Being unemployed is a right kick in the plums

[BumbleB]

I am an Avon rep too. Some areas are over stocked with reps and it is very difficult to build up any new customers due to a restriction on roads I can canvass. I enjoy my round though, getting out meeting people - swopping seeds etc, lol. I would say that the average earnings are around �100 per month for 4-5 hours per week. I know some people make more by combining other direct selling, dropping catalogues for Avon and Betterware at the same time.

[lizzylemon]

I too am sorry to hear your news. It's a plum kicker alright for many different reasons. Some really good advice as all ways from the grapes of wisdom.

Here's my two penneth I'm afraid:

I was wondering about selling your I.T skills or offering them as a volunteer (temporary time filler only). There are stacks of technophobes out there, or people who are a bit skint, who can't afford to pay big prices for computer support but still need help and would more than happy to pay a smaller fee to a self employed person such as you.

I also don't agree with Agencies either - how can they possibly sell you? All they do is assess your skills and then push your CV (along with a trillion others) at the prospective employer which makes it pot luck really.

I know there are some who will bleat on about Agencies being totally fair and applicants will only be judged on skills blah blah blah but actually that's not good enough for you. They need to meet you, see you, judge you and like you as a complete package, not just as written words on paper.

Do some research about local companies, book some appointments with the relevant people, get dressed smartly, knock up a few CV's, tell yourself you're the dogs danglies and then go out and meet these people and sell your self.

I know it sounds cheesy, it's much easier said than done and you might not get a job straight off but you will be remembered and when people want someone, you'll be in their memories with your details already on file.

I've been looking for work too and was shocked at the currently job climate, went to agencies, got nowhere. Saw a job in the local paper, started my application letter with:

.....I am the person you're looking for and I can do the job you're advertising.....

I then went on to tell them how I could the job and I offered to pop in to see them the following day and have been there for a month now so I know it can be done.

Good luck.

[Two_Sheds]

I also don't agree with Agencies either - how can they possibly sell you? All they do is assess your skills and then push your CV

some are better than others. When I first qualified as a typist (yes, you need qualifications for it) one agency put me in a factory stuffing envelopes all day
but another agency put me forward for a job I was totally unqualified for, with no experience, and for which I would never have had the confidence to apply for myself (personal assistant to a director).
I felt completely out of my depth, and said I'd stick it for a week until they found me out - but I was still there 2 years later, and really enjoyed it.
So sometimes they are pretty useful

[kevnsue]

I was made redundant in march(14 years in a plumbers merchant) but because i have no qualifications i can't seem to get anything,if you look at my photo page this is what i want to do but because of the credit crunch no one has the money to buy such things,here's hoping it gets better soon,cheers kev.

[funstuie]

Thanks for the advice/support guys.

Today was a bit of a dull day, I decided to sack off as there was just no jobs worth applying for this morning. So I went to the GC and got some seeds in the sale. I also picked up 5 pallets from a building site as I was passing. I cut the two worst up with the chainsaw and the others I am going to make a potting table out of.

I did talk to a couple of agents though and one I have managed to build up a bit of a relationship with and he is giving me preference on jobs he gets in. But he has said that August is generally their slowest month but it usually rockets back to life in September so fingers crossed. Also he has a lead on a job close to home which he is hoping to advertise soon but he has said I am already on the shortlist. Result.

Locally it seems every man/boy/dog is offering IT support so the market is a bit saturated. I did enquire about a volunteer IT Support manager role (which is what I do) but the role was full time and they wanted me to sign a three month contract (again it's volunteer) which I am not going to do as I need to find a paying job. The redundancy package I received is still keeping us going and we are being very frugal so I am not panicing yet, if I am still in the same boat come the end of september we will have to change some things.

I have go to be honest I don't think I would be able to sell Avon. I am speccy, balding and beardy not your typical avon calling representative. Plus I hate sales (I sometimes struggle even to call recruitment agencies).

KevnSue that's some reallyh impressive stuff you have built, I can't believe it's not selling. Hopefully it will pick up for you.

[Two_Sheds]

I don't want to have to keep signing on.

You must though, to keep your NI contributions (and your pension) paid up

[kevnsue]

going alone

I was made redundant in march(14 years in a plumbers merchant) but because i have no qualifications i can't seem to get anything,if you look at my photo page this is what i want to do but because of the credit crunch no one has the money to buy such things,here's hoping it gets better soon,cheers kev.

