To feel shit scared about the state of the jobs market.

[holymolyy]

DH and me will be losing our jobs next month. I've actually been looking since before Xmas and had 2 interviews which I didn't get. I've continued applying for positions even in the lockdown and had no luck with interviews. These jobs are basic entry level literally pennies above the minimum wage. I just don't have a chance. I worry is it my age. Is it because my experience is too broad and not more deeper in one area.

Honestly I'm really scared. I'll do anything to keep a roof over my head and the kids but obviously long term I need to get back into work and it's just looking so shit. We've both been with our employees less than 2 years and won't even get statutory redundancy pay.

YANBU.
I feel so sad for those losing their jobs or entering the jobs market now and send my best wishes to you all - if there were more that could be done, I would do it!
(I'm retired, trying to spend my money to safely support local businesses but there is a limit, sadly.)

@topseyt I had the same issue with failing the Tesco tests - and subsequent applications there didn't let me try the tests again - just used my old answers. I did a thread on here about it and got slagged off by some posters for various reasons :) Oh well.

@My0My

The younger people who don’t get jobs at all might never get their own roof over their heads. Older people have at least had a chance. People can work well into old age. Few have given a thought to younger people needing jobs. The young will be faced with higher taxes if they do have jobs, no homes and no jobs. No, older people don’t have it worse. In your 50s you have worked for possibly 30-35 years. Well done!

A perfect example of job market ageism right there.

I haven't worked for 30 - 35 years straight as I spent a fair bit of it on the bones of my arse bringing up three children, two of whom are still somewhat dependent on me.

I know this might not suit some, but because of the expected rise in unemployment DWP will be recruiting soon I think, so keep an eye on the civil service jobs website.

www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

I really feel for everyone facing this situation. It's a horrible, horrible time. The bloody virus.

Well they need to try and get work. You can work and bring up children. My point was that there has been work. You decided not to work and have three dc. Many younger people won’t be able to stop working (if they get jobs) and have three dc. You were lucky to have these choices. You could have worked like lots of women do. Sorry if this sounds harsh but you made choices that others simply won’t have now.

I'm worried too , I'm going through redundancy consultation at the moment.
I've looked and there is nothing, I can imagine so many people applying for jobs .
If I get made redundant I could temp for a while but again I don't think there will be that much demand for temp work .
I've also been with my employer less than 2 years so I'll get nothing. I can probably manage a couple of months , I just hope things pick up soon .

Think that's a bit of a black and white view there @My0My

Older people still have bills to pay. Bills that have been set around how much they earned in their last role. Young people have as much opportunity as ever. There have been financial crises before that they/we have been part of. It's not been as easy as you think.

Old people don't have to bow out to make way for new, less experienced blood.

Entitled much!

[quote Hingeandbracket]@topseyt I had the same issue with failing the Tesco tests - and subsequent applications there didn't let me try the tests again - just used my old answers. I did a thread on here about it and got slagged off by some posters for various reasons :) Oh well.[/quote]
I remember that. I was on your thread. Amazed that some people seemed to think that these tests were fair and gave an accurate assessment of each applicant without the need for the employer to meet them in person.

My DD1 knows that she was incredibly lucky to get onto a grad scheme for the organisation she now works for after university.

She does now have a friend who is great at their job now that they have one (same organisation) but who was put through the psychometric testing 28 times (so 28 separate applications for several roles over about six months) before finally being invited for interview, found to be an excellent candidate and given the job.

@My0My That's a very narrow minded view ,you could argue that younger people don't have mortgages etc .
Can you imagine getting to 40+ and after more than 20 years of working you loose your job and the current climate can't find another .
People could loose their homes at a time when you should be more financially independent.

@My0My

Well they need to try and get work. You can work and bring up children. My point was that there has been work. You decided not to work and have three dc. Many younger people won’t be able to stop working (if they get jobs) and have three dc. You were lucky to have these choices. You could have worked like lots of women do. Sorry if this sounds harsh but you made choices that others simply won’t have now.

ODFOD.

As I say, you are an absolutely classic example of job market ageism.

It isn't something to be proud of, and it isn't a good look. If I can get back into work anytime soon I will have no intention of rolling over for the likes of you because I need to continue for a few more years yet.

Yes, I am very worried about it.

I just get rejection after rejection.

Was a SAHM for ages but split up now. Had ill health. On benefits but they only last until the DC are a certain age which mine are approaching.

If I can't find full time work I'm going to lose our flat.

May sound a bit bitter to say, but I'm really annoyed at the 'help for under 25s' scheme.

There's also the fact that minimum wage is lower for younger people so at entry level, employers choose them.

