How do you keep morale up when job-hunting?

[christinarossetti19]

I'm finding it quite demoralising.

Sending applications and not even receiving an autoreply acknowledgement.

Preparing for interviews and just not hearing afterwards.

Not being able to apply for jobs/get interview because I haven't got enough experience in X.

Not getting jobs because I'm over-qualified.

I'm studying a post graduate course, seeing my friends outside, exercising etc etc but have this weird feeling that I'm somehow living outside of life.

I find myself look at people with jobs, even if I speak to someone on the phone, and feeling wonder that they've got this seemingly elusive thing!

I've been self-employed for a long time, which I don't think it a particularly desirable attribute for employers, but I can't do anything about that.

How do others keep their pecker up?

Its an extra £500 per year that they pay, in monthly installments, so that's quite good. I wonder if I could still claim the £6pm on top of that?

That's pretty good YeDancer, should cover heating etc.

Good to hear you sounding so positive.

@YeDancer

Its an extra £500 per year that they pay, in monthly installments, so that's quite good. I wonder if I could still claim the £6pm on top of that?

The £6/month is tax relief - you claim it from HMRC via a self assessment form, not your employer - they've been generous giving you an allowance, you are in danger of coming across as grabby.

If someone is entitled to tax relief, considering claiming it isn't 'grabby'.

I'm not sure whether you can claim the tax relief if you receive an allowance from your employer - that would be worth looking up.

@Harryhaha

you are in danger of coming across as grabby

As someone who is disabled, every little helps.

I bet you don't realize I need to pay for a blue badge so I can park outside my own house? or place of work if they wanted me to travel for work? Its home based, but not remote working. And no - the blue badge doesn't give you free parking in multi story car parks. Not good when that's the only parking around with a disabled bay.

Disabled rail cards have to be paid for too

I have to pay for hidden disability lanyards if I want one

I have to pay extra for adjustments to enable me to enjoy things on an equal footing to everyone else, like spotify, netflix, amazon, cinema visits etc. I have to pay a contribution for the adapted equipment my council give me. Things that I shouldn't need to pay for but equality law isn't as strong as you might believe.

I don't get full Access to Work funding to cover my workplace adjustments and no I can't use PIP instead because that's not what its for.

Not every disabled person get disability benefits or the full benefit. There's also lots of other things that disabled people need to live and work but don't actually get for free. Things that non-disabled people, such as yourself, never need to use or pay for.

So as I said, every penny helps. We actually have less money to enjoy life than privileged, ignorant and judgmental non disabled people like yourself do. Its also a lot harder to find and stay in work. You need to check your privilege, read the full thread (where I mention being disabled) before you judge someone and call them 'grabby'

@christinarossetti19 Thanks for the support, hope your own job searching is going well

[quote YeDancer]@Harryhaha

you are in danger of coming across as grabby

As someone who is disabled, every little helps.

I bet you don't realize I need to pay for a blue badge so I can park outside my own house? or place of work if they wanted me to travel for work? Its home based, but not remote working. And no - the blue badge doesn't give you free parking in multi story car parks. Not good when that's the only parking around with a disabled bay.

Disabled rail cards have to be paid for too

I have to pay for hidden disability lanyards if I want one

I have to pay extra for adjustments to enable me to enjoy things on an equal footing to everyone else, like spotify, netflix, amazon, cinema visits etc. I have to pay a contribution for the adapted equipment my council give me. Things that I shouldn't need to pay for but equality law isn't as strong as you might believe.

I don't get full Access to Work funding to cover my workplace adjustments and no I can't use PIP instead because that's not what its for.

Not every disabled person get disability benefits or the full benefit. There's also lots of other things that disabled people need to live and work but don't actually get for free. Things that non-disabled people, such as yourself, never need to use or pay for.

So as I said, every penny helps. We actually have less money to enjoy life than privileged, ignorant and judgmental non disabled people like yourself do. Its also a lot harder to find and stay in work. You need to check your privilege, read the full thread (where I mention being disabled) before you judge someone and call them 'grabby'[/quote]
Sorry, had I realised you were disabled I’d have treated you differently.

Just had another interview for a job that I really want.

A difficulty being that my mum was admitted to hospital in the middle of the night and I was up most of it on the phone.

I made some notes this morning and had to let them know halfway through that my thinking wasn't as clear as I would want it to be, and I needed to refer to my notes.

