I've been looking hard for a new job for a couple of months and have had only one (disasterous) interview (for details of that for those who don't know see here). Just rang up to get feedback for a job I thought I hadn't got and, though it turns out they haven't shortlisted for it yet so I'm still in with a chance, the HR person mentioned that they've had 105 applications. For a part-time library assistant job! I'm starting to despair a little bit.
Feel free to come join in my grumble!
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Anybody else looking for work and finding it kind of depressing?
44 replies
AlexanderSkarsgardOhYes · 22/08/2012 17:13
OP posts:
madwomanintheattic ·
02/10/2012 19:38
So, I have two interviews on Thursday. For identikit jobs, doing what I did ten years ago at entry level because we lived miles from anywhere.
I noticed a large local employer had readvertised a job that I had applied for, (I didn't get an acknowledgement, let alone a no thanks lol) so I called the manager and explained that I realized I had been unsuccessful, but wondered if he would be able to offer any advice to someone seeking an entry level job in the industry. He said no one would employ me, even for an entry level job. 
so, that's good to know.
So I turned up at the equivalent of the job centre with my résumé and asked the receptionist how in heck you get a job in this here town, and she skimmed it, said it was perfect, and booked me an appointment with the counsellor tomorrow, who might have some contacts. Having utterly failed myself, I've turned myself in to the Govt.
madwomanintheattic ·
05/10/2012 14:29
I had my two interviews yesterday. Have done the jobs before, and am v well qualified. They are entry level and both turned out to be part time (one 30 hours, one 18.75). The first interview was a telephone interview pre-screen before final face to face interview sift. It was really very stilted and very scripted, and I didn't get any sort of fuzzy vibe from the interviewer, none of this making the interviewee comfortable crap. the second one was kinda fun, and even if I don't get the job, it was a pleasant enough way to spend an hour and a quarter! She actually wants to make a decision today, and they are looking for two newbies to do a job share, so that should up my odds a bit. She was concerned that with the experience on my cv I would be bored, and would end up leaving for something else though, so we'll see.
I've also had a two line response from a developer looking for a (lol) high class hostess (!) to essentially man the show home. It's complete slave labour, and just hanging around smiling at people and answering questions, and handing out floor plans. As an additional tide-me-over, it's the middle aged equivalent of a paper round, but beggars can't be choosers. It's only two days a week when the out of towners come in, so I assume they want a posh British accent and Italian leather shoes. The development is right next door to dd1's school and on a huge golf course.
Becca, the volunteering thing is interesting. I think it very much depends on what you are doing and whether they are additional skills for your cv. I've got grant researching and application (and successful outcomes!), and payroll for volunteer positions, none of which appears anywhere else! (And to be fair, no one wants me to do either!) but I think unless it is directly relevant to the position you are applying for, it makes no difference at all. Volunteering shows you are a nice person, but being nice doesn't appear to get you a job. (I'm blardy lovely, I am 
). Tis is all pure conjecture, obv.
madwomanintheattic ·
05/10/2012 21:12
No, we moved to Canada a few years ago, and relocated last summer to the mountains. Very deliberate choice, but I obviously hadn't quite grasped the complexities of the job market.
I have been offered a job this morning, though. twenty hours a week, and no weekends or evenings. It's the same as I was doing ten years ago (and even then it was retrograde step to the max) but I'm just grateful to have got something... Subject to refs, credit checks etc. they all seem very friendly. I start a week on Monday.
Dear god, I hope my credit check is okay.
CorkandFelt ·
16/10/2012 22:16
Hi, good to see there have been some successes on this thread (well done madwoman 
). Hope everyone else is making progress too. Everhopeful, you sound a bit like me. I've technically had my own business for a year but haven't had any income for 6 months. For the first 3 months it was a deliberate choice not to work ... for the past 3 months I have been looking hard for new clients and getting nowhere. Very frustrating, though I do know people who've been through similar in the past couple of years and who ended up getting the kind of work they wanted eventually. It's comforting to know it's not just me! Good luck to all.
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