Gizza Job mate...:o(

AndyWest

AndyWest

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Andy
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Been out of work for a while now and it's starting to get to me a bit. I have applied for loads of jobs doing all sorts of stuff but as yet no one has even had the decency to get back to me. When applying on line you can see in some cases how many people have applied for that job and the numbers go from 50 to over 280 applications per job!!

I'm sure something will turn up. I have even been thinking about doing something with my photography but not sure what or even if I'm good enough.

Any ideas?
 
If you are really keen it always seems that those individuals, that go out on the streets, or sit by a busy road junction, with a placard find something.
 
What sort of work are you after? If you are a builder, try calling all the builders in the area for example. I did read in the paper a while back how an MD saw someone with a placard and gave hime a job as he was impressed by his attitude!

It is impossible to reply to all job applicants. Like you say, often hundreds will apply.
 
Same situation here mate. Made redundant last year and really rubbish at interviews. Could do most of the jobs sitting on my head but suffer from stuttering etc during the interview.

Something will come along though.
 
Thanks guy's. I'll do most things really, Admin, shop work, driving. Not too clever me so am restricted by most jobs but 12k a year would be fine! Even part time would be OK. I'm pretty good at interview and can blag most difficult questions. As said, summat will turn up :D
 
join the club............. 17 months here............. lost count of the applications, and the amount of agencies so impressed with my CV yet, are inherently bad at getting back to you. (Don't get me started on job agencies!)

What is annoying is when someone does get back and tells you you are overqualified.......... well if I am happy to do it for the salary offered, surely you get a bonus there.
 
17 months....eeeeek! :shake: not good.
 
Keep going mate, something will come along.

Top tip I was given many years ago..

.. remember that the first person who reads your application does not want to give you the job.. they just want to find every excuse to 2whittle 200 applications down to a short list of 5 or 6, and ideally get it done before the kettle boils.

I've passed this on to quite a few people, and it makes you think about the way you apply. Make absolutely sure you're applying in exactly the way the want and there's nothing to make you automatically find yourself amongst the 195 instead of the 5. The one thing that will almost always result in rejection is the "stock" cv. Spend at least as five times as long on writing each application and cv as you want the person receiving to spend reading it.

Take with a pinch of salt the advice of those that professionally help people write cv's (agencies, job clubs, etc) but soak-up every nugget of information you can from the people that read cv's and make recruitment decisions. CV's go through fashions ("personal statments", etc) but most of the time the people that read them aren't those promoting these FOTM and are only looking for a solid cv, neatly formatted, spelled correctly and that addresses every item on the job specification. All other things being equal (frequently the case for qualifications) in my experience it's the "interests" section that can make the difference - most people seem to be completely without any interest at all to judge from their cv.
 
Thanks Alastair :thumbs:
 
I took voluntary redundancy two months ago. I believe that most jobs are not advertised. I sent out 10 speculative CV's and got a good job that way. I had planned on knocking on every door on every industrial estate in the area and handing out CVs then FOLLOW them up a few weeks later. Be prepared for lots of NOs but it looks very good for you if you do the Norman Tebbit thing and "get on your bike".
DONT email Cvs out. Its very easy for someone to think your just what they want then forget to contact you once your email has gone from the top spot in the inbox. If your printed letter/CV is cluttering up thier desk it'll either end up in the bin (most likely) or your CV might just be on the right desk at the right time.

Just my two peneth worth... best of luck.
 
I work for a recruitment agency that deals in quite a niche market and unfortunately we just don't have enough time in the day to respond to every single applicant. What makes it worse is that some people apply for every job we post without being able to meet any single criteria of the positions advertised, yet call us up asking why we haven't given them a call back. When it comes to agencies my advice would be only apply for jobs where you can tick every box of what is required.
 
Keep at it Andy, I was unemployed for 14 months but just kept applying, finding out why I didn't get the jobs and acted on it. Now i'm in the job of my dreams (lab tech) and glad I put the effort in :).
 
Employers get loads of applicants. If you don't hear in a week forget about it. Just got to keep at it. Or start your own business :)
 
Cheers guy's.

