I'm Sick Of Being Skint
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
September 25, 2011 6:32pm CST
I do try to remain optimistic that I will find work one day but I am a bit annoyed that the GMB Union hasn't even bothered sending me a letter - rejection or not and my feeling is I haven't been selected for interview for 2 reasons:-
1) My age - once they've realised I'm the wrong side of 40 that was it and
2) In Cumbria one has to drive to get around. My feeling is the Carlisle office was just a base and the MAIN office would be in Newcastle, some 60 miles away, or whatever it is. No way would they want me travelling hither and thither on public transport, even though I think they should. Environmentally friendly and all that.
I did send my CV to another temping agency on Friday as they were "hosting" this vacancy in the Public Sector (Environment), another job that would suit me wonderfully well. Again, I reckon my age and no work experience in the last 3 years will go against me.
Oh well, at least some sites pay me and I get REALLY excited when offers credit, then I reach payout quicker. Pathetic, eh? MyLot helps too but it really sticks in my craw (is that the word) when the likes of my in-laws can buy us a new telly and it's something I WANT TO BUY. I can't stand relying on others for these things and we couldn't even go to the Pioneer Food Hall over weekend as John doesn't get his monthly pay until Friday.
Is there no end to this pathetic existence? I'm finding it really hard to remain positive right now, but I guess there are many in the same boat as me, not that it gives me comfort as I want the best for them too.
Oh well, at least some sites pay me and I get REALLY excited when offers credit, then I reach payout quicker. Pathetic, eh? MyLot helps too but it really sticks in my craw (is that the word) when the likes of my in-laws can buy us a new telly and it's something I WANT TO BUY. I can't stand relying on others for these things and we couldn't even go to the Pioneer Food Hall over weekend as John doesn't get his monthly pay until Friday.
Is there no end to this pathetic existence? I'm finding it really hard to remain positive right now, but I guess there are many in the same boat as me, not that it gives me comfort as I want the best for them too.2 people like this
12 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Oh I know this feeling only oh so well! I have been diligently searching for 18 months. Sadly my having a Masters Degree is over the top for the many jobs I have resorted to applying to. I get the, I am way over qualified. Ugh.... Grrrr. lol
I have lost track as to how many CV and applications to date I have completed. I have gone a few interviews but far more absolutely no feed backs to date. I actually got sought of a couple weeks ago, by an agency who found my CV. After paying the high price in parking, turns out it is a scam type agency, who wants to charge me a fee, to make a video for employers, huh?!? 
I have been up until 4 am some days applying madly. I have cut out so many corners there is nothing else to cut anymore. Sadly all we can do is keep trying.
I have began to apply to other States as any types of positions here within the scope of my experience to date have nothing opening up. I know you can't move but for me it seems like it is my only option. Sad that I would have to give up the City and State I was born and raised in but I can't do another year as I have done.
Yes there are a lot more in worse situations and I too wish everyone well who is in the same type of situation and or worse.
I have been up until 4 am some days applying madly. I have cut out so many corners there is nothing else to cut anymore. Sadly all we can do is keep trying.
I have began to apply to other States as any types of positions here within the scope of my experience to date have nothing opening up. I know you can't move but for me it seems like it is my only option. Sad that I would have to give up the City and State I was born and raised in but I can't do another year as I have done.
Yes there are a lot more in worse situations and I too wish everyone well who is in the same type of situation and or worse. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
This may sound drastic but have you ever thought of actually leaving off your Masters Degree on CVs? I know it's a bit "out there" but it may be worth a try.
I would consider travelling or even trying to find a job in Blackpool, where I used to live (at Mum's) but there isn't anything there either and my nephew has been out of work for quite a while and he's a damn sight younger than me (21) so I guess it's far worse for him. He's not the only one which actually helps him as his friends are in the same boat.
I can't even lie about my age 'cos..imagine if I got an interview? How do I make myself look 20 years younger lol.
I would consider travelling or even trying to find a job in Blackpool, where I used to live (at Mum's) but there isn't anything there either and my nephew has been out of work for quite a while and he's a damn sight younger than me (21) so I guess it's far worse for him. He's not the only one which actually helps him as his friends are in the same boat.
