Finishing uni at the year's end and am not gonna be in student accomodation anymore, so I'm gonna have to house hunt. But nobody will take an unemployed solo person. Even roommate situations, given my experiences before moving to student accomodation, really don't bat an eye if you're unemployed.
But the kicker is I've been actively looking for work for two years now. 400+ job applications and not a single interview, outside of last week where a laundromat turned me down for not having a car. I'm applying for pretty much solely entry-level positions, or those in the business sector that align with my studies. I've constantly updated my resume, used multiple job sites, pretty much custom-write my CV for every application, and nothing. Statistically I'm just that unlucky at finding a job.
Am I kinda just shit-outta-luck? I dunno what options I'd have once I can't live here, and I'm not confident in my ability to find work before year's end.
Not so much looking for advice as I am just venting about the state of the job market and support systems.
This post has been marked as non-political. Please respect this by keeping the discussion on topic, and devoid of any political material.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
You should be able to sneaky push out your lease if they dont require proof of enrollment to renew
Honestly sounds like a solid plan, but it's an on-campus accommodation so I'm not sure. But, like, what are they gonna do about it?
[removed]
No friends in a similar position? I would try get a house share. Other alternative is move back in with the fam potentially. Assuming the job hunt continues to suck.
I'm hoping to crud that a few of my mates are willing to, and that me being included isn't a detriment to them getting housing. Moving back with the family isn't a realistic option, unfortunately. Physically possible, but I don't think I'd be around much longer if I did.
Christmas causal positions in retail will be opening up fairly soon - go for all of them
Gosh I hope. I'm gonna mass apply to every single one of them.
[removed]
[deleted]
[removed]
Have you tried grad programs? The company i work for hire a bunch of grads every year and it pretty much guarantees you a job at the end. Not sure how competitive they are but worth a look.
The place I wanted to work for stopped their grad program last year. I tried chasing them up about it at the beginning of this year and they were like "yeah nah", which sucks. And they were one that would help with housing and work after, which is super unfortunate. But I'll definitely search around for more. Maybe an internship, if they'd take someone still studying (currently, until year's end).
[removed]
You mention that you're looking for roles that align with your degree, do you have any transferable skills? Everyone is going to be going for the obvious banking or consulting roles straight out of a Bcom or research assistant roles straight out of a Bsci. Apply for roles outside of what your degree is opens you up to a lot more potential options. Also in the current job market it's about who you know, not what you know. Your cohort is going to graduate hundreds of cookie cutter graduates, it's the small things that will make you stand out.
I pretty much apply for every entry-level thing I can. I'm not super sure WHAT skills transfer out of HR, outside of general recruitment and management skills which I lack the experience for (though I apply anyway). I kind of apply to everything business-sector that isn't very clearly above my skill level (senior management and such). Yeah I've tried using nepotism to get positions and all those have fallen through thus far, but I'm still keeping feelers out and being as pathetic "I NEED A JOB PLEASE" to all my mates as possible.
Have you tried government (council) jobs? They often have cadet positions and training opportunities etc.
I've tried every dang job. But end goal is a government job, ideally, so yeah they're on my radar.
It’s really tough and I feel for you. Would you consider defence force? The whole situation is kinda fucked at the moment and it’s not a reflection on you. It’s a little predatory that at 18 you can rack up significant debt in hope that one day you will “make it”. Hope you find something!
I honestly dunno if I'd be able to defense force even if it was on the radar for medical reasons (not an additional cost on everything else, luckily, just that they exist).
[removed]
I think you need someone to look at your CV and cover letter and you need to widen your net
I have done. Friends, peers, and the job provider I see (Job Seeker). Multiple people for each version I've made. CV I write from scratch most of the time, so less chance to show around.
[removed]
I jad the same experience for entry level jobs. Ultimately you're probably competing with 16 yr olds who can legally be paid less than you so you have no chance. Your best bet is in fields related to your study which i know you mentioned you've been trying. I would double down on that though and leave a lot of the entry level jobs alone personally but my experience might be outdated.
My age isn't on my resume, but being in my final year of uni probably gives it away that I'm an adult, so yeah. Also my CVs and resume probably being rejected by an automated system far before a real person ever sees it. I'll keep doing what I'm doing: applying for entry levels in addition to my field of study is just a wider net at the end of the day.
[removed]
I don't know *how* desperate you are for any work at all including physical work, but I can say from experience that furniture removals is absolutely always hiring. Not sure if you're a dude but personally have only seen guys doing it. It's also a super unregulated industry in that 95% of the jobs on offer you'll get just by saying you can turn up when they need someone, often the next day. If not, next time someone calls in sick you'll get a call, do a good day and you'll get the job. I've worked at 4 different places in 3 different cities and they've all been similar. About $34-36/hr is the going rate for an offsider (spare hand), and $40/hr+ for a driver. More if you have a truck licence. Also I've worked with skinny dudes, big dudes, you just need to have a good attitue, no experience required. Your body adapts very quickly and you'll get stronger if that's a concern. Anyway, it's no ones career goal to be a removalist but it was great for the last few years while I was at uni. Good luck
Unfortunately not a guy, and those jobs would require a car which I'm not able to do (a lot of jobs do, annoyingly; even jobs that realistically wouldn't need one). But thank you for the advice and luck!
This is why university is a waste these days when the job market is saturated with everyone having a degree, especially business related degrees. Back then a degree made you stand out but now it's the norm. Better to go to TAFE and get an apprenticeship than do uni.
