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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's really difficult to get a job

103 replies

Derrymare · 27/09/2022 12:59

Just that really
My partner is looking and has applied for so many jobs but there are so many people after the same job.
He is only been offered warehouse jobs through agencies involving heavy lifting and he has joint issues so not really suitable and they are just minimum wage.

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/09/2022 13:07

Considering we have a work force deficit i would say it should be quite simple. Depends on the area though.
You have to treat looking for a job like having a job. Tweak the cv per application, good cover letters, call and follow up, present yourself well etc,

serafinarose · 27/09/2022 13:09

Bus driving? Severe shortage of drivers and if he has a car license some companies will put you through the PCV. Above minimum wage.

WallaceinAnderland · 27/09/2022 13:11

I can't remember a time when it's ever been easier to get a job. Businesses are crying out for staff.

mumto2teenagers · 27/09/2022 13:12

It depends on what you want to do.

My daughter found a retail job very quickly, but she is struggling to get a job in the field she wants to go into, she applied for one job on linkedin that had 792 applicants.

GiantTortoise · 27/09/2022 13:13

Would he consider care work? Massive shortage at the moment.

OfficiallyBroken · 27/09/2022 13:14

I think getting a job where the employer expects you to deliver world class results on minimum wage on a zero hour contract is pretty accessible if you live anywhere near a town.

Getting a decent paying job with a contract that is mutually beneficial for you and the business is really sodding hard because all those zero hour folk who are being exploited are applying for them too.

Best of luck to your partner.

transformandriseup · 27/09/2022 13:19

I think getting a job where the employer expects you to deliver world class results on minimum wage on a zero hour contract is pretty accessible if you live anywhere near a town.

Yes, there are tons of these near me but the cost of living are making them difficult to live off.

Supermarkets usually pay more than minimum wage and you get staff discount too.

watcherintherye · 27/09/2022 13:19

WallaceinAnderland · 27/09/2022 13:11

I can't remember a time when it's ever been easier to get a job. Businesses are crying out for staff.

Yes, businesses which pay crap wages to stressed, physically drained, overworked staff (e.g. care work).

GiltEdges · 27/09/2022 13:22

WallaceinAnderland · 27/09/2022 13:11

I can't remember a time when it's ever been easier to get a job. Businesses are crying out for staff.

This.

There are always going to be regional/sector variations, but I recently decided it was time for a change of job, applied for a couple direct and reached out to a recruiter about a few others. Within a week I had three interviews lined up and ended up with two jobs offers before cancelling the third interview.

Personally, I’ve never found it easier to get a job, but there’s obviously a shortage of decent candidates in my field.

YourWinter · 27/09/2022 13:23

When I worked in a supermarket until recently they were always recruiting. Low wages and often some weekend work required, but staff discount after 3 months.

GiltEdges · 27/09/2022 13:23

watcherintherye · 27/09/2022 13:19

Yes, businesses which pay crap wages to stressed, physically drained, overworked staff (e.g. care work).

Show quote history

Not exclusively. Many professions are also struggling.

purplecorkheart · 27/09/2022 13:24

What kind of work is he looking for?

CollieWobble22 · 27/09/2022 13:25

It all depends on where you are. E.g easy to look for a job in a big city where theres loads of opportunity but not so easy in a rural town where there's 100 applicants per NMW admin role.

Where are you @Derrymare

Also lots of ageism out there at the moment :(

DoodlePug · 27/09/2022 13:26

I thought this thread would be about getting a job with a good balance of pay and interest/enjoyment which is indeed very difficult. But just 'a job' above minimum wage should be incredibly easy.

Pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, shops, delivery, general office staff, caring, all are desperate for people. My local petrol station has a sign in the window saying £11 an hour, and domino's comes with a sticker on the box looking for drivers at £9 an hour plus £1 per delivery plus tips!

What has he gone for? Is there any reason he wouldn't do well at an interview eg badly spoken or presented?

washingbasketqueen · 27/09/2022 13:26

Around me the hospitality and care sector are crying out for staff. My friends in professions such as law and accounting also can't recruit staff, even the lower grade admin jobs are going unfilled. Might be completely area dependent.

CollieWobble22 · 27/09/2022 13:26

There's so many threads on this at the moment!

SpilltheTea · 27/09/2022 13:29

It's difficult to get a job that isn't utterly shite, yes.

CollieWobble22 · 27/09/2022 13:30

Aww some judgmental posts here. I work in a profession in the SW where businesses are happily advertising at NMW for an experienced and degree educated person.

Some job adverts are getting 100+ on Indeed and over 400+ on LinkedIn.

A retail job in Mountain Warehouse recently had 200 applicants!!

Job hunting really is a postcode lottery 😔

OP good luck to your husband x

Original poster
Derrymare · 27/09/2022 13:30

Okay he is pakistani and just got his leave to remain along with work permission. He doesn't drive yet and no previous employment. CV was hard going.

OP posts:
SmallPrawnEnergy · 27/09/2022 13:33

Derrymare · 27/09/2022 13:30

Okay he is pakistani and just got his leave to remain along with work permission. He doesn't drive yet and no previous employment. CV was hard going.

Bit of a drip feed there. If he’s been offered jobs with no experience he’s not really in a position to be turning them down. Why doesn’t he have any work experience? How old is he. He really needs to think about building up his CV, volunteering for example. Yes it’s hard when you’re skint but when you’re in a position like your partner he needs to be realistic and put some effort.

purplecorkheart · 27/09/2022 13:35

So he needs to start building up his work history and experience so most likely he is going to have to look at lower paying jobs. Has he looked at supermarket/care sector/hospitality.

Original poster
Derrymare · 27/09/2022 13:37

Yes prawn I know he needs something lightweight due to some joint problems.
He is 46 and only ever worked in Pakistan

OP posts:
Zippedydoo123 · 27/09/2022 13:37

Dominos were looking locally for a delivery person who rode a bike lol. Guess that helps the petrol crisis.

Acheyknees · 27/09/2022 13:39

In my area there are picking/packing jobs going where you just text and are added to the next induction day. No CV required. But you do have to have a drugs test and the correct work papers. Paying over NMW too.

Obbydoo · 27/09/2022 13:39

mumto2teenagers · 27/09/2022 13:12

It depends on what you want to do.

My daughter found a retail job very quickly, but she is struggling to get a job in the field she wants to go into, she applied for one job on linkedin that had 792 applicants.

Don't take any notice of the figures LinkedIn gives. It counts every time someone clicks a link but that doesn't mean they actually applied. I wish they'd take it off as it puts people off applying.