Job Opportunities for 27yr old.

[JGBinks]

Dear all,

I'll give you a run down of my past:

"I have spent much of my career working in the retail industry and have a degree in Interior Design and, albeit my career to date has mainly been in the retail space planning sector I did have part time direct retail experience whilst at university.

I am a determined person who enjoys meeting people and helping them make their decisions and love nothing more than facing different challenges

So why is it that knowbody will employ my services

I haven't got the foggiest. Am totally stupmed, not a clue.

I've sent countless CV's and covering letters out over a period spaning well over two years (btw did I mention it's been 2yrs and 3weeks offically since I last had work)!!!

It's crazy, I can't even get a job in a cafe because I have NO EXPERIENCE in that field - no one will/is willing to give me a job.

The only other thing I love more than designing IS - DRIVING.

It seems postal/delivery courier companies etc wont even consider me for driving a 3.5 Tonne van around which I'm more than capable of doing ok its a tad bigger than my 5door 207, but I do have experience since driving from the age of 17.

This is due apparently because I have NO 'Multi-Drop Delivery Driving' experience - I'M SCREWED!!!!!!!

I'm too old to get an apprentiship and I can't afford to go on a working holiday (You need some money to do that).

The Govement in their fine wisdom have given help it seems to 16-24's and give help to the 30-60's back into work. WHAT ABOUT MY AGE GROUP?????

I'm 27 and unemployed for just over 2yrs, can't afford to go back to uni or colleage, can't get a job in another sector due to my fantastic career choice of Architecture design, so any other sector employer takes one look at my CV and thinks to themselves that "If we train this fella and employ him he's going to be off the moment an architectural vacancy comes up" - SO they don't even offer an interview or job, ITS MADENING!!!!

I think what I'm asking is this IS THEIR ANYONE OUT THEIR WHO CAN OFFER ME A PERMANENT OR ON-GOING CONTRACT EITHER IN WHAT I USED TO DO OR DRIVING OR SOMETHING ELSE, I'm at my whitsend PLEASE HELP?

 

[01wise_enterprise]

Look into starting a business in a sector your interested in.

Then you can provide yourself a job, and maybe more people in your situation

 

[sysops]

Where do you live?

 

[Matty Jay]

Dear all,

I'm 27 and unemployed for just over 2yrs, can't afford to go back to uni or colleage, can't get a job in another sector due to my fantastic career choice of Architecture design, so any other sector employer takes one look at my CV and thinks to themselves that "If we train this fella and employ him he's going to be off the moment an architectural vacancy comes up" - SO they don't even offer an interview or job, ITS MADENING!!!!

I think what I'm asking is this IS THEIR ANYONE OUT THEIR WHO CAN OFFER ME A PERMANENT OR ON-GOING CONTRACT EITHER IN WHAT I USED TO DO OR DRIVING OR SOMETHING ELSE, I'm at my whitsend PLEASE HELP?

Take the degree off your CV and apply for these types of jobs

 

[What If]

Take the degree off your CV and apply for these types of jobs

If he does this he may end up having to explain two gaps in his employment rather than just one!

 

[thebigIAM]

Obviously I realise this comment is of no direct help to you, but when we hear so much intolerance, almost on a daily basis, of people who have been without work for a while, it is good to be reminded there's another side.

Regarding the rut you find yourself in - once you do find something, you'll be off and away. The difficulty is getting off the starter's block.

I don't have any useful advice, but how about volunteering to fill the time? The thing about volunteering is that it gets you out the house and will be giving you a chance to enhance/learn skills useful in employment, would probably look better on your CV, and it would get your face 'out there'.

Also, if you were to find a job, say, next week, your biggest problem once you start would be crippling tiredness, because you simply won't be used to such a massive change in your routine. Volunteering would help bridge that gap, I think.

