Hi Quartz. It’s really hard, for you and everyone else in the same trap, but you have to try and stay positive. Put it this way, if you stay positive, you’ve at least got a chance of achieving what you want. If you don’t, if you get stuck in a negative mind rut, it’s unlikely you’ll get anywhere.
About the gazillion other entrants. Don’t get too down about the stats. I’d like to confirm what others have said. I used to do a lot of hiring and the vast majority of applicants (for most any postion) are totally unfit for the job and impossible to hire. This woman may have received 2000 applications, but there will only be about 20 or 30 at most that have a serious chance of being hired. The odds are tough, for sure, but not as tough as you think. And she’s probably exaggerating anyway.
People disqualify themselves from getting hired all the time, usually in lots of little ways. What used to astound me was how people would make a big song and dance about how much they really wanted/needed the job, but either would not or could not make the effort to get even little things right. Maybe there’s a simple form to fill in - they lose it, make a mess of it, forget to send it back or forget to bring it with them. They turn up late for the interview. They were asked to bring two passport size photos and they bring one or none. They are given an appointment, agree to it, then ring up the next day and want to change it. They are asked to bring references and forget, or simply don’t bother. They are asked to bring a sample of work with them, and forget or don’t bother. It goes on and on. It’s just madness… why should I give the job to them, instead of to one of the other applicants who got these simple tasks right and turned up on time?
So… don’t get too down about the stats, and be one of those people who get the little things right and pay attention to small details. Hard thought it is, keep that positive air about you, especially if you actually get as far as a face-to-face. It doesn’t make a good first impression if you have an air of ‘I’m desperate, depressed and pessimistic’. It’s much better if you walk in with an air of, ‘Sure, times are tough, but I’m a good match for this job, this job is a good match for me, and I’m looking forward to this chat’.
Your CV is your face to the world. Make sure it’s as good as it can be. Get people to help you with it. There’s plenty of good advice for free on the internet. It has to be the best advert for you that it can be. Content, style and presentation are all important.
Having perfected your CV, check the papers (or online equivalent) and any other source of job ads, every single morning, and promise yourself you will make three good applications every singe day, to positions for which you are well suited. In each case, send off the paperwork with your Super Perfect CV, and then 2 or 3 days later follow it up with a nice, friendly phone call in which you contrive to achieve a face to face.
Make this process your daily work effort until you get a job. Paper and stamps are cheap, and if you can’t afford them your local Job Centre or equivalent will supply them for free. And lots of applications these days are done online, so you don’t even NEED a stamp.
When people have a job, they constantly complain about not having enough time for anything else - time for hobbies and interests, time to clean the house, time to read or study, time to spend with friends and family, time to see to DIY repairs, time to exercise and get fit, time to take up painting or write a novel or go for walks or learn to cook make a really good bechamel sauce. Well, you’ve got time now!! Use it. Times may be tough, you may have money worries. But you DO have time. Enjoy it as much as you can, while you can. As soon as you get a job again, you’ll be moaning how you never have time for anything else!
Try not to get down. Loud rock music, laughter, jokes, stupid clips on Youtube, the company of good friends, fresh air, sunshine… these are good things to enjoy for little or zero cost. Remember that in many ways you still have many blessings. You are better off than 90% of the people on the planet, and better off than 99% of all the people who ever lived. I have friends who lost everything in the Aussie bush fires, and another whose wife is undergoing cancer treatment. See your problems in perspective, difficult though this can be at times.
Look after yourself. Get enough sleep, try not to give in to stress - it’s the biggest killer of all. Tell yourself that when someone DOES give you a break, and at least gives you an interview, they are going to see someone who is fit, healthy, happy, positive, well-rested and relaxed.
Good luck, and remember… this too shall pass. Every life has its ups and downs. This is just one chapter, not the whole story.