To want to just give up..stuck on benefits

[whiteyelloworange]

I have been applying for jobs every day for 8 months.
Not so much as a telephone interview.
I haven't worked in 3 years.
I am checking indeed every 30 mins and anything customer service related I'm applying.
I'm writing a covering letter for each job.
I have 6 years of experience but I think the 3 years unemployment is a massive thing putting people off.
What can I do ?
What would you do ?
I want a job !

Must be so frustrating.
Do you have a friend that either works in a similar field, or recruits in the course of their role?
Ask them to review your CV/cover letters/application forms to see if they can give you any pointers.

Maybss was look at jobs not related to what you did before. Could you do some volunteer work? It helped me in a similar situation, partly just with confidence in myself.

This is my go to covering letter ..
My name is "name" I'm applying for the role of "role"
I have over 5 years of customer service experience,face to face and via telephone support.
I am hardworking and thrive in a fast paced environment.
I have excellent listening and problem solving skills,I enjoy working alone and as part of a team.
(Normally add in bits of the job and how my skills will match the criteria etc )
What more can I do ?

@Blowingagale I previously did volunteer work with a charity (admin) and enjoyed it but I really need the money now.

I have sent you a pm as my company is recruiting for CS homeworking agents. Keep trying, job hunting is a numbers game.

I work in care and just wanted to say people are often recruited that haven't worked in care before - if they have a positive, caring attitude. They will do some shadowing, get training and work in a team with colleagues.

I know it's not for everyone but I wouldn't let lack of experience put you off applying for care or retail if you think you could work in those sectors.

I think you need to be tailoring your cover letter to each role. Look for the skills they are asking for in the advert and give specific examples that show how you meet those skills.

Unfortunately, generic cover letters are the first to get binned at a sift.

@Winter2020 during my 3 years I was a carer for my elderly gran with dementia but not sure if that would count as "experience" with it not being professional
I did wash,dress,lift ,take to the toilet ,prepare meals,medication etc

That cover letter isn’t great. Take a look at cover letter tips at Ask A Manager

Explain the gap in your employment history on C.V. Talk about how your skills fit the J.D directly, rather than sending a generic covering letter.

Definitely include your role looking after your Nan. It's much better than not explaining a gap. Something like 'elderly care for relative with dementia' with relevant dates.

I'm tin the same position but I've been unemployed for even longer . Was due to start in a call centre in November, not great but I was excited to finally have a job, my background checks didn't come back in time so was told I would be accepted onto the next group in January. Then a few weeks before I found out they were no longer doing a January start due to reduced intakes thanks to covid. I've been told they will contact me for the next intake but I'm not hopeful as they aren't great at communicating. It took me years just to get accepted for that job and back to square one again . Sorry no advice but I sympathise and wish you lots of luck.

Do you have any friends or former colleagues who still work in customer service? Companies sometimes prioritise applications referred by existing staff. It’s worth asking them anyway.

Good luck OP! Hope you manage to find something soon

Are you applying for jobs through indeed? I’ve heard of employers being put off applicants who apply through it because they get the impression they’re just applying for any job that comes up and don’t care about working for them in particular. Try and apply directly through the company if you can

Yeah your covering letter is basic and I'd dismiss it

You would be more than qualified for care work with proper experience like that and not likely run for the hills if someone needs help to go to the loo. How ever it is low paid and often with agency’s you are not paid for travel time that is essential to the job. Even though that is illegal isn’t rarely upheld.

If you are really desperate to work now rather than in a year when the market is better it’s worth a go.

I am hardworking and thrive in a fast paced environment.
I have excellent listening and problem solving skills,I enjoy working alone and as part of a team

that is meaningless jargon, sorry.

you need to tailor each application to each job description and not churn out this kind of stuff.

So better cover letter is the way forward.
That's what I will work on.
I've just applied for a energy company 8-4 5 days a week
City centre
Would be ideal

Could you maybe list the three years off as 'Carer- voluntary'?

Possible reasons:
your CV is badly written

Your covers letters are poor.

You are filling in applications badly

Or any combination

What do you put down for the 3 year gap?

[quote whiteyelloworange]@Winter2020 during my 3 years I was a carer for my elderly gran with dementia but not sure if that would count as "experience" with it not being professional
I did wash,dress,lift ,take to the toilet ,prepare meals,medication etc [/quote]
You just need to put

2007-2010 Carer for elderly patient. Duties included x, y z.

I can look over your CV if you want? Just remove any identifying details :)

My friend complained she was never getting interviews at places, turned out her CV was 5 pages long! I cut it down to two, and she got a job interview within a couple of weeks

I just put "unemployed due to caring responsibilities"
I will update cv and fill it out a bit more.

And if that really is your go to Cover letter, then that needs looking at as well...