To think I’m unemployable?

[23andbroke]

I’m 24 next month. I graduated university (psychology) in 2019, then decided to take spend time travelling before entering the world of work. When the first lockdown happened I had to immediately return home, and I haven’t been able to find a job since!

I feel like a complete failure for having a massive career gap on my CV. I have had retail jobs in the past but there aren’t many retail roles available right now, the jobs are in high demand due to pandemic redundancies etc and I’ve been unsuccessful each time.

Would really appreciate advice on how to get out of this mess as it’s honestly depressing

Do you know what you want to do?

Are you spending time improving your skills?

@WhereamI88

People here are being a bit harsh, this pandemic has been awful on young people like you who will suffer the most long term. However you sound defeatist. You need to pull yourself up and find solutions quickly. Surely you want to work in whatever you studied? Do a masters to plug the time gap? If you went travelling, your family must have some money. I never went on a gap year as that's reserved for middle class kids so surely you have something to fall back on in terms of parental support.

"Reserved for middle class kids" - really?

Definitely not my experience, though granted that was back in the mid 90s! Pretty much everyone had saved to do it, had work visas and working for big chunks of it in NZ/Australia for part of their travels. Mix of WC/MC.

Treat looking for a job as your job!

Make a plan, goals of numbers of jobs you will apply for, research roles, practice interviews with a friend on zoom. Write Covering letters, hand out your cv to wherever is open, ask on Facebook, update IT skills, do some free courses, teach yourself to type.....

Be persistent and you will not fail!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the continued advice! I wanted to let you know that I received an email invite for an interview as a DWP Work Coach just now.

It’s on Microsoft teams. I need to record a (one-take) video answering their questions. A combination of answering questions on the spot whilst watching myself on camera makes me a bit anxious as interviews seem to be where I’m going wrong. I am so excited and really want this job. I’m assuming the questions will be on why I want the job and why I’m suitable. I’ll read up on their competencies but would appreciate any advice you may have. I’ll dress in appropriate interview attire, my roots are shocking though! Also struggling to think of how I’ll balance my phone as my laptop doesn’t have a webcam.

Sorry I haven’t responded to latest replies but I will later - you’ve raised some interesting points.

lots of people will have 2020 career gaps, you're going to be fine I'm sure

@23andbroke brilliant news!

To prepare think of those obvious questions, prepare a script/bullet points and practice! Get a trusted friend or family member to FaceTime you and role play.

Best of luck!

Personally I'd use the time to do some Covid volunteering (unless you need to be earning immediately) as it'll look a lot better on your cv than a blank space...

So much projection going on in this thread it may as well be an IMAX.

Well done! Google Star technique for answering questions.
There have been other threads about people applying for this- have a search.
Stick post it on/ behind your screen of reminders. And practice with a friend.

Good luck

You need to shift your mindset. You will have LOTS of skills which you have acquired through travelling and your retail experience. You need some help in working our what these are and how you can portray yourself in a positive light.
As others have said, contact your university careers service, ask for help with your CV and interviewing skills.

I can't believe some of the nasty comments on here. People of your age have a long working life ahead of you, so taking time out to travel doesn't make you a 'drifter' or 'unemployable', but you do need some help in articulating these skills and experiences positively. And you need to recognise that finding a graduate role is going to be challenging for lots of people at the moment, so you need to invest time in job applications, CVS, interviews etc.

Everyone in the whole world is going to be totally unsurprised by a year's gap in someone's cv caused by the pandemic. Many other people will be in the same boat, it's obvious what caused it and it will do your career no harm whatsoever.

I think that most people are employable

Sometimes it is a case of being in the right place, at the right time

Also, sometimes it is who you know not what you know

Also it is being given a chance

I've met lots of different types of people

You only have to look on the Internet & find people who have challenged people pre conceptions for an "ideal person" for a job

There is the option of being self employed too

I would use a neutral, one colour background with few distractions

Can you use masking tape to stick your phone to something ? & ensure it is fully charged, with no background noise

I assume the job includes good listening skills, good communication verbal & written, meeting people of different ages & walks of life, helping people with applying for jobs & questions related to CVs, benefits, health etc
Soft skills

Good luck

@expectopelargonium

Everyone in the whole world is going to be totally unsurprised by a year's gap in someone's cv caused by the pandemic. Many other people will be in the same boat, it's obvious what caused it and it will do your career no harm whatsoever.

Well also no two people are the same. What one person concludes another won't.

OP you're not unemployable so please don't worry!

If you'd like to, send me a PM and I'd be happy to spend an hour with you going through interview techniques to help boost your confidence a bit. I've done a fair few interviews in my time (both sides of the panel) in corporate environments.

V happy to help if needed

I hate seeing myself on teams/zoom, so I have changed my settings so I can't see myself. Much better

Thank you all for the kindness, support, suggestions and offerings to help - I am overwhelmed by your response! I have read all your posts and am digesting everything - please accept my apologies if I haven’t personally responded. There’s a lot to discuss! I wrote the OP feeling very defeatist and down, but you have all made me feel happy and motivated again. Thank you so much

@partyatthepalace I moved back in with my parents this year after years of renting in London. I need a paid job to move out ASAP but would consider voluntary work!

@AnaofBroceliande @Ilovegreentomatoes your posts made me laugh, I completely understand though. I had a couple of clinical summer placements and witnessed the very difficult situations you mentioned

@LadyJaye @cocopidge thank you very much for your posts. I would love to be an analyst (or entry level finance) actually - it’s something I have thought about for a while but assumed I would need an economics degree. I know I need to need to work very hard to get myself there though. Very competitive field (likewise with clinical psychologist roles!)

@SilverRoe thanks for your kind words! The podcast is about general post-uni life (my friend has a completely different experience to me).

@PufferFish23 @Solina @VanCleefArpels @thesandwich @Ex0ticM1xture @ButForTheGrace thank you all for the wonderful advice and interview tips!!

Very grateful for the well wishes and luck! Going to record practice runs over the weekend (cringing already!) and thoroughly research & make notes. I know I need to go all in! Mumsnet has definitely given me a much needed kick

Hospitals in my area are hiring for healthcare assistants. Unpaid work such as freelance writing or various charity/volunteering roles are something I haven’t looked in to but you’re right - it’s worthwhile and I will start applying after I complete this interview. Likewise with children’s homes, nhs admin etc

@gogogogo1 wow, thank you ever much for such a kind and generous offer - I may take you up on that

I've just gotten a job after years out of work (SAHM) I'm going to be a toilet attendant which is not great use of a law degree admittedly but the hours and pay are all good. Gives me a foot in the door with the council. I think it'll show reliability and give me a recent reference which is all good.

@Mummadeze thanks for the tip! Which course did you take? Great idea. I have been considering a coding course, but yours sounds more versatile.

@womaninatightspot congratulations! You’re absolutely right, I need to widen my job search

You don't have a career gap - you were travelling and then the pandemic happened. No one will blame you for those.

@23andbroke re: analyst roles.

I work at director level in fintech and would always far rather recruit keen grads in entry level roles with good attitudes and a willingness to learn, even if they didn't have 'ideal' skill sets.

The vast majority of analyst skills are not rocket science, and can be taught to and learned by people who WANT to learn. I don't have a 'classical' IS background, such as a Computer Science / maths undergraduate degree, but I am a senior director. I went for opportunities outwith my comfort zone and they paid off.

Don't limit yourself.