Tbe be well and truly pissed off that I can't get a job while others who didn't try have. And to that bastard lying job ad which means I missed out on a huge opportunity

[Notalone]

I have just finished 3 years at uni and have now qualified as a health professional. The course was a mix of young and mature students, mainly a lovely bunch, and the majority hard working. However there were quite a few who didn't bother to turn up to a lot of lectures, put the bare minimum into group work and who started their dissertations 3 days before they were due in. Up to them I thought, its their lives. I worked my ass off during my assignments and placements juggling DS and a messy breakup in my final year and got a first. Many of these students scraped 2.2's. I have been looking for work in the profession I qualified in now since last May. I am restricted to this area because of DS's school, and there is a huge amount of competition due to the amount of universities within a 30 mile radius who offer the same course. Jobs therefore are like gold dust. I have had a few interviews for the rare jobs that have come up around here and came second 3 times so just missed out each time. However all those who pissed around have got jobs in different geographical areas. They are all working in the profession we qualified in and are all (according to Facebook) enjoying their new careers and pay packets. I know they have applied where there is less competition and it isn't like I don't want them to be working but I feel a seething resentment that I am still not working. The first person to get a job actually cheated in two of her assignments by using the same presentation twice for 2 different but related modules. I am working in a lower paid related job but my conract ends soon so it is likely to be JSA for me for a while. I feel so bloody disheartened
And to top it all off a perfect job for me near where I live and in my profession was advertised a few weeks ago but for internal applicants working for the NHS trust only. One of my friends didn't realise and still applied and now has an interview. I actually cried when I found out because jobs in his trust rarely come up and I feel have missed out on a valuable opportunity. I am going to ask them tomorrow if they will accept a late applicaion bearing in mind they have actually accepted someone else not working for the trust but am not going to hold my breath. I feel so crap and stressed right now and just want all my hard work to actually come to something.

Ok rant over. Someone come and talk sense into me please

I know my locality has community OTs employed by social care, have you looked at the local authority jobs online?

As another poster says, don't get hung up on the others, just concentrate on yourself. It would be satisfying to dob them in, but this wouldnt help you get a job and youd feel shit about it afterwards. Its the same on everyone's course, theres always a few who do this, we had one who was full of himself. He got a job wally easily, and is now under a FTP investigation for unsafe practice. They can't wing it forever working in that environment.

I would even think about geting into debt to be able to drive, it will open up more opportunities.

Or even apply for OTA jobs, it's below your grade but once you were in you'd have a better chance of getting something.

Yanb for being fed up. Yabu to spend time / energy resenting others and for having an entitled attitude.

As others have said, you are at a disadvantage due to not being mobile, jobs in your area being limited etc, the others have got jobs because they are willing to be mobile or accept different work patterns.

Jobs are not given to those who study hardest, they are given to those with the qualification, willing to accept the job and terms, who write a good application and interview well.

Have you brushed up your interview skills? Surprising how many good candidates give poor interviews. And network, make yourself known at desired employer etc.

Birds My ex supervisors always give me the heads up when it comes to jobs that are coming up so I can be prepared for them when they do. I check NHS jobs, local authority websites, charity websites and private healthcare companies so am looking everywhere I can really. I don't have any family to hep with childcare but am definitely going to make sure he is prepared for letting himself in after school and what to do in various situations. I have thought about borrowing money for driving lessons and will probably do autmatic to hopefully pass quicker if I do, but am still not 100% sure yet. I know a few people in the profession, including those in the community, who don't drive so it is still possible to find work, but admittedly a lot harder.

Rhino - Thanks. You and the other poster are both right. I will pick myself back up again soon at the guy under investigation too.

There are a lot of internal application jobs only atm because of the swinging job cuts in the public sector.

In our LA they are only allowing internal applicants on 'the at risk' list to apply.

Its crap all over.

I am not sure if they can legally offer your friend a job if it has been reserved for internal applicants only. They may have overlooked him not being eligible.

I got my job from an email alert thing www.jobsgopublic.com (i think it was called that).

Although this was over 3 years ago so I would imagine its a lot quieter now

Every interview you have makes you better at interviews. You will get there, you will.