I'm mid 30s with barely any experience.
No qualifications and can't afford to do any since the rules were changed. Could maybe do an HNC in social care if i could dodge being sanctioned the first year.
Losing hope. How do I dress that up as attractive to an employer??

I'm not this negative in interviews, honest!!

The younger people who don’t get jobs at all might never get their own roof over their heads. Older people have at least had a chance.

Yeah that's true, let's let all of those 'older' people be thrown out onto the streets, many taking their young children with them. Many people leaving university etc have the chance to move back home for a while, not ideal, but in a scenario such as that, as the grad is unlikely to pay all bills etc if they got a job; it's better for the parent to.

The supermarket tests you basically have to say what you think it right, even if you wouldn't actually do it. Essentially health and safety and customers are the most important, and seeing if you can judge when you would ask a co worker for help and when you would just crack on. I did them for a friend recently and they got sifted.

@Hingeandbracket that sucks, but you must have transferable skills etc to be capable of that, so keeping fingers crossed for you.

A help scheme for older people who need work and have found themselves unemployed for whatever reason would be welcome too.

We are a significant part of the economy still. Some of us would consider an apprenticeship too, but those seem to be only for young people no matter what sector of the job market you are looking into.

I remember all the unemployment in the 80s , it sucked for all ages then just as much as it does now . Pitting young and old against each other is manna from heaven for the government .

@bibbitybobbitycats Very good suggestion. CS are gearing up for a recruitment drive at HEO & G7 level across the organisation & across the UK.

I’m in a slightly different situation but I agree, it’s shit and I can’t help but think it will get worse over the next year.

A help scheme for older people who need work and have found themselves unemployed for whatever reason would be welcome too.

They did mention an investment in a scheme to help anyone who needed it, hopefully it comes to fruition.

The job market is one of the most cruel, ageist and most disillusioning places, especially if you don't want to do care work and know you wouldn't be suitable for it.

I totally agree with this! I'm not in the UK, but it's exactly the same here (NZ).

No, older people don’t have it worse. In your 50s you have worked for possibly 30-35 years. Well done!

Some of us older people still have to work! I don't own a house and I live alone - my rent and bills need to be paid and yet I can't get another job. Meanwhile there are all sorts of schemes to help younger people find work, and to train, but older people are consigned to the scrap-heap.

Exactly @imsooverthisdrama

I’m 47 and have another 20 odd years of working life ahead, a mortgage and 2 school children to feed and clothe. How the hell am I supposed to feel “lucky”?

I am probably going to be made redundant had a look at what's going the other night in my industry, zilch. No one is hiring

Maybe if our pension age hadn't been moved we 'older' people wouldn't have to work. I've got 40 years contributions so easily qualify for my state pension but at 58 I still have to work for another 9 years. Not easy when you've had cancer twice and are left with life long effects from the treatment. This isn't a pity post, just an illustration of how difficult things are for many people of all ages and we shouldn't be pitting age groups against each other. Older people may have different issues to younger but ultimately, we all need to be able to earn money to house and feed ourselves, that's the system.

I feel for all those looking for a job. My dc is currently looking for a part time job to fit around college and the effort that has to go into each application for a minimum wage job is ridiculous. Then most of the time there is not even a reply to say they haven’t got the job, so demoralising. My dc is currently spending approx 2/3 hours a day applying for jobs with no luck, I can only imagine the added stress if you have a family and home to support as well. Good luck to all those looking 💐

@My0My

Well they need to try and get work. You can work and bring up children. My point was that there has been work. You decided not to work and have three dc. Many younger people won’t be able to stop working (if they get jobs) and have three dc. You were lucky to have these choices. You could have worked like lots of women do. Sorry if this sounds harsh but you made choices that others simply won’t have now.

Sorry, but myohmy many women who are “old now” did not have much choice to work and raise children. You got the sack as soon as they found out you were pregnant. Then you had a gap in your CV that screamed “mother of young children” and so were discriminated against and not hired because who wants an employee that will be constantly off to care for a sick baby or due to childminder being sick and in a few years then be demanding flexible working hours to accommodate a school run? Refusing overtime for the same reason? No, no, no, many employers only hired women of child bearing age as a last resort. Then on top of the rampant sexism and discrimination against mothers, there were many periods of very high unemployment rates where any job was hard to find. Before Covid, the U.K. had the lowest unemployment rate in 40yrs. Your world view that jobs are just out there for the taking is based on only experiencing a once in two generations ultra low unemployment rate.

I was looking for a job when this all started so I know exactly what you mean. In my area this week there were two jobs advertised. I have a disability so am limited as to what jobs I can actually do and can't manage a long commute on public transport to a city where there are more jobs (and we cannot afford to move or live there). It is really worrying and I think a lot of people are going to struggle.

I was recruiting before this and there were already huge numbers applying for each job