 

[TehBen]

I have 3 options that maybe you should consider.
1. Be much less specific with what kind of work you want to do. In this climate, it is important for many people to just find a job, any job, that pays the bills. Even if it means working at a cheese factory, it is a job and it will get you money; money with which you can save up and retrain in the future.
2. Leave the country. I currently live in Thailand, and teach English. It was a crazy move for me as I had just been promoted to a managerial position in my previous employment and was beginning to make something of my life (I am 28 now). But I still regard this as the best thing I could have done. Many employers look favourably on a potential candidate that has spent time working overseas.
3. Look online for freelance work. There are many websites offering freelance work in many different fields, you can even work from home in a lot of cases.

You must stay positive though. If you keep on it, keep submitting your C.V asd stay confident in interviews, then you will eventually find work.
You could even ask the companies that you have been denied a position as to why you were not chosen, at least then you will have a reason and can adjust your approach for future interview/applications.

 

[TehBen]

Take the degree off your CV and apply for these types of jobs

I have a friend that had a lot of experience in banking, specifically, managing business accounts. Because of his qualifications and experience, he was refused work as the potential employers believed he would be over-qualified for working as a delivery driver or postman etc.

He then took off his degree and previous banking experience from his C.V and was hired within 2 weeks.

It certainly does work for some jobs. And an easy way to explain the gap - travelling.

 

[Goblin]

I am with 01wise_enterprise - start your own business. You don't really need any upfront money, just a little bit of cash to buy a minimum amount of equipment and of course let the World (or your town) know that you are around - some marketing in some local newspapers or website doesn't cost much. If you can't do it yourself, get a friend to create a small web presence for you and that's you up and running.
Things will be slow at first, but soon you will get customers and then hopefully the snowball effect will ensure you can generate a decent income for yourself.
Good luck!

 

[deniser]

What do your covering letters look like?

We advertised a vacancy recently for a minimum wage job (with prospects) and received a lot of applications. Those who had taken the trouble to write a proper relevant covering letter explaining why they wanted the job - which included taking an interest in the subject matter - went to the interview pile. The rest, which were mainly one liners saying "I enclose my CV" went into the reject pile automatically.

I would add that there were only about 10% who had bothered to write the covering letter properly so their chances were hugely increased.

We gave the job to a graduate although she did have a related degree although the degree was in no way necessary for the job and our second choice candidate had only GCSEs.

 

[JDX_John]

I am with 01wise_enterprise - start your own business. You don't really need any upfront money, just a little bit of cash to buy a minimum amount of equipment and of course let the World (or your town) know that you are around - some marketing in some local newspapers or website doesn't cost much. If you can't do it yourself, get a friend to create a small web presence for you and that's you up and running.
Things will be slow at first, but soon you will get customers and then hopefully the snowball effect will ensure you can generate a decent income for yourself.
Good luck!

If he's been unemployed 2 years he might not be able to manage to support himself with a business generating no money. And "cheap advertising" might not seem cheap if you're living hand-to-mouth.

JGBinks, how are you paying for food and accommodation? Government benefits or living with family?

 

[davek17]

Firstly JDBinks, I do sympathise with your situation, we've all been there (911 and the dotcom bust for me!!) but also understand that there are lots of people in the same boat as you at the moment. You are actually far better placed than a lot of the younger guys withought degrees or with degrees with no experience.

Times are very hard and you have to take control and resort to tactics more appropriate to these times. Sending your CV out is what 1000's are doing for every job its a law of averages thing at best.

If money is the issue, lower your expectations and sit it out. I know lots of kids who have got jobs on building sites, in care homes etc and you know what, they actually love it. Yes they do want to go back to being marketing executives and IT admin people but they're making the most of their situation and they can afford the little things that keep them going aswell as keeping their CV's ticking over.

One lad I know, who's a 25 year old account manager has taken a 2 day job as a brickies labourour, spends 1 day job hunting, 1 day training and has a 3 day weekend when he wants or does some great volunteer work for the local Jo-Spice. He's never been happier and his CV is is so good now that when he does find a job he'll be right at the top for it.