Best i just keep at it!! :thumbs:
 
Hi Andy, dont give up on it. I am now employed after being out for 18 months. And for somebody who is up at about 5 in the morning every morning it was not easy to sit around. Friends and family constantly asking any luck yet does get to you after a while. If you are in a relationship, tiny doubts about whether you are actualy trying hard enough do not help. I put a lot of cv`s out by hand, and whilst no job was offered a good percentage replied and said they would keep my records on file.

I would never touch an agency again if I was in that situation, continualy bombarded with emails and text messages offering me positions which were way beyond what I knew I was capable of. I applied for job which was just up the road from me, driving a sprinter collecting clothes for charity. I have had a clean license for 30 odd years, I have been in the construction for most of my life so fitness was not a problem. Still did not get it, the job was advertised a couple more times in a short period, I phoned the woman up and asked if it was still available and she said yes. It makes you wonder what criteria had to be met to get the job :shrug: Sods law though :lol: When I started at the job I am in now, I was offered interviews for three different jobs that week.

Hope something turns up for you and anybody else out there looking for work.

Oh! And here is my son`s CV and he is still searching for a job :help:

Highlight of Qualifications

• Part qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• Part qualified with the Chartered Institute of Taxation
• Extensive experience of corporation tax compliance
• Effective in maintaining good client relations


EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Corporation Tax Senior Assistant | KPMG LLP
Plymouth & Bristol | January 2007 to August 2010

Working on the corporation tax compliance process with involvement on tax advisory work for a portfolio of public and private companies within a variety of industry sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of corporation tax computations and returns
• Being the principal contact with clients on tax compliance matters and working with Senior Managers on larger clients
• Preparation of tax accounting information, deferred tax and related accounts disclosures and the auditing of client-prepared tax accounts and disclosures
• Co-ordinating tax payments, loss relief, capital allowances, group relief and other claims
• Supervising and reviewing the work of junior members of staff, principally the preparation of tax computations, tax payment advice and correspondence with HMRC
• Negotiating fees and overruns with clients, monitoring WIP and raising invoices
• Liaising with the client service team and colleagues within Audit to ensure a co-ordinated delivery of service is provided to clients

Key Achievements:

• I undertook a six-month secondment to the Transfer Pricing department. Working on a number of benchmarking projects allowed me to develop my skills in financial analyses and report writing, and to gain a better understanding of the transfer pricing documentation process to complement my existing tax compliance knowledge
• I have hosted training sessions for junior members of staff on different technical topics including loss utilisation and close company legislation


Junior Analyst | Ecolab GmbH | www.ecolab.com
Düsseldorf, Germany | March 2005 – September 2005

As part of my university course, I spent a year studying and working in Germany. I completed an internship at Ecolab, working within the accounting department at the EMEA headquarters in Düsseldorf. I assisted with the roll-out of a new online consolidation and reporting system.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Liaising with financial controllers within the 30+ EMEA entities, advising on the reporting process and dealing with ad hoc queries
• Assist in the training of finance staff at sessions held at various locations in Europe
• Experience in using Hyperion Financial Management financial reporting software



EDUCATION

Chartered Institute of Taxation
2009-present
Chartered Tax Advisory (“CTA”) Qualification: Part-Qualified

I have achieved passes in the following CTA exam papers:

- Application and Interaction of Taxes
- VAT, IHT and Corporation Tax Awareness
- Taxation of Individuals
- Law
- Ethics

One remaining CTA paper: Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses


Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (“ICAS”)
2007-present
CA Qualification: Part-Qualified

I have achieved passes in the following ICAS exam papers:

Test of Competence:
- Financial Accounting
- Principles of Auditing & Reporting
- Finance
- Business Management
- Business Law
Test of Professional Skills:
- Financial Reporting
- Assurance and Business Systems
- Taxation
- Advanced Finance

One remaining ICAS paper: Test of Professional Expertise


University of Exeter
2002-2006
BA Accounting and Finance with German | 1st Class (Hons)

I spent the third year of my degree in Germany, studying at the School of International Business in Reutlingen for one semester before undertaking a six-month internship at Ecolab GmbH in Düsseldorf.