I did - I was talking gibberish I think.

Well, did my best on the day and that's all that I can do.

@christinarossetti19

Just had another interview for a job that I really want.

A difficulty being that my mum was admitted to hospital in the middle of the night and I was up most of it on the phone.

I made some notes this morning and had to let them know halfway through that my thinking wasn't as clear as I would want it to be, and I needed to refer to my notes.

I did - I was talking gibberish I think.

Well, did my best on the day and that's all that I can do.

Sorry to hear about your mum, how's she doing? 😞

I think the fact you were honest is a good thing. Fingers crossed again for you.

Thanks for asking Wheresmrpenguin.

She's in her 80s with multiple health problems, but she was okay in herself when I saw her last week.

I think she's got another UTI. It's a long story, but after lots of calls from her yesterday and me liaising with her lifeline and care agency, I ended up calling an ambulance at about 2am as she couldn't stand up and was very confused.

On the phone on and off all night and can't get through to the hospital other than to know which ones she's in, but that's how it is at the moment.

I'd made lots of notes for the interview and was so relieved to have those to refer to, as I couldn't think straight.

They didn't ask me when I could start which always makes me suspicious that they've already got someone lined up, but it's out of my hands now.

@christinarossetti19

Thanks for asking Wheresmrpenguin.

She's in her 80s with multiple health problems, but she was okay in herself when I saw her last week.

I think she's got another UTI. It's a long story, but after lots of calls from her yesterday and me liaising with her lifeline and care agency, I ended up calling an ambulance at about 2am as she couldn't stand up and was very confused.

On the phone on and off all night and can't get through to the hospital other than to know which ones she's in, but that's how it is at the moment.

I'd made lots of notes for the interview and was so relieved to have those to refer to, as I couldn't think straight.

They didn't ask me when I could start which always makes me suspicious that they've already got someone lined up, but it's out of my hands now.

Oh i'm sorry you must have been so worried :(

Any news on both fronts?

Thanks Wheresmrpenguin.

She was admitted on IV antibiotics and I'm just trying to get through to see how she is today.

I feel guilty phoning as it must be so annoying for the staff to hear the phone ringing all the time, but she can't use her phone properly when she's like this.

No news on the job front - they said by the end of the week.

I've had a couple of discussions re small pieces of freelance work with previous commissioners, so I'll be disappointed if I don't get the job but hopefully not as despondent as previously.

How are things going for you?

I don't know because I don't know how I do it. I'm on universal credit where they give you peanuts. I guess it's just a kick now and then when I see a new job and realising how desperate I am to get off UC.

I can imagine sprinkleyumnut - it's so hard.

Just taken a phone call. Didn't get the job although came a 'very close second' because someone else had more recent experience of a particular area of the role. Scored the same in the interview and some of my answers were the best they'd had.

Lots of very positive feedback and if the other person hadn't applied, I would have been the stand out candidate.

But of course they did and I wasn't.

I don't feel too bad about it at the moment, but the repeated experience of doing good interviews then not getting the job because 'someone else has more relevant skills and experience' is causing me some despair, I must admit.

It feels a bit like Einstein's definition of insanity - keeping on doing the same thing hoping for a different outcome.

I'm off grid for the weekend, but hope that everyone has a pleasant bank holiday - weather looks great!

@christinarossetti19

I can imagine sprinkleyumnut - it's so hard.

Just taken a phone call. Didn't get the job although came a 'very close second' because someone else had more recent experience of a particular area of the role. Scored the same in the interview and some of my answers were the best they'd had.

Lots of very positive feedback and if the other person hadn't applied, I would have been the stand out candidate.

But of course they did and I wasn't.

I don't feel too bad about it at the moment, but the repeated experience of doing good interviews then not getting the job because 'someone else has more relevant skills and experience' is causing me some despair, I must admit.

It feels a bit like Einstein's definition of insanity - keeping on doing the same thing hoping for a different outcome.

I'm off grid for the weekend, but hope that everyone has a pleasant bank holiday - weather looks great!

Don't feel bad about ringing, I'm sure you're being reasonable in the circumstances. Fingers crossed for the antibiotics.

