I feel completely useless - job hunting

[batman478]

Job hunting is just so depressing isnt it. or is it just me?

I have a degree in Environmental Management, that I finished 5 years ago now. Only a 2:2, so not great but still, I did it.

Ive had two jobs in the last 5 years, one for 1.5 years and one for the last 3 months. I had a mental breakdown 3.5 years ago and didnt work for nearly 3 years.

So ihave applied for a MSc in sustainabe development and got accepted. But I'm looking for a job too jsut incase I can land something, you never know.

anyway, im really struggling. I was going to apply for one job but christ the application is complicated. its all about STAR. I kind of get it but the application is baffling me. Its a civil service job too, maybe thats why its so complicated.

Im also adhd and autistic which doesnt seem to help matters.

Theres just no jobs, they all want experience in a similar role and I cant get a similar role without experience. Theres a couple jobs near me that are suitable. but thats it.

I jsut feel so disheartened.

I just feel so unfulfilled at the moment. my job is not stretching me intellectually. and I need something fulfilling too.

I dont want to give up the job hunt as I'm quite excited about the whole thing. but I jsut dont want to keep going either.

anyone got any advice?

The civil service application and interview process is actually designed around demonstrating transferable skills and showing how you’d apply different things in different ways. It can appear complicated but it’s genuinely not trying to catch you out and you can use examples from education or voluntary work as well, if you think if demonstrates the skills being asked about. Read the explanation of how to structure a good answer to a question, and draft out a couple of examples from your background, it becomes less daunting with a bit of practice.

Unfortunately, it sounds like what you'd need is an entry level role which doesn't require any/much experience. You're looking for a role that will be intellectually fulfilling, but you might have to accept that's going to be the long game. Maybe you should give your current role a bit more time.

Thank you, that makes sense. My dad is going to sit and go through it with me.

When I say intellectaually fulfilling, I just mean something that will use my brain. My current role is dog walker, which doesnt really fulfill me as much as I thought it would. Its fun but a bit dull, and very little human interaction.

Once you've survived the painful STAR application form it will help you with other ones, covering letters, improve your CV.

Focus on demonstrating achievement, skills etc

Half the problem is, that i feel like I have no achievements or skills. But I feel like I could do the job but I just very low self esteem, so Im a bit nervous.

So you never organises your own make and met deadlines? Never resolved any issue ever? Never placated difficult customers?