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Original poster

Job Hunting Support Thread

227 replies

lljkk · 22/01/2013 09:48

For everyone seeking work who wants to share, have a natter, is in need of advice, or even just after a bit of sympathy.

I actually have some paid work this week, filling in for lunchtime supervision up at the primary school. But it's not exactly my long term ambition.

Everyone welcome, Please sign in and share what your job hunting targets & plans are this week :).

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 14/02/2013 18:49

drmummmsy, man up and put the application in will you?! :p

drmummmsy · 14/02/2013 19:04

Thanks MrsJasmin Wink first thing tomorrow, I promise!

Original poster
lljkk · 15/02/2013 13:15

Okay, DrMummmsy, time for you 2 check in to verify mission complete (wagging finger).

I've made a good start on the current target job (health researcher). I think it might be a bit of a boring job. But it would suit me in many respects (pt, decent wage, nice employer).

OP posts:
drmummmsy · 15/02/2013 16:34

Mission Accomplished lljkk! AAAANNNDDDD they phoned this afternoon, and I have an interview on Monday!

AAANNNNDD I passed from the assessment stage to interview stage for a local council admin roll!

all in, it was a good day Grin

lljkk - are you writing an application for the health researcher job now? at the minute, i'd far rather have a job that suits me, and is good for family life, even if it is a bit boring, than do the stuff I'm really interested in and be a total stress-ball

MrsJamin · 15/02/2013 17:04

well done drmummmsy!

drmummmsy · 15/02/2013 17:38

^oh goodness, role, not roll (i can spell!)

thanks MrsJamin Grin

biryani · 16/02/2013 08:59

Can I join please? I''ve been looking after dd for 10 years now, and time is passing! I used to have a very full-on job in higher education which I couldn't't possibly combine with her. I''ve been doing casual work in shops, cleaning and teaching to make ends meet. I currently have a casual driving job which I love. I dread the thought of having a demanding job again! I''ve written myself off now, really, as I'm getting on and feel I have little to offer. My Cv looks ok but is 10 years out of date. Help!

Original poster
lljkk · 16/02/2013 18:53

Biryani: Casual work isn't bad, was it thru an agency, can you describe it in terms of hours/week or experience accrued? What about any regular voluntary work in last 10 yrs? Any skills or experience you can attribute to that?

2 of my applications had 12noon deadlines yesterday; since they didn't phone I think I'm out of luck (poo). Mentally that's what I need to do, work hard on application then send it off and forget all about it (I save a copy of the job descrip in case they do ring).

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 16/02/2013 21:19

I have an interview! In a few weeks' time. It's a bit terrifying, I have to do a presentation but I am hopeful!

biryani · 17/02/2013 16:03

Llijkk(hope that's right! ) work was all through word of mouth, apart from teaching, which was through an agency. I just seem to be so negative. Casual work actually suits me fine, but there's just not enough of it. As regards your own applications-good luck. It's a bugger when you work so hard to be rejected. This is what I dread most-being looked up and down and rejected by some pimply oik in a shiny suit.

In my experience, agencies only need you to bolster up their lists and not really interested in finding you work.

Original poster
lljkk · 17/02/2013 17:44

Good luck MrsJamin :). How will you do presentation? Powerpoint or what other methods?

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 17/02/2013 17:52

I think I am only being interviewed by one person so I think I will take a laptop with some slides with pictures / map etc but just basically talk. I hate when people have PowerPoint and just read out their slides.

Snowydrift · 18/02/2013 11:12

Good Luck MrsJamin. Don't forget your power cable and to take a print out of your presentation just in case for some reason the computer doesn't work!

Biryani - what transferable skills can you write down, it's certainly a plus that you've been working.

lljkk hope you get some phone calls today! They're not likely to read all the applications through on a Friday afternoon are they?

My interview was a disaster (did I already say this?) and they called on Friday to wish me all the best for my future career but it wouldn't be with them! Have an interview tomorrow, 50%, 10 mins away. I really hope I can get this. Preparing now!

Original poster
lljkk · 18/02/2013 14:25

Awww Snowy, look at the disaster interview as a dress rehearsal, right? Dress rehearsals are usually disasters no matter how well opening night goes.

I've not heard anything today, other than a nice "We regret to inform you..." letter. I turned on the mobile to check for texts only to be informed by surgery I missed an appointment on Friday (must be their mistake, I had no appointments with them, I'm certain of it).

A job I applied for in mid Jan but didn't hear back until last week ("we regret to inform you..." email): it's being readvertised on the institution website, much to my consternation and minor excitement. This time with a few more specifics about the skillsets they want (I could still do the job well, I bet). "Previous applicants need not apply" at the start, though.

