That is 31 months/over 2 and a half years of my life that I have been unemployed. This is not my fault (as much as I let it destroy my self-esteem constantly); there just aren't the jobs. Or, rather, there are jobs...but for everyone one job, there are 20 people who are desperate to work applying for it. Case in point below:
As you can see, there was a job I saw advertised on Facebook earlier today, in the group Everything Tring. This is a local group that mainly revolves around my hometown, Tring, and the group has steadily grown to a membership that is just over 4500.
The job advertised was for a part-time cleaner. You will notice that this job is both part-time, and a cleaner. No disrespect to either cleaners or people who work part-time - if I had been in time, I'd have applied myself - but it isn't a top-end job. Far from it. Even for a part-time job, it isn't many hours, being advertised as approximately 12 hours a month. Yet, as you can see, there are at least 8 names who are interested in this position within 2 hours of it being advertised - and these are (mostly) just the names who didn't read the job advertisement correctly, so responded using Facebook instead of e-mailing. Despite this, the job was filled -within 3 hours. Yes. 3 hours. That is how quickly even very low-end jobs go.
Let's re-cap:
12 hours per month.
8 applicants.
Gone in 3 hours.
I do understand that this job would be the ideal job for some; perhaps someone who is a part-time student, or someone who just wants a little extra cash on the side. But it sums up perfectly how desperate the job market is.
Some jobs I've failed to get:
- Seasonal job at Marks and Spencers (after filling out a hour-long application form.)
- A local cleaning job, of which there a mere 6 hours a week were on offer
- Retail jobs at Boots, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's
- Various office admin jobs
- Various reception jobs
- A call-centre
- A garden centre
Basically, jobs I am over-qualified for, sure, but ultimately ones that I am far more than able to do. They might argue I am under-experienced, perhaps...But does it really take that long for someone to pick up how to stack shelves, or clean a floor with a mop? Especially if that person has qualifications that prove they are capable of doing far more than that? Yet, the only way one can gain experience nowadays is via voluntary work or trials which - for some employers - can last for 3 months of unpaid work, for 40 hours, without a guarantee of a job at the end of it. If I look at my school friends, the vast majority of them have either suffered periods of unemployment, or have found jobs through their family. I don't really have any contacts.
It's very annoying that I cannot find work myself.
Fuck it...annoying is an understatement. Sometimes, it can drive me to deep depressive spells. Other times, the lack of income leaves me questioning what I would do for money...would I sell my dignity? My integrity? Beloved possessions? In my current financial state, I fear that I would...if the price was right. That's what really worries me.
Thanks for reading.
Tom.
P.S. £10 for my last Rolo and a high-five? Anyone?
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