Sorry to hear you didn't get it. I know what you mean about insanity but its hard to know what to do next. I really don't know to get past that. I've had close friends being told the same for jobs recently who have never had an issue in the past. 😔

Nothing for me, been getting tons of recruiters and companies contacting me directly, but they're either unsuitable hours or locations. 1 looks promising but I've not had another update yet. I think the recruiter thought I was too good for the job though so might not have pushed the company for me. I'm starting a new course for a career change/boost and gonna do some relevant volunteering too, been contacted about an opportunity for my dream job on the volunteering website, its just a shame its unpaid but its good experience so hopefully I get that.

Sorry to hear about the job christinarossetti. It seems like you're nearly there every time which must be very hard.

Popped on to check up on people (via a name change) and say that DH has a job interview on Tuesday so fingers crossed this won't be another case of going through three rounds only to lose out at the last minute. We don't really know what the job is and no idea on salary but it's got past the stage that it matters now - he just needs to be in work for his self esteem.

Wishing your dh every good luck tomorrow Luobogao. I know that he's had a long, difficult run of it.

Wheresmrpenguin sounds like a good plan. The OU module I've been doing has been helpful over the last few months as a distraction as much as anything else. Hope that you secure the volunteering opportunity - what website did you use?

I keep thinking about voluntary work, but don't know what. It would need to be something to develop my skills and potential to get a job, not just pass the time as I've done more than enough of that over the last 18 months.

@christinarossetti19

Wishing your dh every good luck tomorrow Luobogao. I know that he's had a long, difficult run of it.

Wheresmrpenguin sounds like a good plan. The OU module I've been doing has been helpful over the last few months as a distraction as much as anything else. Hope that you secure the volunteering opportunity - what website did you use?

I keep thinking about voluntary work, but don't know what. It would need to be something to develop my skills and potential to get a job, not just pass the time as I've done more than enough of that over the last 18 months.

I've signed up to Reach Volunteering, theyre like proper jobs, (i've done a post in the Chat page about it if you want to read) and you'd apply to the website. I've been contacted directly about 2 jobs that annoyingly, I would never get a chance at if i applied for in paid work...so clearly I've got the relevant experience and skills I know i do for these jobs.

Thanks Wheresmrpenguin.

Indeed, somehow your skills and experience are so much, em, better when you won't be paid for them.

I guess it's all about seeing the bigger picture and sucking it up if it gets you to where you want to be.

I had another no today.
I made it through to the final 2 and they went with the internal candidate over me. It's frustrating to get so far and to have a no with amazing feedback - they couldn't criticize anything and said I would have the job if they didn't have an internal candidate.

I have no other interviews lined up but continuing to apply with the hopes something will come up soon and see what that job saw

I'm sorry to hear that Dancerinthemoonlight.

That's pretty much my experience too.

I am losing the will to live somewhat, I must admit.

@christinarossetti19 thank you. I know I'm lucky to have a job at the moment but I dread logging into work each morning so the only thing keeping me going is my escape route. There just doesn't seem to be that many well paid jobs in my industry at the moment and especially that are within commuting distance.

It's frustrating when you get that sort of feedback as there isn't anything to change or improve your chances of getting a job. It all comes down to luck

Well, a job that you hate and dread logging into is as grim as being unemployed in its own way.

I'm struggling today. I had a bit of a break from job-hunting over the summer hoping that I might be lucky and get the job that I interviewed for last week, but the reality of yet another season of job-hunting is dawning on me.

So down and pissed off with this.

Just came across this thread, and wanted to post a message (NC). I lost my job earlier this year so been job-hunting for a while. Lots of applications, calls with recruiters, interviews. My job was quite specialised, and I couldn't do it self-employed (I wish I could!). I'm trying to keep my spirits up but it's getting hard as I believe(d?) that I was quite good what I do. You asked about the Prince2 course, did you end up doing it? I was also thinking about it.

Hi InSearchOf, no, I haven't done a Prince2 course as yet. Still not sure if I will. None of the jobs that I've applied for have asked for it, and any that do will require more recent project manager experience.

My last 'project manager' job was nearly 20 years ago and, although I have used and developed all the skills involved over the intervening years, I'd always be up against people with more recent skills and experience which is the position that I'm in already.

I'm doing a course at the OU which approaches project management from a different direction (more suited to my line of work). It's interesting and would be even more so if I actually had a work-based situation to apply it to.

But if you have recent project manager experience and want to continue in that area, the Prince2 qualification would seem to open a lot of doors.