[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Warning: self pitying tale of woe follows.

That's four month out of work now. Boooooooo.

Actually, I did a little bit of work for a mortgage broker in that time, but nothing really worth shouting about - $1,200 earned in 4 months. Not good.

So that's us heading rapidly into the dark tunnel at the end of the brown smelly creek. Floatation device long since disappeared.

And today my laptop broke. Fujitsu bought in UK - rapair shops in Hamilton all go "Ooh, we can't get parts for that" so it's winging it's way to Auckland for a doubtless extortionate quote. Now hijacking kids PC. At least I was a good boy and did backups, so have my docs.

Feeling increasngly useless and unwanted.

At least I'm in NZ. Probably would have been testing out any spare lengths of rope in the garage by now in the UK.

To top it all, it's been raining. Forever. Ironic or what? :wah

Right. Whinge over with, back to sending out applications. Someone's gotta crack soon and employ me.

[tea drinker]

Continual rain will always make things seem worse...utterly miserable
Keep going BBB, there is a job out there with your name on
Not sure what you do but could you think about diversifying just to get the dollars trickling in?

[peebles16]

Know what you mean BBB I've been actively looking for work for the last 3-4 months now and keep getting knockbacks :( Mostly, strangely enough, cos I'm too experienced or over qualified - ggggrrrr!! Now I know there are worse reasons for not getting a job but I just really, really want to work!! I don't want to work at same level as I did in the UK and need to get the hang of NZ market but why oh why won't someone take a chance and employ me??? Short of me sounding like a smug bampot by putting in the letter well I know I'm too good for this job..... am at a loss as to what to do :(

However, on the upside it's still sunny here and I'd take an NZ winter over a Scottish one anytime :yes

Am sure something good will come along very soon BBB just had to join in with your rant....

Karenx

[KerryS]

I know you're in IT, but what do you do? I can keep my ear to the ground for you - we've got a few roles coming up on our project in the next month or so, and I know plenty of others in the industry so can put out some feelers... all my contacts are Auckland based though, so don't know how you'd feel about the commute? I did it in reverse for a while and it wasn't too bad...

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

keep getting knockbacks :( Mostly, strangely enough, cos I'm too experienced or over qualified

Often that's my problem too. Annoying isn't it.

Kerry, I was an infrastructure support team leader in the UK - managing the guys that support production servers/networks etc. Not really been a 'hands on' engineer for a while which is part of my problem. I go for engineer of even helpdesk roles and they look at my CV, assume it is a 'stop gap' role for me whilst I look for something better and won't take the risk. To be fair, they're usually right. The Team Leader role that sits between engineers and management doesn't really exist over here - IT dept's are too small. Can't get management roles - not enough experience Grrrrrrrr.

My other problem is that companies here want infrastructure guys to be able to do everything straight off (servers, networks, security, messaging citrix, virtualisation etc.) I understand all these in principle, but in UK I was in a huge organisation so skills were very pigeon-holed, hence it's a long time since I actually poked or prodded many of these things myself.

Willing to look at change management, incident management, junior BA type work also.

Could commute if it were south of CBD. Obviously would prefer not to, but when needs must......

Have a CV at the ready, obviously.

[Pookeko]

Good luck BBB I hope you find something that suits you very soon :)

Sending you sunshine from Wellington today (yes, really!!) :)

[Moorf]

Thought I'd chuck something in from out of the box... what about recruitment for your field, could you apply for that sort of job?

[lockstock]

Hang in there BBB - nil desperandum and all that. I can offer no answers and probably no help. But something has got to turn up soon.

[jubjub]

BBB, I dont blame you for having a down day, think i would be having one too after being out of work for that long, and there is only so many slices of cheesecake that you can eat, with or without your sidekick Mr D...

I was going to suggest a commute to Auckland, its not an ideal option, but if it gets you back in the market, it could be worth thinking about. Even better get a job at the airport and commute by air every day!

Keep your chin up....

[pinkpiggy]

As BBB's OH I've been trying to stay positive for both of us but can tell you it's extremely difficult. I feel pretty useless myself as other than offering support (which I know is huge) there's not much I can do to make the situation any easier. I keep giving Sam jobs to do around the house but, of course these have to be jobs that involve little or no money. So kind of a catch 22. One good thing that has come out of this though is that Sam has spent a huge amount of time with the boys and some time at school, something he's never really had a chance to do before - so something good is coming out of his unemployment.

[JandM]

Sympathies, BBB and PP. That 'overqualified' thing is SO frustrating (as I know from experience). All good wishes.

[irishliz]

I can't really add anything except that I hope something turns up soon.

[Leccy-Lee]

Hang in there Sam mate, Worse things happen at sea i keep telling myself..

[pieeater]

My tip for what it's worth after many many down times is to take another job anything a bit of part time,whatever just to keep you sane and get some beer money in and get you mixing.Then keep looking for a better opportunity.Good Luck.

[Hejwitch_uk]

Hang in there both of you, can't do anything constructive, but wishing you all the very best in your search...............

[Mickstim]

Hope something comes along really soon BBB (and you too Karen!)

Bx

[Sam B]

Really feel for you Sam, it must be so frustrating and worrying. And the laptop - hell!!! Fingers crossed for you that things get better soon.

[victoria24]

try to enjoy the time with the kids. been in the same situation before and looking back wish id enjoyed it a bit more cos things have a habit of turning out right.knowing that your a big music fan, you could arrange your collection into alphabetical order!

[dusk]

Been through similar stuff a few years ago ourselves, I know how soul-sapping it can get. Hope things start to work out a bit better for you in the very near future!