Why can’t I get a job

[nonamemummy]

I had a casual job when when I was younger in a b&m. Think I was 15. Then I went to college and had 2 kids. I started another job in a care home. But I’ve been applying for jobs but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere what am I doing wrong? Isit because I just don’t really have much experience?

B&B*

What sort of jobs are you applying for?

Are you getting to the interview stage?
If not, have you had someone look over your CV?

Things like pharmacy assistant, optical assistant. As I’m a care assistant I just stuck with the same kind of jobs ‘assistant’ haha

Nope I’m just not even getting a response

What did you do at college? How long were you out of work for and how long have you had your current job? All those things will matter on your cv/applications

What qualifications do you have? Are these apprenticeship positions?

pharmacy assistant, optical assistant as far as I am aware, you need some specialist training for these. What did you do at college? Have you any qualifications relating to care assistant?
If you do a wider job search, what gets your attention and do you think you have transferable skills for these jobs?
All questions to answer yourself honestly!

I sympathise with you. I worked full time self employed for years then I moved away and there were no opportunities where I moved to ( different country in the uk). So I applied for 2 jobs everyday. I tried so hard I about gave myself a breakdown as I felt it didn't deserve to relax and do anything nice for myself nor did I claim any job seekers allowance or anything. I had zero response from all applications despite my strong work ethic and being a grafter. In the end I joined office angels and temped for experience seeing as I could no longer work in the industry I qualified with. Then I asked them for a permanent job and they found me something quickly. It saved my sanity! I recommend joining maybe even a few agencies as some are better than others.

It says on the job adverts no experience etc neccassary as training is provided. No special qualifications etc needed.
I worked from 14 - 16 then went to college to do health and social care then worked the same job at age 19. I’m now 22 but I did only start the care assistant job 6 months ago though

Are you matching your skills and experience carefully to their job description and person specification?

So from a recruitmentpoint point of view based on information given:

1. you are currently working on a job that you have training for- why the change?
2. you have been 6 months in this job, would you stay longer in an other job?
3. you may think you have experience, but it doesn't look like that. You need to get some working time on your CV. Give your current job 12-18 months, then evaluate and change jobs. Or do as Rainin suggests, join an agency...

Your cover letter needs to say something like:

From 2016 - 2018 I studied health and social care at XYZ College, where I learned the value of primary care and correct administration of medication. I also realised how important the relationship between the pharmacist and the patient can be in making sure that a prescription is not just filled, but the treatment explained and administered properly. In my six months working as a care assistant, I saw how challenging many older and vulnerable people find taking medication correctly, and want to be of value to people in this regard.

I would like to be considered for this role as know I would be a quick learner and strong member of your team at XYZ, and I strongly feel that the role of the pharmacy is a vital one in the community.

I believe my training and experience give me a particular insight into your most vulnerable customers, and look forward to training as a pharmacy assistant to help them.

Best,

You can adapt this very easily to optician’s assistant etc.

Your cover letter has to tell an engaging story that demonstrates you are passionately interested in what that employer does and their values.

What do you have to offer that makes you better than the other applicants? You need to work out your specific qualities (even if they are random, such as patience, enjoying listening to people), and you need to put these in a covering letter and tailor each letter to each job.
A hirer will get maybe 50 applicants for a job and will only have the time to interview maybe 10 of them. You have to show some kind of spark to get yourself into that shortlist.

You could get an agency to help with your application?
go through an agency?
get help with application/CV from Job Centre.
Write a lot
what do you want to do?
how are your qualifications?

Do you have any local job support agencies or charities? They can help with guidance and support.

How is your CV in terms of spelling and punctuation, even layout?

What do you actually want to do? You seem to be casting round a little aimlessly, which may be coming across in applications - "I want to be an xyz assistant because I have been an abc assistant" etc

Agree with previous posters that you need to get some time served in a job before you move on and start applying elsewhere.

A prospective employer will not look favourably on only 6 months recent work experience.

Do you have any qualifications eg maths & English?

I would stick with your care assistant role and build up the experience. I started as a care assistant in a Nursing home 7 years ago. After 2 years I applied for a support workers job and got it because I had the experience. Even though these jobs say no experience needed, someone who has experience is more likely to get the job. Also get someone to proof read all your application.

there are plenty of other applicants for most jobs op.
agree with sticking where you are, do an nvq
build up your cv
dont lose hope

Yeah I did think that I would have to stay at current job to gain some experience first because I don’t really have much.

What kind of agency do you mean? What will they do?

Yes I do have my English and maths GCSE

Thanks for all your replies everyone

What kind of agency do you mean? What will they do?

A recruitment agency. They find jobs.

I think the motest important thing for you to do is make sure you can show potential employers that you have the skills they're looking for. This doesn't have to be gained in a job but can be eg running a household.

Another common error is not addressing ALL of the essential criteria from the job description in your CV or application. You need to make it very obvious that you have everything they ask for (don't just assume that they will know you do because you are applying).
You need to highly tailor your application, cover letter, AND CV for each and every application.
I'd ask a few friends or relatives (ideally people in more senior or managerial roles) to look over one of your applications and CVs along with the description of the job applied for and see if they have some pointers.
I have done this for a few friends and colleagues before and seen some truly atrocious CVS from very capable people.
Best of look OP

From an employers point of view you have very little experience and work ethic. I’d stick with your current role, study alongside it and then look again in eighteen months or so.