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 !

I definitely agree with including caring for relative with dementia - whether or not you consider looking at roles in the care industry. Demonstrates empathy, patience, why wouldn't you?

I once took a break partly to care for my father, which I included on my CV (not the partly bit). First job interview after the break, interviewer was quizzing me about the break - to give her the benefit of the doubt, I assume that she wanted to assure herself I was able to commit to the role.
"Are you still supporting your Father? - me "no he died" - followed longest silence I've experienced in an interview ever.

@00100001 my CV is actually just on indeed,I don't actually have a "CV" I'm doing all my applying from my phone as I don't have a computer at the minute..which makes things even more difficult

Go outside the box and do something that isn't customer service. Could you be over qualified? Could you volunteer to bulk out cv?

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay this would be the same with me as she died last year.
I could try explaining how being a carer meant I was reliable as I had to be there daily.
I had to be responsible etc etc

Well don't put it like that. It makes you sound like you are begrudgingly caring for someone and that you didn't gain anything from it.

If you put it like 2007-2010, Carer, Anytown.

Caring for elderly relative. I cared for my Grandmother when she struggled with XXX. I assisted her with washing, meals, cleaning, etc

See the difference?

As above, definitely explain the gap if you haven’t done so. The reality is that recruiters won’t take the risk of interviewing and using up their time and the business’s time on a candidate who hasn’t explained what they’ve been up to for three years when they have lots of candidates who have accounted for all years in the CV.

[quote whiteyelloworange]@00100001 my CV is actually just on indeed,I don't actually have a "CV" I'm doing all my applying from my phone as I don't have a computer at the minute..which makes things even more difficult [/quote]
Well, send me what you have.

I can type one up for you easily enough.

@00100001

Well don't put it like that. It makes you sound like you are begrudgingly caring for someone and that you didn't gain anything from it.

If you put it like 2007-2010, Carer, Anytown.

Caring for elderly relative. I cared for my Grandmother when she struggled with XXX. I assisted her with washing, meals, cleaning, etc

See the difference?

That was in response to "unemployed due to caring responsibilities"

@00100001 that does sound a lot better.
Il write down everything and send it over tomorrow if that's ok?
That's extremely kind of you and you really don't have too but Thankyou very much

Your CV and letter need to list achievements rather than just what you did.

Achievements can just be small things.

Nobody is immortal - don't worry about it coming up.
I just thought it was a bit intrusive to ask, so didn't rush to break the silence & watched her squirm for a bit .
0100001's phrasing is positive, go for something like that.

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay I bet she wanted to fall in a big whole

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay *hole

It was funny - another member of the interview panel spoke up & broke the silence in the end

[quote whiteyelloworange]@00100001 that does sound a lot better.
Il write down everything and send it over tomorrow if that's ok?
That's extremely kind of you and you really don't have too but Thankyou very much [/quote]
Send over what you have via PM and I'll have a go tomorrow evening for you.

Really kind of 0100001 to offer to help out, good luck with it all

In my role as a school governor I have recently sifted a lot of application forms.

Tips I would give are:

Make sure all spelling and punctuation is correct.

List examples of your skills and what experience you have rather than a generic I am a good team player.

Explain any gaps in employment.

Make your application specific to the company you are applying to. Let them know you have done your research.

Hope that helps.

Sorry OP, I agree with @Frizzzhead. If I had £1 for every time I’ve seen that on an application where I work I’d be a millionaire. A very short cover letter looks like you can’t be arsed and it’s generic. My advice is for your cover letter to take things from the job description and link your experience back to it and tailor a letter for each application. There are plenty of transferable skills between your customer service job and caring for your nan (organisational, passion for helping others), if you’ve worked in admin as well include what computer programs you’ve used.

Also widen the net and use other sites other than indeed. Use agencies, apply direct and even LinkedIn. Good luck, hope you find something soon!

Pay a cv writer.

Have you applied as a carer in a nursing home

Also. Accepting of change, time management skills, adaptability, great interpersonal skills written and verbal etc.

@Christmasfairy2020 I haven't no,I don't think I could do it in all honesty.
I like the idea as I did enjoy looking after my gran but I think I would get upset seeing the elderly people and wishing it was my gran (I know that sounds silly )

@00100001 will do Thankyou x

It does sound like how you're presenting yourself is a bit of an issue.

Pp suggestion re explaining your gap is good. I suspect previously all anyone was taking from your explanation was the first word: unemployed.

Especially anyone skimming lots of CVs at speed.

Once you've changed your cover letter and CV it would probably be a good idea to also review how you present yourself and respond to questions at interview (and practise speaking out loud so it feels natural), because I'm guessing you speak about yourself and your experience in a similar way to how you've written about it.

I usually tweak my CV and letter for each application.

You can include what you think you can offer the role and if there is a particular reason why you want to work for that organisation. Such as it being a charity or public or they have a particular ethos you support.

Have you considered health care assistant at your local hospital?