Norton Hill School & Sixth Form

A Levels:
- English Literature | Grade A
- German | Grade B
- Maths | Grade C
GCSEs:
- Maths, English (x2), Science (x2), History | Grade A
- German, Design Technology | Grade A*
- Geography, Business Studies | Grade B
 
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Sorry to hear about your problem Andy

If it's driving work you're after if you took your test before 1997 you should have the entitlement to drive 7.5T vehicles on your licence.

It might be worth ringing a few local courier/light haulage companies and giving them your number as a backup driver, just tell them you're available 24/7 at short notice.

You'll probably need to get a digital driver card for the digital tacho which is just an application form and a small fee

there is a shortage of 7.5T drivers because anyone under 30 doesn't automatically have the entitlement on their licence any more
 
Ploddles said:
Same situation here mate. Made redundant last year and really rubbish at interviews. Could do most of the jobs sitting on my head but suffer from stuttering etc during the interview.

Something will come along though.
Click to expand...

this is exactly it... in order to get a job you just have to be good at interviews, tis a shame really.
 
I have always seen the interview as something not to get stressed at. If I screw it up, I don't get the job. If I don't screw it up, I still might not get the job.

So by almost having a don't care attitude, I stay quite relaxed and deal with whatever is thrown at me and seem to do OK.

The worst that can happen is I don't get the job, and seeing as I haven't got the job, I have nothing to lose.
 
wack61 said:
Sorry to hear about your problem Andy

If it's driving work you're after if you took your test before 1997 you should have the entitlement to drive 7.5T vehicles on your licence.

It might be worth ringing a few local courier/light haulage companies and giving them your number as a backup driver, just tell them you're available 24/7 at short notice.

You'll probably need to get a digital driver card for the digital tacho which is just an application form and a small fee

there is a shortage of 7.5T drivers because anyone under 30 doesn't automatically have the entitlement on their licence any more
Click to expand...

Very good point!!! I passed my test in 1983. I'll have another look about! nice one!:thumbs:
 
I've also been in the same situation for the last two years. I have been able to provide a sort income on an unknown day-to-day basis, if there is work available, through an agency. This agency has made ALOT of money out of me and I get 'nothing' during the compulsory holiday periods. I've not claimed a day of job seekers allowance to date and I am proud of the fact despite being in serious financial trouble now.
I've just secured a 6 month temporary contract for 2.5 days a week, which I see as my foot in the door. To get even this far i've spent all that time getting better at the application and interview process. After each interview i've asked to return for honest feedback. Sometimes they said yes. Sometimes I didn't get a '****** off' letter, although I got three 'we're not interested' letters this week :(
The sad thing is that after investing all that time 'getting better at the app & interview' and it has zero reflection on my ability to do my job ... I wish I could have spent it on CPD ... The competition out there is crazily intense and this is what it takes to get started. It's super alarming to think this is going to 'certainly' get worse too!
The best advice is to find a hobby that keeps you sane. Something to go do when your feeling a useless idiot. Then keep doing little and often on the searching front, whilst making sure each attempt gets better via feedback and advice. Good luck!
 
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Notts_Dave said:
I took voluntary redundancy two months ago. I believe that most jobs are not advertised. I sent out 10 speculative CV's and got a good job that way. I had planned on knocking on every door on every industrial estate in the area and handing out CVs then FOLLOW them up a few weeks later. Be prepared for lots of NOs but it looks very good for you if you do the Norman Tebbit thing and "get on your bike".
DONT email Cvs out. Its very easy for someone to think your just what they want then forget to contact you once your email has gone from the top spot in the inbox. If your printed letter/CV is cluttering up thier desk it'll either end up in the bin (most likely) or your CV might just be on the right desk at the right time.

Just my two peneth worth... best of luck.
Click to expand...

with the following up ect, treat it like you're working with a client as opposed to looking for a job, which means all the awesome marketing blogs online apply :D

Loads of info on them, one is to always use a stamp (not a frank) hand write the address (more personal, looks less like junk) and always address it to someone (call ahead and ask who the boss is) All makes your application more memorable, then follow up by rocking up ect
 
The reason some jobs are continually advertised is because they don't exist. Agencies are always trying to find people to give them their cvs so they trawl for them by advertising non existent jobs. Estimates differ on how many are fake vs how many are real. If you ring them up they'll often say they've just gone, or say someone else is dealing with it (classic sign of a fake when you're talking to the person that placed the ad!).