There are always free or very cheap courses for unemployed people too, your local paper will have evening courses. The Job centre should also have lots of contacts here too.

Also think about what you can put your skills to work as. Can you not do something for free for someone and start building a portfolio? Its better than doing nothing? There's always charity work, its not going to pay the bills but it keeps your CV ticking over. A young girl who lives opposite me who is also a designer has actually been window dressing all the charity shops round here and she's now blogging about it and started to get some business from the local shopps too! Now thats called amking something happen for yourself.

When I lost my job and took nearly 6 months to find anything I went in to youth clubs and rugby clubs and offered my coaching skills for free.

Main thing is to keep your chin up, take responsibility which will start creating some luck for you, keep at it and don't give up. There's plenty that can make you happy out there.

 

[JGBinks]

One thing though, the types of businesses I have researched and looked into in great depth (as i've had 2yrs of no work to do this) ALL NEED MONEY TO SET THEM UP WITH.

Oooo I don't have any other than Job Seekers which is nothing!!!!!

Hense the situation. To start the business I need money and while setting that up i need to live, meaning i need to have some sort of a part time job and there in lies the problem - nobody will employ for fear of me running off if an architectural job comes up. I'M SCREWED!!!!

 

[JGBinks]

-------------------------Why???------------------------------------------------

 

[davek17]

I think you're admitting defeat before you even start. There's plenty you can do, you just have to maybe slow down a bit and try to walk before you jog and then eventually run again. Do you really think a builder is worried about you running off in 3 months to be an architect?

Have you tried temp jobs? I know people who have practically made careers doing temping and that would negate any worries you point out like this?

It seems time is something you have at the moment. It would take someone with your level of education no more than a day to learn Wordpress. and to set up a website and blog. This is free. You could set up a niche architectural blog and blog every day.

Then learn a little bit about SEO and you would be surprised at who might come calling for your services. Offer really low prices for your services because you can. At worst you could put this on your CV, at best it could be the start of a new business for you?

 

[JGBinks]

u sound a very open minded fella - good for you. The problem i have is i've tried the charities etc and most of the retailers and come to mention it most of the other work sectors out their and guess what - no joy what so ever.

Hense im still on the rediculous and to be quite frank 'A JOKE' of help and support what we know as Job centre plus government department. What help and support I've been out of work for 2yrs and I've had nothing, not a wisker of support or help. I don't call £65 a week HELP. Nobody can live off that little amount in a week it cant be done. Food, travel etc. What a load of rubbish, hense my savings have disappeared all together and im in LIMBO LAND!!!!

 

[BizGurl]

I'm not sure where in West Yorkshire you are, but if you're local to Leeds, there's a scheme called 'Enterprise Rehearsal/Sharing the Success', which allows you to start your business up and keep your Jobseekers Allowance for the first 6 months, so you don't have to worry about making an immediate income for things like rent/council tax/food.

Also, as you're 27, you could try the Princes Trust, who are very good. They can put you on an enterprise programme, provide start-up funding (loans upto £4000 I think it is now), and a test trading grant of £200. You can also apply to them for upto £500 for training. It may not seem like it, but there is actually quite a bit of support out there, it's just a matter of finding it.

The government reckon they'll be introducing start-up business finance of upto 2k for long-term unemployed people...maybe something worth keeping an eye on?

Good luck

EDIT: You can't rely on the Jobcentre for help. They're a useless pile of ****.

 

[JGBinks]

If he's been unemployed 2 years he might not be able to manage to support himself with a business generating no money. And "cheap advertising" might not seem cheap if you're living hand-to-mouth.

JGBinks, how are you paying for food and accommodation? Government benefits or living with family?

I get £65 a week on JSA and thats it no other benefits as i live at home with my parents!!!

Nobody can live on that food and travel etc.

 

[JDX_John]

Don't they give extra money for travel to interviews? You can definitely live on £65/week if you don't have to pay accommodation/bills.

