existentialist
Tired and unemotional
Weltweit, maybe you might like to step back and read some of your advice as it might come across to someone else - I'm really not sure it's helpful.
The job hunting support thread
- Thread starter Cloo
- Start date
Sod stepping back. Apply apply apply. Eventually you will get it. As long as you have support of a best friend(s) and family, you will come up top. That is what I did. Applied applied. Rejected 3 times. Ignored countless application till I hit bingo.
Sapphireblue
Well-Known Member
i think sometimes it's really difficult to decide whether or not to apply for jobs that aren't quite right for whatever reason, but perhaps it might help you to discount these for a bit. it's bad enough getting rejected for an ideal job, getting rejected for a job you didn't really want can be worse somehow. so maybe focusing only on the best jobs might make the whole thing less draining?
also, with this time of year, i imagine there'll be fuck all now til new year. if you can (and i appreciate you probably can't, it's a big ask) try and consider this a time of planned holiday rather than unemployment? it might help you switch off, even if it's just for a week. and then back on it in the new year with renewed vigour.
i'm sure this has all already occurred to you, so sorry about stating the obvious...
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
This is what I've been doing for the last few months, but I was horribly stressed when I started, because of what had been happening at work, and the premature death of a close friend followed by the expected, but still upsetting, death of my mother.
My intention always was to take time out and mend myself, but I've not done that at all, and I'm now much worse than before I left my last job!
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Unfortunately I don't have close friends to support me, or family.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
This has already occurred to me, but it's good to have it restated, as I'm not good at taking my own advice!
I did pull out of a job on the day of the interview because I couldn't stop crying, having been rejected the evening before for a job I really wanted, but also because I realised that I wouldn't take it if it was offered. That's not good practice, and I need to make sure I'm not getting a reputation for applying for wrong jobs.
So now I'm only applying for jobs which I will take, although they're mostly at a lower level than the one I was doing.
I've got an interview on 14 January, and there's another job I've spotted which is due in on 22 January.
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
((guin))
Hang in there.
Take a break.
Apply for some long shot "dream jobs" to buy yourself a bit of temporary hope.
You're getting the interviews so at least your cv and application array strong. though rewriting them - properly - if you havent done so in a while is a worthwhile task. it'll remind you of your strengthes.
but sometimes theres nowt more you can do except just keep on keeping on.
Hang in there.
Take a break.
Apply for some long shot "dream jobs" to buy yourself a bit of temporary hope.
You're getting the interviews so at least your cv and application array strong. though rewriting them - properly - if you havent done so in a while is a worthwhile task. it'll remind you of your strengthes.
but sometimes theres nowt more you can do except just keep on keeping on.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Oh, and signing on is much, much worse than I was expecting and that I remember.
There's one chap there who seems to revel in humiliating me and watching me cry.
There's one chap there who seems to revel in humiliating me and watching me cry.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I am feeling very angry on your behalf, Guin.
They are supposed to motivate you, not demotivate you.
The whole system seems to encourage cruelty towards others.
They are supposed to motivate you, not demotivate you.
The whole system seems to encourage cruelty towards others.
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
Just remember that every second that he's doing that, his soul is rusting a little bit more. I don't believe in much, but I do think that we reap what we sow, and he will get his karma back somehow.
Let's face it, if your idea of kicks is revelling in someone else's misery, your life has to be pretty hollow.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
One of them is really nice - last time I went, we just chatted about Mandela for a while, I signed in the little box, and off I went. I think that was the only time I've been and not cried.
I've only had him once, and you can bet I won't get him again.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Complain if you have the energy!
Or even refuse to deal with him.
You have more power than they like you to think.
Or even refuse to deal with him.
You have more power than they like you to think.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Really? It certainly doesn't feel like that. To be honest, and this is unusual for me, it hadn't occurred to me that I could complain about how he was treating me.
I know that I am due to see Mr Humiliator when I sign on tomorrow, so I will see how he behaves, and think about whether I can find someone to complain to. Usually, I just want to get home, so I do that.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear about that. Life can be difficult, hopefully it will get better for you.
Well that perhaps should be a priority then, is there any subject you could join an evening class about, they are often a good way to meet people, or perhaps a club or society sort of thing, also good ways to meet like minded people.
I have moved house a lot, and anyhow I was never very good at making and keeping friends, but I have started taking the advice of my late mum who always used to advise me to take an evening class or join a club. This last time I moved I did that and now have a small group of putative friends here (and a regular time slot when we meet) who make the whole business of life much more bearable.
I think I now have a new years resolution also which is to join a language evening class, perhaps it might be a way to make a friend or two also.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
Considering this is supposed to be the quiet time of year for job hunting...
One application in Sunday (something fairly basic level but might lead to something better), got an online test thing (oh shit) to do this week.
One application in Monday (localish admin sort of thing for 6 months), did an online test thing (oh shit) as part of the process.
Two applications (agency, fairly basic temp admin things) in yesterday - one rejection today.
One application (sort of work I did some years back - actually had a "please ring for an informal chat" contact which is getting rare, so I did, manager was quite encouraging about it all) I've got to get in by lunchtime tomorrow, so that means before I go to bed tonight. I'm struggling with the pages of BS (it's a council thing, so means writing bits about why you meet each bit of the person spec. A certain amount of copypasta is possible.)
Another application (something south London ish) to do before the weekend.
One application in Sunday (something fairly basic level but might lead to something better), got an online test thing (oh shit) to do this week.
One application in Monday (localish admin sort of thing for 6 months), did an online test thing (oh shit) as part of the process.
