Coronavirus and Employment

[Saints11]

Currently on the job hunt during the worst recession in 300 years (I believe that’s what I read) and it is getting a bit frustrating already.

So far the biggest gripes are

A lack of reply from potential employer

When they do reply, an email staring with ‘unfortunately. . .'

Endlessly long applications for relatively simple jobs.

Filling out an online form with work and education history and then attaching a CV after all of that.

Then there is the experience circle, everyone wants someone experienced, but how do you become an experienced without the opportunity.

Salaries seem lower than what I remember here for positions I have looked at, I feel some companies are taking advantage of peoples desperation.

Today I was turned down for a job I actually wanted, I felt the telephone interview didn’t go well, so not overly surprised but was hoping I’d get the Skype opportunity.

Fortunately, I have roof over my head (no rent to pay) and a lot of flexibility (no wife, kids, etc) so I can move theoretically anywhere.

I’m worried I’ll have to settle for just about any job I’m given, which in the circumstances I should be grateful for.

I know there are plenty of people worse off than me though.

I’d like to hear how this has affected everyone at work and lives in general.

[The Ghost of Alex Higgins]

[AlcoholBrazil]

300 years ago we were all farming for wheat and stealing sheep.

[The Tick]

Currently on the job hunt during the worst recession in 300 years (I believe that’s what I read) and it is getting a bit frustrating already.

So far the biggest gripes are

A lack of reply from potential employer

When they do reply, an email staring with ‘unfortunately. . .'

Endlessly long applications for relatively simple jobs.

Filling out an online form with work and education history and then attaching a CV after all of that.

Then there is the experience circle, everyone wants someone experienced, but how do you become an experienced without the opportunity.

Salaries seem lower than what I remember here for positions I have looked at, I feel some companies are taking advantage of peoples desperation.

Today I was turned down for a job I actually wanted, I felt the telephone interview didn’t go well, so not overly surprised but was hoping I’d get the Skype opportunity.

Fortunately, I have roof over my head (no rent to pay) and a lot of flexibility (no wife, kids, etc) so I can move theoretically anywhere.

I’m worried I’ll have to settle for just about any job I’m given, which in the circumstances I should be grateful for.

I know there are plenty of people worse off than me though.

I’d like to hear how this has affected everyone at work and lives in general.

Welcome to austerity-land. It's a race to the bottom for all.

[AlcoholBrazil]

Welcome to austerity-land. It's a race to the bottom for all.

And endless open-door immigration , legal or illegal makes it all much much worse.
Soon they will run out of taxpayers to support the welfare state . Then it will be an explosion of burglaries and muggings.

[Zambo]

Welcome to austerity-land. It's a race to the bottom for all.

And endless open-door immigration , legal or illegal makes it all much much worse.
Soon they will run out of taxpayers to support the welfare state . Then it will be an explosion of burglaries and muggings.

A bigger one you mean.

[VeritasVincit]

300 years ago we were all farming for wheat and stealing sheep.

The northern sweaties may have been sheep stealers and the six-fingered from the east, growing wheat, but us in the Northern Powerhouse were down t'pit, fueling the Industrial Revolution.

[subsub]

Currently on the job hunt

Me, too.
I finish my current job in two weeks' time, so am looking around.
Bit of a pisser, because I enjoy my current job a lot, but we've just lost too many clients and my boss can't afford to pay my wages at the moment, unfortunately

[Vespa]

Have you tried an agency?

[shabbado]

Currently on the job hunt during the worst recession in 300 years (I believe that’s what I read) and it is getting a bit frustrating already.

So far the biggest gripes are

A lack of reply from potential employer

When they do reply, an email staring with ‘unfortunately. . .'

Endlessly long applications for relatively simple jobs.

Filling out an online form with work and education history and then attaching a CV after all of that.

Then there is the experience circle, everyone wants someone experienced, but how do you become an experienced without the opportunity.

Salaries seem lower than what I remember here for positions I have looked at, I feel some companies are taking advantage of peoples desperation.

Today I was turned down for a job I actually wanted, I felt the telephone interview didn’t go well, so not overly surprised but was hoping I’d get the Skype opportunity.

Fortunately, I have roof over my head (no rent to pay) and a lot of flexibility (no wife, kids, etc) so I can move theoretically anywhere.

I’m worried I’ll have to settle for just about any job I’m given, which in the circumstances I should be grateful for.

I know there are plenty of people worse off than me though.

I’d like to hear how this has affected everyone at work and lives in general.

