Anyone else out there struggling to get a job?

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Bertthefrog

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Never had a problem getting a job before - have good qualifications and good references - but am now starting to get really down about my career (or lack of) prospects.

I have lectured (equine/animal science) in the past and have also been a science technician.

I am well qualified for both (PGCE/BSc biomedical science) yet seem unable to secure even an interview for jobs that I am applying for.

Trying to move out into slightly different areas seems almost impossible too as it seems you have the correct NVQ to even apply! I can't do teaching assistant - as I haven't got an NVQ in this field - am I being naive??

Like many, I have family commitments, and my husband's job mean I cannot work earlies/lates or weekends - no family nearby to fall back on either!

So - is it now that to get a job at a land based college in equine/animal studies - it is necessary to have postgrad qualifiations? Is it possible to get into biology/human biology teaching from that of an equine background - have tried, but no luck so far - any ideas?

Do you apply for jobs for which you don't satisfy the person specification, if so, how do you get on - is it worth a try?

Do you need to write an essay in the "reasons you are suitable for this position" bit - and yet not sound like a creep?!

I know I am not the only one with this issue, so - how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd??

:(
 
Wow - all employed hey? Must just be me that is a waste of space then!

Any ideas welcomed - any advice on creative/inventive ways to secure a decent job??
 
Wish I could help you but I'm in a similar position myself! Was hoping to get some ideas from this post! :)

Stuck in a job I loathe, desperate for a change of career........

I think things are difficult everywhere at the moment, I have tried to apply for some jobs but always get ' due to the high number of applicants - there are more suitably qualified candidates!'
 
There are so many specific qualifications around now, at all levels, that I think it has put paid to the opportunities to start in another line of work.

I did a degree as a mature student to improve my job prospects - so far my £13,000 student looks to be going unpaid.....
 
Can't really help with the specifics but I would say definitely apply for jobs you like the sound of and think you could do/learn to do even if you don't fulfil the person specification fully.
I did with my job and as it turns out am quite good at it, have learnt loads, they were pleased to employ me because they could get away with paying me a bit less in the beginning that they would have paid someone with previous experience.
(My job is marketing, fundraising and copywriting so different, but I'm sure the principle applies)
Also, maybe try to make yourself as flexible as you can be with hours etc - I know you said that's difficult, but I think employers appreciate a flexible approach, and a willingness to try even if in reality you can't change things much.
 
In the past if I have applied for jobs that are prehaps "outside" my area I have stated why I think I would be good at the job and what skills I will bring to the table which will be of benefit to the position with a few examples in the cover letter.

Good luck x
 
Yep definitely struggling! :(

I've just graduated from university & can't even seem to get part time work, half the applications I do don't even get an acknowledgement for & the others I just get "I am afraid you application wasn't successful this time" not even "because of high application numbers / more qualified applicants"

So disheartening but got to just keep on trying. I am applying for jobs from Edinburgh to London & everything in between though which I assume you are unable to do?
 
dont give up :)

i was in the same boat.......... im now working 3 days a week for one company and 2 another (and uni) must be crackers lol (oh and yes i also have a horse on DIY!)

apply for EVERYTHING and dont be fussy :)
 
What job are you actually looking for? I know nothing about the horse side of things but I work as a scientist and round here things are pretty buoyant still for us. but I do live in the Cambridge bubble. I know my brother is really struggling to find anything
 
So far have applied for any lecturing posts - equine/animal science, biology, human biology at FE and HE level. Also science tech type jobs - but again only have lab experience within educational institutions, from secondary school general science to HE but with emphasis on biology. Also 6 months in medical research lab when I began a PhD - giving that up is something I wouldn't do if I had the chance again!

I have been put off applying for science jobs in industry as don't feel I have the experience or don't satisfy the person spec stated in the job details.

Also thought about doing teaching assistant stuff (draw the line at cover supervisor as my years as a lab tech in a secondary school have put me off teaching 11-16's for life!) - but they want a specific NVQ.

I am willing to be as flexible as I can with hours, but my hubby is away often, and his work plans often change daily - so other than childcare for the standard 7.30 - 6pm I'm stuffed!

Perhaps I just need to be a bit braver, ignore the essential/desired aspects of any job spec I am interested in and just go for it. Have no qualms about starting at the bottom - I love new challenges and learning new skills.

