So poor and jobs are impossible.

[BellaJessica]

I am increasingly getting down about my life. Today i have finally realised how poor i am. I earn £5000 a year working 14 hours a week in a job that was supposed to increase in hours but 2 years later and 3 new people later they are actually trying to get rid of me instead. I am applying to other jobs and just not hearing back from them at all. I have a degree in the arts and even jobs i would be great at wont accept me due to no experience or less than 2 years experience in that field. I think this is just a rant really. I have no savings and a big loan (£1,000). I can pay the loan off in time but its depressing isnt it? I live with my dm now and she works short hours so we get by but neither of us have savings or free money to do much. Just need to spend hours job searching again until someone accepts me.

No one has to give me advice. I have said a few times this is mainly a rant and i am incredibly greatful for the honest advice i am getting. If people are here just to put me down then theres no point. Im already lower than a dog and have contemplated work i really would not want to stoop to but i may have to.

How did you do a degree without GCSE maths? I'm from Scotland so I don't understand English education but it seems like a basic requirement. Its not even A level.

Oh and to add to my post - marketing jobs are very much available in the north. I’m based around the same area as you, OP, and there are loads of entry level copywriter jobs available. But if you don’t have a portfolio and don’t have a decent knowledge of SEO, you won’t get a look in. Unfortunately entry level doesn’t mean ‘no experience’, it means ‘some experience’.

You can't just send out a cv and the same old cv at that to each and every job! I've not applied for a job in a while admittedly, and am a specialised nurse, but surely you need to be sending a covering letter expressing your interest, why you are interested and a little bit about yourself in addition to your cv? Also to say which job you are applying for as places may be advertising for more than one at the same time. Maybe people don't do that anymore but I always have and have always been offered an interview.

You need to get a proper job/ full time entry level job in one of the following then pursue study/volunteering/creative writing opportunities in your spare time

• call centre
• McDonald's or similar
• Tesco or similar
• Waitress/bar work
• Retail

I didn’t describe your writing as ‘shit’. I have been addressing my comments to people who keep suggesting you be an editor or copywriter when this is clearly not your forte (I am not the only one to have commented on this) and it is disingenuous to keep offering this as a viable solution in a very competitive market. Time for a reality check. Address your weaknesses, find your strengths and build on those. Good night.

@coolwalking

I’m from Scotland too. My friend refused to do standard grade maths, so she stopped doing maths after 2nd year if high school. She went on to get a degree in Japanese Studies.

You don’t need maths for a lot of degrees.

Coolwalking you dont need gcse maths here if your degree is not in maths.

What’s your degree in? Do you mind saying which city you’re in or where you can travel to easily?

have contemplated work i really would not want to stoop to but i may have to.

Stoop too? Bloody hell! Sometimes beggars can’t be choosers when they’ve got bills to pay!

I might be wrong but if you haven't got at least a C in GCSE maths you would get automatically screened out before shortlisting for some jobs wouldn't you?

Bella every application requires a tailored cv, not a generic one especially if it doesn’t ask for a cover letter.
It sounds like you need to research how to successfully apply for jobs- have a look at what colour is your parachute book/ website which has some brilliant advice on how to find the type of work you want.
Are there job clubs etc near you? Have you had any one review your cv.? If you were to start a fresh post with a specific request for help mnetters in your field may well offer help to review your cv and offer advice. There are lots of good suggestions on here but you need a plan.

Degree in fine art. Live in warrington so can travel around the north west on trains.

‘Stoop to’

You absolutely cannot have an attitude like that.

Stoop too? Bloody hell! Sometimes beggars can’t be choosers when they’ve got bills to pay!

Well i rather hoped to keep my clothes on as long as possible but someone sent me a link to a lapdancing club that requires no skills as training is provided.

It's really good that you can drive - even if you can't afford to have a car at the moment!

I would personally make getting back on the road an immediate priority in terms of savings if you are able to put any money aside. If you can get another unskilled job in your area, perhaps see that as a bit of a bridge to enable you to save up for a car, then you will be able to travel further afield for jobs more suited to you and your skill set.

Also this is just my own personal preference, but I'd strongly discourage you from getting an MA unless you're 100% sure it will improve your career progression.

I'm in a similar situation and the moment and it is difficult.

Sorry OP, misread you comment there. Have asked for mine to be removed.

I meant to say no one HAS to give me advice.

Bella, seriously. Call centres are almost always hiring. Go for a full time job there, even for 6 moths, to get some money in your pocket. Do the other stuff freelance - build up a portfolio if that’s what you want to do?

You have a degree in fine art? So what do you want to do? What is your goal? To work in a gallery? Be a curator? What is it you want to do?

Then make a plan.

You might just have to stoop.

As I said, I've got twelve published novels (traditionally published), and a first class honours degree. I work in the local Co Op, sixteen hour contract (although usually work more). Needs must to keep food on the table - I'd rather be sitting at home dictating novels and eating peeled grapes, but no bugger was going to pay me to do that!

No problem literary its easily done.

I would definitely suggest getting a blog if only for practice doing SEO and so on, maybe even doing social media for it.

I dont expect to earn money writing novels its just something that occupies my mind in the evenings. I am happy to do lots of things as long as its stable and i earn more than 5k a year.

Please dont think im not taking this advice seriously i am noting it down as i see it including tailoring my cv to each job. Call centres and other stuff.