Struggling to find full-time employment

Hi Ellie, this is so tough!

there are some great answers here, I really like the one about which aspect of the job hunting process you find difficult.

For me, I am great at applying! I look really good on paper! I freak out in the interview process.

this is what worked for me in the interview process:
I tell them that I’m disabled and I would prefer the questions in advance - whenever I’ve had that accommodation I’ve done much better in the interview process.

You could look for disability confident organisations - if you meet the criteria for the role you’ll be guaranteed an interview. Just make sure you say that you’re disabled in your application.

 Use the STAR technique to answer questions - S: situation (describe a problem which demonstrates a particular skill), T: task (what needed doing?), A: actions you took, R: result.

When you’re preparing, you could look at a list of skills at the job requires and find examples where you have done those things beforehand. Write them down on post its using the STAR technique and keep them with you to refer to.

Use a notepad to write down the questions that they ask, which gives you time to process what they want.

Ask if you have answered all parts of the question they’ve asked, or if the answer you’ve given has been full enough or if they want different examples?

even doing all that, I’ve still done a good interview and not got the job! But I’ve done more bad interviews than good ones. So it is hard.

Good luck.

Hi Ellie, this is so tough!

there are some great answers here, I really like the one about which aspect of the job hunting process you find difficult.

For me, I am great at applying! I look really good on paper! I freak out in the interview process.

this is what worked for me in the interview process:
I tell them that I’m disabled and I would prefer the questions in advance - whenever I’ve had that accommodation I’ve done much better in the interview process.

You could look for disability confident organisations - if you meet the criteria for the role you’ll be guaranteed an interview. Just make sure you say that you’re disabled in your application.

 Use the STAR technique to answer questions - S: situation (describe a problem which demonstrates a particular skill), T: task (what needed doing?), A: actions you took, R: result.

When you’re preparing, you could look at a list of skills at the job requires and find examples where you have done those things beforehand. Write them down on post its using the STAR technique and keep them with you to refer to.

Use a notepad to write down the questions that they ask, which gives you time to process what they want.

Ask if you have answered all parts of the question they’ve asked, or if the answer you’ve given has been full enough or if they want different examples?

even doing all that, I’ve still done a good interview and not got the job! But I’ve done more bad interviews than good ones. So it is hard.

Good luck.