Forgot how bad job searching was :(

Delvis · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:32

Hi all.

Recently had to leave my job for a certain number of reasons...And I forgot how bad and tedious it was to job search every day

Doesn't help the fact I'm never entirely sure what I'm looking for either!

Had to do this before Christmas, which was just grand.

Might have to look into just doing part-time work for now and look around local newspapers or something.

Any other tips?

EDIT: 26/7/11
Job Search Websites to look on:

http://www.jobsite.co.uk/
http://www.totaljobs.com/
http://www.monster.co.uk/
http://www.reed.co.uk/
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.fish4.co.uk/
(Provided by Oxy)

http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/
(Provided by Delvis)

EDIT: 31/1/13
https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch
Provided by OCem)

EDIT: 7/5/13
http://www.indeed.co.uk
Provided by Infidelus

Other useful sites
http://www.askamanager.org/

manic111 · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:41

Put time into each covering letter/application; it's easy to bash out an application in ten minutes, but you'll get a lot more success if you show them that you've done a little research into the company first.

Delvis · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:43

manic111 said:
Put time into each covering letter/application; it's easy to bash out an application in ten minutes, but you'll get a lot more success if you show them that you've done a little research into the company first.

True, I do research the company if I can normally

Problem is most applications go to Agency's now acting as the employers for the company, so you never know the company name until they tell you

daveydave · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:44

Mate its just at tedious for us grads who aren't willing to whore themselves out at all these rubbish jobs promising 80k OTE (basic 12k), I've got a years placement on the cv and I've had two interviews both roles 22k+ but its tough competiting for those jobs especially when everyone is graduating now too. Just get on monster/reed and keep looking and keep clicking apply. Good luck pal

daveydave · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:46

manic111 said:
Put time into each covering letter/application; it's easy to bash out an application in ten minutes, but you'll get a lot more success if you show them that you've done a little research into the company first.

+1

Delvis · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:47

david.n.c said:
Mate its just at tedious for us grads who aren't willing to whore themselves out at all these rubbish jobs promising 80k OTE (basic 12k), I've got a years placement on the cv and I've had two interviews both roles 22k+ but its tough competiting for those jobs especially when everyone is graduating now too. Just get on monster/reed and keep looking and keep clicking apply. Good luck pal

Thanks for the input

Been on afew sites for several years now, if you didn't know / wanted more IT based jobs look on CWjobs as well.

I'll keep plugging away at it, just panicking as I don't have the cash to be unemployed for too long

woohoomoo · 4 Jul 2009 at 15:48

I remember being in the situation you are in now... It's not a good feeling and it feels like it takes forever and you dont seem to be getting anywhere. I was getting depressed with it but just try and keep faith - eventually something will turn up!

I graduated from uni in June '07 with a 1st class honours in Multimedia. Since about February that year I had been job searching for anything remotely to do with multimedia. It got to October (9 months of job searching - 5 during uni, and 4 just lazing about with nothing else to do but job search). Eventually I settled for a horrible sales job in PCWorld - most of the guys there also had degrees... proves just how bad our job market is, and has been for years.

Worked there for about 9 months and during a 2 week holiday I took, I landed a job with o2... good job (for me), great pay, good perks and working conditions. Have never looked back since.

Long story short... Start off low and work your way up - it seems like the only way forward in this climate.

Gaygle · 4 Jul 2009 at 16:09

OP - i know how you feel

AmDaMan · 4 Jul 2009 at 16:58

It's horrible, even with a years placement with a good company I am struggling. I don't think after getting a degree and a years placement experience I should be getting offered 14k for a Sharepoint Analyst

NiCkNaMe · 4 Jul 2009 at 17:00

I know recruitment agencies are the scourge of the earth... but my advice is to try and find a good one and get friendly with one of the agents. I ended up getting on extremely well with one guy and he gave me the heads up on two positions, both of which I got which gave me the joyous opportunity of turning one down!