Wouldn't object to doing a few days for different companies.

Thanks for advice and encouragement so far. It's a relief to know that it isn't just me. I know it's tough all round at the mo - but there are plenty of jobs advertised.

Has anyone had any luck with sending out speculative CV's??
 
I was in the same situation earlier this year so I understand how you feel. Id applied for lots of jobs but got nowhere. Ive been temping as I have experience in admin but even getting jobs like this were hard in my area. Ive now got a permanent job so I may not have to sell my horsebox after all, but the hours are a bit longer than Im used to and its a job lower than my skills and experience.

Chin up, keep going and I'm sure you'll get there.
 
One of the girls at my work is with us because she sent in a speculative CV so I have proof it can work!

If you have a science degree you're certainly qualified to work in industry as a scientist. Don't feel like you shouldn't apply if you want to. The worst that can happen is that you'll be turned down. I like my job, I'd recommend it. Not brilliantly paid but nice regular hours, BUPA and the folks are lovely plus the work is interesting. As long as you can explain why you want to do it I don't see why you wouldn't be given a chance :D

Anywho, not trying to force you to become a geeky scientist or anything, good luck with the search :)
 
jesstickle said:
What job are you actually looking for? I know nothing about the horse side of things but I work as a scientist and round here things are pretty buoyant still for us. but I do live in the Cambridge bubble. I know my brother is really struggling to find anything
Click to expand...

i think its the bubble to tell the truth

there is a freeze on employment at most uni's, the pharmaceuticals are moving out of the uk we are no down to 2-3 large ones. grant funding is being reduced and to qualify to apply you have to be in the top 20%, with international reputation and at least 10 nature papers. (ok might be a bit of an exaggeration)

back in my day at school to be a science technician you needed good A levels or btec. by the time i left my first degree only people with degrees where considered, know you need a masters and you are also competing with post docs who have been on the grant circle 2-3 month contract and at least the technical job is more permanent.

over the next few years it is only going to get worse..............and if you start your degree next year you will be about 27k in debt for fees and 20-30k in debt for your cost of living by the time you have left.
 
Totally agree Cambridge is an absolute biotech bubble. I was in pharma until just over a year ago and it was fairly scary watching GSK close Harlow and then AZ make all those people redundant too!

I'm lucky that setting myself up here wasn't too much of a wrench.
 
I'm thinking about the idea of franschising my horse transport business, generally is this a good idea or do people think it's easy on their own?
 
I work in recruitment for a global logistics company we have a contract with the NHS but they have a recruitment freeze in most areas at present so I assume this is having an effect on the pharmaceutical companies. Things will hopefully start moving come September so fingers crossed things will look up for you. With regard to speculative applications make sure you get the name of the head of the department u are looking to work in or otherwise your CV might get swallowed up in the HR Bermuda triangle!

I wouldn't rule out applying for things u don't totally fit the criteria of just make sure you have a key skills and an achievements section at the top of your CV showing things u have done that are transferable. I applied for a full time job when I only wanted 25 hours I've ended up with a job with lots of responsibility not only doing 25 hours but also working from home!

Good luck x
 
I would just apply for everything. I am lucky, I have a job working in an equine department of a college. I have studied accounts for a year and desperately trying to get a trainee accountant job and struggling.
A couple of people have suggested going in with my CV to the different places as they prefer to see a face, so that is what I plan on doing!
 
I'm not sure where about in Yorkshire you are but i know that recently there were job vacancies at a company called eclipse scientific there is a site in mirfield west yorkshire.
 
Unfortunatley jobs for teaching assistants now are few and far between- a lot of people like the sound of lots of holidays and it often fits in quite nicely with childcare. Also a lot of qualified teachers are being employed as TAs because they cant find a job so those qualified to TA level are being pushed out...

Have you had someone objective look over your application forms to see if there is an issue there? People often arent very good at selling themselves and their skills.

Make sure any CV you send out is tailored towards the particular company you are applying for and also send a Cover Letter with it addressed to the manager (if you dont know who this is find out!)

Rather than emailing/ posting the CV/Cover Letter out go down to the organisation in person if you can and ask to speak to a manager/ recruitment. A surpirising majority of job arent advertised, its all about networking, who you know etc so you have really got to pester companies now to get anywhere so go down in person then follow this up with a phone call a week later.

