STEPHEN FRY

Sorry flub66, that really sucks.

In the interim, you can try using your education by volunteering at non-profit orgs. They often need help but can't afford to pay for it ( the smaller orgs particularly ).

You can then use this experience on your resume. You don't have to 'over committ' either. You can just give them the time you can actually do - like 2 hours on a weekend or some weekday, every week ( because the majority of your time is spent job hunting ).

Also, applying online is a nightmare. You virtually send a resume into a digital black hole. Try calling the company's human resources dept and asking for the name/number of someone in a dept you might work in. Then call them and ask if you can send your resume directly to them ( the person who might be your immediate supervisor or peer ). Another thing is to try 'informational interviews'. This is where YOU go in and interview THEM. Essentially, some career person will give you an hour or 30 minutes to ask them questions getting specific answers about what their work is like, what skills you need, etc etc. *Sometimes* these lead to you being employed there because they figure if you're that interested, you might be a good candidate if an opening comes up.

Another is to tell everyone you know and anyone you bump into ( casual conversations with strangers at a cafe for instance ) that you are looking for work. If you don't already have a LinkedIn profile, create one and be open about your need for work. You can find your fellow students this way or people in your career field ( networking ).

If your particular discipline has any kind of 'organization', join it and go to local meetings to network. Don't be embarassed about not working either. These are VERY tough times for even the most educated and experienced people.

Another thing is you can sometimes get into a career field that has nothing to do with your specific degree. Kind of an 'indirect hire'. But you can use your Life and academic experiences in that field. IOW, look at companies in different markets than you'd normally apply for.

9 times out of 10, people get jobs because of real world contact with others. If someone you know gives you a lead, always send them a thank you and accept that if they need a job lead in the future and you know of one, you give it to them

flub66 said:
Hello All,
Just really fed up so having a moan.....unemployed 8 months...applied for 1321 jobs.....two interviews...and keep getting told I am over qualified.....it will be too old next!
I think I have tried everything I can...but if there is wisdon out there I am not too proud to listen.....

Col
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam--'I'll either find a way or make one'.

flub, I'm in the same situation. Unemployed for 9 months, countless résumés and applications filled and filed, a few interviews, but nothing. In the meantime, I've attempted to monetize a hobby of mine, and it's just a tiny trickle, if anything.

Good luck!

I empathise with flub and all.

I've been out of work for over 12 months and been messed around a lot, especially on so called government training schemes which consisted of people sitting around a table doing word searches. Just an excuse to keep people off the jobless figures.

And most employers don't even bother to acknowledge e-mail applications or say whether you've been successful after an interview.

And as for volunteering - I asked a number of times, once in the job centre, and the usual question was...can you drive? or do you have your own transport? No...well bugger off then. Lovely.

PS - have you ever thought of a career as a serial killer. There's a lot of bankers that I think wouldn't be missed.

I agree with Nitro - you need to get to know as many people as possible, and let them know you are looking for work.

Just wander into a charity shop and volunteer your time, or ring the multicultural affairs office and offer to tutor English to immigrants. You don't need a car or a qualification for this. (With tutoring, the teacher supplies you with the lesson plan, and you just sit there around the table, go through the lesson and readings, talk and correct their English)

Both places will increase your network of acquaintances and thus your chances.

Are you political? If so, join the party you support and go help out. If you are a leftie like me, go on the Labour Day marches - you meet hundreds there.

My lads joined the Australian Army reserves as officer cadets when they were at uni, and this helped them immensely in their job seeking. The oldest is inactive now, after reaching the rank of lieutenant, but the training helped him get a really good teaching position when he left uni, and the army training helped him in his work. The youngest stayed in the Reserves - he's a captain now - and again, it helps his civilian career.

Are you in a union? If not, join the union most relevant to your line of work and volunteer at their office. Again, this will give you more contacts.

Sometimes, just plain luck plays a part. When I was 42 I tried to get back into the workforce when my youngest started school. Age prejudice was rife. After 6 months I got my first interview, for a bookkeeping job. Unbeknown to me, the firm needed someone with foreign languages, and I had French and German, so I got the job - even though others interviewed were no doubt much better bookkeepers, and much younger!!

So - I wish you all the best luck in the world!!!