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 !

Haven't read full thread so might have already been suggested but Census is looking for customer facing people right now across the country for the 2021 census.

It is not as easy on a phone but the Microsoft Word app is free to use on phones and tablets, so you could craft your CV outside of Indeed that way. I can't remember how much free One drive cloud storage you get but more than enough for a CV and cover letter.

You can also (when you have computer access) use the web version for free on a laptop/desktop by going to word.office.com and your documents will sync.

Doesn't have the full functionality of the desktop paid-for version, but adequate for writing a CV.

I think applying direct is the way forward. Phone the company, ask if any vacancies, ask who the CV should be addressed to etc etc. I sometimes wonder if employers even receive applications from job sites and it just leads to a lot of wasted time.

Lastly, I assume you're not providing a silly email address in your contact details? Just your name not [email protected] or anything?

OP I'm not sure how this would work with Covid but could you maybe register with a recruitment agency? They might be able to place you on temp cover admin jobs where you could build up your experience. When I was out of work several years ago I used to get all sorts of short term work through agencies.

standout-cv.com/ Is helpful for info on how to write a decent CV.

Have the job centre not offered you any cv help etc?

There are loads of free courses you can do online (although you may need a tablet or pc) which would add something recent to your CV.

I'd echo other posters that the covering letter is generic. Job hunting is SOUL destroying - are there any temp opportunities available anywhere? My last three perm jobs have come through joining the company as a contractor and then making myself invaluable whilst there.

@whiteyelloworange

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

If this is the sort of thing you're writing, OP, this will be why you have had no interviews.

It makes you sound defeatist, downtrodden, passive and uninspiring.

And I bet that in reality you are none of those things.

It sounds as if you need to tailor your cover letters and CV a bit better, be positive, make use of all the voluntary work you have done. Make yourself sound interesting and appealing.

Try turning your caring experience it into a positive. Don't say "I was unemployed because I was caring for an elderly relative." Say
"I opted to take a career break to care for an elderly relative, which I found immensely rewarding. As a result of this experience, I have gained..." and then list the kinds of skills you have acquired, and how they might be of use in the role you are applying for.

My other advice would be keep volunteering. At least one day a week, no matter what it is, it's experience you can add to a CV and talk about in an interview. You can easily volunteer whilst looking for a job. Doesn't matter what you do - just do something!

I have just gone back into the workplace after 10+ years as a SAHM - I had however done loads of volunteer work and this was the difference between getting a job and not. You might not earn any money volunteering, but it tells a prospective employer that you have energy and enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. You can reference the skills you are acquiring, the enthusiasm you have, the contribution you are making to a particular charity or community organisation. You will then come across as positive, enthusiastic and committed in a way you simply can't by writing a bland kind of 'I like being part of a team' statement.

Good luck!

I am going to make myself sound so much more appealing.
I couldn't stand another year of unemployment.

Make sure you apply exactly as they require. I used to bin applications straight off if applicant made it clear they did not read the criteria required e,g apply by email, fill in questionnaire in black ink, only write on one side of paper, use own handwriting, say in 50 words etc etc

Start the cover letter by saying

Dear so and so (find out the name if at all possible). I am writing to apply for the role of dog groomer that I saw advertised on indeed.com. Then state why you are good for the job.
Change your cover letter to match the language used in the job advert, and address each point that they require, in the same order. That makes it easy for the person reading it. For each point, give evidence or an example of the skill or attribute. For example, job requirements are driving licence, experience with dogs and good communication skills, state that you hold a full clean licence, gained 10 years experience with dogs when you worked in a kennels where you did XY and z and were responsible for a b and c, and demonstrate good communication skills by dealing with client complaints , enabling a swift resolution by doing x or y. Then add a paragraph on why you want the job. This should be relevant to the job and not just about your circumstances. Then finish with yours sincerely.

Never write anything unless it is backed up by evidence or examples...things like "excellent communicator" are meaningless unless you can supply evidence of this in a work context.

For the CV, keep it relevant and 1 page is enough unless you have a lot of experience. Include all details requested by the advert but nothing superfluous. E.g. if you have a degree don't put GCSEs (unless specifically requested). Include all jobs but don't go into detail for those that aren't relevant to the current job. Put 1 line max about hobbies. Don't put a photo or marital status. If possible supply written refs with the application.

Other suggestions are ask your friends if their employers are hiring, look out for ads in local shops. You just need a job and once you have that, moving onto something better will be much easier. Good luck!

I would put "I chose to use this time to care for my elderly Grandmother. I helped her with xxx". I had this on my CV once because I was raising my DS for two years. Chose to is active which may sound better?

Maybe tempting agencies are recruiting? Sometimes this can lead to a full time role

Top tips for cover letters. Use this simple formula.
State a skill you have, describe an example of how you used them in your past job. Then state how “if successful in my application I would...” you would use this skill in their company.
It’s simple but stops your cover letter being a list of meaningless jargon.
Good luck with your applications, keep going there’s a job out there with your name on it.