Work and how the search for it has changed since the 1980s

I’ve seen comments on social media recently from people stating that job search platforms like Indeed and CV Library are hopeless and that they are not hearing back from employers. I remember responding that it is certainly difficult now and probably the worst I’ve seen looking for work since my father lost his job in the early 1980s while working at GEC in Trafford Park. As bad as it is (and it is bad, no two ways about it, even without considering the after-effects of COVID-19, Brexit, and government mistakes/lies), I remember those days as being really tough.

That was a difficult time for my family.

I was maybe 10 or 11, my sister was 8 or so, and my brother was a toddler. My father was at the Job Centre nearly every day for two years trying to get a job, almost any job, to support his family. He would ring the same few job agencies repeatedly, only to be told there was nothing suitable for him. There was no internet to assist in the job search—just long queues, and if you were lucky, you got a job that treated you poorly.

I’ve signed on a few times over the years, but the first time when I was 16 was the worst. Fresh out of school and before joining a Youth Training Scheme, I was left shaking at the benefits agency when the person before me, in an argument with the gentleman behind the counter, started smacking his head against the glass counter until they had to call an ambulance for him.

Over time, the boards at the Job Centre disappeared, replaced by a more digital approach, and then places like Reed, CV Library, Indeed, and countless other websites became the places to find jobs. Over the years, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to get a job whenever I have needed to look for work. But I haven’t gotten to the point of banging my head against my laptop monitor, though it’s come close a few times when you apply for a job you’re interested in and never hear anything back, after spending an hour or sometimes half a day perfecting your application.

It's not easy. I’ve been out of work this time for close to a month now this time. I’m doing better than the person who has had no luck with the internet job boards above I suspect, as I’ve been speaking to several agencies every week on the phone or via Teams/Zoom. I have at least one interview a week and have come close to securing two permanent jobs (and turned down two temporary jobs so far, which I’ll talk about another day). Still, I’ve had to constantly rework my CV (I have two CVs, one for Professional and one for my Creative Projects) when applying, on top of writing complex cover letters.

I’ve also kept myself busy with voluntary work. I am mentoring two young writers at the moment and am considering setting up a charity ambient music project. These are things I am putting on my CV, in addition to the night I co-run, Speak Easy, and my podcasting. It’s not easy out there, but I use technology to guide me as much as I can and log everything on my CV.

I don’t think job searches like Indeed, CV Library, etc., are hopeless, but you need to learn how to use them like you did with the old job boards—by reading what people want and constantly adapting your applications.

I treat using those packages like drafting the third version of your novel. I certainly wouldn’t want to be after a hundred drafts of it, but they are better than the old job boards.

I think.