HazyJane
NGOs, civil service, intergovernmental orgs, - generally third sector or government. Im dyslexic so am supposedly meant to go through on 'two ticks' scheme - still no luck

I do a lot of tailoring, and read through the CVs/cover letters obsessively and put applications though colleagues, people in similar jobs, even people in the same institutions!

generally i apply direct when i see posts advertised on the organisations websites, or through the usual job boards (indeed, monster etc) that link you to the organisations directly

I am baffled as to why i am doing so badly and getting worried that the longer i am unemployed for the less employable i will become. I 'happy' to give up on academia, as i feel massively let down by the system.


AOE26
I hope you are right and it is just a question of applying and applying until eventually something happens -

You guys thing the 18 month gap ( part from pub work) is not going to effect applications too much? I worry that there will come a 'point of no return' where I'm just considered to far from having a ole to be considered for a new one .

I graduated my PhD 18 months ago in a social science, -passed first time with no corrections. I was fully funded through out. I got a book contract almost immediately. I published five journal articles in good journals, and did three internships during the PhD its self. In addition to the three I did before my PhD). I started applying for postdocs after and have been rejected from all of them ( I lost court after the 50th application ).I applied for around 200 ( Again n I have lost count) of non academic posts. I have put my CV s and cover letters through all the right resources ( uni careers service, people who work in the sectors I am applying to)who all say my applications look good.

I was forced on to the dole because I was broke

I have (finally) found some temp seasonal pub work. But it will stop at NYE. I guess I just want to vent, but it seems that I have done everything right , and have gained nothing. I think Im actually worse off now than if I had just left uni with my BA

I have had a few interviews but have been told I lack experience. I cant afford to do anymore internships.

Is anyone else in this position , I’m really losing all energy and willingness to do anything much, its getting harder to get up out of bed in the mornings(not a good sign )

Is anyone else in such a position, I just want to know I’m not alone here. And that there may be some light at the end of this long and dark tunnel . Also any advice as I am out of ideas of what I can do with my life.