It is illegal to advertise a job that doesn't exist but seemingly no-one is dealing with these agencies that do.
 
u8myufo said:
Hi Andy, dont give up on it. I am now employed after being out for 18 months. And for somebody who is up at about 5 in the morning every morning it was not easy to sit around. Friends and family constantly asking any luck yet does get to you after a while. If you are in a relationship, tiny doubts about whether you are actualy trying hard enough do not help. I put a lot of cv`s out by hand, and whilst no job was offered a good percentage replied and said they would keep my records on file.

I would never touch an agency again if I was in that situation, continualy bombarded with emails and text messages offering me positions which were way beyond what I knew I was capable of. I applied for job which was just up the road from me, driving a sprinter collecting clothes for charity. I have had a clean license for 30 odd years, I have been in the construction for most of my life so fitness was not a problem. Still did not get it, the job was advertised a couple more times in a short period, I phoned the woman up and asked if it was still available and she said yes. It makes you wonder what criteria had to be met to get the job :shrug: Sods law though :lol: When I started at the job I am in now, I was offered interviews for three different jobs that week.

Hope something turns up for you and anybody else out there looking for work.

Oh! And here is my son`s CV and he is still searching for a job :help:

Highlight of Qualifications

• Part qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• Part qualified with the Chartered Institute of Taxation
• Extensive experience of corporation tax compliance
• Effective in maintaining good client relations


EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Corporation Tax Senior Assistant | KPMG LLP
Plymouth & Bristol | January 2007 to August 2010

Working on the corporation tax compliance process with involvement on tax advisory work for a portfolio of public and private companies within a variety of industry sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of corporation tax computations and returns
• Being the principal contact with clients on tax compliance matters and working with Senior Managers on larger clients
• Preparation of tax accounting information, deferred tax and related accounts disclosures and the auditing of client-prepared tax accounts and disclosures
• Co-ordinating tax payments, loss relief, capital allowances, group relief and other claims
• Supervising and reviewing the work of junior members of staff, principally the preparation of tax computations, tax payment advice and correspondence with HMRC
• Negotiating fees and overruns with clients, monitoring WIP and raising invoices
• Liaising with the client service team and colleagues within Audit to ensure a co-ordinated delivery of service is provided to clients

Key Achievements:

• I undertook a six-month secondment to the Transfer Pricing department. Working on a number of benchmarking projects allowed me to develop my skills in financial analyses and report writing, and to gain a better understanding of the transfer pricing documentation process to complement my existing tax compliance knowledge
• I have hosted training sessions for junior members of staff on different technical topics including loss utilisation and close company legislation


Junior Analyst | Ecolab GmbH | www.ecolab.com
Düsseldorf, Germany | March 2005 – September 2005

As part of my university course, I spent a year studying and working in Germany. I completed an internship at Ecolab, working within the accounting department at the EMEA headquarters in Düsseldorf. I assisted with the roll-out of a new online consolidation and reporting system.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Liaising with financial controllers within the 30+ EMEA entities, advising on the reporting process and dealing with ad hoc queries
• Assist in the training of finance staff at sessions held at various locations in Europe
• Experience in using Hyperion Financial Management financial reporting software



EDUCATION

Chartered Institute of Taxation
2009-present
Chartered Tax Advisory (“CTA”) Qualification: Part-Qualified

I have achieved passes in the following CTA exam papers:

- Application and Interaction of Taxes
- VAT, IHT and Corporation Tax Awareness
- Taxation of Individuals
- Law
- Ethics

One remaining CTA paper: Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses


Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (“ICAS”)
2007-present
CA Qualification: Part-Qualified

I have achieved passes in the following ICAS exam papers:

Test of Competence:
- Financial Accounting
- Principles of Auditing & Reporting
- Finance
- Business Management
- Business Law
Test of Professional Skills:
- Financial Reporting
- Assurance and Business Systems
- Taxation
- Advanced Finance

One remaining ICAS paper: Test of Professional Expertise


University of Exeter
2002-2006
BA Accounting and Finance with German | 1st Class (Hons)

I spent the third year of my degree in Germany, studying at the School of International Business in Reutlingen for one semester before undertaking a six-month internship at Ecolab GmbH in Düsseldorf.


