To say I can't get a job

[anerki10]

I'm 27 and can't get a bloody job. I have six years experience in customer service and I'm due to complete a Humanities degree May 2024.

I feel utterly useless at the moment. Ive applied for every job under the sun. Call centre 20k. Didn't get an interview. Admin/HR 28k with the council. Didn't get an interview. I can't even get an interview for cleaning jobs either which I have done previously so have experience.

I also have a 4 year old and live in an area with terrible childcare options. We have a breakfast club option but no afterschool care. No childminder availability either. So need to be available for school pick up. Holidays I could cover if I earn enough to pay for holiday clubs.

I can't get a job so what am I supposed to do? Not an AIBU just needed a rant. Feeling so disheartened and rubbish at the moment. Anyone know why I'm not even getting interviews? Am I rubbish or is there just a load of competition at the moment?

Could you work as a childminder?

I find it hard enough looking after one!

Sorry to hear you're not having any luck 😕 If you are not getting interviews, can you ask someone to look over your application? Not meaning to be patronising, but it could be something in the application that is meaning you don't get interviews. If you are doing a degree, the uni careers service might be able to help?

I wonder if some jobs e.g. the cleaning, see you are about to complete a degree and think you won't stay? Not suggesting that's true, just might be what some people think.

Are there any childminders in your area so that you could have a bit of flexibility?

I’m sorry you’re feeling deflated.
It’s hard to tell why you’re not getting interviews without seeing your applications.
are you tailoring each application specifically to the role? Not just a generic cut and paste job?
For any roles with local authority or NHS you need to look and the job descriptions and demonstrate that you meet each individual aspect of the essential criteria
spelling and grammar needs to be spot on

don’t be put off applying for full time jobs. Apply and interview. If you are appointed you can then put in a flexible working request for the hours that you can make work. Be prepared to negotiate on that where you can

Sorry ignore the childminder bit 🤦‍♀️

I would say my applications are pretty strong. I'm always asked by family to help them with CVs and job applications and they always get interviews. I tailor each one to the specific job, looking for buzz words, applying previous experience to the job specification, etc.

I shouldn't open the income threads on here either. That's very disheartening. Seeing the high incomes people on here earn and I can't get a call centre job paying 20k! I thought having the degree would help but doesn't seem to be making any difference.

The fact that you’re currently at studying may be a barrier as they’ll presume you need part time work or will leave in a year when you finish next May.

Have you considered getting a career in coding? I’ve seen loads of free online programming courses offered for women recently. There’s a real push to get more women into these sorts of jobs right now

When going for the cleaning jobs are you removing your degree and recent experience?

The fact that you are still a student might be putting employers off. Are you looking to work part time?

My dds worked in retail, cafes and bars while studying; and there are jobs a plenty in those sectors.

What am I supposed to do once I finish next May? I won't be qualified in a particular profession. I'll have the same amount of experience as I have now. And no one's employing me now anyway. I feel like I won't be any better off with the degree. The only thing I'm qualified for is cleaning and admin and I can't get a job doing either of these things. I honestly have no idea what I'm supposed to do.

What was your dream job / outcome when you decided to do the degree?

As someone who sees lots of cvs - I am
always surprised at people’s poor
cv’s and that they never seem to include a
cover letter.

would recommend maybe trying an agency! At least they can look over your CV….

Care homes are always looking for staff. They seem to be the only employers round here who are advertising.

We’ve done a lot of interviews recently and we won’t consider anyone still in full time education.

Cleaning you can do self employed?

If you are willing to do cleaning just put up an ad on Facebook and start by yourself. You can pick exact hours you want to work so school pick ups won't be a problem. I'm a single mum and self-employed cleaner. I can choose my times and days, shuffle clients around for sports days/nativity play/sick kids, etc. If I need more short term work, I can just advertise one off and spring cleans so not to take on more clients. I highly recommend it.

Firstly do not compare yourself to anyone else ,on here or not .May be you can see if there are any courses in job centre to help you .humanities may be a good degree for social work perhaps.look at entrance courses.once you have your degree you will be able to look at more options.

Have a look at graduate schemes now if you'll be graduating next year & unsure of your next move - the civil service fast stream, for example. I'm on the finance scheme (well, currently on mat leave) & will be a qualified accountant with all training & exams paid for. £28k a year starting salary.

I think if you're looking for work that will fit around school hours there's going to be less to choose from so it's probably 'not you'. You certainly seem to be keeping your options open. Whilst wfh jobs are decreasing there might be some hybrid jobs so you could reduce childcare bill.
Would the children's dad step up so eg collect them from school and get their tea etc so you could work an evening (2 to 10?)
If you're a student, (provided you've been a good one) could there be openings at your Uni/college. It might be worth considering part time work too for first year to ease you in. It's much easier getting work once you're in work!

Join a graduate scheme next May?

And you'll have a degree to get you started on a relevant career path.

I assume that yi7 need pretty restricted hours if you are studying and have a child? That might be why you are struggling

Civil service. You can be as inept as fuck but use the right terminology in your application and you'll get a job. Lots of information available online about this. It's a case of computer says yes or no
.

Your uni should have a careers advice service you can use as a student for free. Use them! Once you leave, you have to pay for that sort of advice, sp take advantage now.

What were you planning to do with your humanities degree and are you looking for a job from Monday to Friday between 9 and 3 because the problem with those jobs is that 2 million other women apply for them.