American DH is having awful time finding job
Jan 31st 2013, 9:21 am
#31
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Please no squabbles on my account! Idollard has made a few assumptions but I'm not offended by them.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" (
) interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills.
I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" (
) interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills. I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
Jan 31st 2013, 10:48 am
#32
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
I'm sorry to hear about anyone's difficulty finding a job, and can hear the frustrations of being given every excuse in the book (underqualified, overqualified, etc.). I have fortunately never been in the situation of having to try for extended periods to get a job, any job, as the saying goes, but am sure I'd find it very difficult if I did.
Without wanting to make light, maybe you can introduce him to the old movie "Boys from the Black Stuff", especially Yosser Hughes. It might at least make him smile for a little while.
Without wanting to make light, maybe you can introduce him to the old movie "Boys from the Black Stuff", especially Yosser Hughes. It might at least make him smile for a little while.
Jan 31st 2013, 11:15 am
#33
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
I'm sorry to hear about anyone's difficulty finding a job, and can hear the frustrations of being given every excuse in the book (underqualified, overqualified, etc.). I have fortunately never been in the situation of having to try for extended periods to get a job, any job, as the saying goes, but am sure I'd find it very difficult if I did.
Without wanting to make light, maybe you can introduce him to the old movie "Boys from the Black Stuff", especially Yosser Hughes. It might at least make him smile for a little while.
Without wanting to make light, maybe you can introduce him to the old movie "Boys from the Black Stuff", especially Yosser Hughes. It might at least make him smile for a little while.
Anyone who remembers the late 70s and early 80s and the lack of jobs, will identify with what is going on now. I talk with my students about it all the time - I left the country originally because I had 3 temporary teaching jobs in 3 years and spent time lifeguarding, doing construction work, etc., because there were no teaching jobs. Most students I bump into after graduation are in sales, or other jobs entirely unrelated to their degree.
Jan 31st 2013, 11:43 am
#34
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,138
Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
On second thoughts, maybe that wasn't a good idea. I just YouTubed a few other scenes and was reminded it was sometimes a bleak black comedy/drama, so probably not helpful. Over the years, the Yosser "gissa job"/headbutt scenario entered folklore as a humorous reference but of course the underlying story wasn't funny at all.
Anyone who remembers the late 70s and early 80s and the lack of jobs, will identify with what is going on now. I talk with my students about it all the time - I left the country originally because I had 3 temporary teaching jobs in 3 years and spent time lifeguarding, doing construction work, etc., because there were no teaching jobs. Most students I bump into after graduation are in sales, or other jobs entirely unrelated to their degree.
Anyone who remembers the late 70s and early 80s and the lack of jobs, will identify with what is going on now. I talk with my students about it all the time - I left the country originally because I had 3 temporary teaching jobs in 3 years and spent time lifeguarding, doing construction work, etc., because there were no teaching jobs. Most students I bump into after graduation are in sales, or other jobs entirely unrelated to their degree.
My Brit husband moved to Oz with his wife and two young boys in 1990. Prior to that, he mainly worked overseas because of the lack of jobs at home. He was away far more than he was at home and missed so much of his boys growing up.
It does seem to have come full circle, my neice in Liverpool has a social sciences degree and works in Poundland.
Jan 31st 2013, 2:52 pm
#35
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32
Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Please no squabbles on my account! Idollard has made a few assumptions but I'm not offended by them.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" () interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills.
I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" (
) interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills. I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
Last edited by DriftingBack; Jan 31st 2013 at 2:56 pm.
Jan 31st 2013, 3:02 pm
#36
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Posts: 23,181
Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Please no squabbles on my account! Idollard has made a few assumptions but I'm not offended by them.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" () interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills.
I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" (
) interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills. I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
It may be time to seek professional help, ie attending a seminar or course on interviewing techniques. (Apologies if he has already tried this - I haven't had time to read through the whole thread.)
Jan 31st 2013, 4:11 pm
#37
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Location: A Proud Height, Northumberland UK
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Hi Jenn, Sorry to hear your OH is having a difficult time in the job market. My husband lost his job within a few months of my returning to UK for he and I to get married and I have to say I can really empathize with what you're both going through at the moment. It's difficult enough when you're searching on familiar turf so to speak and even more challenging for someone new to the country. My OH was out of work for about six months and in that time he got interviews for every job he applied for (Lecturing position in Further Education) and some pretty tough disappointments along the way. He did receive some counseling from the Job Centre and a consultant there recommended a book called "Successful Interview Skills" by Rebecca Corfield which he found very useful. You mentioned the possibility of commuting and/or relocation - Have you looked into possible civilian employment with a U.S. military facility in the UK? I know there are still a few scattered around the country and your husband's previous US immigration experience might very well be compatible with jobs in that sector.
Jan 31st 2013, 6:30 pm
#38
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,830
Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Please no squabbles on my account! Idollard has made a few assumptions but I'm not offended by them.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" () interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills.