Thanks for pm's sent.
Does anybody else who is signing on find the whole experience degrading or is it just me ? ,cheers kev.

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, signing on is hideous. When I was first made redundant, I was under the illusion that the JobCentre existed to help you find work ... I used to wear a suit and take my cv with me, lol

Now, you may as well turn up with a can of Special Brew and a dog on a string, like everyone else. You'll get treated no better anyway

[kevnsue]

Have you been to the one in hinckley in leicestershire as well ?.

[bluemoon]

This happened to OH nearly 2 years ago, I think he was out of work for three months or so, but the job situation wasn't quite so bad at that time. He did lose heart and I don't know if it's a 'man thing', but he certainly defined himself by his job whereas I would be quite content jobless, but would hate to be without my family, friends and interests, which is how I tend to define myself. He did start to feel depressed and I'm afraid I wasn't that sympathetic at the time as to me and our children he was just as valuable without a job as he was with one, but looking back I understand how he felt more now. I'm afraid I'm rubbish at advice about finding something new, but I do know that you're just as important and precious to your OH and child as you ever were and they're the people who matter.

[blackkitty]

My OH was made redundant about four years ago and he had to sign on as we had an insurance policy on the mortage, because of the package he didn't actually ever get a cent from welfare (or from the insurance but that's another story). He found it very demeaning being treated like dirt by someone half his age with half his skills and qualifications. He reckoned that the can of special brew etc people actually got treated better than the 'out of work but keen to get back' people. I guess you just have to rise above it all.
You've definitely got everyone on here's empathy and good wishes so hang in there.

[toastie]

Really sorry that you find yourself out of work. I gave up my job as PA to Director of Education for a local Authority in April 2008 to try to regain my sanity after several close family deaths etc. Although I've been ready to go back to work for the last 3 months, can't find anything as the 'credit crunch' has hit during that period. However with elderly parents, the allotment, sorting out my partner's stepmums finances as she is in a care home, visiting her etc although its not paid work I try to keep myself busy (sometimes easier said than done when my partner working in Holland during the week). You need to keep your c.v. up to date with what you are doing/keep your NI contributions up to date (at the basic contribution level) and generally try to keep your chin up. Hope you find something soon.

[geoff]

Sorry to hear your problems. I was made redundant a few years ago, and also became ill, so was unemployed for a long time
Yes, it is hard and soul - destroying. Once the initial enthusiasm and effort has worn off, there is a great temptation to lie in bed till dinnertime

Don't try to manage on your own; there are all sorts of official and voluntary organisations to help and advise you, either directly on job - hunting, or just keeping sane and interested

I helped one day a week at a local outdoor centre, not instructing, but as a general skivvy; cleaning, simple cooking(free advice and experience from a chef, very useful) that sort of thing It included free meals
Also one day a week at a charity shop, not serving, but sorting stock mainly, also going out collecting those bags that come through your letterbox
All this was useful to get me out of the house and meet people, hear of work ( not much, I'm afraid). I also got a few freebies from both the charity shop and the centre

When you do apply for a job or go for an interview employers are much more impressed if you've done something besides sit about; these voluntary jobs keep your mind active, keep you in touch with adult company, and also provide references

Best of luck Geoff

[weekendwellies]

Just wanted to added my commiserations and well wishes to all of you Grapes who have found yourselves unemployed. I am in a job that serves the construction industry, so I am holding my breath myself on this score..
Please don't get disheartened, I know it is a hard time but it will get better. It always does.
I agree with previous posts which say about doing voluntary work. It keeps you in touch with the world of work, and may offer permanent paid opportunities to you.
Keep trying the job centre and cold calling.
As you are into gardening, try the garden centres for paid or voluntary work.
Do a course in horticulture. As you are unemployed you may even get the fees paid for you, you would need to look into that.
Good luck, here's hoping you find something soon.

[Two_Sheds]

.
Do a course in horticulture. As you are unemployed you may even get the fees paid for you, you would need to look into that.

You'll be lucky!
The JobCentre expect you to be "available for work" at all times ... which excludes you from taking some courses. It seems they'd rather people were sat at home watching the goggle box than getting some education.

You sometimes need to be less than honest with the authorities. I don't mean taking what you're not entitled to, rather that you need to use some common sense about what you say you're doing with your time.