Dozer - I have had a huge wave of self pity this weekend, but I will get over myself soon. It was just one knock too many. I do perform very well at interviews. I beat 80 other candiates for my current job and have come second for 3 others recently. It will be my time soon hopefully, but this weekend has seen me on a bit of a downer I guess. I am very limited in some respects but OT usually does match the hours I can do. Its just a shame there is so much competition round here but I can't change that. I will just carry on doing what I am doing and will keep looking and applying for everything I can

If your ex is nearby, wouldn't he help you out with childcare so you could take a bank job and get some experience?

Interviews are usually on a points system for the NHS, if you mention their key words you get a point, the one with the most points gets the job. I have been on interview panels, so know how it works. Make sure you have up to date policies relevant to you, mention them all, also keywords like dignity, respect, client centred care, professional development, refelection, governance, safe practice, evaluating, etc. you can usually get most of the keywords they are looking for from the job description.

Thanks Pink and Mrsdevere.

Yy on driving, maybe there is a local instructor who could do you a deal, eg driving lessons for childcare (from you) or after a few lessons in dual-control car, a friend could teach you in their car.

Also agree with mrs devere, if the employer is making redundancies and give an external candidate a similar job, this could breach redundancy rules.

Rhino - my ex definitely wouldn't. He actually says things like "well you choose to work" when things are difficult. Arse . I do research policies and am a big believer in key words. Empowerment, independence, service user involvement, EBP etc are all words I chant in my sleep lol I will make sure I get in a few of yours too though!

Definitely worth looking into Dozer. Thank you

I just qualified as an OT OP, I feel your pain!! I only qualified in December 2011 as had to redo my 3rd year placement for medical reasons. I have my 1st interview the week after next. I haven't even been able to apply yet for jobs as I have been planning to move to a new city which I am doing next month. However, I know that jobs are like golddust. I have had several rejections so far and it's so disheartening when you've spent ages filling in your applicaton form.

Congrats Marathon and well done on finishing after having medical stuff going on . Wishing you lots of luck in your interview. What practice area is it for? I feel for you with the rejections because I know what that is like. Some of my applications have huge person specs which I spend days on then hear nothing. Not even a no thanks. Its so frustrating

Rhino - I have been doing this too. OTA jobs and support worker jobs mainly, but the trouble is they are saing that they know Iwill eventually leave so would rather invest in someone who is going to stay for longer than a few months. Sign of the times I think because a few years ago competition was definitely not so fierce

Blimey we are so short of OTs in our LA our families are waiting over 6mths for an intial appt.

Hope you get something soon.

I second, third etc the idea that you must not focus on other people.
It will do you no good at all.
Get off FB. Speak to recruitment people in your field for advice.

Don't be despondent, Notalone. You came second three times! You might not think so, but that is good. You are getting interviews, and you are performing well in them. OK you have been pipped at the post, but your turn will come - or the selected candidate will turn the job down.

Keep applying! You won't be successful if you let the process get you down.

YANBU to feel frustrated that you haven't got a job but I don't think feeling cross that others have will help. It is a fact of life that, where many professional qualifications are concerned, all that matters is that you reach the required level to pass and gain your qualification. Whether you achieved a pass or a merit or whatever is mostly irrelevant. So being cross that people who didn't work as hard as you is a waste of energy. They did what they needed to.

You are constrained geographically by where you can work but there is no point feeling annoyed that others aren't. Again it is just a waste of energy. That is just the way things are unless you decide to change where you live.

You've been placed second 3 times so I would have thought it was only a matter of time before you are offered something since you are obviously writing good applications and performing reasonably well in the interview. Have you ever asked for interview feedback? Ask if there was anything they felt you could have done differently or better (not 'why didn't I get the job').

Hope you find something soon.

Notalone, would you consider doing some extra courses related to your subject? Even if it meant paying for them yourself, it might just give you the edge over somebody else.

Thanks everyone. You are right about stopping fixating on what everyone else is doing and start focusing on myself again and what I am doing. Its not healthy and pretty draining feeling like this. To be fair it is the first time I have felt like this. Another friend was saying the same thing a few months ago and my advice to her was pretty much what you guys are saying to me now.

Daisy - that is actually a pretty good idea. I don't have time right now what with working full time but if am not working by the time my contract ends in my exisitng job then I may be entitled to help paying for extra courses. If not I will definitely do some voluntary work to learn new skills