I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
I think there probably is something amiss in my "Dear Husband's" (
) interview technique, but it certainly won't be being brash and overconfident. If anything, my DH is very reserved and self-depreciating. I've been working on role-playing with him so he has some good, articulate examples and phrases that demonstrate his skills. I think Snap Shot is right--25 interviews might seem like a lot but his previous line of work was very specialised so it's hard for him to market himself for a job where the employer has 200+ candidates and where experience in the sector ends up being the tie-breaker. He's been looking further afield but hasn't had any bites. I recently read something on UK Yankee that recruiters often will disregard an application based on location if you don't mention relocation or commuting so that's something for us to think about.
Hi
I was wondering if your better half would ever consider the idea of going back to school for different qualifications? I'm sure there has to be various careers that he would enjoy, and attaining the training for it wouldn't require more than a few years.That might fix the problem and I believe he could get the educational financing to complete this goal back in the States. Many Americans study abroad with student loans paying the freight. I'd hate to see him give up on the UK.I'm sure about now he has to be cursing the day he left the States, or at the very lease questioning the wisdom of leaving a safe job for a chance for employment in a different country. There are many people retooling their skill level and quite a few are of the ages 40's and 50's. Something to think about. All the best to you both.
Feb 1st 2013, 9:01 am
#39
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Thanks everyone--just found out he didn't get the job he interviewed for this week, but there is some good news from that: they at least gave him some feedback--some good and the bad is actionable so that's positive.
The military bases jobs is a good idea. I'm going to investigate that and look into the Rebecca Cornfield book for him.
He's been looking into training as a solicitor over here, as he's very interested in law--I suspect he'd look towards becoming an immigration specialist so maybe he'll be helping some folks navigate the UKBA in a few year's time, haha. I believe this route would take him 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time. (He'd have to do the Graduate Diploma in Law, often called a conversion course, and the Legal Practice Coure. The problem at the moment with this plan is living expenses on my one income (we're still with my parents at the mo). However, our little boy is about to get some free time in nursery so we might just be able to juggle it and move out if we were able to find the course fees.
The military bases jobs is a good idea. I'm going to investigate that and look into the Rebecca Cornfield book for him.
He's been looking into training as a solicitor over here, as he's very interested in law--I suspect he'd look towards becoming an immigration specialist so maybe he'll be helping some folks navigate the UKBA in a few year's time, haha. I believe this route would take him 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time. (He'd have to do the Graduate Diploma in Law, often called a conversion course, and the Legal Practice Coure. The problem at the moment with this plan is living expenses on my one income (we're still with my parents at the mo). However, our little boy is about to get some free time in nursery so we might just be able to juggle it and move out if we were able to find the course fees.
Feb 1st 2013, 3:56 pm
#40
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Tried to acertain where you are from rereading but no joy!
There are some significant regional job variations at the moment.
There are some significant regional job variations at the moment.
Feb 2nd 2013, 1:14 am
#41
Firetrak
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 577
Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
I'm pretty sure I read that the US Embassy is building a new compound in London and that it will create many more jobs.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/londo...a-8159570.html
So there might be more opportunities when that does happen, if they have specific roles he can find about ahead of time, perhaps he can train for one of them.
Feb 2nd 2013, 6:45 pm
#42
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Yes but I know people who live in Rugby and commute!
Hell I used to come up form Portsmouth.
Just wanted to know for sure.
Hell I used to come up form Portsmouth.
Just wanted to know for sure.
Feb 2nd 2013, 7:11 pm
#43
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,441
Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Speaking from experience as a hiring manager, with there being so many candidates, I rarely even looked beyond local applicants, even though I was hiring for a highly specialised role. I had some non local applications with local phone numbers or addresses, and I guess they had local connections and interviewed them as such.
Feb 5th 2013, 2:04 pm
#44
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
Apologies for the delay in response. We're in Lincolnshire...not exactly a thriving economic hub but it does have good rail links to London, Nottingham and Sheffield.
Feb 5th 2013, 7:34 pm
#45
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Re: American DH is having awful time finding job
This may or may not be of help, but I've just been made redundant (voluntary) and part of my package includes some sessions and services of 'Right Management'. They are an outplacement organisation that helps people with CVs, interviewing etc.
I can't say what they are like as my initial appt with them is the week after next (off to Mallorca for a cycle training camp next week, :thumb up
.
Your DH would obviously have to pay, but it might be something worth looking into to get the right advice. I know they have offices in London and Reading, not sure where else.
http://www.rightmanagement.co.uk/cap...t/default.aspx
I can't say what they are like as my initial appt with them is the week after next (off to Mallorca for a cycle training camp next week, :thumb up
.Your DH would obviously have to pay, but it might be something worth looking into to get the right advice. I know they have offices in London and Reading, not sure where else.
http://www.rightmanagement.co.uk/cap...t/default.aspx