We're all in this together Janine as the Tories say :p I wonder if Dave is even bothered about the millions of unemployed ppl in the UK. That's why I chose to leave and give it a shot.

I would love to get out after I do my Higher but I just don't have the money to go anywhere as I have no money.

Attended the job interview in a shop and it is initially maternity leave and going on from there. When I go back online again after coming back. I get an interview for my alma mater as a lab assistant (term time) :D

Had about 3 interviews for my alma mater now. (RGU Aberdeen)

hi Janine
I just pm-ed you :-)
looks like things ARE looking up! when is the next interview then? :-)

hi incognito
I think it's great that you are writing a book now, and at least you do have some teaching to do :-) do you like it in Canada? I have heard a lot of very positive things about Canada and the lifestyle there.

You asked me for tips on surviving joblessness and despair---I got a lot of strength from reading Eckhard Tolle's writings.

PM me if you want to read, and I'll send you what I have.

It's more like being in the Present, and taking each day as it comes. And recognising that what happened in the past CANNOT affect us TODAY, it may read like an unlikely sentence considering our phd SHOULD realistically help us to gain employment etc. but when we are not getting employment etc. it does feel disheartening.

The first thing to realise is that the state of joblessness is temporary.

The state of being depression is brought on by THOUGHTS. So if we can take charge of our thoughts, we become more aware of what is going on--and THEN we can handle the situation better, whatever situation it is---car crash, winning the lottery, end of the world etc.

(but then people may argue--how can it be temporary when joblessness has been going on for x or y amount of time etc.--that is why you need to read how Eckhart Tolle explains)

Another instance of how he answers people who ask him, "how can I be happy when I am so depressed all the time?"

he answers, "you are unhappy because you have forgotten who you really are"

It is really worthwhile to read his teachings because his writings are also similar to teachings from the Heart Sutra (the essence in Buddhism) but the great part about it is that Eckhart Tolle is easy to read and easy to understand. There is no part about organised religion etc. so it really goes straight to the reader, direct and clear.

I'm sure something will turn up for you too, incognito!
keep going

love satchi

Thank you so much Satchi for your response. Your positive words made me feel better now. Let's hope for the best. I am also taking a break now. At least for few weeks I am not going to apply any. Just wondering if you are done with your viva? Swetch

hi Swetch
Very good to hear from you!
I have not done the viva yet :-) coming soon
telling myself DO NOT get stressed :-)
have a good week

love satchi

Don't get either the shop job or the lab assistant role. I am getting fed up now! I just want a job I can go to and stay in for a while, I don't want to take a crappy job as I know I will want to leave the job!

Just I am not getting a lot of breaks in my field. *sigh* There are times I wish I wasn't here 8** (

sorry about that janine--
remember there are more interviews coming soon :-)

love satchi

I'm starting to feel dispondant on this.

Cheer up Janine. Unemployment is hard (very very hard) but it will come to an end one day, so why waste your time/feelings being down about it. Things will look up, even if they're not great now.

Sorry to hear that Janine just remember you're not alone: I'm applying for so many jobs and postdocs/fellowships it's crazy, and I'm also discouraged to the point where I stopped working on publications and everything else. Have you tried volunteering to get experience relevant in your field? Not long-term of course but just to boost your CV in the meantime- that's what I did, mind u I'm not in the UK at present and I know when I tried something similar back there I was ignored :(. How many jobs have u applied to so far?

Hundreds, had an interview today and I actually managed to impress the interviewers! I know next to no stumbling in the interview I am amazed! Didn't get a job in microbiology! *sigh* I can't do voluntary experience in a lab as to be voluntary it needs to be a non profit making organisation. Still waiting to hear back on PhDs as well!

My specific field in endocannabinoid chemistry and / or neuroscience.

hi slizor, incognito, janine and everyone who's looking for a job/postdoc/phd etc.... :-)

I glad that--at least we still have each other here in the forum!!!
let's continue supporting one another :-)

oh yes...after some weeks' break, my job application will resume NEXT MONTH :-)

will keep us all posted
love satchi

Bit of moral support!

Well Janine/Satchi/everyone
I got rejected today from another job I applied to at University :(:(:(- I haven't done any work for the past five days and not sure I want to as I can't really focus and think these days. So much for a good PhD allowing you to stand out huh?!?! I feel so fooled.