I can't even lie about my age 'cos..imagine if I got an interview? How do I make myself look 20 years younger lol.@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Hmm based on the type of career path I have would be hard to explain how I have worked in this field without it. Also, leaving out my MA, then means I can't put my work history right, so then I have absolutely no experience, at all.
Believe me I have tried every possible angel.
Yeah it is like a whirling circle, one have have gotten dizzy over for a while now.
Yeah it is like a whirling circle, one have have gotten dizzy over for a while now. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
I've updated my CV, somewhat controversially. I may share it with you sometime, it will provide you with a laugh if nothing else!
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
30 May 12
Hiya Janey,
What a shame I know so many people who should have got the Jobs and they do not even bother to call them either nothing no e-mail no nothing at all.
Keep trying Janey something can turn up out of the blue.
Put your qualifications always its what counts.
My kids are on the unemployment too this has been coming a long time and Spain has a no less than 25 per cent unemployment at the moment.
Age is a big barrier here so they are taking on much younger people and paying them well I don´t know.
It does look pretty grim here at the moment.
This will be a Country of underground employment in the finish it won´t be long coming either I think.xxx
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
31 May 12
Hiya Janey,
Right on that is what is happening. Before people who lived in the tourist regions were taken on year after year in more or less the same places.
Now it´s all changed they take on whoever takes the lowest wage and so on.
I´m not saying it´s like that everywhere but it is the general trend at the moment.
Here in Navarra there are people being forced to take lower wages or get out of the Company itself.
Quite a few strikes going on today around here and the Miners as always are being very hard hit.
There is a large young population yes but there is also a large amount of older people that have children to raise and pay for their studies and books and the mortgage as well.
If you are under 40 years old you are only just about okay to be considered for a Job most times.
People with University Degrees and Doctors even do cleaning Jobs to get by.
It´s not that it has all gone it is being changed if the Employer can get somebody to do the Job for much less money what will they do?
The obvious.
On the News here they try to tell us a different Story but we know People around us that have been on the unemployment for more than three years and they are fathers of Families.
Not only that the Women are taking on two Jobs some underground business and maybe the other with some sort of contract.
Many Spaniards are working in England at the moment but they are doing Jobs like Pizza Hut and all that.xxx
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 May 12
Yes, I've heard about the problems in Spain. All very scary isn't it? Is there a large, young population there? Has the Euro stopped people from holidaying there, for example, as I know many locals were employed in the hospitality industry in Spain. Has all that gone?
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
26 Sep 11
I hope that you will get some interviews for the jobs that you apply for and soon get a job. In this recession people say it is very hard to get a job. These days the Internet is excellent for job hunting.
I got made redundant when I was 20 years old. I had been working at that shipping company for two years and I got a months salary when I left. I tried very hard to get another job and I looked at shop work, office work and other positions. I got a few interviews but never seemed to get the job.
I let out my cottage, got a working holiday visa for Australia and bought an airline ticket around the world. I spent just over one year on my trip then I came home to study. I upgraded my qualifications and went off to university.
I suggest a part time job somewhere like Wilkinson that have 20 hour a week sort of work on the till or packing shelves. Many shops want extra staff for Christmas. One of my friends did that and after Christmas got taken on permanently.
I know some volunteers did work at my disabled son's playgroup for children with special needs. Three of them got taken on permanently in September 2011. So therefore I think volunteer work can give an excellent reference and in some cases a job at the end of it.
Good luck.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
Many thanks for those suggestions, it's much appreciated.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
5 Oct 11
Sadly, it's the same feeling over here. Yes I do have a job, yet I find that I am still struggling to get by with all of the bills that come at me from everywhere. There are a few things that I really need to buy, specially with winter coming up, but I just can't find where the money would come from.
