Struggling to land a job

I've had interview for varying level of roles. From grads position to warehouse. Due to what I think is my questionable history, 8 month being the longest work duration at one place and 1 month being the shortest at another, I get rejected. I also took long to finish my undergraduate degree (double the normal time).

Competition now is high, 50 candidate for 15 position as recently for the warehouse role. For grad role 10 candidate for 1 position...and these are far more experienced people.

I volunteer now and am trying to 'upskill' myself. I don't have placement year or summer internship as experience which is a disadvantage.

Can't even find jobs suitable for me anymore in variety of sectors like retail, factory based, hospitality, etc.

I am considering teaching seriously as I enjoy it and can see myself doing it. But I'm concerned of over saturation and lack of experience here too as I want to teach primary ideally. I need to improve my interview skills drastically.

Can anyone provide me with some guidance? Thanks

Reply 1

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi there,

It sounds like you’re doing the right things already by volunteering and upskilling, especially in such a competitive job market. Rejections don’t necessarily mean you’re unsuitable - often it comes down to how your experience is presented in applications and interviews.

My top tips would be:

•

Use the job description/person specification as a checklist — these are usually tables or bullet lists separating skills by essential and desirable. Make sure your CV and cover letter demonstrate how you meet all the key skills and incorporate the relevant keywords.

•

Where you don’t meet something yet, show willingness to learn.

•

Research the organisation (e.g. company 'About Us' page, values, recent news) and refer to this in interviews.

•

Prepare for common interview questions by thinking of relevant stories or examples from your experience. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers, including times you’ve developed skills, handled challenges, or learned from setbacks.

If you’re considering primary teaching, a common route is postgraduate study via a PGCE with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), which allows you to teach in schools as soon as you qualify. There are school-led and salaried routes available. You’ll usually need a 2:1 or 2:2 degree and GCSEs in English, Maths and Science at grade 4/C or above, depending on the university.

Teaching offers a clear training and progression pathway, particularly once you’ve achieved QTS. If it genuinely interests you, that enthusiasm will come across strongly.

You can read more about our PGCE courses here if interested: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/subjects/education

Hope this helps and good luck with your applications,

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 2

Ilovelovelegends

Original post

by LJMUStudentReps

Hi there,
It sounds like you’re doing the right things already by volunteering and upskilling, especially in such a competitive job market. Rejections don’t necessarily mean you’re unsuitable - often it comes down to how your experience is presented in applications and interviews.
My top tips would be:

•

Where you don’t meet something yet, show willingness to learn.

•

Research the organisation (e.g. company 'About Us' page, values, recent news) and refer to this in interviews.

•

If you’re considering primary teaching, a common route is postgraduate study via a PGCE with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), which allows you to teach in schools as soon as you qualify. There are school-led and salaried routes available. You’ll usually need a 2:1 or 2:2 degree and GCSEs in English, Maths and Science at grade 4/C or above, depending on the university.
Teaching offers a clear training and progression pathway, particularly once you’ve achieved QTS. If it genuinely interests you, that enthusiasm will come across strongly.
You can read more about our PGCE courses here if interested: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/subjects/education
Hope this helps and good luck with your applications,
Megan (LJMU Rep)

Thank you for the thoughtful answer. I will take these into considerations going forward, particularly maybe I can try showing more willingness to learn/ take more initiatives.

Reply 3

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by Ilovelovelegends

I've had interview for varying level of roles. From grads position to warehouse. Due to what I think is my questionable history, 8 month being the longest work duration at one place and 1 month being the shortest at another, I get rejected. I also took long to finish my undergraduate degree (double the normal time).
Competition now is high, 50 candidate for 15 position as recently for the warehouse role. For grad role 10 candidate for 1 position...and these are far more experienced people.
I volunteer now and am trying to 'upskill' myself. I don't have placement year or summer internship as experience which is a disadvantage.
Can't even find jobs suitable for me anymore in variety of sectors like retail, factory based, hospitality, etc.
I am considering teaching seriously as I enjoy it and can see myself doing it. But I'm concerned of over saturation and lack of experience here too as I want to teach primary ideally. I need to improve my interview skills drastically.
Can anyone provide me with some guidance? Thanks

The job centre are usually pretty good at helping to find jobs, helping brush up on your interview technique etc.

Reply 4

Ilovelovelegends

Original post

by Emma:-)

The job centre are usually pretty good at helping to find jobs, helping brush up on your interview technique etc.

thank you

Reply 5

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by Ilovelovelegends

thank you

Your welcome.
I know that they helped my friends son quite a bit.

Reply 6

meenu89

do you have an 'employment club' near to where you live?
the one near me helps you with access to computers, advice on updating your CVs. all help is provided free of charge, there is no cost to you at all