveswine · 17/12/2020 22:19

What's your degree in?

Have you applied for offer jobs or just related to your degree?

Could you sign up with a temp agency?

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ssd · 17/12/2020 22:20

Oh god I'm so sorry.that must be so bloody hard to take. It's so unfair what's happened. Its the worst time possible to graduate. And you've done so well getting a first . I have graduates too. It's just so bloody hard.

TheCattleGrid · 17/12/2020 22:20

You must feel rotten. I'm sorry. It's been awful timing this year. Do you have friends in similar positions? Take a break for a couple of weeks and maybe try a new strategy next year. Is doing a Master's an option?

MobLife · 17/12/2020 22:22

What's your degree in?

Mycircusmymonkey · 17/12/2020 22:25

That’s sound rough. I know when I graduated there were very few jobs in my area. Quite a few people I knew took jobs further afield. I ended up taking a position locally that was very very part time but I’ve built up to full time since and in terms of salary and career progression it’s worked out well.

Original poster

sadgrad · 17/12/2020 22:34

I have been volunteering in the meantime but it's not in my field. There are no opportunities to volunteer in my field due to COVID restrictions but I have sent lots of emails around asking.

My degrees are in Chemistry. I already have a master's for the PP who mentioned that.

Most of my friends are doing master's or PhDs, a few have jobs. I don't know anyone personally in my position although I know there must be others out there in the same boat.

I have applied to a variety of jobs in and out of my field. My CV and applications are polished as I put so much time and effort into them.

I have no excuses, I am trying my hardest and I am ashamed of my situation. I am also clinically vulnerable so apprehensive about working in a warehouse or in retail at the moment but I guess I should just get over it and apply.

OP posts:

Momsincharge · 17/12/2020 22:38

You have a great degree. You know it’s the situation not you. It’s normal to feel down, but don’t give up. Stay strong and keep pushing forward. Something will eventually come through. This isn’t the end. Just the middle of a difficult road. The end is when you get a good first job.

Original poster

sadgrad · 17/12/2020 22:39

@Momsincharge

Thank you. I really needed to hear that today.

OP posts:

Papergirl1968 · 17/12/2020 22:44

It’s not fair, WaitingGame, to say there are zero excuses for being unemployed for a year.
Op, I hadn’t worked for six years after taking time out to raise children. it took me nine months or so of searching to get a job as a sales assistant. It’s not my field and it’s only a Christmas temporary job but it’s a job.
I actually got it through a recruitment event the store put on in a shopping mall, which the jobcentre let me know about.
I think it’s much easier to get a job when you’re in work already so I’d apply for anything - retail, waitressing, anything.

SparklingLime · 17/12/2020 22:45

Please, there is no ‘shame’ in this. It bothers me that you’re feeling ashamed. You’ve worked hard at a tough degree and since in applying for jobs in an all but unprecedented situation. Be kind and fair to yourself - think of doing that as an investment in yourself,

dayswithaY · 17/12/2020 22:47

I think you need to focus on getting any job you can right now. It will greatly benefit you to leave the house, learn new skills, meet people. It could take several years to find your dream job in your chosen field so in the meantime, take any job you can just to get something on your CV. Jobs are thin on the ground but people are still recruiting. Amend your CV accordingly as some jobs need to know more about your strengths and practical skills than your Chemistry degree.

Dowser · 17/12/2020 22:49

I think it’s so sad and a huge worry for any student/ graduate right now.
Not everyone lives in an area where you can currently just walk I to a job.

I hope you find some soon
Don’t be disheartened it definitely isn’t you.

Pikachubaby · 17/12/2020 22:52

That’s an amazing degree indeed

In a normal world you’d be very employable

But it’s crazy times, keep trying. It took me over a year to get my first grad job. You only have to get lucky once

Mishmased · 17/12/2020 22:53

Another one here saying you have a great degree. About 10 years ago I was in your position having finished university with a Chemistry degree. It took me a couple of months with the recession but you're dealing with a pandemic. Keep trying and applying, whereabouts are you based? 10 years later is a different story for me. Please don't give up.

Momsincharge · 17/12/2020 23:00

Self compassion is a huge part of resilience. Being tough on yourself and negative self talk will just break you down. Self understanding will help you keep going.
It’s a bit of an endurance test, but if you can get a first in chemistry, you have it in you.

scotsllb · 17/12/2020 23:06

@sadgrad

I have been volunteering in the meantime but it's not in my field. There are no opportunities to volunteer in my field due to COVID restrictions but I have sent lots of emails around asking.

My degrees are in Chemistry. I already have a master's for the PP who mentioned that.

Most of my friends are doing master's or PhDs, a few have jobs. I don't know anyone personally in my position although I know there must be others out there in the same boat.

I have applied to a variety of jobs in and out of my field. My CV and applications are polished as I put so much time and effort into them.

Please don't feel ashamed and ignore anyone who says you should. You must have worked very hard and to get the best grades well done! Now time to cast your net wide and get creative and think positive. Try to find anything you can just now that you are able to do just so you have employment and gain transferable skills. It's been the worst time to graduate and look for work

LetterFit · 17/12/2020 23:07

I graduated this summer too and this book Entry Level Boss really helped me, it's great and all of her advice is solid. Good luck!

emptyplinth · 17/12/2020 23:11

You've done really well and it's going to count for something, really it is.
For now, take any job you can.
Call temp agencies. Tell them you're available at short notice and flexible about hours, type of work etc.
A job leads to a better job and that will lead to more openings.

DianaT1969 · 17/12/2020 23:14

Do you have the skills to tutor online OP while you look? I know not everyone is a born teacher, or cut out for it, but I imagine there are a lot of GCSE and A level students who could benefit from one to one tutoring in Chemistry this year (and any other subjects you graduated in).
Also, look for content writing jobs in your fields.
Would you consider applying to jobs overseas?
Don't be demoralised - it's not you, it's the pandemic.

Motnight · 17/12/2020 23:17

Well done on your degree, Op. Really hope that you get a job soon. Please don't feel ashamed that you are currently unemployed, times are really blooming hard at the moment.

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/12/2020 23:23

Are you applying for the DREAM job or are you applying for ANY job?

msrobot · 17/12/2020 23:25

You have an amazing degree - well done!

I’m in my final year so applying for grad jobs too, can completely relate to how you feel as I’m facing mostly rejections. It’s just really tough out there at the moment.
I think an option worth trying is doing a temp agency role

Original poster

sadgrad · 17/12/2020 23:26

Oh my god. You are not going to believe what has happened. I just checked my email before bed and sitting in my inbox is a job offer that was sent to me earlier this evening!!!! I can't believe it. I know this sounds so fake but I hadn't checked my email since earlier in the day which meant I hadn't seen it!

It was a position I interviewed for two weeks ago so had completely given up hope for.

OP posts:

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