Is it really as hard to find a job as the papers say?

[CreamSoda]

I need a new job, the one I'm in isn't regular, the people I work for are greedy and dishonest. Plus, is it true council and NHS jobs are offered to current employees first?

[erin-x]

I think it's pot luck really. I got a job after months of searching, which isn't actually a long time compared to others. And as for the council and the NHS, i'm not very sure. I know some jobs at the council are advertised as 'internal applicants only' so I suppose you're right.

[sandyRoe]

There were 70 jobs advertised for the Titanic Visitor Centre in Belfast. More than 4000 people applied for them.

[douglas9401]

Decides not to post obvious but probably tasteless gag.

[boxtops]

Yes and no, re the NHS, creamsoda, I work in the NHS.

At the moment there are hundreds of us whose jobs are at risk of redundancy due to the cutbacks and redesigns, so those people go into the redeployment pool. If I advertise a vacancy in my team (and it's very hard at the moment to get permission to fill a vacant post if someone leaves), then HR have to consider whether there is anyone with suitable experience and qualifications in the redeployment pool, and if there is, they are given a trial in the job, to see if they can switch rather than have to leave. If it doesn't work then we would look outside, but currently every effort is being made to redeploy people into any new vacancies, rather than make them redundant.

It doesn't mean that jobs are advertised internally for all to apply for - you can only apply if you are in redeployment, the vacancies (such as they are) are only open to everyone once the job's gone public on NHS Jobs.

[Buenchico]

I've been looking for regular employment for over 6 years, so I know that it isn't easy!

I've seen a job advertised stating that only the first 200 applicants for the post would be considered, so that indicates the volume of applications that the employer had been experiencing with other job adverts. (I've also received a rejection letter stating that there had been over 400 applicants for the post).

It has been standard practice for many years for public service employers to 'ring fence' many jobs (so that they're only advertised internally) in order to find employment for staff who might otherwise be redundant. That's not only fair to their employees but also to the taxpayer, as it reduces the number of redundancy payouts the employers might otherwise haver to make. Jobs that aren't specifically ring-fenced are open to outsiders but those with experience with that particular employer are still likely to be given priority.

Chris

[David H]

You're basically right about many jobs. There are laws which require them to advertise some but that does not and can not force them to actually offer them to outsiders, so many are pretty much a closed shop. But easily the hardest way to get a job is if you're unemployed. I'm pretty sure after 30 years applying from time to time they usually favour those already working although the ones who need it the most aren't the ones with a job. Like it being easier to have an affair if you're already with someone. I've never figured that out either.

[Postdog]

trying to work out what the obvious but tasteless gag was.....

[boxtops]

I'd rather not know

[pdust]

yes it is :(

[ubasses]

http://www.expressand...-country-call-centre/

It now appears that it is hard to fill jobs with decent applicants. So if you are in the right area you would stand a good chance of employment.

[firewatch]

nhs especially the anuerin bevan health board here in wales offer to current employees as they then dont have to pay for crb's or faff with training. Yes, its very very hard to find a job, i have been looking nigh on two years even whilst being very ill with depression-even tried avon-but found nothing permanent and avon sucked, alot of hard work for flump all in return.