Norton Hill School & Sixth Form

A Levels:
- English Literature | Grade A
- German | Grade B
- Maths | Grade C
GCSEs:
- Maths, English (x2), Science (x2), History | Grade A
- German, Design Technology | Grade A*
- Geography, Business Studies | Grade B
Click to expand...


Your sons CV looks very impressive. It's a shame he hasn't been able to secure a job yet. I think that is one of the problems in the UK. These type of the jobs are largely located around the financial centers in the UK. London, Manchester and Edinburgh. I know from personal experience your son would get snapped up in London, i've recently changed jobs and found it quite a buoyant market for that kind of skillset.

What I would suggest is, if he hasn't already done so is to spec himself to companies that he would like to work at. It takes a lot of guts and courage, but I would encourage him to call him FD's from these firms and after saying hello, tell him his qualifications quickly i.e. 1st in degree, part qualified, ex-KPMG etc.. and then say to the FD what would be the best way to present them with an opportunity to see if his kind of profile would be of interest/benefit to the firm. Not all people appreciate this approach, but if he is keen to take the bull by the horns and is looking for any advice, please get him to drop me a pm or send me his email address. Being an ex-recruiter, I know the process can be incredibly frustating for a candidate, but there is no reason why we can't use their approach to get results for ourselves.

Hope this helps :)
 
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srichards said:
The reason some jobs are continually advertised is because they don't exist. Agencies are always trying to find people to give them their cvs so they trawl for them by advertising non existent jobs. Estimates differ on how many are fake vs how many are real. If you ring them up they'll often say they've just gone, or say someone else is dealing with it (classic sign of a fake when you're talking to the person that placed the ad!).

It is illegal to advertise a job that doesn't exist but seemingly no-one is dealing with these agencies that do.
Click to expand...

Certainly not something we ever do. We just don't have the time to field phone calls from jobs that don't exist just to try and gather CV's.
 
Sorry if it's unwanted, but I can't help offering some c&c.. that maybe some others may also find useful..

u8myufo said:
Highlight of Qualifications

• Part qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• Part qualified with the Chartered Institute of Taxation
Click to expand...

How far "part-qualified".. how far has he got, how far still to go? Leave the person reading this with questions and it's very unlikely they will come back to find out the answers.

- seen this is answered later, but maybe give a percentage here, 4/5 papers completed, 80%, etc.

• Extensive experience of corporation tax compliance
• Effective in maintaining good client relations


EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Corporation Tax Senior Assistant | KPMG LLP
Plymouth & Bristol | January 2007 to August 2010

Working on the corporation tax compliance process with involvement on tax advisory work for a portfolio of public and private companies within a variety of industry sectors.
Click to expand...

Which industry sectors? - again, don't leave unanswered questions.. this type of statement (vague) makes it sound like a jack-of-all-trades CV, rather than something tailored for *this* application because you really, really want it.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of corporation tax computations and returns
• Being the principal contact with clients on tax compliance matters and working with Senior Managers on larger clients
• Preparation of tax accounting information, deferred tax and related accounts disclosures and the auditing of client-prepared tax accounts and disclosures
• Co-ordinating tax payments, loss relief, capital allowances, group relief and other claims
• Supervising and reviewing the work of junior members of staff, principally the preparation of tax computations, tax payment advice and correspondence with HMRC
• Negotiating fees and overruns with clients, monitoring WIP and raising invoices
• Liaising with the client service team and colleagues within Audit to ensure a co-ordinated delivery of service is provided to clients

Key Achievements:

• I undertook a six-month secondment to the Transfer Pricing department. Working on a number of benchmarking projects allowed me to develop my skills in financial analyses and report writing, and to gain a better understanding of the transfer pricing documentation process to complement my existing tax compliance knowledge
• I have hosted training sessions for junior members of staff on different technical topics including loss utilisation and close company legislation
Click to expand...