Hang in there!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
5 Oct 11
Thanks. It's strangely comforting to know that many people (and you've only got to read about them on MyLot) are in the same boat. That's not to say I wouldn't want EVERYBODY to have a decent job, wonderful pay and enough to live on, comfortably. It just helps that I don't feel like I'm on my own.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
26 Sep 11
I was there for several years. While I was working, the cost of living went up and I did not get a raise for 2 years. Cost of child care went up, along with paying for her insurance. We went deep into our savings, and are just now starting to rebuild. I finally got a better paying job, I just hope that I do not get RIF(reduction in force) because the state still has not paid the school district that I work in over 300,000 USD.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
30 Sep 11
Don't feel bad. I am going through a similar situation. I have been out of work since January of 2009. Not only do I have this rotten economy against me, but I do have my age against me. No one wants to hire a 49 year old man when they can get an 18 year for less pay and more energy. I also have been sick, I do have a few physical problems as well as depression. So, I have been going to doctors. I totally understand you feeling on this. It almost seems that we are un-hireable. This is the worst I have ever seen things in my life.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
1 Oct 11
Was it bad in your country in the early 80s? We had a recession here roundabout 1982 which was bad, but nowhere near as bad as in this decade. It was (mainly) the young affected in 1982 but I was lucky enough to get on a training scheme, that are now non-existent to help the likes of my nephew, who is 21 and has been out of work for quite some time as well.
What annoys me the most, however, is that it's STILL easier to find a job if you're already in work. A woman from a temping agency told me that. I find no sense in this at all.
What annoys me the most, however, is that it's STILL easier to find a job if you're already in work. A woman from a temping agency told me that. I find no sense in this at all.@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
1 Oct 11
We had a recession here in the 70's, buy the 80's things were coming around. I know I was making real good money back then and all through the 90's. It seems like after 9/11 things changed and nothing ever recovered, they only gotten worse. You're right, it is easier to find a job while you're working then when you're not.
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Tell me about it. I am further from forty than you are. I am fortunate to have found some freelance work so it is helping. I can get some contract type work as well, but I do not know if they have the same kinds of positions in England. You would do well as a product demonstrator/event specialist, which is something I used to do.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
I'm more confident writing than demonstrating as this site shows perfectly well. Believe it or not I'm quite shy in the real world.
@derek_a (10873)
•
26 Sep 11
I am sorry to hear of your problems getting sorted out with work Janey. And I understand what you mean when you say that many of us are in the same boat, but that makes very little difference. It is good that you can remain optimistic, as this helps us to keep some enthusiasm when we see opportunities for ourselves. I hope that you find some improvement soon.. 
_Derek
_Derek@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
I have updated my CV, right at the start, so potential "employers" HAVE to read it as it's on the first page. It mentions my health problems and that they have been resolved now..which is true. I found it difficult to hold down a job even when I had one but, ironically, I could do a job now, no problem at all. I just had to convey this in my CV because it looks bad me not working for the last 3 years or so. I've also put something humourous about being the "wrong side of 40" but that depends on whether or not the reader(s) have a sense of humour. We shall see! At least I'm trying something different.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
26 Sep 11
I think that a lot of people are in this position at the moment, because there are more people who can't get jobs now than there ever have been in my country before. I can see that you're a member of MyLot, which clearly means that you have put some thought into making money online, and that is a very good thing indeed for you to be thinking about doing. There are so many different things that you can do online in order to make money, and this means that you will be able to earn in your own time and also by doing things that actually interest you.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
Yes, because of all this time I have I can put it some good use in researching sites, etc. I am happier than I was at the start because I know I'm not going to be scammed..in other words I don't invest in sites..ever!
@changjiangzhibin89 (16785)
• China
26 Sep 11
There is something in what you said about two reasons,but it is still too early to rush to conclusion.Maybe you will get a letter one day.But then,even though your worst fears are realized,you shouldn't lose heart.
@szz1990602 (188)
• China
26 Sep 11
I'm skint now. Being skint is really a disgusting thing. You know, I have to borrow money far and near at this time. For me it's a nasty when we owe someone money though not too much.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
Fortunately, I don't own anyone any money therefore I am not in debt. However, the only money that's my own is from sites such as this one, which is better than nothing I suppose.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Sep 11
It's terrible when that happens. Something similar happened to my nephew in a laundry place..and he hasn't been back since.