Therefore I went from finishing uni in May, finishing my part time placement at the end of June and starting my new job in July

But I had put the hard work in. I treated the job hunt as a job itself, set myself targets etc etc and it turned out ok. Then again, I was only searching for 3 weeks (whilst in work) so perhaps my experience has been a good one.

Mr Jack · 4 Jul 2009 at 17:32

Job hunting is no fun at all.

Just try and keep your chin up and keep sending out those applications. I know it's a real grind after a while but unless you keep at it you'll not get yourself out of it. Perhaps put aside an hour each day, say straight after you've finished getting up, and spend it job hunting?

woohoomoo · 4 Jul 2009 at 17:55

It's horrible as hell, but have you considered signing onto the brew during the time your off work and looking? I was on it for 12 weeks between uni and finding my first job, and it was horrible... your in the same 'category' as the no-good wasters (full-time alcoholics that live in pubs, druggies etc) and it really plays on your mind at times.

But, it puts about £50 a week in your pocket... might be enough to get you through.

Gaygle · 4 Jul 2009 at 18:18

woohoomoo said:
It's horrible as hell, but have you considered signing onto the brew during the time your off work and looking? I was on it for 12 weeks between uni and finding my first job, and it was horrible... your in the same 'category' as the no-good wasters (full-time alcoholics that live in pubs, druggies etc) and it really plays on your mind at times.

But, it puts about £50 a week in your pocket... might be enough to get you through.

This is exactly it. I told my parents i didn't want to be on benefits, but they've insisted that they've put enough into the "system" over the past 40 years and that i should go on it until i find a job.

I almost would rather tell people i was unemployed rather than on the dole

squerble · 4 Jul 2009 at 18:35

Also looking for a new job (currently in employment though), doesn't seem to be much out there though! Saying that, I've only been looking on the Job Centre Plus website, are any other websites highly rated?

Mr Jack · 4 Jul 2009 at 18:41

Gaygle said:
This is exactly it. I told my parents i didn't want to be on benefits, but they've insisted that they've put enough into the "system" over the past 40 years and that i should go on it until i find a job.

I almost would rather tell people i was unemployed rather than on the dole

There's no shame in claiming if you genuinely need it, and are seriously looking for work.

Mr-White · 4 Jul 2009 at 18:47

I spent the most part of last year looking for jobs it's just so degrading. Ended up having four different jobs

I always refused to sign on, it felt like signing on was the last resort and admitting defeat.

MW

Kreeeee · 4 Jul 2009 at 18:55

I'm not sure what to do myself.

I am moving to Birmingham in August and no one will take me on for such a short amount of time, so considering signing up until August.

Glaucus · 4 Jul 2009 at 18:55

it really does suck.
As said make sure your cv and covering letter is top notch and personalized.

If you applying though an agency take a cv in person, if you can't at least phone them up. they'll probably have hundreds come through the internet. show some initiate and go see them and have a chat about the job. Make sure they realize how mcuh you want it and hopefully you'll cv will go towards the top of the pile.

In teh mean time sign up in person to some agencies and get a rubbish job. No idea how easy it is at the money. but in the past can usually be in a job with in 72hours. Be it data entry, factory/warehouse or anything else that stupid people see as below them. Gives you money and a purpose and fills in teh blank on your cv.

Nix · 4 Jul 2009 at 20:01

I hear ya man. I've been out of work for urm, over six months now and well, to say I'd like to be working is a little of an understatement. I honestly couldn't tell you the amount of applications I've sent off. I think out of all of them I've heard back from a total of three companies.

One thing I will say though, is do not bother with the agencies online. Companies like Reed et al. simply do not seem to do anything if you apply online. Personally I found Monster a little rubbish, but I think I'll have to remake my profile again soon. I'm pretty sure someone tried to get me to help them tax-evade last time.

knip · 4 Jul 2009 at 20:04

Im out of work as of Thursday next week, haven't been able to find anything yet, and am not looking forward to all of this.

Worst bit is I cant claim job seekers while im looking, because I have resigned from my job - bit of a long story, mainly due to health reasons - so I cant claim job seekers allowance for 6 months because I have put myself out of a job.