It took him a staggering 26 years and more than 300 failed applications.
But yesterday John Evans was at last celebrating - after finally landing himself a job.
The 46-year-old bachelor was made redundant in 1983 when the steel plant where he worked closed down.
Despite going on scores of courses and gaining extra qualifications to boost his CV he has been unemployed ever since.
Now, after almost three decades of trying, the former clerk is preparing to start work as a care assistant at a nursing home for the elderly.
'I couldn't believe what I was hearing when they told me I'd got the job,' he said yesterday. 'I asked them to repeat it twice more.
'It still hadn't really sunk in when I finally put down the phone. I suppose my confidence had gone after so many rejections.
'But I had this self belief that if I kept on applying, however long it took, I would get a job one day.
'It's paid off and my confidence has soared already, although I'll be a little nervous on my way to work.'
Mr Evans, who starts work at the Willowbeck Care Home in Grimesthorpe, Sheffield, on Monday, said he had been turned down for scores of jobs including some in catering, another at a nursing home and one as an accounts clerk.
He had even been turned down for a role as a production worker at a factory.
Until 1983 Mr Evans had worked as a clerk at a steel plant in Sheffield.
After losing his job he applied for various posts but was turned down for each and every one.
At his wits end he returned to education and completed a number of courses - including ones teaching computing and typing - to improve his skills.
But still he was rejected.
He even obtained qualifications including an NVQ in Business Studies, RSA Stage Two typing and a City and Guilds in Catering.
Reluctant to sit back and collect benefits he worked at Rotherham General Hospital as a volunteer for the National Society of Epilepsy whilst continuing to scour newspapers for vacancies.
Now his determination has paid off.
'I was only 20 when I lost my job but I was determined not to sit around being idle and I started applying for vacancies,' he added.
'I enrolled on courses to improve my skills and chances of finding work. I always tell people I have been on more courses than Nick Faldo.
'Over the years I got a bit downhearted when the rejections came back but I never stopped trying. I was determined to get a job.
'It would have been easy to sit back and pick up benefits but I didn't want to sit on my backside for the rest of my life.'
Of the 300 applications only 100 had replied, he said. The vast majority failed to tell him why but those who did said he lacked experience.
Mr Evans, from Swallownest, Sheffield, said his job prospects had been hampered by disability.
At the age of 16 he had a lengthy stay in hospital after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Three years later he developed epilepsy.
His condition meant that he couldn't apply for jobs working with machinery or driving.
Liberated from 'I was only 20 when I lost my job but I was determined not to be idle': 26 years and 300 applications later, John finds work | Mail Online