can you help me work out why i can't get a supermarket job?

[jobrequired]

Tale as old as time, i'm mid 40s, husband and i are discussing terms of theoretical separation and divorce and i need to work.

Please be decent if you reply, don't leave inflammatory responses, i'm going through a very difficult time and every day is a struggle.

I am looking for helpful insight.

i have worked in a traditional/classic "status" profession (eg chartered accounting, clergy, medicine) for 5 years but have suffered very poor MH , GAD with the presence of panic attacks which continue to this very day and significantly impact me daily. I only have a couple of friends i'm in touch with and they agree that I am not suited to returning to the profession and don't think i could perform to the level required. On paper, I'm highly skilled but in reality, i really struggled to perform and work things out on the job.

I have been out of work for 5 years and i want a job that isn't too demanding and that i can just go in to do without yet more training. I've been rejected from admin roles even though I've got admin experience.

i feel that i've adapted my CV to the roles I've applied for. Specifically for the supermarket and retail jobs, I have taken off post-graduate qualifications and the professional roles.

I currently do volunteer work at a school and go in one morning a week to read with children. It's a very basic function and i don't organise anything as the school don't want that nor do i use any skills. I literally listen and prompt so i don't think this voluntary work could progress into paid employment.

On another thread, I read about a woman in her 50s who hadn't worked for a while and was in a similar situation in terms of marriage status and she was told to get a job at a supermarket to get her back into working. Separate to that, I had already been applying for low paid roles in retail and supermarkets. I've been rejected from Morrisons,Tesco, Cinton Cards Seasalt and Boots.

I have my own suspicions as to why I'm getting rejected but would like to hear of success stories and how people actually do get jobs in places such as these.

What do I need to do in the tests - Tesco one was very different from the Morrisons!

What would a successful candidate CV look like and contain or avoid?

Can anyone help me with suggestions on how to return to work or any resources?

I've been trying off and on for 3 years to return to work, so i'm not sitting passively hoping to just submit a CV and get an interview. I've been filling applications, doing virtual/ automated preliminary interviews etc but don't seem to progress.

Thank you.

I work in retail and January February are the worst months so they never hire as the economy stales. mid march things start happening. just saying.

Try hospitality instead of retail, the recruitment practices are more straightforward and they are crying out for staff too.

DS is currently working at Tesco. He's a recent graduate in IT but autistic and is finding the whole process of job hunting a bit overwhelming. He'd been turned down from many retail jobs as well as others more suitable to his education/skills.

Keep your CV very simple for a start. They want reliability, honesty and flexibility imo.

He applied for various full/PT roles but got taken on for temp seasonal work for Christmas. He applied for night shifts (less people/customers for him). Tesco basically offer people 16 hours with the opportunity to be offered extra hours. Basically it's a half way house to zero hours contracts. He was initially given 24 hours but they've kept him on on a temp basis on a 16 hour contract.

He said to them that he would be looking for graduate positions the following summer which I think helped as he had a reason for someone of his education level looking to be a shelf stacker. He isn't in any position at the moment to be looking for grad jobs though so hoping this job lasts to give him a bit of income and something to put on his CV.

I think you have to play the game to get your foot in the door.

Just to let you know shop jobs you have to be ready to work any day of the week including bank holidays and on short notice (I miss my Saturdays and Sundays-we rotate what day we get off but you rarely get out of weekend work because they need people then!). You will have to work Christmas no matter what because it is madness! You are on your feet all/most of the day, sometimes lugging giant boxes about, stretching and bending down for really large amounts of time. I hate the 'it's a low skilled' thing, it's not-it's just a different type of job-I've worked in pharmaceutical companies and offices that required degrees but it was just data entry but nobody called us low skilled!. I honestly think it's the luck of the draw getting a job in it if you've over 18-you're more likely to get a job in a place if you call in and click with the manager (although this doesn't happen with the big stores) but OP I'd say go for a shop instead of a supermarket if you want less stress, our store is a step below and it's pretty full down, from Wednesday on you're serving or stocking non stop

@jobrequired "I'm mid 40s." There is your answer.

Is there an M&S or B&Q near you ? Lots of employees in your age bracket in the ones near me. I think they prize experience and appreciate the more 'responsible' staff members, could be worth a try. Good luck, don't give up.

Agree with that PP that call centres can be a lot easier to get a foot in the door than supermarkets.

I doubt it's anyone's dream job but a lot of places are so eager for staff that you can be interviewed on Friday and in training by Monday.

Lots of call centre opportunities based at home these days too

If you can say what job you did it really wouldn't be outing, and it may help with suggestions.

It sounds like you need to do more prep.

You need to think about your previous roles and look for skills that would be transferable elsewhere.

I gave up a professional role to be a SAHM and then went back into the workplace in my mid 40s. It really isn't impossible.

In my previous life I had been a head office marketing manager and a sales manager.

So skills that I might pick out that would be useful elsewhere could be (rusty) spreadsheet skills, developing relationships with others, decision making and prioritising, and being customer focused for example. The examples would depend on the job that I applied for.

I applied for a job in a bank that came up. I had already looked at the job and person spec and had prepared specific examples of when I had done something similar to what they wanted.

Unfortunately those roles don't exist anymore but would be the sort of thing that you are looking for. Lots of direction and leaving work at work.

I don't know where you are based, but my job would suit you. I work for a pension company and pay out claims. The role is relatively routine and you switch off at the end of the day. My company is big on diversity and supporting people with MH issues. I'm sure many others are the same.

