Anyone else retrenched?

[Random Hero]

It really sucks when you know how good you are... Worked with huge budgets in the tens of millions per year. Working on conversion strategies. And now I am looking for work on portals when I left uni in 2012...
Do these career portals even work?

 

[LandyMan]

Dude, it is tough everywhere ... was retrenched in June, I am still looking ... Job portals are terrible, but even with 20+ years of networked people I have contacted, and 20+ pages worth of experience in my CV, even interviews are difficult to come by

 

[Random Hero]

Dude, it is tough everywhere ... was retrenched in June, I am still looking ... Job portals are terrible, but even with 20+ years of networked people I have contacted, and 20+ pages worth of experience in my CV, even interviews are difficult to come by

Are you also looking? What industry? **** man? are you coping financially?

 

[beefymoocow]

It really sucks when you know how good you are... Worked with huge budgets in the tens of millions per year. Working on conversion strategies. And now I am looking for work on portals when I left uni in 2012...
Do these career portals even work?

Sometimes just need to reset and start fresh. Sounds like you had a well paying job with a good position. And now you feel you going backwards and it’s perfectly understandable. Personally for me when I finished my articles and left as a CA. It took quite a few months to land a temp job. But during that time I decided to work/volunteer at an ngo that works with unemployed woman in society. It Helped me humble myself and decided to take this below market temp job. Now I’m permanent for a few years with the same company with a few promotions. And the company is actually thriving.

Was bummed out at that time I never got a job/call back from tsogo sun, long4life, tiger brand etc. but looking back I’m glad I took the temp job. Because I probably would have to take a massive pay cut and I wouldn’t enjoy the job right now.

 

[LandyMan]

Are you also looking? What industry? **** man? are you coping financially?

Howzit ... yeah, also looking ... in the IT/SAP industry. Luckily the package was enough to cover for a few months ... but those months are now coming to an end very quickly.

 

[dasdk]

Hi All, I was retrenched in June.

Have not had a stable income since. I do odd jobs in digital marketing and freelance a bit. Also started my own company but have not had luck with gaining clients. Been sending out CVs to probably 100 job posts and not getting anything. only had on 30 min meet and greet session... Very bleak.

I'm looking on LinkedIn, Pnet, Career Junction, Crayon, BizCommunity, Indeed. It sucks because I am really good at what I do.
PPC and SEO specialist, All round marketing strategist and director. I have worked and navigated a team of 7 individuals at a time. Designers, Copywriters, Animators, Photographers, Videographers, SEOs, Website Devs.

Anyone else struggling and has tips? I've also tried some corporate career pages, but no luck...

Send me your cv bro ....it’s see if “it can be”

 

[obsidian86]

Me and the wife she was lucky to get a new job right away for more money so we are kinds making up for it but doesn't stop me from hating life

 

[RedViking]

Sorry guys I think for the rest of us who still have jobs or haven't been heavily affected it is not because we do good or anything, guess just 'lucky'.

I just appreciate every day I have work and try my best to continue working on the side business and maybe even a third business. Times are very uncertain and anything extra helps.

But my family and friends have been hit hard which eventually adds more strain on those who do get an income and need to share where we can

 

[Random Hero]

Thank you for the advice and moral support. I'll update if anything comes my way eventually... Anymore tips from anyone in this situation?
I keep telling myself that uncertainty is a good thing, That is when you grow. It does get really really difficult tough

 

[Sepeng]

So I have never been retrenched; one or two friends have, before COVID actually. Others have resigned. Wife actually handed in her resignation letter last week with nothing lined up. And what I've learnt from their experiences is, yes it can be very scary, depressing, and finances can be a big stress. But, well, it's never the end of the world.
Now I'm saying this from a position of privilege, I completely get that, I'm still working so our situation is different to others. And even the friends, they had no kids and crazy bills to pay so were also "lucky" in that respect. But in all instances they realised that life goes on without a job. They realised how unhappy and stressed they were before and that being retrenched was not failure on their part and did not define them.
Now again I get that what I'm saying is airy fairy feel good stuff and doesn't solve putting food on the table or address the issue about finding a new job. But I honestly do reckon it is an opportunity to clear your head a bit, decide on what you really want to do going forward, and implement changes you might not otherwise have done

 

[r4nd0m]

OP, just skimmed through your thread, but please check if you're not being given a bad reference somewhere along the line.

I get that positions are far and few between right now, but please make sure your references are speaking well of you.

 

[Random Hero]

I have now sent out over 100 applications. Constantly receiving we regret to inform you. I have even sent applications to more junior positions. I really am starting to believe these job portals are just data mining farms. This is really getting rediculous. I think I am going to just start a thread on here in hopes of someone looking for employment that happens to browes MyBB.

 

[Random Hero]

OP, just skimmed through your thread, but please check if you're not being given a bad reference somewhere along the line.

I get that positions are far and few between right now, but please make sure your references are speaking well of you.

Hey man, I had a look. All my references are good. I have great relationships with them.

 

[RedViking]

I have now sent out over 100 applications. Constantly receiving we regret to inform you. I have even sent applications to more junior positions. I really am starting to believe these job portals are just data mining farms. This is really getting rediculous. I think I am going to just start a thread on here in hopes of someone looking for employment that happens to browes MyBB.

Maybe get a professional to take a look at your CV and Cover Letter

 

[Random Hero]

Maybe get a professional to take a look at your CV and Cover Letter

Here is my CV. I think it looks great. https://we.tl/t-33QiZfOfuJ

 

[RedViking]

Here is my CV. I think it looks great. https://we.tl/t-33QiZfOfuJ

That looks great, do you have a portfolio and are you only looking for work in SA?

 

[Random Hero]

That looks great, do you have a portfolio and are you only looking for work in SA?

I've been looking in Aus and the UK actually for a bit a while ago.

As for my portfolio. The company I worked for revoked my access before I could compile my work.

However, I have tried freelancing and had one client recently. I built their website and I am working on their SEO.
This is the website I built - https://talbotinternational.co.za/

I did everything, From copy to content and design. Did keyword research to reinforce copy on the site for relevant searches and doing technical SEO this week. The next plan is to work on paid media. But yeah. it is tough. Because they do not have the best budgets

 

[RedViking]

Do you have a LinkedIn profile?

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Maybe get a professional to take a look at your CV and Cover Letter

this, X1000
I can refer you to one that helped me out,

the algorithms of those placement partner websites seem to be tweaked every year to look for specific candidates and ignore many of the rest.
even if they are the best, been there done that, got the t-shirt in 10 different colours and sizes.


spend the R400 odd rands and see what happens, maybe it will be money well spent.

 

[Random Hero]

Do you have a LinkedIn profile?

Yeah, have a look here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charl-swanepoel-28015a5b/