Two applications (agency, fairly basic temp admin things) in yesterday - one rejection today.
One application (sort of work I did some years back - actually had a "please ring for an informal chat" contact which is getting rare, so I did, manager was quite encouraging about it all) I've got to get in by lunchtime tomorrow, so that means before I go to bed tonight. I'm struggling with the pages of BS (it's a council thing, so means writing bits about why you meet each bit of the person spec. A certain amount of copypasta is possible.)
Another application (something south London ish) to do before the weekend.
I did one early this week for a council job. complete pain. So this time, I made sure I copied everything I wrote onto word document so any time in the future will just copy and paste.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
maybe
although think of the 5 currently still live
three will probably get an "overqualified" sort of reaction if they get a response at all.
the fourth will probably (based on last time I tried for something in this field) get a "very good, but one of the candidates had more recent experience" (but yes I have managed to get the application finished in between faffing about on here)
the fifth (the one I plan to deal with tomorrow) - re-reading the advert and the blurb, I'm not sure whether I've got the right experience and such. The advert says "training salary X, salary Y" so not really sure whether the experience / knowledge on the job description means before you start training or once you have done that. (if it means before, then can't see how they are going to get anyone other than internal candidates)
As is usually the way now, you have to apply online and not make contact any other way. Blargh. Suppose I've nothing to lose but time and energy in applying for what may be a hopeless cause, but can't help wondering if I'm wasting my time and theirs (which may be held against me if the same organisation does come up with a job I can do at some point in the future...)
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
definitely worth doing (or doing it in Word first and then pasting in to the application form) and using selective copypasta for anything similar in future. Probably about 2/3 of today's was recycled...
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Sorry - I didn't explain myself well. I've got lots of friends, just not close friends who are supporting me through this. That's partly because my close friends are mostly not in London, but also for other reasons.
I actually don't have space for evening classes because I'm a trustee of several charities which keeps me busy in the evenings when I'm not babysitting.
On a different note, I do want to do some further study - was considering doing another degree - but I can't afford that unless and until I get a job.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
You sound so sorted!Considering this is supposed to be the quiet time of year for job hunting...
One application in Sunday (something fairly basic level but might lead to something better), got an online test thing (oh shit) to do this week.
One application in Monday (localish admin sort of thing for 6 months), did an online test thing (oh shit) as part of the process.
Two applications (agency, fairly basic temp admin things) in yesterday - one rejection today.
One application (sort of work I did some years back - actually had a "please ring for an informal chat" contact which is getting rare, so I did, manager was quite encouraging about it all) I've got to get in by lunchtime tomorrow, so that means before I go to bed tonight. I'm struggling with the pages of BS (it's a council thing, so means writing bits about why you meet each bit of the person spec. A certain amount of copypasta is possible.)
Another application (something south London ish) to do before the weekend.
Good luck - I reckon you'll be employed any minute.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I couldn't cope with all the applications if it wasn't for cut and paste!
By now, I've got paragraphs that cover virtually everything. That's particularly useful if I'm feeling shit about myself when filling in the form, or if I'm not sure that it's worth the effort.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
thanks - think it may be an illusion...
Good luck - I reckon you'll be employed any minute.
thanks but meh - see post 1249.
one temp job and one permanent offer (that turned out to be impractical due to relocation issues and employer being an arse about letting me have anything that could prove to a landlord that i had a job) in the last year doesn't really fill me with much hope.
blargh.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Mr Humiliator at the Jobcentre was much nicer than last time, although he was still patronising, but I think that is part of their training.
He actually commented on how upset I had been last time, and asked me how I was feeling straight away. I told him that I was still feeling pretty tearful. I expect he felt guilty after last time, or someone spotted how upset I was and had a word with him, or something.
Then we had a conversation where I explained to him, at his request, what a "trade union official" does, and also what an "employee relations officer" was. He genuinely didn't know, which would be fair enough, if he wasn't supposed to be my "personal adviser".
He was also whittering on about social media and networking, neither of which he seemed to understand, but I let him whitter. He says he is going to look at my LinkedIn profile, so that'll be fun for him, I am sure
Anyway, I left without being in tears, so that's a bonus.
He actually commented on how upset I had been last time, and asked me how I was feeling straight away. I told him that I was still feeling pretty tearful. I expect he felt guilty after last time, or someone spotted how upset I was and had a word with him, or something.
Then we had a conversation where I explained to him, at his request, what a "trade union official" does, and also what an "employee relations officer" was. He genuinely didn't know, which would be fair enough, if he wasn't supposed to be my "personal adviser".
He was also whittering on about social media and networking, neither of which he seemed to understand, but I let him whitter. He says he is going to look at my LinkedIn profile, so that'll be fun for him, I am sure
Anyway, I left without being in tears, so that's a bonus.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I have now looked at the letter calling me for interview on 14 January, and I have to prepare a presentation in advance, which is going to be hard work in itself, PLUS the first hour of the interview will be me preparing an unseen exercise which will be given to me on the day. I then have to present both, and that is all followed by a 50 minute interview.
Bastards.
I had one like this a few weeks ago, and it was exhausting, and I was so stressed by the time it came to the actual interview, that I handled it pretty badly.
Oh well. I am not going to start working on it until after Christmas, so I can have a week off at least.
Bastards.
I had one like this a few weeks ago, and it was exhausting, and I was so stressed by the time it came to the actual interview, that I handled it pretty badly.
Oh well. I am not going to start working on it until after Christmas, so I can have a week off at least.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
weltweit
Well-Known Member
A week off sounds like a good idea.
That is a lot they are asking of you for a preliminary interview.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
It's the only interview.
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