Nah, I wouldn't get a job in the industry I'm aiming for without a degree baseline. It's useful for this field, just not a guarantee. And I'm looking for more than just money in life ultimately, so an apprenticeship would just be a waste of time if all I get is money out of it and no fulfillment. I'd honestly rather keep trying for what I love than spend multiple years of study towards a career I'd feel nothing for.
Depends on the degree and the field of study, but yes degrees don't carry the weight they once did. The price of entry keeps climbing.
Genuinely; how are you affording student accomodation if you can’t pay rent?
It's not about affording, it's about whether someone would accept me as a tenant after. I get enough from Centrelink to stay here currently, I'm on Job Seeker payments. But that amount won't help if nowhere takes me as a tenant after leaving here, and being unemployed they're pretty much guaranteed not to (I've been in a similar situation previously, but I had student accomodation to fall back on). But also a solo apartment for $315 a week is a great deal.
I read a post on NextDoor today where a couple was offering free room and board in exchange for daily dog walking. This was in SE suburbs in Melbourne.
That would honestly be so amazing.
Took me 2 years to get my current casual job and I've been told that I got lucky with how fast it was so good luck in this amazing job market 🥲 I'd say definitely hunt for retail jobs if you're not already – it wouldn't work like this for all of them, but at mine whenever HR is hiring they'll advertise within the company first (eg a customer service person can go into the accounting department and then they'll hire someone new for the registers). If they don't do that, at least it would get you some income while you hunt for a more suitable job. Also, do you have a centrelink payment (jobseeker, youth allowance etc) or someone that might be willing to be a guarantor for you if you ever can't pay your rent? Though centrelink payments can be looked down on by society, they can also be good for landlords because they're a 'stable' form of income. Mine is definitely a reason I was approved for my current rental, given I don't earn enough at my job to cover my rent. Also, my mum co-signed my lease, because I have no history and a casual (so possibly unstable) job so it's a way for the landlord to know that payments will be made regardless of my income, whilst I get somewhere to live. I'm not sure where you live but NSW govt has a low-income housing scheme to help people who can't afford rent to not be homeless, basically. It'd be worth looking into what your area has set up.
Yeah I'm definitely gonna look more into the low-income housing. I'm seeing a person who's able to assist on that front as well through my job provider, so it's definitely something I'm looking at. I'm on Jobseeker payments, so I'll hit them up for that if I find myself looking at a contract somewhere. And yeah, retail's on the list of applications. I'm applying hospo, cleaning, retail, etc. Everything entry I can. I massively love customer service, so I tend to be really eager when applying for front-facing roles (not that it helps or shows in a CV, but I at least put it out there).
How was your experience using an agency?
So far they haven't gotten me a job, but not for lack of trying. They've referred me to jobs that just plain never got back to me, and they've helped clean up and revise my resume a bunch. They have an on-site mental health person that is helping me with an ADHD assessment, and may have some way to help with housing at year's end (but I haven't met with them yet). Overall I just go and say "no updates" and they're like "statistically you're a wild anomally" and that's about it. But I can't imagine what they could do that they're not doing yet. I'm referred to pretty much every business sector job that comes their way automatically.
Have you checked out the census jobs available in your area? There's still a few locations they need temporary workers. $33 an hour.
Unfortunately long-term employment would be more helpful. Money isn't the issue, so much as employment somewhere guaranteeing an income. But that does sound like a good short-term job for resume experience, I'll look into it! Thank you!
[removed]
There's something wrong with your cv if you've applied for 400 jobs and only had one interview. Also I don't want to be rude but 400 jobs isnt very much when you can auto apply on seek every day. You could have a job in hospo within a week by doing it old school and walking with printed CVS. Just be prepared to do an on the spot trial.
Custom CV for each job application (mostly), and I'm genuinely at a loss for what information I can provide in them to help. Resume has seen multiple revisions and eyes on it each time. I've never had luck walking in and applying. A lot of chains just say to put it on the website anyway, even if they're advertising in-store. But when they advertise a position on the store wall I'll do a physical resume rather than online if they allow it. 400 is just a lot of applications to have sent out with a single interview. Like, statistically. I do count myself as genuinely just unlucky at this point (not that I'm stopping trying).
The employees might be new school but they're not the ones hiring. I agree with this. While it doesn't work in government, there's something to be said for looking the boss in the eye and handing over a resume.
ADF
I'm not sure if I'd be a fit. Being transgender and having medical issues would prevent me from succeeding. None of these things are on my resume, however, so they're not really something potential employers are finding.
[removed]
In literally every interview I have ever had, I've been asked whether I have license and a car. No matter how local, connected to public transport the workplace is or whether travel is even required. It's the common denominator for basically everyone I've seen who has been struggling to find work but doesn't give any obvious signs they'd be a bad employee. If you're under 25 and don't have a license, there is assistance available to help the process. If you've got a license and no car, consider buying the cheapest thing you can find that runs. Or just lie, fuck 'em. If it comes up later tell them it died and it's wasn't economical to repair or something.
If you just need a job and are not afraid of physical work, i suggest looking for warehouse/ storeman entry level positions. Ive worked im distribution for 30 years, we always need bodies.
The advice is this response is spot on. https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/s/MY035E5A27 When I say physical work, its not about strength, lots of women in the industry. There is pathways for progression if you have a brain, can you a computer and are happy to unskilled.
Try consulting with your Uni’s careers team?