I would also suggest having a look at the sector skills council relevant in the areas you wish to go into as these contain labour market information (LMI) that tells you where the skills shortages are and predicts future employment opportunities. www.lantra.co.uk is the one for the environmental and land based sector. Others can be found here: http://www.sscalliance.org/Home-Public/SectorSkillsCouncils/SSC_Contacts.aspx
 
tesco!!!! one of my liveries aged 16 gets £7 per hour weekdays ........ and wait for it £18 per hour on a sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I gave up a very well paid post in the NHS as it was making me deeply miserable and ill. I went back to Uni in my forties and took a science degree. The recession hit in year 2 and I am now 2 years beyond graduation with a good degree. I have quite a bit of research on a freelance basis since though not enough to make a decent living or replace my horse who died earlier this year.

I am applying for loads of jobs and just not getting interviews. I am coming to the conclusion it is probably my age. I am not taking this well as I was headhunted for my last two jobs before I went back to uni!!

You have my sympathies - it is not easy and very frustrating.

Myerscough college are still advertising for an equine lecturer if you are anywhere near??
 
Sadly Myerscough is too much of a commute!

Thank you all very much for your advice and encouragement - some great info and I will definitely take on board the suggestions made.

May well pop down to Tesco's......

:)
 
Think it's the same for most at the moment!
I've just graduated in health, sociology and psychology and I'm in a part time job, doing care work!! Rubbish money and rubbish hours but it pays the bills (just!!) and pays for my little mans livery! I went for loads of interview and got told I'm 'too qualified' but when I went for better jobs I was 'underqualified'!!
I have friends who graduated a year ago and work in shops that are full of other graduates.
If I was u, I'd apply for anything and everything at least then you are earning while you look for something more suitable.
 
It does sound like your search criteria is very specific and therefore you are limiting the options a lot.

Unless you are absolutely dead set on using your qualifications I would be much more open minded and consider what skills your previous jobs and qualifications have given you. Ie ability to work under pressure, working as a team, organsation, attention to detail, leadership, public speaking or whatever. Then look for rolls that need those skills.

Certainly I would apply for jobs in industry! The only jobs I wouldn't go for would be those that say it essential to have x if you haven't got x

And finally don't forget that its always way easier to geta job when you have a job so its worth compromising a bit

Good luck with your search :)
 
Surely with a PGCE you can teach Science/Biology?

Pretty sure still loads of vacancies in this area. We are in Scotland and very hard to get teaching jobs but think its different down South???
 
PGCE is post 16 - so could only teach science/biology at A level in schools - and as I have no experience within this area (despite teaching ND's in this subject!) - I don't even get a look in!

Oldmare - the limited search criteria is the biggest issue I think. It's not that I am not interested or willing to look in other areas - I've looked at adverts for jobs that I think I could use my transferable skills - but the job specs state specific quals/exp in most cases that make me think I would not be suitable. Perhaps we need to be a bit more bullish and apply anyway - I know the job spec is geared to the ideal candidate and maybe that person doesn't apply?

Chellebean and Charlir666 - this is exactly the problem! It is driving me mad - underqualified or overqualified - what the hell do employers want!! I have applied for jobs that I have satisfied all listings on essential and desirable on job spec, and still nothing...

OK plan of action - I'm going to send a couple of the applications I have previously submitted to professional friends of mine to check if I have committed a major applicant faux pas.... Is it worth contacting the HR depts of failed job applications to ask why I wasn't short listed - or does that sound desperate or stalkerish?

Not be put off by job spec unless I am categorically unsuitably experienced and qualified.

Right - will give it a shot.

Thanks everyone....

If anyone in the same situation wants to keep in touch and exchange tips/ successes and failures then by all means pm me. Perhaps an 'unemployable support group...!!!'
 
Times are tough, my boss had 600, yes 600 for one job based in outer London, £6.00 an hour non contact based job. As I say times are tough. Have a look for mad for science I understand they are looking for people. Good luck.
 
What teaching quals have you got, such as a cert ed, or pttls. I work as a specialist support in a Fe/He college. The quals to teach in a college are strict. If you want any sort of teaching hours you have to have a teaching qualification. Once i finish my degree i will have to do my cert ed if i want any teaching hours.
 
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