It's natural to get disheartened when you don't receive anything back from job applications that you've submitted. However rest assured it happens all the time. Irrespective of recession, depression or a booming economy you'll be lucky to receive anything back from a potential employer if you've not made the interview stage. Even then I've been in the situation several times where I've gone along for the interview and the employer hasn't bothered to tell me i didn't make the shortlist for the next round. That boiled my piss.

With regards to filling out applications. Create a template with all of the standard questions etc. Use the template template going forward. Spend a bit of time creating the template it'll save you time in the long run.

In terms of interviews I've found it's generally around the third interview that i hit my stride. First couple are essentially practise. Come the third one the confidence is there and i'm ready for whatever left field shit house questions they have stored up.

Salaries. Sadly a good number of employers are taking advantage of the depressed economy. However this can work to your advantage. If you're in a situation where needs must and you take a job well below market rate then bide your time for the next 12 - 18 months and move on. Zero loyalty should be your mantra

Not sure what field you're in but have you thought of re-training?

[Jonathan]

Sadly it’s the sign of the times, I would suggest as well getting on LinkedIn and posting on there. See lots trying that and some are successful.

Still, never fear. Come the New Year we will no longer be tied to the EU and there will be trade deals galore creating loads of employment. Well thats what I have been reading on here. Those lads apparently know their stuff.

[Carlos J]

Currently on the job hunt during the worst recession in 300 years (I believe that’s what I read) and it is getting a bit frustrating already.

So far the biggest gripes are

A lack of reply from potential employer

When they do reply, an email staring with ‘unfortunately. . .'

Endlessly long applications for relatively simple jobs.

Filling out an online form with work and education history and then attaching a CV after all of that.

Then there is the experience circle, everyone wants someone experienced, but how do you become an experienced without the opportunity.

Salaries seem lower than what I remember here for positions I have looked at, I feel some companies are taking advantage of peoples desperation.

Today I was turned down for a job I actually wanted, I felt the telephone interview didn’t go well, so not overly surprised but was hoping I’d get the Skype opportunity.

Fortunately, I have roof over my head (no rent to pay) and a lot of flexibility (no wife, kids, etc) so I can move theoretically anywhere.

I’m worried I’ll have to settle for just about any job I’m given, which in the circumstances I should be grateful for.

I know there are plenty of people worse off than me though.

I’d like to hear how this has affected everyone at work and lives in general.

It's natural to get disheartened when you don't receive anything back from job applications that you've submitted. However rest assured it happens all the time. Irrespective of recession, depression or a booming economy you'll be lucky to receive anything back from a potential employer if you've not made the interview stage. Even then I've been in the situation several times where I've gone along for the interview and the employer hasn't bothered to tell me i didn't make the shortlist for the next round. That boiled my piss.

With regards to filling out applications. Create a template with all of the standard questions etc. Use the template template going forward. Spend a bit of time creating the template it'll save you time in the long run.

In terms of interviews I've found it's generally around the third interview that i hit my stride. First couple are essentially practise. Come the third one the confidence is there and i'm ready for whatever left field shit house questions they have stored up.

Salaries. Sadly a good number of employers are taking advantage of the depressed economy. However this can work to your advantage. If you're in a situation where needs must and you take a job well below market rate then bide your time for the next 12 - 18 months and move on. Zero loyalty should be your mantra

Not sure what field you're in but have you thought of re-training?

Good advice Shabba and best of luck, Saints.

[lambrini]

Keep applying; do whatever you can. Set targets – complete several applications per day, or several per week, whatever. Don't become emotionally attached to vacancies; move on quickly if you don't hear anything within days after the deadline.

[Sadact7]

Currently on the job hunt

Me, too.
I finish my current job in two weeks' time, so am looking around.
Bit of a pisser, because I enjoy my current job a lot, but we've just lost too many clients and my boss can't afford to pay my wages at the moment, unfortunately

Sorry to hear that, it’s been a similar position for me.

Got the notice a few weeks back they they were entering a consultancy period. Reading between the lines I jumped straight onto the job hunt. Since then I’ve had weekly meetings at work to “explore options” but I’ve suspected all along that they’re going through the motions. Then Friday’s meeting confirmed my suspicions that I, along with quite a few others, are being made redundant.

Fortunately I went straight from that meeting to an interview with another firm. Seemingly that went well as they called me on the way home to offer me the job, it’s a more senior role and the money is better so it’s worked out not too bad.

It’s a shame though because I really enjoyed working where I was and we had a good team, but the directorship has been abysmal and they’ve sleepwalked into the situation we ended up in. It does just go to show the importance of having qualifications, the last two times I’ve been looking for work it’s been a really quick process.

[Carlos J]

Congrats for you, Sadact. And all with job worries. Must be an awful situation to be in and good luck to you all.