Is it possible to get a job if you REALLY want one?

[MrsSnape]

I have been searching for a job since last year with no luck. I am currently unemployed and single so living existing on benefits.

I am desperate for work now and have decided that after the summer holidays (or towards the end) I am going to go all out to get a job, ANY job...

People say if you really want to work, you will find a job. Is this true?

Any ideas of where to look? who to apply to?

I'm going to write to Tesco and Asda first. Anymore ideas?

Sorry just re-read OP evening things are out then.

Good luck, and don't give up. you'll get something in the end.

yes expat. As I said, if you are totally mobile, no caring responsibilites, prepared to move etc, then I think it's perfectly possible. The more restrictions you have, the harder it is.
Generalisations aren't particularly helpful either.
I think the useful thing to come out of this discussion is that there is no doubt that people have different 'thresholds' of what they are prepared to tolerate. I know people with school age kids who won't entertain the possibility of any job which isnt term time only, starts later than school drop off and finishes earlier than school pick up. Other people are prepared to organise and pay for child care. We came very close to jacking either my job or DHs job when we were paying two sets of nursery fees (almost all of one wage at the time) and we had the nightmare scenario I described above with eldest dc starting school and no childcare for her. We decided to stick with it and set up the club, but many people wouldnt, and who can blame them. I think you just have to make your choices and accept the downside of them.

I do think that the number of people who can't get work must be very very small. I think most people if they want to can get a job it just might not be the job they want.

I've mentioned jobs advertised in our local job centre to a couple of people I know who say they want work, but they've not followed them up so I agree twinset. One of them said to me that it didn't pay enough!! As it was only four hours a day, 10 to 2, and her kids are in school during these hours, and she has her MIL picking her kids up half the time anyway I couldnt quite see the logic in that!! The job was local and wouldnt even incur travel costs - so all the money would be hers! There's no doubt that some people are just too picky - by 'I want a job' they mean 'I want a job on MY terms!'

Have you signed up with all the employment agencies in your area, Mrs Snape?

I went into all mine, mostly toting DS in his pushchair and saying I wanted to work no more than 25 hours a week, but I still found something.

I also applied for several full-time jobs with the intention of telling them at interview (if I got one) that I only wanted to work part-time. I think it might have worked out if I could have got something in the public sector.

I agree about the generalities being a bit nonsensical, but perhaps it's just a case of trying out some different avenues that you haven;t tried before?

Hi ive been looking for full time work for over a year, maybe i am fussy but i don't want to work until 8pm (shops near me open until 8pm or later during the week) i don't want to work every saturday AND sunday (when would i see my kids) and to travel to work in the next town, i found out last week a 10 minute drive would take me at least an hour using public transport (i dont drive).

I refuse to spend at least 10 hrs a week travelling to and from work i am a single parent and i dont want my kids left alone at home for hour's on end.I would also like to spend time with my kids as well as work!

I forgot to say i took a job i was told i would not have to work until 8pm or work both saturday AND sunday in the same weekend.7 months later i had to leave because i was working most weekends saturday and sunday AND until 8pm during the week!

www.jobs.nhs.uk/
I have no qualifications worth mentioning and got a job with them, the thing is apply now, as it takes ages to start the job, from application.
they are very pro disablities as well.

IME and my DH's experience, it is much much easier to get a job if you have no qualifications. My DH's background is in manufacturing management before he was made redundant. In the last few years the only jobs he has been able to get have been those where no CV/application form was required. Employers are bloody prejudiced.

Depends on where you live and how difficult it is to arrange child care I think.
As well as the job centre and writing to the big firms, do you have any "contacts"? Is there anyone you know that runs a business or who works at a school that could be looking for someone? Things like that are great as if you have the recommendation of someone who's already there then it's a real foot-in-the-door.

here
I have no qualifications worth mentioning and got a job with them, the thing is apply now, as it takes ages to start the job, from application.
they are very pro disablities as well.

To all the ladies:

Before I had my son, I had a great job, but the company relocated to Southampton (I lived in London). When G was 4 months (now 21 months) I started working again in local government,but just couldn't be away from G and the cost of childcare made the money I got ireelevant. This time I decided to favour quality time with my son and now run my own business, with Pampered Chef, and would love to share the incredible opportunities with you.

You work your own hours, you get loads of support and trainning and, above all is fun! There are people from every background imaginable, and no...don't fool yourselves, it's not a get-rich quick scenario, but it is your own business and you get out of it what you put in.

Just have a look at my website:

www.pamperedchef.biz/nara

It really was the best decision I could have taken...I get the best of both worlds!