I thought they stopped paying out after such a long time though, or forced you to apply for every single job going? How are you not getting jobs as a barman or dishwasher?

 

[JGBinks]

I'm not sure where in West Yorkshire you are, but if you're local to Leeds, there's a scheme called 'Enterprise Rehearsal/Sharing the Success', which allows you to start your business up and keep your Jobseekers Allowance for the first 6 months, so you don't have to worry about making an immediate income for things like rent/council tax/food.

Also, as you're 27, you could try the Princes Trust, who are very good. They can put you on an enterprise programme, provide start-up funding (loans upto £4000 I think it is now), and a test trading grant of £200. You can also apply to them for upto £500 for training. It may not seem like it, but there is actually quite a bit of support out there, it's just a matter of finding it.

The government reckon they'll be introducing start-up business finance of upto 2k for long-term unemployed people...maybe something worth keeping an eye on?

Good luck

EDIT: You can't rely on the Jobcentre for help. They're a useless pile of ****.

Thanks,

Good info to be given. Glad someone has some sound advice to give. Maybe you should work for the government JCP body as they seem to be rubbish at giving sound info that might actually help people!!!!

Thanks again.

 

[BizGurl]

Thanks,

Good info to be given. Glad someone has some sound advice to give. Maybe you should work for the government JCP body as they seem to be rubbish at giving sound info that might actually help people!!!!

Thanks again.

You're alright thanks. I'd rather clean the streets than work for Jobcentre Plus. It's just full of people who feel important sitting behind a desk.

 

[JGBinks]

Mine does that and still zip, nada, 0.

 

[sri_130]

Burger chain, sandwich chain stores. Its a job and its money.

 

[JGBinks]

I think you're admitting defeat before you even start. There's plenty you can do, you just have to maybe slow down a bit and try to walk before you jog and then eventually run again. Do you really think a builder is worried about you running off in 3 months to be an architect?

Have you tried temp jobs? I know people who have practically made careers doing temping and that would negate any worries you point out like this?

It seems time is something you have at the moment. It would take someone with your level of education no more than a day to learn Wordpress. and to set up a website and blog. This is free. You could set up a niche architectural blog and blog every day.

Then learn a little bit about SEO and you would be surprised at who might come calling for your services. Offer really low prices for your services because you can. At worst you could put this on your CV, at best it could be the start of a new business for you?

Firstly i aint an architect you assumed that point. I am in fact a draughtsman/CAD Technician/Space Planner.

Second i have tried all recruitment companies and other sources and exausted these channels perm/charity/temp all the same response. So yes i suppose i am turning my back on my career path i think you would if it runs you down the garden path three time each time first 6months out of work, second time again another 6months and third on going currently 2yrs and 3weeks and still no nearer to any kind of employment.

As for (and i know it isnt you who posted it) regarding removal of my degree and career history - those people will actually find that that is an illegal act and you can get done for that. The travelling part is the only bit that you are lying about, but removal of education/qualifications and career history is an illegal act and you will be breaking the law!!!!

I personally am not and never will be a law breaker NEVER EVER!!!!!

Going back to the issues you mention - charity work etc, these are fine and you can do these while still claiming JSA, but they do restrict you as to how many hours you can work for the charity and not only that they restrict you as to what type of charity (IT MUST BE A REGISTERED CHARITY & TO THEIR LIKING).

Hense I constantly look for everything and anything and apply and zero, nada. There is one thing no one can say not even the job centre who say it themselve - we cant say that this fella hasn't tried because he has!!!!

 

[BizGurl]

Burger chain, sandwich chain stores. Its a job and its money.

Whilst I agree, the majority of these types of jobs were difficult to come by when I was seeking work. Due to the fact that most people think it's crap but easy to get work, these burger chains are swamped with applications from overqualified people aswel as those with no qualifications/experience. From personal experience, they prefer someone who isn't overqualified and won't just leave after a few months. I imagine there's actually more competition for these jobs than most other types of jobs.

