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?

Are you looking for some sort of ‘holy grail’ job?
Perhaps open your mind to different options, even if they are just transition jobs to get you back into a routine of work. You meet lots of people and get to see lots of opportunities through being IN work (of any kind).

This may not be the op but if people have the attitude of being a permanent victim they will hardly get a job of it comes across like that, again not sure of the op does this or not

I applied for a job on Indeed and about two minutes later got a notification saying I hadn’t been selected to progress any further. I think it just fell into a black hole unseen.

Sorry about your situation, it can be very depressing. Is there anything here we can do to help? Can you say sector or type of job ( eg systems administrator) without giving too much away so people could suggest things to bolster your applications?
Also are you using all the search tools you can- not just Indeed but Linkedin etc

I think some people are unemployable due to health issues mainly.

But of the people who could work and who are employable, i think there are more people looking for work than there are jobs. Vacancies are in very specific sectors which not everyone is suited to

I've seen lots about nurses finishing thier degrees and finding a recruitment freeze for instance. This is a role I never thought would be difficult to secure.

Finding a job is easy, finding a job you want is admittedly more difficult. I used to work in recruitment, the fact that your not working now would be a red flag for me,
any job (even if just a stop gap) is better than no job. My daughter started working at 15, she decided she wanted a job and got one the same day by calling into shops in town, she then wanted more hours at 16 so popped into a couple of restaurants, had a trial shift that day, she’s now 17 and no longer wanted to work Friday and Saturday nights as her social life is getting busy so again she went out to find a job that suited her more again it took her a day. We live in a small village on the edge of a little market down, finding some form of work is not hard if you put the effort it. Explaining gaps of your CV without a very good reason is never easy, I would say do anything for now whilst looking for something more long term. Best of luck and I’m not trying to sound harsh I just know the sort of thing that would put me off a candidate even if they were strong in other areas

No offence, but there is clearly something off putting. Ive never interviewed a cleaner, who didn't get the job (as long as they had a clean criminal record).

Vacancies are in very specific sectors which not everyone is suited to

I’m not sure I agree that people aren’t suited, I think it’s that a lot of people have the attitude of being too “good” for certain jobs - they don’t think they should have to work shifts, or weekends, or full-time in an office. They don’t want to do care work, or retail, or hospitality, or work in a warehouse. Everyone wants a nice WFH or hybrid job where you can be home for deliveries or school runs, where you can disappear to walk the dog or to take in a delivery - and it’s just never going to be the case that everyone can do a job like that.

People are going to have to adjust their expectations.

This, I think we need to be very flexible over hours, contracts, locations, WFH etc, don't have too rigid a set of requirements. I think also sometimes you need to take the work at hand, casual work which may be far below your skillset just to stay in 'work mode'.

I think the job hunting process can make some people unemployable as it's such a depressing slog. I can easily see how a person struggling with their mental health might be able to do a few weeks of tweaking CVs and sending applications that they don't hear back from and then not be able to face it again for a while.

Have you been unemployed for 2 years ?

There are loads of volunteer opportunities, have you been volunteering ?
If not why not ?

Have you been applying for PT & FT jobs ?

Totally with you - so many people refuse to even consider certain roles because they don’t want to do weekends or shifts or use childcare!

I hope you're successful soon. You're understandably downheartened by this experience.

To answer some of the questions:

I was off work for a couple of years as a SAHM, then did a contract job, which finished two years ago, and haven't found anything since.

Yes, I am looking for part-time role, because I can't manage a full-time role with the DC being the ages they are and a heath condition I have (the condition is not outwardly obvious to employers and doesn't affect my work). I do know that some people have no choice but to work full-time, and recognise this is a privilege. I also recognise that part-time limits my options. However, I do have a good degree of flexibility as to how many hours, and I can be physically present at work. It doesn't have to be WFH.

I am seeking office-based work, but don't want to disclose the field I am in, as it may be outing.

I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions. I will work through them and see what I can do to improve my chances.

Overall, I think it is just really disheartening. We do need some extra income, and I feel guilty that I am not contributing to the family unit economically.

When No.1 son was unemployed and struggling to get a job, he was given probably the best bit of advice I ever heard (used it myself too, when I was made redundant) Start volunteering. This provides a number of things. a) gives you someone who can provide an up to date reference, b) shows you are reliable and can keep good time, 3) shows you are willing to get on with things, 4)shows you are willing to learn.
For my son he suddeny went from no interviews to a number and he got a job within a month. Sometimes all an emplyer wants to know is 'are you reliable and can you learn'!
Also, don't set your sights too high, you can always move up once you are working.

Unfortunately part time office roles are highly sought after and not often advertised. Combining that with perhaps 1 year’s work in last 5 and it will be more of a struggle I’m afraid.

Maybe you need to consider something that isn’t office-based? There are loads of part-time jobs in retail, care or hospitality.

Could you temp?

The fact that you say you can't state what the job is you are trying to get due to it being outing... means that it is a very small industry therefore that is why not many jobs are coming up and lots of competition for them.You need to widen your scope and just get a job that utilises your skills, lots of skills are transferable across different industries.

You probably would get more advice if you said what it was. Not sure if you want to

@Samesame47 is she on minimum wage or a living wage that a over 25 year old could expect? What's your job market like for the 55+?
It's largely dependent on were you live. I'm looking to work again, but can't drive now because of medical reasons. Jobs that you don't need a car for are demanding a clean driving licence. I need 22 hours, there's a lack of decent hours. I don't know how people are managing regardless of food banks.

Going straight into a part time job is difficult.

the vast majority of part time workers were full time and then reduced their hours. From an employer pov you only need PT when one of your existing staff wants to cut their hours.

unless you have all the skills and knowledge already a PT new starter is rare.

especially round school hours.

you may need to look at jobs which offer the hours you want, rather than the job you want.

call handlers can often set their own shifts, for example.

that or you commit to a year or two full time when you’re be in a better position to negotiate.

It's been shit for years,/decades now, so many people chasing too little jobs.
This has pushed wages down in many office type roles.

Depending on your location and job type of course.

I think it’s inevitable that the same people are always picked regardless of experience or education and they are always the popular personality because people are choosing who they like bests and people who are really popular are liked by most and unfortunately people who are not so popular are less likable to most meaning they will hardly ever be the one people choose or like best.

People are at the end of the day just choosing from a bunch of people who they like best or click with and it’s usually always the same people who can get along with everyone.

This is exactly what I am worried about.