Can you swim? Leisure centres are always looking for lifeguards and swimming teachers. You can train to be a lifeguard in 1 week by doing an NPLQ qualification. Costs £300. Look in the RLSS website to find a course. I walked into a job this way. I could now become a swimming instructor if I wanted. There is a national shortage of lifeguards and swimming instructors.

I'm really sorry to read what you're going through.

I have an anxiety disorder and also experience of working in a supermarket while I was a student - that was when my head was OK, and even then I found it one of the most stressful jobs I've done. I really wouldn't recommend it. I agree with the poster who suggested approaching temping agencies with a view to admin and basic book keeping roles - something very task focused where you can work through a to-do list every day.

I hope you get something lined up soon that feels right. All the best.

Thanks very all the replies and suggestions and for taking the time to go through what I've written. Lots to think about.

Won't be back to this thread to post any more.

I was going to say the same - I work for a local authority and by the sound of it I would love to have you in a business support role. I don’t think that my authority is unique in being very supportive around MH, and ND, physical disabilities, chronic health conditions and even menopause are really well accommodated. If you’re not really set on retail then may be worth having a look - the benefits also tend to be great and unlike retail and care (sadly) they are fine with part time and flex working - and home working too, actually. Very best of luck, it does sound like you’re having a shit time.

Years ago when I was early 20s and lots of previous experience but with a degree I could not get an interview for a retail job even though I applied to lots. I managed to get interviews for 3 banks and another financial type job. I got the financial job and one of the bank jobs. To this day I’m convinced it was to do with thinking I was overqualified for the role and would not stay. What about a working from home call centre type job for places like an energy firm?

Sainsbury’s is an online application.
Answer every question putting the customer first.
No matter what customer first.
Great company to work for, inclusive and generous x

I was unemployed in my 20s and 30 s due to traumas and despite my top degrees people kept ordering me to work in a supermarket. I could never understand why when it must be one of the most depressing and stressful jobs going, requiring constant interactions, surveillance, concentration, plus the physical strain. My brother (then aged 20) suffering from depression was sacked from his Tesco supermarket trolley job because he didn't smile while pushing the trolleys.
I'd look for admin roles in a small charity if I were you.
But as you want a supermarket role, I think class/education could be part of it unless you don't come across as middle class (as your previous jobs suggest you might be, just as they're usually associated with that). I know three local mums with post-grad qualifications who were turned down by our local supermarket. A friend and I were turned down by every supermarket we applied to in our gap year. Assumed it was posh accents.

I would look for a waitrose - they prefer older more mature and experienced people were we live.

Haven't read all replies, but I thought the same when I was looking for a job. I couldn't get pass the online test for 3 of the top supermarkets 🙈I'm hoping it was only due to my lack of flexibility! But it was very disappointing not being able to even get passed it! Maybe it was the hours you was able to work to? X

It’s probably reverse snobbery from these retail hiring managers. You said you look good on paper so they wouldn’t want anyone showing them up.

It may be timing. It's just been announced supermarkets are getting rid of people. Tescos is shutting their rotisseries and other counters and trying to deploy their staff to other roles first. It's the wrong time of year, but try getting recruited as a seasonal person at Christmas (starts oct) then you can prove your worth. NHS need admin people.

I think considering your mh you would struggle to work in a supermarket. It's a lot of people it's very loud, customers will treat you like 💩. You can't just go for breaks or for a drink whenever you want. It can also be physically demanding which if your unable to clean I don't really see how you would manage. I know people are often quick to say oh il just get a job in a supermarket . These people have never worked in one. I think you will be better at looking at admin roles

I believe B&Q is better than other retailers at valuing employees with more life experience so they maybe worth a try.

If you already work in a school would it be possible to potentially look into a teaching assistant/learning support assistant role? I work in school and we are always calling out for teaching assistants… someone who understands mental health issues and has empathy would be extremely useful in this kind of role as you might be supporting children who suffer with their mental health. We have people of all ages and circumstances doing the role and I’m told it’s incredibly rewarding.

Wishing you the best of luck for the future.

I have a similar problem at age 57 having been a SAHM for years (no MH issues though low self esteem). I have had a few different jobs over the last 4 years including working in a school office which I enjoyed (school closed), an admin assistant ( boss had huge personality issues and was very stressful dealing with him, home carer starting at the beginning of covid ( yes that's the sort of luck I have - worked off my feet despite being contracted for 20 hours a week, routinely expected to work from 0630 to 2230 every other weekend! Now I'm doing agency work in a local warehouse - zero hours contract and work can be all or nothing. Work can be heavy. I'd like a permanent job with part-time hours. My last 'proper' permanent job was in the legal sector- I have a good law degree. I find interviews very stressful with their situation questions. I applied for a job as a library assistant and I had to prepare props and read a children's story ( which I enjoyed) but then I had scenarios I had to say how'd I'd deal with eg angry customer. I know I'd handle it if it arose but found it difficult to put into words. Also had to give ideas to attract people to the library. I did think I'm applying to be an assistant not to run the library! Good luck OP

I don't think supermarkets need experience. Sure it might win someone the job over someone with no customer service experience at all, but it's definitely not vital.

More than likely, they might view you as overqualified, over experienced and think you'll leave shortly for a role more suited to your qualifications and experience. It could even be that they want someone under 21 who gets a lower wage.