 

[TotallySport]

What do your covering letters look like?

We advertised a vacancy recently for a minimum wage job (with prospects) and received a lot of applications. Those who had taken the trouble to write a proper relevant covering letter explaining why they wanted the job - which included taking an interest in the subject matter - went to the interview pile. The rest, which were mainly one liners saying "I enclose my CV" went into the reject pile automatically.

I would add that there were only about 10% who had bothered to write the covering letter properly so their chances were hugely increased.

We gave the job to a graduate although she did have a related degree although the degree was in no way necessary for the job and our second choice candidate had only GCSEs.

I agree the issue might be with the cover letter.

IMO the cover letter should be saying why you want the job and how well you will do the job advertised.

Again we have many applicants and only about 10% attach a thought about cover letter, however none of them actually looked at the job advert and what we were looking for, and then went on to ramble about general unrelated information. They were all very willing to tell me they had good degrees and good qualifications none of which were relavent to the job as we didn't need someone with any qualifications, not one focused on my business and the job which was being offered.

That then means you pick the people that look like they will conform and stay, so its like picking at random, well a little better than random but not much.

 

[TotallySport]

I personally am not and never will be a law breaker NEVER EVER!!!!!

Do you drive?

 

[JGBinks]

Don't they give extra money for travel to interviews? You can definitely live on £65/week if you don't have to pay accommodation/bills.

I thought they stopped paying out after such a long time though, or forced you to apply for every single job going? How are you not getting jobs as a barman or dishwasher?

£65 a week is suppose to cover food and anything else.

Where i live in the middle of nowhere lol. The cheapest bus fair 1 way only to get to my job centre costs £5.00 THATS ONE WAY!!!!

It cost £5.25p to go by car, which is quicker and on time as it belongs to me lol. The job centre only pay travel expenses if 1. u have an interview - for that u need to be offered on lol, fat chance of that happening. pigs will fly be4 that ever happens to me.

2. they reinbuse u if u see ur adviser if its not on ur sign on day THATS IT NOTHING MORE!!!

 

[JGBinks]

Do you drive?

Yes - a standard driving license which entitles me to drive a car and a van up to 3.5Tonnes.

Why?

 

[BizGurl]

£65 a week is suppose to cover food and anything else.

Where i live in the middle of nowhere lol. The cheapest bus fair 1 way only to get to my job centre costs £5.00 THATS ONE WAY!!!!

It cost £5.25p to go by car, which is quicker and on time as it belongs to me lol. The job centre only pay travel expenses if 1. u have an interview - for that u need to be offered on lol, fat chance of that happening. pigs will fly be4 that ever happens to me.

2. they reinbuse u if u see ur adviser if its not on ur sign on day THATS IT NOTHING MORE!!!

Where abouts in W Yorks do you live?

 

[TotallySport]

what about week riders, in Manchester you can buy a weekly bus ticket, unlimited use for £11 (i think might be £13)

 

[sysops]

Where i live in the middle of nowhere lol. The cheapest bus fair 1 way only to get to my job centre costs £5.00 THATS ONE WAY!!!!

It cost £5.25p to go by car, which is quicker and on time as it belongs to me lol. The job centre only pay travel expenses if 1. u have an interview - for that u need to be offered on lol, fat chance of that happening. pigs will fly be4 that ever happens to me.

Do you think that you might be damaging your career prospects by choosing to live somewhere so remote?

Have you considered moving to an area with more jobs?

 

[BizGurl]

You sound about as negative as I was a while ago, and you're damning yourself by saying 'pigs will fly before you're offered an interview'! Believe me just attitude alone can change everything. I don't want to sound all 'cosmic/mystical/you-get-what-you-believe-in' but if you tell yourself you won't get an interview/job - you won't. Your negativity will probably come across in your CV/covering letters.

