Unemployed for nearly a year? Is there any hope for me?

Question

I have been unemployed since January. I have applied for 300 jobs, attended over 20 interviews and registered with many agencies for a variety of jobs with no success. I haven't managed to get an interview for nearly 2 months, and I am now extremely worried about my life prospects. Is there any hope for me?

Answer 1

ok uv said.. 3 times! move down to london youl find a job ther

Answer 2

Moti, I am so sad for this situation; yes, there must be hope.

You must pull back, stand apart from the situation, take a good long look at what you have been trying that hasn't worked; and focus on a new strategy.

Perhaps the work y ou are seeking isn't the right thing for you. Perhaps you are presenting yourself wrong. Nerves and worry about working makes itself felt in many ways. Your confidence must be built up again, so you can stand up proudly and ask for the position you want. Project the fact that you really want to work for the company you are applying at.

I am hoping you can find a free job counseling service that can evaluate you and your attempts and work with you to change what isn't working.

look on all online possibilities; monster, etc. and use their free services.

call your local unemployment service and ask if they have job counseling services; or training programs.

thank you for sharing this and I am going to say a prayer for you knowing that you will be successful; and thank Godfor going there and walking with you in every way until you are employed once more.

don't give up hope.

Answer 3

Hi I am in a quite a similar postion and understand how very frustrating it is! What has helped me get interviews is advice I was given that when applying for jobs pick out the key words in the advertisement (eg organised, polite, computer skills etc) and put them in your cover letter. I have done this more and it certainly helps get alot more interviews.

I also want to be out working and have now decided to send out a letter after interview thanking them etc an telling them again about my skills etc. Also don't be afraid to ask for feedback as to why you were not selected for interview or given the job, use this info to help you do better next time!

Another good idea is to go on the internet, and find sites that help with interviews, CV improvements and covering letters.

Hopefully in the not too distant future we will both be working.
If you want give me your email address and I will send you examples of after interview letters etc.

I am also considering trying to get 2 part time jobs until I get one full time job, either 2 office jobs or 1 part-time office job and something else.

All the Very Best Luck.

Answer 4

Having been in a very similar position at times, I have a lot of sympathy in what you say.

It is very demoralising to spend so much time looking for employment without any success, and the longer it goes on, the harder it is to be motivated and positive, and this can reflect on everything if you are not careful.

I am now over 50, and arguably unemployable, even though my IT career of around 30 years gives me a CV and experience second to few. It sucks, but that's the way it is for the time being. Consequently, I have had no choice to to try and make a living from self-employment. While this has many benefits in terms of working from home, I sometimes miss those regular monthly pay-checks dropping into my bank account.

Is there any hope for you? Yes, yes, yes! Write it on all the doors in your house to remind you wherever you go. Fight the tendency to become negative, and one approach that can work well is to develop focused pragmatism. What the hell do I mean by that?

First, accept the fact that life owes you nothing (or anybody else for that matter). There are also many like you who suffer the same problems, and some much worse too. Put it into some kind of perspective.

Next, step back from everything, and look at your situation as if you were looking at a friend for example. You will be in a good position to look at where you are, what you are doing, and what effect (if any) this has on your quality of life.

In terms of employment, this is not going to be very hard to start with. a) You have put a lot of time and effort into finding employment. b) So far, with little success.

So what to do about it? There is no trite solution which can 'solve' this. It's a process, so you have to accept that whatever the solution you find is going to be, it could take time.

That should help to give some determination and keep focused even when things don't seem to be working.

The first biggie is are you prepared to move? If not, then you will need to review what you have done so far, and be critical about it. By that I mean to identify the pro's and con's, the good's and the bad's. Also, try and get feedback from everyone you have approached as to why you have been rejected. Not everyone will necessarily give you an answer, or give you an honest one, but in my experience, most are prepared to give you a/some reasons, and this should help you to avoid repeating them (especially if you find some common comments).

If you are prepared to move, then that opens up many new prospects. Research where there is more employment for the skills and experiences you have, and target those areas. Of course this measn the upheaval of moving, but what's more important?

Get as much help as you can from wherever you can. From friends and family to the institutions of state.

Consider changes of direction. This could include re-training or taking a course of education in order to get qualifications which would give you better job propects, and if you are lucky, this could be in something that you enjoy.

Remember, that most of the working world does it to make a living, and few 'enjoy' or are motivated by the nature of the work. It's a job, and it supports my family is the lot of most, so try not to be unrealistic or fanciful in your objectives.

Finally, make a plan, or at least start one. That helps to provide focus. Change the plan as you need, but try and have some objectives decided in advance to work towards.

I sincerely wish you luck and success. The pragmatic approach is that you have to adjust your perspectives to match the realities, that is you have to fit into whatever is available. Spend time trying to match your own intentions with an understanding of the opportunites available to you (and take as much advice you can), and you will give yourself a better chance I am sure.

Keep banging the rocks together! If it's not working, change something...

Answer 5

Hi. What kinds of jobs are you applying for? I can't believe in over 20 interviews that you have not been offered a job. Are you applying for jobs that you are NOT qualified for?

I have no idea where you live, but go to an employment training agency. You need to go to school to learn skills so that you can land the job you want.

Good luck!

Answer 6

may i say this carefully with out irritating any one.
suggest a visit to library obtain read take notes re read understand and take action on.

'48 days to work u love' d.miller
'what colour is ur parachute'
'total money make over' d. ramsey
'think and grow rich' n.hill
and 100's of other titles.

understand readers are leaders and for those how follow , the view from the back in always the same view of the lead dog.

develop a plan to get out of the hole ur in.
economic insanity is doing the same thing over , over, and over again expecting different results.

suggest u get jobs McD's any fast food, delievering papers pizza etc. Box stores.
remember pride doesn't pay the bills.

. Prospective Employers want go getters not wanna be's.

u or any one does not plan to fail but they do fail to plan.

Answer 7

How does your resume look? That has a lot to do with employers deciding on even giving an interview. I have a friend that submitted applications with her resume to many places and hardly ever got called. I saw her resume (to redo it for her) and found out why. She was not very clear, it was all cluttered and if I was an employer, I would have not even scheduled an interview based on what she had there. She is a great worker.

Search here for resume tips.

Good luck.

Answer 8

I think you must be setting your standards too high... get some job experience. It appears that you are trying; that is certainly a move in the right direction. Do you have any references as ALL? Try to line some up. Even if you have to take a job at one of the chain restaurants, it appears that you are driven. NO ONE would apply for 300 jobs, just to be turned down!! Please do not worry. Have faith in yourself, and NEVER give up trying. Just EXPECT to get that next job that you apply for... or apply somewhere that there is a sign that says they are hiring. DO NOT put a reference down if you think they have ANY reason to say something bad about your job performance. Good luck!! Really; I wish you luck. You'll get it. Just don't give up trying.

Answer 9

Take any kind of job you can for the time being even if it is at a fast food restaurant, etc. It is at least a paycheque. Given the number of places you have applied to maybe you need to upgrade your skills by taking courses in your field. It is possible you simply don't have the qualifications for the positions you are applying for.

Answer 10

Joint the club, I've been unemployed for a little over 2 years. I guess it's someone above telling me that I'm suppose to be unemployed. I'm health willing and able to do any task ask of me however no one wants to give me a chance, so what do I do well you know continue to look for employment.

Answer 11

1. Move to a city with a higher unemployment rate;
2. Go work at McDonald's or HEB--anything!
3. Consider starting your own business.
4. Go back to school.

TX Mom