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Looking for a job

LavenderPiano

This is mainly a rant about my job searching situation and a bit of background.

I've been looking for a stable job for a few years now, since graduating from uni, but it's such a struggle. I managed to work as a barista for a few months and my confidence improved a lot, but I just couldn't communicate that well with others, and I still can't. I basically got fired from the job but the manager said that it was a 'temporary' job and that it was in my contract even though it was blank. I should have really asked about it at the time but I didn't think it was that important. I was kind of sad from it but also a bit relieved because I hated most customers lol.

I got another job after that as a technician on a casual contract at a theatre, as I thought I wanted to work in the music industry. However, I only ever worked one shift in a year and I hated it. As a short, skinny girl in her early 20's I wasn't really built for it lol.

Anyway, I decided it wasn't for me and I did a short office admin course, because I like making schedules and to-do lists, and thought a career in admin might suit me well. Turns out you have to have experience working as an admin assistant and you have to have 'excellent communication skills', yay (sarcastic). I'm not even sure if I would enjoy it, but I'm sick of not having a stable job. I'm worried about my future and I need to get out of the house.

In an ideal world, I'd love to have a stable, remote job where I can travel the world and learn different languages in my spare time, while feeling comfortable enough to live on my own. When I look anything up about this, it says about being a freelancer but I don't really want a heavily creative job, or it says about going into education, but I feel like I've been in education enough and now I'm just ready to be stable. 

I also worry about not being able to do the job properly and misunderstanding what I'm supposed to do, as I have made many mistakes in my previous jobs. 

I'd love to hear about other people's experience with looking for a job or some advice.

Parents

  • From what people in my family tell me it’s really tough in the job market at the moment - so you are far from alone. We even know of someone with an 2.1 degree from Oxford Uni and an MA - and even they are struggling to find a job. You have to think what more to employers want - but it seems it’s not easy if you haven’t got lots of experience. This is crazy because how can you get experience in the first place if no one will employ you without it?! I can only wish you luck as tbh I don’t understand why everything is so difficult right now. 

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    It is tough because of the last Labour budget (tax on jobs) and the looming one. Few companies are expanding due to bigger uncertainties too.

    In my experience you get the same number of interviews by sticking your CV on LinkedIn and a few decent sites as by applying for stuff, and you don't have to spend so much demoralising wasted effort filling in forms. Any place that needs 5-6 interviews on also not worth the effort. They don't know what they want, can't make decisions, value themselves too highly and will waste your time, money and effort. If you get the job they'll think they own you.

    The problem at the moment is jobs are bots talking to bots. You never get through the filtering. Also because you can apply in a few clicks people apply for hundreds of things, so everyone is swamped and nothing gets read.

    You get a job by talking to people and contacts. You are better offer going into reception of a few big companies of you ask me. Another way is temping. It is not glamorous but good people stand out. You become a lower risk as they can see you. The hardest part is getting your foot in the door.

    Use AI help polish your CV, not write it all. Don't be scared to talk yourself up, everyone else does, the AI can help with this. It is a very alien thing for autistic people I think. I tend to be factual or understate things, I think I undersell myself. But it's the game you have to play. Don't lie though.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    That’s really helpful information - thank you. My relative struggles not to find it demoralising to keep not getting anywhere which her search for a job - as anyone would. It’s always good to know you’re not alone isn’t it? I do think the country is in a right mess on multiple levels - I have to work quite hard not to get too depressed about it - so we have to take care of our mental health in times like this. We’re not alone and to feel solidarity with others and from others really helps. 

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  • in reply to Stuart333

    That’s really helpful information - thank you. My relative struggles not to find it demoralising to keep not getting anywhere which her search for a job - as anyone would. It’s always good to know you’re not alone isn’t it? I do think the country is in a right mess on multiple levels - I have to work quite hard not to get too depressed about it - so we have to take care of our mental health in times like this. We’re not alone and to feel solidarity with others and from others really helps. 

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