Maybe you will have to turn your back on you career and look to pastures new. I'm a 'designer' by qualification, but in reality, there aren't many design jobs about so I've took anywork I can get. I have no background in health/social care, but managed to get a 'nearly full-time' role as family support worker. And you know what? It's not design but I love it! For the vast majority of jobs, NO qualifications are required (not any I've come across anyway), just common sense, willingness to work hard/learn, amongst others.

You can always get a folio together and freelance on the side to build up a client base or something. With your background, I can think of LOADS of areas you could move into quite easily, even if not directly related to what you've already done.

£65 a week is pretty tight, but it's all about being creative with it. It can be done!

 

Don't they give extra money for travel to interviews? You can definitely live on £65/week if you don't have to pay accommodation/bills.

But someone has to pay accomodation bills be it the OP's parents who may well not be in the best position themselves.

How anyone can suggest that you can live on 65 quid is beyond me .?:|

Plenty of pensioners dying because they can't feed themselves or have the heating up high enough and they get twicw that figure.

Earl

 

[Stephen Berry]

OP - as some others have said, the mindset is probably going to ensure that you come across to others well under your best. I read the posts and see defeatism.

I know of 2 young men who have been horrendously and permanently physically injured in accidents. One has given up and one has driven through the pain and disappointment to press on with life (albeit very different to before the accident). I won't go into details - my location is publicly available and the details are not relevant anyway. You are reminding me of the first and maybe life would be different if you were the second.

Could I suggest working on that in 2 ways - physically and mentally. They won't get you a job, but the current mindset will not either.

Physically - (rhetorical question) what shape are you in and how could you be?
get up every morning and 'go to work' - your work can be to get into the best physical shape you can be ..... then watch the mindset change. You don't have to go to a gym - you can walk / run / lift / carry / whatever - from home for free. It's about getting pride and getting positive.

Mentally - (rhetorical question) what is stimulating your mind and what could be?
What have you read in the last fortnight? Books are free from libraries and there are plenty of free downloadables. Wherever your mind is - take it on a few steps. I'm not talking about qualificatiosn or anything - just stimulating the mind by reading.

I have more thoughts too - but these ones come first.
Maybe commit to a month of physical and mental exercise, then observe change - then further ideas.

good luck - this part is totally in your hands.

 

[Matty Jay]

Firstly i aint an architect you assumed that point. I am in fact a draughtsman/CAD Technician/Space Planner.

As for (and i know it isnt you who posted it) regarding removal of my degree and career history - those people will actually find that that is an illegal act and you can get done for that. The travelling part is the only bit that you are lying about, but removal of education/qualifications and career history is an illegal act and you will be breaking the law!!!!

I personally am not and never will be a law breaker NEVER EVER!!!!!

Going back to the issues you mention - charity work etc, these are fine and you can do these while still claiming JSA, but they do restrict you as to how many hours you can work for the charity and not only that they restrict you as to what type of charity (IT MUST BE A REGISTERED CHARITY & TO THEIR LIKING).

Hense I constantly look for everything and anything and apply and zero, nada. There is one thing no one can say not even the job centre who say it themselve - we cant say that this fella hasn't tried because he has!!!!

You seem very defeatist. I hope you don't take offence but a great deal of people on here are offering you suggestions and advice and your response each time seems to be to knock it back in a defeatist fashion. You seem more interested in complaining about your situation than doing anything to resolve it.

I don't know what you're talking about it being 'illegal' failing to mention a degree in your CV. At the absolute worst it's a sackable offence (and even that I doubt as I will explain) but it certainly isn't going to see you pulled up before the magistrates... Firstly, if you're applying for real 'unskilled' jobs in small local firms such as pub work or in a Fish & Chip shop they're unlikely to have a mega-form that a Wetherspoons or big chain has. It will just be CV merit based. And how then are they then going to find out about your degree? Are they going to contact every higher education institute in the country to check your name isn't on a list of graduates? Or are government inspectors going to pop round to see whether or not the business has employed someone who has failed to mention a qualification? No.

