Anyone else have this problem?

[Claireb1985]

I've been out of work since the beginning of November and i cant find anything that suits me and my RA, looking at part time work but not getting any response as i have applied for a lot of jobs. HELP!!!!

[helixhelix]

There are 30.3 million people of working age in the UK, and of those only 7% are from other European countries. So only about 2 people in every 30 jobs, not 2 in 3 jobs. It may seem more in some jobs, like potato pickers, which English people don't usually seem want to do, but not overall. Don't believe everything you read in the papers.

But generally best not to raise religion or politics on here as we all come from such varied backgrounds.

[helixhelix]

Have you spoken to your local job centre about what support there is for people with a disability? If your RA affects what work you can do it can be considered a disability. There are also disability employment advisers that might be able to help you.

Look at the info that Scope have , here...

scope.org.uk/support/disabl...

[Nettac]

What kind of work are you thinking of?

I can't do the same work I did before as I need to be able to move quickly (health an safety issue) however I can still do a caring role one day a week. I was in caring profession before, but a little more acute.

I now work with elderly, disabled folks. One day a week I can manage. Any more and my joints complain.

Helixhelix has made a good suggestion.

[BoneyC]

How about a job that involves sitting for most of the time, i.e. receptionist?

[Chalmers]

My friend has been looking for a job for a couple of months now, with no success and 99% of the time no response from applications, it is all very depressing. Even the occasional reply would be appreciated. He has now applied for universal credit, and that is no mean feat in itself.

[helixhelix in reply to Chalmers]

When I looked for work in the past I at least got rejection letters/phone calls...My niece has been applying for jobs for 18 months now and people just don't reply. It's rude and depressing - as if looking for work wasn't hard enough to start with!

[Claireb1985 in reply to helixhelix]

Exactly my problem, I used to get latter's and phone calls. I've applied for so many jobs over the 2 months well 3 on 3rd February and I've had 2 Interviews, it's like I'm not good enough even for that. I'm signed up to a company that helps me with all this as I have RA, but even they're not doing anything g to help me.

[Joy_1]

May I suggest you try the networking approach.

I have only ever got one job by applying for it. All my work has come through networking.

Another approach may be to turn up with your job application. For example, if you want to become a receptionist or work at your local school as others have suggested then why not just turn up in person with your CV/completed job application - that way they see you and remember you and you don't join the pile in the in tray.

[Nettac]

I got my current little job via word of mouth. Easiest interview ever. No jumping through hoops, play acting or standing on my head in front of a panel of ten! My last job I had to go through two interviews, do a written paper and role play...horrendous! All for a crappy, highly stressful, under paid job.

The little job I have now is in my village, and I got it because everyone knows everyone round here! Caring it's not everyone's cup of tea. It can be a messy business, but I like it, and the family are smashing.