Survive A Layoff Homepage

Question: Finding a job after some really bad experiences?

(Posted by: bunches999 on 2010-02-05 05:18:36)

Ok, a lot of people have asked advice on this topic. I live in London...I moved here not too long ago and now I'm a full- time university student (so that's three days/ week I have to be at school). I'm also really nervous around new people because I always get the sense that they don't like me. I'm not very pretty, and a fattie, so people just ignore me basically. I was very involved in school, and had lots of volunteering experiences from there, like organizations I joined. I spoke to a person in school about my CV and she said to include that, but that doesn't really apply to all work. So there's the problem that I basically have no experience, and I'm shy and anti- social. Though I could stop eating so at least I don't look disgusting to people. I know the advice a lot of people give is to just do it and you will get better. Well, I followed that advice and went for this waitressing job. It was just a trial for three days and it was horrible. I couldn't memorize the menu, I didn't know where to take things, the other employees were laughing at me and being really mean. And they showed me how to do things once, and no way could I learn all that. So after the three day trial they never called me, and that left me with an even worse confidence. Then I worked for this old lady, but she lived very far. The whole job was very stressful to begin with because she was in a wheel- chair and basically the job was to take her around places...In London, with all the traffic and people, it's really tough. And she was a bitter old lady too...she gave me a lecture on why it was stupid to say "have a nice day/ evening ". I did work with my mom for a while, cleaning and stuff, but she doesn't want me to do that anymore. I have a really bad confidence. I'm ok at school, my grades were really good, at least before, but I have no confidence when it comes to simple things that everyone seems to find easy. For a while I walked around giving my cv around to places, but nothing came out of that. I want to get a job and help out my family and pay for school, but I don't want to do something that not only do I not like (which I realize most people don't like to work...that's a given), but I don't want to dread it, and cry every time I come home from work. What the heck am I supposed to do?

Posted by: gooseman on 2010-02-05, 06:08:51

You sound a very nice person who is just lacking in confidence. I am not an expert but if I were you I would stop focusing on negatives; I do not know anyone who does not have any insecurities - the secret is how you manage them. The insecurities and negatives that you see about yourself will not be noticed by the majority of people, but by yourself focusing on them you may bring them to peoples attention.So put on a show, act with confidence, speak loudly and let people know if they anoy you. You may then find people will react differently to you and eventually your true self can shine through. As regards your appearance, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is only skin deep. But if you have concerns over your weight, you have already said you can do something about it - My wife joined weightwatchers, met similar people, stuck to a sensible healthy eating plan, lost weight and has never looked back.( you may make some new friends in the process) Focus on your positives - You did some volunteering when at school and enjoyed it. Find something similar to concentrate your efforts on.You seem a caring person; possibly working with people in need ( Children, the elderly etc may be an area to look into, what about the health sector.) Concentrate on a good C.V, easy to read , brief and to the point and in your hobbies section introduce some team / social activities so they will view you as a team player. I interviewed someone recently who impressed me by handing me at the end of the interview a CD which contained a powerpoint presentation that detailed what she knew about the company and how she felt that she could be a benefit to it, she finnished it by saying thank you for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed. Her initiative and desire for the job led to her being appointed. Stay positive, be happy and remember there are many people in a similar position, but it will get better as we draw out of this recession. Good luck

Posted by: Hillary on 2010-02-05, 05:30:17

Home working is always a bit hard because there are so many rogues who are out to trick you. I have been working from home during the last couple of weeks, I discovered some brilliant instruction on the site in the box below which showed me the most effective route to go about it.