There is nothing in the way either of the two sections above are worded to suggest that ability to work independently, self-prioritise work or use initiative (the second one comes close, then there's the apologetic "alongside.."). Team-work is great, but needing supervision/managing is not.

Junior Analyst | Ecolab GmbH | www.ecolab.com
Düsseldorf, Germany | March 2005 – September 2005

As part of my university course, I spent a year studying and working in Germany. I completed an internship at Ecolab, working within the accounting department at the EMEA headquarters in Düsseldorf. I assisted with the roll-out of a new online consolidation and reporting system.
Click to expand...

Picked up any German language skills to build on your GCSE? knowledge of the German tax/accounting regulations?

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Liaising with financial controllers within the 30+ EMEA entities, advising on the reporting process and dealing with ad hoc queries
• Assist in the training of finance staff at sessions held at various locations in Europe
• Experience in using Hyperion Financial Management financial reporting software
Click to expand...

Three items.. but not one comes across as an "achievement" or much of a "responsibility".

"Liaising" - sounds like you spoke to a few people.. what did you achieve as a result of this communicating?

"assist".. "training" - what does the assisting role involve? - did you train, prepare training materials? what was the outcome? how many people did you succesfully train, to what standard and over what period of time?

"experience" - not software I'm familiar with, but general questions would be, how experienced? what functions have you experience of doing with the software? only familiar with one propietary software - what if the company you're applying to uses a different system? can you find out what system the company you're applying to you uses?


EDUCATION

Chartered Institute of Taxation
2009-present
Chartered Tax Advisory (“CTA”) Qualification: Part-Qualified

I have achieved passes in the following CTA exam papers:

- Application and Interaction of Taxes
- VAT, IHT and Corporation Tax Awareness
- Taxation of Individuals
- Law
- Ethics

One remaining CTA paper: Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses


Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (“ICAS”)
2007-present
CA Qualification: Part-Qualified

I have achieved passes in the following ICAS exam papers:

Test of Competence:
- Financial Accounting
- Principles of Auditing & Reporting
- Finance
- Business Management
- Business Law
Test of Professional Skills:
- Financial Reporting
- Assurance and Business Systems
- Taxation
- Advanced Finance

One remaining ICAS paper: Test of Professional Expertise


University of Exeter
2002-2006
BA Accounting and Finance with German | 1st Class (Hons)

I spent the third year of my degree in Germany, studying at the School of International Business in Reutlingen for one semester before undertaking a six-month internship at Ecolab GmbH in Düsseldorf.


Norton Hill School & Sixth Form

A Levels:
- English Literature | Grade A
- German | Grade B
- Maths | Grade C
GCSEs:
- Maths, English (x2), Science (x2), History | Grade A
- German, Design Technology | Grade A*
- Geography, Business Studies | Grade B
Click to expand...

Ditch the GCSEs.. shouldn't be relevant at this level.

No interests? I know accountants have a certain reputation, but you're applying to work alongside other people and they'd like to know you have something to talk about, to keep you sane, etc. Avoid "reading", "gardening" and "photography" - because noone interesting has these interests, interesting people "Enjoy crime fiction, including author a, author b, and you really enjoyed book c (recently published), or you're "an avid collector of Clematis with over fifty cultivars", or you "really enjoy trips to north Wales to photograph fast jets in the valleys".

Overall it's a good CV.. but there's nothing in it that makes it really stand out and get passed the first cut if there are already great CVs in the stack of applications.
 
Keep at it everyone. I was made redundant in Jan 2009, and have been applying for all sorts of jobs, inc factory and warehouse work, without success. I was an IT bod. This week I managed to get 2 job offers. OK, they're not the best of jobs, but after nearly 2 years I'd take anything!! One was an order picker in a warehouse, and the other a lab technician. I was a lab tech before I was an IT bod. I've taken the lab tech one, and although I am starting at the very bottom, there is more scope to progress. I will be earning approx 1/3rd of my previous salary!!
 
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