Home Work & Study
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨

Redundant for almost a year now

BillieTheBotBillieTheBot Posts: 8,721 Bot
I've been out of the loop now since last September, from what I believe is through no fault of my own. My old firm went into liquidation - us chucked out at zero notice, being informed just 1 day prior to our last working day. I have applied for about 120 jobs and posted 40 speculative letters to local firms. Out of these efforts, I had 6 interviews but to no avail. Being disabled, I always tick the box which guarantees an interview if within the jobspec but I find that to be a load of bollocks.

Also, is it true that "it's not what you know but who you know" when applying to local govt? I volunteered myself for 3 weeks at my local NHS IT help desk. They thought I was brilliant and they thought the world of me. That was bollocks too. Several vacancies cropped up for their help desk. Not only I volunteered there and already worked 7 years previously on help desk, I didn't succeed. That was a blow and a half to me, as it was a job that I really should have secured, no exceptions.

So guys, I'm after something in the £14-15K range, working full time. That's not too much to ask is it? Having said that, I'm even getting rejected for shelf stacking / cleaning / bakery and other menial shiznit.

What help is there for me, not only as a long-term jobseeker, but a disabled one? I'm always failing at the interview, because my low vision/hearing means that I can't read body language or express body language. People who have been interviewed before will know very well that body language is a part of the interview. In the last 10 years, I've had 2 jobs. How did I get those 2 jobs? Simple. I was the only candidate. If I was the only one, then they're stuck with me, poor fellas. If there is more than just me, then I'm last pick. A classic example was Christmas time 7 months ago - 3 candidates, interviewed for 2 posts. That means 2 people gets the jobs and 1 person loses out. I needn't tell you who failed. Again, this was for help desk, so it's 100% relevant to my old job of 7 years, and I should have therefore secured it.

I still have a roof and food but of course, living frugally. I haven't been clubbing since September when I lost my job and I haven't bought 'normal' luxuries such as a computer game, again, since before I lost the job. Okay, I told a lie - I bought 2 DVDs with Christmas money, but I mean erm... fucking wowww. With this lifestyle (or lack of), I don't know how much longer I can live like this before I give up and switch to unhealthy thoughts. I am very cheerful in nature, but 2010 is ruining me.

I know that the longer I've been out of work, the less desirable I become as a candidate. What help is there for me? Surely, there should be a first-come-first-served system for those out of work for the longest? I have already volunteered and I'm looking to volunteer again, probably for Age Concern and/or the local HIV unit. I'm certainly not going back to the NHS help desk, not after being royally screwed by them. Hopefully the volunteer route can work, but it didn't work last time. Thanks Namaste for your email, suggesting tailored CVs. I didn't know you were allowed to have more than 1 CV, because agencies tend to only ask for 1 CV. Oh, and I'm not getting anywhere with agencies either. I'm just basically unemployable.
Beep boop. I'm a bot.

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It's very disheartening being out of work and I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience both with the liquidisation of your previous employment, and then the subsequent period of no employment. Firstly, I can guarantee that you didn't get the previous jobs purely due to being the only candidate. A company would prefer to go, in general, without a position being filled than employ a sub-standard employee.

    You mention that your low vision and hearing has affected your ability to read body language, have you specified this disability to employers when applying for a job? I know that some forms don't allow you to specify this, however, I certainly feel that if you feel that you would be put at a disadvantage because of this in an interview situation then there would be no harm in contacting the company prior to the interview in order to see if either you can be accommadated more at interview, or at the very least interviewers don't hold this against you without understanding the reasons why you respond in a certain way. While being able to read and respond to body language is certainly important for potential employers to gauge how you respond in certain situations (and for you responding to their body language appropiately) have you considered doing 'mock interviews' with family/friends in order to build up your confidence in interview situations? You could also make sure that you always emply some positive body language (even if you can't read the interviewers' responses) e.g. leaning forwards slightly in the chair, etc.

    While you are out of work have you considered building up your CV with voluntary work. Employers are well aware that the job market is scarce at times and if you can prove that you were actively seeking to gain new skills while out of work I'm sure that this would be looked on favourably by employers
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi

    So sorry to hear about your predicament, if it's any consilation I have been unemployed for over 2yrs now.....

    Anyway to pick up on some of the points you made:

    1) "It's not what you know but who you know", your exactly right here I volunteered for my local MP for a campaign assistant during the local election. I was invited to any interview, where prior to the interview I was told nothing about what the job entailed or what was going to be required, So I turned up thinking its going to be a 1-1 interview, instead it turned out to be a tour around the houses of parliament with no mention of the volunteering position I applied for, I felt totally ignored, frustrated and very angry since I thought volunteering was put forward as a good idea by politicians. Now having met my local MP I can safely say we are worlds apart, he can't communicate with people from lower middle and poorer backgrounds.

    2) I am not sure what your disability is, whether its the low vision and hearing that you feel is affecting your body language. If you get to an Interview stage, smile, look interested, ask questions about the products or services. On the application forms there should be details where you can describe your disability and also ask for assistance. But you are right in the fact there are companies who descriminate against people with disabilities because it will cost them extra(time off, extra facilities, etc etc).

    3) Get your CV updated if not already, highlight your experience with the job you are going for. Also look for other volunteering opportunities. Then look at what type of jobs you are looking for.

    4) If you are above college age or over 21 then chances are you will find it very hard to get shop/store work, because mostly college and school kids are given these jobs because of the wages and salaries. If you do get a job here it is only likely to be limited part time hours.

