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Why is it so difficult to get a job?
IainJammyboy
Posts: 944 Part of The Mix Family
I can't even apply to become a part time cleaner - to get a job you need experience, and to get experience you need a job. I give up lmao
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Like Jess said, try not to give up and keep applying - eventually you will get a break through
Sending Hugs
Sinead
Job hunting is very stressful and you're right in saying that it's even more so when you have limited work experience. What @jess63 said it's true, volunteering, especially in the type of position you'd like to apply to later on, is valued a lot by employers or people that are tasked with evaluating your cv. For example, i mentioned volunteering here in my cover letter when applying for my masters and one of the unis that got back to me mentioned that what i wrote about my job here was pivotal in convincing them that i would be a good candidate (it's in cognitive neuroscience, so related to mental health). Even when it might not be related to what you want to do later in life, it shows time management and . Would volunteering be something you'd like to consider?
I know it's also frustrating to look at entry level jobs and minimum wage jobs given that the pay is usually very low, but if you look into working in retail or for a job as a waiter/bartender for chain restaurants or well known fast fashion companies (for example), they usually don't ask for a lot of experience. It will be different if you're looking for an entry level job in restaurants or companies that are considered to be a little more high end. As an example, Amorino always looks for employees with 1/2 years of experience but Zizzi or McDonald's might not. Something i've seen a lot of people do is start out with jobs like the latter just to get some experience and then move on to something else. You can take away so-called transferable skills from all types of jobs so don't worry too much about finding something that might look a little better on your cv when starting out!
What type of job are you looking for?
Let us know how job hunting goes
It's so frustrating to gain a job 😩. Just like what @genderless_fungi said, have you considered volunteering? It may help increase your chances of getting a job, as you can acquire skills in an environment that is similar to the one you're applying for and it shows your dedication and interest in a certain field (since it tells employers that you're not there for the money).
I agree with what everyone else has said above, perseverance is important - please don't give up, you will definitely get that 'yes' eventually! But please remember that it's also okay to take breaks too as job searching is super overwhelming and tiring. Volunteering is also something to consider, it informs employers that you're committed, which is something they value greatly!
I'd also like to suggest maybe (I've never tried this before, but I plan to, and this may be worth a shot) going to the places you want to work for in-person and then speaking to the manager/worker there, and see if they'll be willing to look at your CV? Surprisingly, quite a few job opportunities aren't posted on online websites like Indeed, since recruiting can take a lot of time and resources. So maybe there are companies that are hiring for people that you just don't know yet! I can understand how this can be challenging and nerve-inducing though. But you do ever try it, you're very brave for doing this.
I hope this helps, and best of luck with this difficult process!
It brings even more joy when you eventually have that "yes". In fact, it is something I experienced this year so I can also relate. It is a really ecstatic feeling when you finally hear the "yes" you never saw coming and sometimes can be even better than you can imagine
Here are a few things which have helped me continue to persevere:
- remembering that you're not alone in getting rejections
- reminding yourself that if you don't get a job in the end, it doesn't reflect your self-worth and what you're capable of achieving
- don't compare yourself to others, everyone's journey of getting a job is different! (this is super important for me to remember since my friends have part-time jobs)
- the difficulty you experience now will benefit you in the long-term, since after finishing uni, it can be difficult to get a graduate job, so people might give up right away since they'll be receiving a lot of rejections. So the resilience you develop now can make you less likely to give up immediately when it comes to applying for future jobs (you could say that this develops character ^^)
All the hardship will all be temporary - everything will work out for us in the end
Remember not to take rejections to heart too much - it hurts a lot at first, but I find it useful to think about it more as a mismatch than a rejection. Usually, it's not that you're a bad candidate, but that you're not the right match for the role. That mindset helps you to feel less like they're rejecting you as a person, and instead that if this isn't a match, then another role will a better one. I wish you the best of luck in your job hunt - keep us posted on how you get on, we're all here to cheer you on!
In my experience, most fast food jobs did not require any experience, maybe that's worth a try? Even if you don't particularly like a job it can give you experience for your CV to help you apply to future jobs.
Don't let rejections from jobs get you down, there will be a job out there for you if you're patient and keep trying. Best of luck!
its very annoying @IainJammyboy i think to get experience u can do work experience where u like work for free for say a week so that u can get exper\ience, i dont think it guarantees a job but it probably helps
I can relate to that, because im also trying to look for a job...
Ive finished year 11 around 2/3 months ago and ive been struggling to find a part time job either its way too far away (i dont have a car or an oyster yet) or they dont let 16 y/os or require alot of experience, ive decided to maybe look for a job another time since i dont *have* to work right now, i know maybe thats a bit different when you're an adult and getting a job is more important since you have to become more independent and earn your own money.
Volunteering is also a good idea because it shows that you want to help others even if you don't really earn any money from it, (but yes, sometimes finding volunteer jobs is also difficult, because sometimes all volunteering jobs are all taken!)
But don't give up! maybe try going to shops/cafes/ restaurants etc in person and asking them if there are any jobs available? Asking in person is alot better than going to indeed or looking for places online?
Sometimes, opportunities come when you least expect it
How is your own job search going? What kind of roles are you looking for?