Crying on the job search.

[CBAforThis]

I've been applying for jobs since I finished backpacking in the summer. I've spent weeks editing my CV/writing cover letters/months of rejection.

I've been doing all of this via indeed (I liked the way the website tailored its suggestions to my previous applications).

Indeed has essentially butchered my chances as they convert the file of the CV into their own file. I've just realised tonight that the CV that i've been sending lists 'waitress' after my name (I worked as a waitress during 6th form but have had many other professional roles since). In my work experience it just lists my 6th form award (they were just bulleted after my education). It hasn't included my degree, my opening statements, has put anything in any form of order, and just appeared as as a 13-year-old French exchange student has put together my CV.

The last month or so i've applied for numerous internships as I wasn't getting anywhere with proper jobs. I've even been applying for minimum wage part time roles which I was rejected from. I seriously considered suicide just before Xmas as I felt so useless. I've been pulling my hair out, i'm now in debt, i've been avoiding people as i've been so ashamed that i've been unable to get any form of work and essentially just sitting in the dark in my parents' house.

I cannot believe when i've been uploading my CV (in PDF as they recommend) they've been editing it into a weird format. I've wasted 6 months of my life, I can't even shed tears right now as I feel so numb. I feel so stupid. So so stupid. How can I even explain to my very annoyed family that all that job hunting has gone to waste and I won't be moving out anytime soon.

Is that the only method you've been using all this time? I never apply via indeed you can normally go direct to the recruiters website and apply direct to them after having seen the job on indeed, I just don't trust the systems like this for the reasons you mention or because they may be easy for HR to ignore if they get hundreds via them. Chin up. You live and learn. What field of work?

Put it down to experience and try again. But don't use Indeed. They are rubbish!

Ps you are not useless. It took me a long time to get my first grad job as it does for many people and it's harder now. Please don't get too upset you can do it just keep focussed and be prepared to be flexible.

Yes, forget Indeed - never had any luck with them.

Have you considered temping? I know its not everyone's cup of tea but it me a permanent role.

Have you got someone to talk to?

You can't go back, so what's done is done. January is a great time to get a new job anyway.

Your mistake seems to have everything through one website. You should also apply through agencies, and directly when the companies have a job section on their website. Local companies also put adds on various Facebook groups. It's never recommended to stick to one agency, or one website, but lesson learnt.

Apply directly to companies. Recruiters and agencies are usually rubbish.

Hang on, are you uploading your own cv, or building one on their website? If it's the former I think you're ok. If it's the latter then at least you now know.

And I second temp work as a way to get a foot in the door.

And yes, branch out from just using indeed.

All my jobs I’ve ever had I’ve got by being proactive and approaching the companies directly. Cold called some of them. You can’t really on websites like indeed - you need to make it happen!

I know where you're coming from, as I spent 3 years job hunting from my parents house (I got back into work properly in 2016, so this is recent). I was waitressing and working on checkouts whilst looking for a full time "proper" job, and I know how demoralising job hunting can be. Like you I felt extremely low at many points and I know how much of a blow it is to feel like you're throwing your CV into so many virtual bins. But it's not the end of everything (promise)!

First of all get off indeed / reed / all the other mass job websites, they're next to useless. By applying exclusively through them you are massively, MASSIVELY limiting the jobs you'll see.

Find yourself a good agency or temping agency, and go and speak to someone in person.

Consider where you want to work and what you want to do, and apply via the relevant company websites directly.

Go back to your university's careers department (most universities will help alumni in some form no matter how long it's been since graduation) and ask what services of theirs you can access.

Check to see if your local council has a careers advisory service for adults.

Have a search around and see if there are sector-relevant jobs websites or organisations designed to get people into work (also look for specific sector agencies, there may be some depending on your field).

Your local jobcentre may also be able to help - you don't necessarily have to be claiming JSA to use their services.

And please reach out to your family and tell them how you're feeling. I am quite sure your friends and family don't think you're useless :)

Indeed are hopeless... Only apply direct... Heard of several pals where their CVs were mangled, so their degrees had been left off...

You can't do anything about what's happened...it's an utter pita..

You CAN do something about the future...

Rewrite your CV for your ideal job.... Then start ringing /mailing people... It's a good way of discovering opportunities before they're out there!

Good luck... And 4.months job hunting... You're just beginning!!

Are you ok OP?

What is the (rough) field you are trying to enter? Agree with others to avoid indeed or any aggregator like this. Now is the time to crank up your google skills.

Spend a day or so making a list of large companies who work in your field, then cross reference by location, then check out their websites. Also run a search on small companies in your area who work in your field, and check out their websites. Also run a search on your desired job role / field e.g. 'communcations executive' 'junior' and 'your area', setting it to only show hits from the last month. Set that as a google alert.

Small local companies can be easier to get into - they can be a bit tin-pot, but get a good one and it's excellent experience as it's so hands on.

Good luck, and don't despair - it's tough, but you only need one yes to move forward.

Hi I can relate & sorry to hear. Where are you? I cannot even do a cv anymore & not sure about a job as had so many problems.. sexual harassment, hate, gang stalking. Good luck.

This is quite normal. You're not useless and the job market picks up in January. Please believe me on this. The months before Christmas are the absolute worst for recruitment, no-one deliberately shifts before Christmas. Come new year, people resign. Remember with a lot of companies you get paid time off over Christmas so employers wait till January to save money.

Dust yourself off and put a CV together. Your name with a very brief description of your skills and attributes below, "innovative and creative graphic designer" for example before work history and education. Try to apply for jobs directly to employer where possible. If applying via a site like indeed, then select key words from the job advert and make sure your CV contains them so the algorithm picks you up, i.e. don't apply for a 'secretary' role with a CV that says you're a PA or Executive Assistant, tune your CV to match their requirements (if you're a good fit).

Also, I totally agree with temping. Sign up to your local agency tomorrow. Lots of jobs are temp to perm, don't rule them out. Even if you just do the occasional holiday cover, temping will pick you up and give experience and confidence.

You can do this. January is your month, now go get 'em!