    5) Chase up for references, from all your past employers. If you are looking for IT work then you have more than most with 3 weeks work experience on help desk support. But I must warn you that IT is one of the most competitive fields to get into and if you don't have the up-to-date skills or the 6 months experience then you will struggle, just like myself.

    6) Don't forget we are in a recession at the moment, and unemployment is hitting everyone and everywhere whether its going from full time to part time, or people being made redundant.

    If you feel you have done all off the above or heard it before then I apologise I know it can be very frustrating listening to the same people saying the same thing time and time again.

    Just keep on trying, if you want things to do try something like citysocialising or volunteering I know things cost money but having something positive or something to do with your time is better than sitting in doors twiddly your thumbs.....Try and be proactive....

    I wish you all the best...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Namaste is exactly right that you should tailor your CV for each job you apply for. Look at the person specification and highlight on your CV the relevant experience and skills you have for this post.

    Well done on the volunteering. You should definitely go back to this. It shows initiative and determination and a willingness to work which employers will definitely be impressed with. I hope you are putting your volunteer work on your CV too?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Are you adding your volunteer work to your CV? It would help to fill in gaps and make it appear as though you have chosen to volunteer in those times.

    In my experience you generally would be expected to tailor your CV for different roles, but this would be a case of giving an agency a slightly modified CV before they send it off to a client. Or if you were applying direct, making a few alterations that might make your CV "fit" that job better.

    But is it the CV stage where you are falling? It sounds like it is the interview that it the hurdle. I'm not sure what help is out there for that, but (generally) confidence is key. You need to appear confident (even if you are not) that you can do the job and that the job is right for you. (At the same time, you must avoid coming across as arrogant, it's a fine line.) I suspect after this time and a number of knockbacks you might be losing confidence at interview, and this will be showing. Try to free your mind of the issues, and concentrate on your skills and the facts that you know how to do the jobs you are going for.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    hey monserrat,

    i really sympathise. especially with the interview bit. does your local job centre offer practice interviews? i know it's part of your disability but it might be worth a go. also, im not sure if you're in contact with them but http://www.employ-ability.org.uk/ are pretty good. im not sure if you're a graduate but apparently they help non graduates too. they helped me out with an application to the nhs graduate scheme allowing me to bypass the maths test because of my learning difficulties.

    best of luck and keep us updated!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks a lot peeps!

    @ Mist, I don't think the CV is my main failure. If it's a 1-interview process, I will fail that interview. If it's a 2-interview process, I will always pass stage 1 then fail stage 2.

    @ Jamelia, I haven't been writing down my volunteer work, so I'll get that updated right away. Also, I'll try multi-CVs. I know I was always free to update my CV, just never knew it was allowed to have a multi-CV.

    @ Betsy, I only have one eye and even that uses a -26.5 lens. Read strong! My hearing loss is only moderate, but is much of a pain in the backside than sight. Body language is definitely out of the question, and I have a slight lisp (can't pronounce 'th'). I might specify this on the application forms and see where that goes.

    @ MrShyDrops, yes, I am 31, so I guess that is what's ruling me out from supermarket-type roles.

    @ MrShyDrops again, my help desk experience is 7 years at my previous job and the 3 weeks volunteering. I didn't think that help desk was competitive, since most people hate being shouted and cursed at down the telephone line. If it was web or graphic design, then yes, I understand. That is much more competitive.
  • Olly_BOlly_B Posts: 222 Trailblazer
    Hi Monserrat,

    There's lots of brilliant advice on here already, so I'll suggest a couple more things to think about.

    The first is have you gone back to the places you've got interviews for and asked them why you weren't selected? Good employers should give you useful feedback about why you weren't selected - often they don't because they are never asked, but if you are polite about asking for it people will often make the time. A short email saying "Hi, thanks for the interview. I'm obviously really disappointed about not getting the position, but I'd really welcome the opportunity to talk through my interview and find out where I did well and badly. Would it be possible to arrange a phone chat/whatever with you?". Especially the hospital position where you've already got a good relationship with them, it's the least they can do.

    Secondly, if you are getting second interviews but then not succeeding it suggests that a lot of people really like and value you. Employers *do not* interview people for the fun of it, and that's even more true for a second interview. You are being called back because the employer thinks you are as much of a potential candidate as the other people they are calling back. What they are trying to ensure in a second interview is that the *best* candidate gets the job.
    What sort of things might they be looking for?
    - Are you passionate about this job/industry/role/organisation?
    - Will you fit in with the team here?
    - Do you have long-term ambitions that match the role?
    - Will you develop within the organisation or will you jump ship when something better comes along?
    These might be areas you want to concentrate on. Technically you might be very competent, but it might be that you come across as someone lacking passion or commitment.

    It's very easy to blame 'who you know', and I'm sure there are a lot of organisations where that is true, but be wary of relying on that as 'an excuse'. I once had to interview someone who, it has to be said, was truly awful, but was convinced the only reason we didn't appoint them was because they were Scottish. I got the feeling that they were using their Scottishness to justify to themselves why they weren't getting a job; rather than actually accepting the feedback that I had given.

    I can understand why you don't want to go back to volunteering at the NHS after what happened, but if you've got good relationships there then don't cut all ties with them for the sake of it. Be honest with them - you were really gutted that you didn't get the job, but you'd really benefit from them helping you to develop further to help improve your job prospects. Your tenacity won't go unnoticed.

    Good luck with everything...


    Olly
Sign In or Register to comment.