Would I be terribly bitter & twisted to hope and pray they don't get any suitable applicants this time, either? >

OP posts:
Snowydrift · 19/02/2013 08:40

I'm scared! I really need to get this job. It's even on my bus line! Argh! I'm going through all the interview questions now and trying to think of answers and look up the words I need to know.

lljkk- that's a bit of a pain about the job especially when they're still advertising it. Is it a website like monster that's advertising? I've heard that sometimes companies put out adverts even if they're not intending to hire people so that it looks (to the competition) that they're doing well and expanding. Hence the repeated, word-for-word adverts. So, they say previous applicants need not apply. How about you write a "spontaneous" application? Make sure your letter is different to the previous one and tailor it to both the other advert and the new one, with the skill sets they say. Maybe even say you are willing to work on a temp contract at first with a view to going permanent? Then you're not technically applying for the same job even if you are. Do you have the name of the head of department rather than someone in HR?

Original poster
lljkk · 19/02/2013 10:09

It's the actual employer's own website, they obviously didn't get candidates they wanted, didn't even have a decent internal candidate. It's a maternity leave cover position, I think I even put in my cover letter that I would take the job for less than the advertised salary given that I would need some time to learn a few bits of software (esp. SQL, I've read a manual, it's easy enough to grasp).

The job has the same "open date" as b4, so they obviously want to treat it as same position. I am tempted to apply anyway, not sure if that will be taken badly, but with completely different CV, will mull it over.

New App Deadline is this Friday. maybe I will see if it's readvertised yet AGAIN after that and apply again then.I imagine current post-holder is off on MatLeave no later than 1 April so they don't have a lot of time to sort something out.

OP posts:
Snowydrift · 19/02/2013 10:34

Ok, don't put that in your cover letter. That's bad and it makes you seem desperate and draws their attention to the fact you think you can't do the job properly. Can you read up about the software and say something like "I am experienced in the use of XX" (something you do know) and then put in brackets (similar to SQL in this way). Don't put you've never used it, that's too negative for a cover letter. You must only put positive things in it. When you get to an interview, if they ask outright, then you say you've never used it, but you know this, you are a wick learner bla bla. But not in the cover letter!

Oh, and if they changed the job description then it's not technically the same job you'd be applying for is it Wink

Snowydrift · 19/02/2013 10:37

Hmmm, wick = quick!

Original poster
lljkk · 19/02/2013 10:41

Damage already done, lol, first time i applied.

I don't get this job screening stuff at all. If I were hiring, I would rather an applicant addressed directly every job spec whether they met job spec well or not and if they were deficient how they would address that deficiency. I would respect the applicant all the more for a frank assessment of their own capacity to meet every job spec.

And then as a hirer I wouldn't have to sit there reading between the lines, searching for the things the applicant didn't say but that I needed to know nonetheless.

But I know, I know, I've got the message now (from elsewhere, too). That applicant is only supposed to talk themselves up and completely ignore any possible failings, or put the most tenuous spin on their capacity to rise to that job spec. Weird system, but I will work with it.

I didn't save full copy of first job descrip and I don't know if it is that different, just reformatted methinks.

OP posts:
Original poster
lljkk · 19/02/2013 14:57

Ah nuts, heard back from the temp job I thought I could do well "we regret to inform...": I have asked them for a little feedback about what did successful applicants have that I didn't. Hope that was reasonable to ask and they actually give a few details.

I am still convinced that 8 yrs away from external employment and my age are the REAL reasons I'm not getting interviews. But hey ho hum, we shall see.

OP posts:
stephcat · 21/02/2013 23:37

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mrssmooth · 22/02/2013 17:38

I did Avon for nearly 4 years. Think I averaged about £70 every campaign (ie every 3 weeks). A lot of wandering around in all weathers for very little financial reward IMHO! Congrats on getting your sales leadership though!

mrssmooth · 22/02/2013 17:40

Never got trained in anything either ... Maybe my SL wasn't that great! :/

stephcat · 23/02/2013 00:07

hi mrs smooth, sorry to hear it sounds like you lucked out with SL - same with any employment reallly if your boss lets you down its hard to succeed. I must add I am a fair weather rep ;-) (how do you get those smiley faces to work!)

It all depends on territory and support from SL - me - well I am a strong believer in giving all you can to your team to help them, after all you are only as good as his/her team. If you fancy going for it again PM me! Thanks

mrssmooth · 24/02/2013 17:38

Thanks for the offer Stephcat, but like I say, been there, done that for very little financial reward - had a fantastic territory and some great clients, but with the best will in the world you can't force them to spend money. Not for me, certainly not for a "proper" job earning decent money!