And what is this nonsense about what type of charity? Of course it must be registered as a charity - otherwise I'd seriously question if it wasn't some kind of tax-dodge business. To their liking? I've never heard such a thing.

I'm sorry but you seem to be putting roadblocks in the way. I haven't been in your shoes before but I spent a good 6 months unemployed and it's bloody depressing (I must have applied for hundreds of jobs without hearing a sausage back) but there ARE jobs out there. As someone else has hinted at you should just go to a building site/landscapers and ask if the firm needs ANY labourers. Target enough of those and you'll find something. That's the simplest solution I can think if it actually is dire straits.

Sorry if this advice seems harsh but you need to shake yourself out of this mindset. You're the master of your own destiny.

 

[Matty Jay]

Infact if you're really desperate and looking for someone else to just tell you a business idea that isn't going to cost you anything then I'll give you one now. It will cost you about £2 and the price of a phone call to HMRC to register as self-employed.

Can you iron clothes and do you own an iron and ironing board? If the answer to part 1 is 'no' then get a relative or friend who can to teach you how (If the answer to part 2 is 'no' then God help you).

Stick an advert in your local post-office (that's the £2 part) offering an ironing service for those who are too busy to do it themselves. You'll pick up their clothes from home for them and get them back to them within 12 hours. You can charge per 1kg (which is about 5 shirts) - I don't know, £3-5 a kg? Most people will have more than that so you could make £20 at least per customer. 3 of those on the go and you'll already be making almost as much as your current benefit money. As things start to grow you could make a small income out of it.

There's a shop down the road from me that provides this service as a business. That's all they do. It's not in a particularly great location either, in a small town which is as a location slowly dying. Ironing. Someone is doing that and driving a car, paying a mortgage and taking a holiday each year.

That's my suggestion. Virtually zero start-up and operating costs. If you really want to turn things around it's an option

 

[Funny Business Cartoons]

The best good thing about twenty seven year olds is that there's 20 of them lol. (Anyone without a sense of humor can refrain from further comment.)

 

[Esk247]

Do you think that you might be damaging your career prospects by choosing to live somewhere so remote?

Have you considered moving to an area with more jobs?

moving with what money?

this is the same problem i had a few years ago, i was on JSA looking for jobs that fitted my qualifications e.g. engineering diplomas and IT.

guess what came up within 40 odd square miles?..very little! i applied for all..got nowhere

i then did what others told me 'you're looking to high, aim for a cafe job' right yeah great, who's going to employ a CAD guy with a posh accent and who can't cook because he's spent 5 years getting IT and engineering qualifications? nobody! i even got a trial and was flipping useless at it!

'get on your bike and go elsewhere for a job' << NO! you can't be there at 9am every morning, you're not local enough, travel is a nightmare in winter and the job would have to pay enough for you to be able to afford all the travel costs!

people with full time and successful jobs and businesses really don't understand how the other half live. many of those on JSA are desperate to work but circumstance dictates that for a variety of reasons they just can't get back in the working world.

you are limited by location, travel times, travel costs and working hours. remember that buses don't start until 8am so you can only travel up to one hour from your base location.

oh and this rant isn't directed at you Sysops, i'm just saying that its frustrating when you're on JSA and you see everyone else making a pile of dosh for doing very little then you get told by these people to get a job because they've just bought themselves a nice new bmw after working a 3 day week..and now they're off to play golf...ggrr

 

[smbchamp]

I am not sure if my idea will really help you, but just give it a try.

If you are really good at interior designs just start a blog. I have made huge amounts through blogging and I am sure you can too. Just do not believe the hype and follow the simple steps.

You an strike online as well as local deals. It takes very little capital to start your own online business.

Pm me if you need any help regarding this.

Can you get some part time driving gigs in your local transport company? You could work part time on that and part time on your blog.