To ask how I'm supposed to get a job when they're all either closed to external applicants or priority is given to internal applicants?

[Iodine]

I'm sat here bashing my head against a brick wall. I have a degree yet I'm not qualified enough for minimum wage jobs. Jobs with a salary of 15K with an hour commute each way for me want 2 years managerial experience.

Totally fucking fed up.

I've had a very lucky day today! I've been asked to interview for lab job so now have 2 interviews next week.

I have applied for post graduate medical schools and put in an entry to Cambridge as a long shot. I've only bleddy been called to interview! Am now very scared!

WOO HOO! Well done Iodine!

Oh hooray! So you must have been doing things right.

It feels good, even it's a no at least I know I'm heading in the right direction. Now I need to persuade Cambrige I'm right for them .

I think it was the lucky mulled wine I had last night.

You are now looking at a (very) part-time christmas temp for a "naice" supermarket!! It's only 10 hours a week but is on one evening in the week and saturday so means that I can still get to interviews for full-time jobs.

It's nice to get back into the swing of things! Thank you for all the cheering you did for me!

Thanks Kim. What a catch-22 situation with pay! Is it worth applying for HoD roles or does that require extra experience?

I'd much rather have a teacher with experience than someone fresh out of uni!

IODINE...You identify a serious problem. It is a bosses job market. And all sorts of applicants are suffering. Good luck

Thanks laughter, it is a horrible time. I have just been told I didn't get the job. The entry level job went to someone who has years experience working in the same kind of lab.

Employers are getting such good deals out of this. The essentials for the job was to have A levels, no experience required, full training given. They got someone with a degree and experience. FFS, how are people supposed to get a break.

Ironically DH has an interview for an internal post in a couple of weeks and is fretting that if there is a half-decent external applicant, they will get the job instead of him. Because his employer already has the use of DH's services and would gain from having two able people instead of just moving one up IYSWIM. There are always two sides to every story!

Employers have three criteria - can do the job, will do the job and will fit in.

When you've been called to interview, the potential employer believes you can do it. You need to persuade them that you would fit with their culture and would do the job.

HoleyGhost- there seems to be the new criteria now 'can we get someone overqualified for the job for a pittance?'

I'm really sorry for moaning so much. I'm just fed up of getting kicked down.