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FIVE years ago I was working as a manager in the building trade, specialising as an estimator and CAD technician. I’d worked my way up after leaving school with no qualifications. I swept floors, went to evening classes and became a valued member of the team who kept getting promoted.
But the company went into liquidation and I lost the job I loved. I retrained as a plumber and gas engineer while working in a bar. I’ve passed all my exams, but get rejected from every job I apply for. Right now I am working as a building labourer earning just £44 a day. I can’t seem to find stable work. Where has it all gone wrong?
Chris, 32, Glasgow
YOU definitely did the right thing not sitting around feeling sorry for yourself after the company went under, getting on with further training, as well as keeping up a job to pay the rent.
Being out of work for a long period of time is a problem when it comes to applying for jobs, but so is doing the wrong type of work for too long. In your previous role you were a manager, and that’s definitely where you need to get back to. A lot, therefore, hinges on how you explain what you have been doing since you were made redundant.
Focus very firmly on those new qualifications. The additional knowledge, experience and skills you
getting IF you keep you rejected then why. need to know will Not all recruiters you bother giving if feedback, even But if you ask for it. then you don’t ask you don’t get! have gained will stand you in good stead when applying for management roles. Make a feature of this. Don’t mention the bar work, it’s not relevant. Do include a brief mention of the other work you have undertaken in the construction industry. While poorly paid, it’s all good, practical experience. You can simply say in your cover letter that this work is only temporary while you look for the right role in management.