To think I am never going to work again

[Soyamilkisniceintea]

Or something slightly less dramatic, but seriously, is this how it works nowadays?

Endless applications and letters and nothing in response. NOTHING.

On a more serious note, I am starting to wonder if my days of permanent, normal employment have ended and all I can hope for is short term, no contract, no pension, positions. Is this true for a lot of people?

Sorry to say a lot of work is like that.... I think the cipd estimate 50% of us will be freelance / contractors by 2020.
Have you come across "what colour is your parachute" book and on line. V useful ideas on getting work outside traditional means. And LinkedIn/ networking really can work.

I agree. Since having kids I can't get a job

I can't either, and it really does worry me.

Has taken me since September to get a role, previously longest has taken me was three weeks.....

Gosh ... I am losing heart.

Sorry posted to soon myadvice is to pester agents, call as much as possible preferably in the morning on Monday or Tuesday so they have you on their mind for rest of week

I don't really want agency work though, it's putting me at a disadvantage (I think.)

What makes you think that?

What is it you do? Or want to do...

I'm a teacher. Supposedly!

A friend of mine knows lots of people and she has found two jobs recently just by telling people she knows she is on the look out. Neither were very well paid but they both turned out ok for her so would never underestimate this approach as neither job had made it as far as an official advert.
I think I will be made redundant in the next few weeks 🍷🍷🍷🍷I don't have as many friends as her though and I really love my part time job.
I have looked up job vacancies in my area (up north). I don't really know where to start I keyed in jobs searches in my locality and all I got was INDEED? Are most jobs advertised through here now, any good search engines to look through or where do others look for work?
It is still too soon for me to start looking just yet but I need to be forearmed. Thanks

Aaah... that makes sense. Perhaps post the the staffroom bit of mn?
Have you got anyone who could look at your application letter? Friendly head or la advisor? So many candidates don' t get this right.

The thing is, I always used to get interviews - not necessarily the job!- but always interviews. Now, silencio. Depressing

Why do you think that is? How old are you? What do you teach?

Go do the agency work and keep applying for non agency. It's always easier to find a job while employed.(sounds like you currently are not employed, reading between the lines). Agency work part of the advantage is you can simply walk away

I do have sympathy. It's worse when you have a specialism.

I really don't have much advice. I had a fab career until I moved, but it's taken me six months to secure ONE interview in my field.

I'm not sure how much it comes into it with teaching, but have you looked at boosting your CV a bit, maybe through some related volunteering? It may make you stand out a bit more as a candidate.

Yes I would agree you need to stand out on your CV many schools teach extra curricular activities and are keen on promoting various things. Think of things you are interested in/enjoy as easy to be passionate about those things.

Schools don't have CVs :) it is application form plus letter. Both of which used to be good. But now I am washed up. Ended.

I thought we were crying out for teachers ?

You're really not making me feel better chris

What's your current situation, and what's your subject?

Just supply. English.

How about tutoring from home?

Well, there's not much call for it but it's really my pension I'm a bit worried about. And just generally having no career to speak of doesn't do much for my self esteem to be honest!

How long have you been supply for? Maybe it's that element that's putting positions off.