[Solved] desperate....any suggestions

Hi Lee

It's annoying that, from what you have said, you are one of the people who is desparate to work and doing everything you can to find work and not content to just give up and live off benefits, and yet you still can't get a job. All I can do is encourage you to keep looking until you succeed.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

The only thing I can suggest is the usual trite of customising your CV for each job, always including a cover letter, etc. None of them worked for me but it can't hurt 🙂

I spent a long time unemployed back in 2002, the turning point for me was a week spent with one of these out-of-work schemes I was placed by the Job Centre. Aside from the skills I picked up there, I think the biggest thing for me is that the people running it didn't see me as written off and helped with my confidence no end - do they do anything like that in your area? I didn't know about mine until I was forced to go on it by the rules but if I could have gone earlier then I'd probably have been in work a lot sooner!

Good luck and don't let it get you down 🙂

I'll add a couple of things on the back of realitycheque's comments.

Firstly, check your CV and covering letter thoroughly for typing errors, spelling mistakes and other silly errors. Then get someone else to check it as well - I know in a lot of jobs it shouldn't matter whether you can spell perfectly or not, but the fact is that for any job, you may be competing with dozens of other people, and it's simple things like this than can make the difference of getting the interview or not.

Secondly, consider doing voluntary work - it will show that you are keen to do something, and there's always the possibility that if paid work comes along, you'll be first in line for it.

It's just a sad state at the moment. I'm at a similar stage. I've been put on this government work programme thing, which is more of a hindrance than it is a help. Before going on these scheme I was entitled to free education courses (funded by ESF so its free for everyone), but the one i'm doing now has set me back £110, and the scheme has refused to give me any funding towards it.

I was also doing voluntary work, which I had to stop, due to the scheme, only to be told I can no go back and do voluntary work as it will over-ride any work placement they'd want me to do as i'd already be doing something. So i've gone from doing it all, to doing nothing, to having to find it all again, pesky government!

The problem i'm having is, bar the lack of jobs, is two things. Age counts against me as if they can employ an 18-21 year old to do the job, they will, given they can pay them less an all. Secondly is my qualifications, as i'm deemed over qualified for some jobs, and some employers have even had the cheek to tell me during interviews "I would offer you the job but you really are over qualified for the position"

Just keep whacking out CV's everywhere, that's what i'm doing, granted some are saying no, but i've got some interviews to attend too, and now is the time to get something, as there's plenty of 'temporary christmas' jobs about.

Sorry to hear about your situation guys, you have the right attitude and I suppose it is about getting to the interview stage.

I think sometimes it is luck with jobs but have a think about slightly adjusting the industry - does it have to be in a bar or restaurant. Great customer service is hard to find so consider retail where they want and need people who can offer this.

You may need to look at your CV - there are people who will look at them for you, it may cost but if you get a job then thats good. There are some that will do it for free. You do need to adapt your CV to each application.

Also register for agencies on line - they may ask you to see them face to face and that may help as they will try to sell you to their clients. If you dont back from them in 7 days then change your CV

It is really difficult at the moment but it is worth investing the time to try to get someone to talk to you.

Good luck

Cheers for all ur suggestions guys as luck would have it my wife has just got herself an interview(have to say im a bit jealous) the first time she has applied for a job in 4 years and gets an interview but i suppose it helps us with money so its not all bad. Ill just keep plugging away with applying for everything i can see and see what happens

excellent news, and good luck for her interview. One step at a time - you're next 😀

quick update, My wife didnt get the job 🙁 and i finally have an interview on monday so hopefully i will get it its only a mc donalds job but i dont care anymore as long as im working

only a mc donalds job but i dont care anymore as long as im working

Don't put it down, it's a job and you can be proud that you're trying to support your family.

only a mc donalds job but i dont care anymore as long as im working

Don't put it down, it's a job and you can be proud that you're trying to support your family. 🙂

hope the interview goes ok mate