Not being able to get work sucks.

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Well I am at university at the moment and get grants and a scholarship to pay for my expenses through the year but I don't get any money to cover me over summer so I have to find some work.

I have been applying for loads and loads of jobs and in spite of the fact that I have over 5 years full time work experience and most of the other candidates are 18 year olds with no work or life experience, I am consistently losing out and they are getting the jobs in front of me because I interview very badly. The worst thing is that half of them don't even need the money, they have mummy and daddy to pay their way through college for them or they are living with their parents over summer and they just want some extra pocket money for their foreign holiday. Meanwhile, I need to be earning money as otherwise I will have nothing to pay rent or buy food with and I won't be eligible for dole because of my student status. It isn't even as if most of these jobs require much in the way of skills either; I thought my experience would count because it shows that I am trustworthy and I can provide references.

Well there isn't much I can do it about it apart from continuing to apply but it is good to have a rant anyway.

I remember reading in another thread that some people weren't hired because they were overqualified, or something similar.

I don't think that is an issue here because these jobs are all temporary summer jobs. Normally when a company rejects someone on the grounds that they are overqualified it is because they are worried that the person is just taking the job with a view to finding something better and moving as soon as possible. With these jobs they know it is temporary so they wouldn't have to worry about that. I have also received specific feedback that my communication skills weren't up to scratch or that the interview went badly.

I mean the thing is that most of these jobs don't really require much skill, I mean I am talking about things like office assistant, data inputter, manning a reception desk; that kind of thing.

yah, not being able to get work does suck. i wish i could give you some earth shattering advice but i cant

haha, there isn't any adivce to give really, I just felt frustrated and wanted to rant about it. The only thing I can do is keep applying for things and hope something turns up quick before I run out of money.

Im pretty happy being a bum with no job

I ain't....

To be honest; I would be too. I am ashamed to admit it because I used to have a very strong work ethic and would work really hard but then gradually I realised that my bosses didn't have the right to talk to me like a dog and I started to lose the will to work hard anymore. I mean, when I first started working, I was almost like an army private from Full Metal Jacket, really subservient to the bosses and trying really hard to do the job as quickly and efficiently as I could and feel like I was really earning my money. Then over time as my morale became eroded I started just trying to do the minimum possible to keep my head above water and then finally I was able to apply to university and quit work.

The fact is that I need the money though and because I am a student, I am not entitled to unemployment benefit over the summer if I can't find work.

That can definitely happen. Shell hires PhDs in chemistry as "Chemists." If you have a B.S. then you are not qualified. Unfortunately, Shell does not hire people with a B.S. in chemistry as lab technicians. They are overqualified for that position. The explanation I sort of kind of remember was that if you're overqualified, sure, you are capable, but you are likely deserving of higher wages, or potentially going to get bored with your job more rapidly, or...or....or.... Sounds like excuses to me, save the first point, but oh well.

Really wondering if I should have tried for grad school in chemistry....

So was I. But, life ain't that simple any more.

I am in exactly the same situation. I actually had a pretty good job, it wasn't the greatest... but at least people there understood me and I filled a role in the company. But I decided I was done with that, and I really wanted to tutor math at the college, which is something that is more up my alley. And when there is no one to tutor I can get paid to hang out or do home work... it was a pretty sweet deal. (the pay is lousy... but I don't care)

Anyways it was all well and good untill this summer when I tried to get a summer job. And I haven't found anythng. I am apply at all the crappy places that I feel are below my intellegnce and capabilities and still getting turned down (I haven't even gotten an interview yet). It really is a downer when you apply at a crappy job you think you are a shoe in for... and still don't get it.

I have since reapplyed at my old job, and they seem willing to take me back... they just don't have much for me to do anymore. I need something full time...but they probably only have part time...

And I really need a job... rent and food and phone bills need to be paid...

I knew this was going to happen when I quit this old job... but I didn't realize how terrible it was going to be looking for a summer job.

If I win the lottery I'll give you some money so you don't have to work.

This is extremely unlikely though because I don't buy lottery tickets!

How about a bit of drug running over the holiday - no I'm just being silly!

Good luck!

Helen / Smelena

We think too similarly.
I'm always expecting to
win the lottery, without
playing.

Drug running is tough
nowadays.

I've always found to get a summer job, you either have to have worked at a company before, or know someone well who works there.
Last year I worked at Tesco over the summer, and did so before going to uni. They apparantly didn't consider applications from people applying for the first time.

Have you approached your former employers for some work?

I actually worked in Tesco's in the warehouse full time for about a year not long after I left school. The problem is that I no longer live where I used to so none of my old jobs are in commuting distance. I am not sure that there is a Tesco's near where I live now but I guess it is worth finding out and applying there if there is one. My next port of call at the moments is to go and hit up all the agencies and see of they can get me some agency work.

Have you tried posting your resume on Monster.com? I know it sounds silly, but that's what I did a few days ago. This morning I got an e-mail from someone who wants to interview me, and I have the interview tomorrow.