To think getting a job is impossible for some?

[stuckinthemuddiestwaters]

Two years of looking. Many applications. Two recent interviews. Second choice for both, so did not get a job offer. Had good feedback, but you don’t know what they are really thinking about you.

I have plenty of experience and also promotions at previous workplaces.

AIBU to think I am unemployable?

You havnt given any reason towards you being unemployable, just an explanation of why you're unemployed.

What jobs are you looking for? Some jobs are a lot harder to get than others.

It's a tricky job market at the moment. You've done well to get to second place in two different jobs. Hopefully something will turn up soon.

Are you currently working?

You're not unemployable, it is just a very, very difficult market at the moment.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clygj739dmvo

I don’t think anyone is unemployable but it sounds like your confidence is taking a bit of a hit (and fair enough).

• Are you getting concrete feedback from interviews or any self reflections on maybe interview technique?
• Is there something about the level/type of role you’re going for which isn’t matching up (I’ve had it both ways - where I was considered too senior (and so their concern was I was likely to move on) and not enough experience in some areas (which turns out I did have, I just hadn’t mentioned as the job spec had indicated focusing on other competencies). One good final question I read (but haven’t tried!) is ‘do you have any thoughts as to why i wouldn’t get this job?’ as it gives you opportunity to address any points.
• Are you in with any former colleagues or managers, or worth reapplying to some of those companies?

The fact you’re getting to final rounds shows you have a lot to offer and I hope the right role is just around the corner for you!

How can you be “unemployable” when you have “plenty of experience and promotions”? I thought this was going to be a thread about people who will probably never be able to hold down a job.

If you are getting to interview, you are clearly employable. Just need a bit more luck at the final step.

I saw that yesterday. Absolutely horrendous.

Keep going. The right job and company are out there for you.
Signed: someone who 3 months ago could have written your post, and has just had her first paypacket from her shiny, new, better than either of the jobs she got close to, job.

Yes, I'm sure there are some mental and physical health conditions that could render someone unemployable, but it doesn't sound like that would apply to you.

If you are not working right now may I suggest that in addition to everything you are already doing that you might sign up with an agency and take anything offered- especially temp work. I do ad hoc temp work and in every single place I have been offered a full time role. Last time I did 2 weeks admin sick cover and was offered the job when the person did not come back. I also did a single day role helping out at a trades fair and was offered a role etc. It exposes you to people and jobs and puts you in their minds eye so to speak.

The job markethas changed RADICALLY

I was second choice for a job i was referred for and applied to and honestly was a bit shocked not to get it.
The market is tough and a bit bizarre right now due to AI sifting CVs

Even the recruiters I spoke to basically said
Do NOT leave your job without one to go to. Do not move into freelance unless you have no choice. Freelance marketing is rough and rates are down.

The main / best way to find your job is use your network (i have been on mat leave for 25months in the last 3 years and have 2 under 3....) my network is the woman who runs the local softplay and our local newsagent... 🫠

Prior to this i walked into jobs/ was head hunted and was confident if I didnt like a job I could quit at the start of the month and have 2 or 3 offers by the end of it.

No I am not currently employed, which makes things harder!

Sorry, I am just a bit down in the dumps and wondering if there is something wrong with me that I can't find work. I rationally know that the economic situation is playing a large part, but emotionally it is difficult to deal with.

I think if someone is able to work at any time and do anything, with their own transport, then getting a job is actually easy.

I live in the Midlands and I could go on indeed now and get work to start next week in a warehouse...in fact I did this last year as temporary work whilst waiting to start another job.

Also, if I wanted to work as a carer, I could pretty much walk into a job . I have worked in healthcare for the past 20 years and never has anywhere I worked been fully staffed, there has always been positions available both as a permanent jobs and agency/bank.

However, I think if someone has restrictions on when/where they work/unable to work certain jobs or hours then it has gotten harder to get a job and competition for roles is high

are you giving yourself set times of day to apply/follow up etc (and similarly times to switch off from it)?
could you maybe do some work /volunteering for charities which use your skills, get you chatting to people etc, maybe?
when I was made redundant, I found that it difficult to get back into the swing of things and actually some of the work I did with charities (admin, some marketing/ops projects) was as helpful for me as them.

You are clearly good enough to get an interview, just getting pipped at the post by someone else.

DD had her CV professionally done because it was a bit rusty, cost £100 and it was money well spent. What they are good at is focusing on your skills in a way that modern employers are looking for. That might be worth considering.

This is concerning.

Isn't it? The graduate was after a trainee role in accountancy, had both industry experience and qualifications - it isn't as though she was being unrealistic or going after some glamorous, high profile type of job.

I’ve been in this situation after I left a stressful career. I just started a business. Lots of options out there. I could never work for anyone ever again. I like to take a few months off a year and go traveling. I’ll never earn as much as my friends or past colleagues but I am happy in my life choices now. I like the simple life anyway.

Is there something specific that makes your search harder?

Because I think there is no doubt that age or a disability/long term health condition (which might have caused gaps in employment) for example makes the search harder as employers, although they are not legally supposed to, do actively avoid employing certain groups of people.

If not then maybe you need to consider a different sector/type of job and also try to apply for temporary jobs or even something that you could start as a small business?

If you are unemployed there are usually many free courses you qualify for which also might be a way to get into something new.

I think the job market is dysfunctional in the UK right now with the sectors that have vacancies paying too little to attract and retain applicants and other sectors trying to squeeze every drop of blood out of existing staff rather than recruit to bring capacity where it needs to be.

You are absolutely correct, if practical work is your line it's easy to get. We ran an ad for a school caretaker / site manger, 60K and peppercorn rent house, for which we got no applicants first round and 2 second time of running. In the event we offered the unsuccessful candidate a more junior role and employed both.

There is a massive shortage of labour with the skills to work with their hands and conversely more candidates for more cerebral office based work than jobs. That is only going to worsen going forward with AI replacing many office type roles.

@stuckinthemuddiestwaters as PPs have said the job market is really tricky at the moment. But there are still roles out there. And you got to the final 2 for those roles, so you are doing something right. Did you ask for, and get constructive feedback from these interviews? Are you signed up with agencies? Is your CV AI suitable? (ie if companies use AI filtering will yours get through - Google this). Are you applying directly with companies? Looking on job sites too?
Good luck.

This might not be popular but I think a lot of people are going to have to readjust their expectations when it comes to finding a job.

I’m not saying this is the OP, but I see far too many threads from people who won’t even consider applying for jobs unless they come with certain benefits or conditions and it just seems so unrealistic.

The job market has changed and we need to change our expectations too.