After 26 years and 300 applications, 46-year-old bachelor finally lands a job

frost · 09-19-2009, 06:38 PM

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

09-19-2009, 06:39 PM

lol wtfff

frost · 09-19-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue660r01

lol wtfff

lol, that dude has been unemployed and "looking" almost the whole time I've been alive.

dad · 09-19-2009, 06:55 PM

He looks happy, I hope he does well!

frost · 09-19-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

He looks happy, I hope he does well!

Yeah, I didn't post this to knock him. I actually think it's an awesome story.

antennahead · 03-11-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Yeah, I didn't post this to knock him. I actually think it's an awesome story.

With your reputation, glad you clarified that

nogoodname · 03-08-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

lol, that dude has been unemployed and "looking" almost the whole time I've been alive.

He's been unemployed longer than I've been alive.

AK370Z · 03-08-2010, 01:03 PM

Cool story!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

He's been unemployed longer than I've been alive.

PapoZalsa · 03-11-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

lol, that dude has been unemployed and "looking" almost the whole time I've been alive.

And I already Retired once, and working on my 2nd Retirement and on my Master Degree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan@Bwalk

I got laid of from flying a few years back, and sent out over 300 applications/resumes in less than 6 months.

It is not only posting Resumes but posting good resumes plus networking. Which it probably means going to where the work is at.

Brendan@Bwalk · 03-11-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

And I already Retired once, and working on my 2nd Retirement and on my Master Degree.

It is not only posting Resumes but posting good resumes plus networking. Which it probably means going to where the work is at.

Yeah, I was a bonehead and kept trying to stay in aviation. Kept going for pilot jobs, dispatch jobs, and every variation. That was back in early '09 when it was really ugly, but in the end, it was networking that landed me a few jobs at the same time, and then I had a choice.

Still haven't heard back from a few companies about flying Predator UAV's. If I got that call, I would still be tempted.

j.arnaldo · 03-08-2010, 12:52 PM

...and some of us complain so much...

vipor · 03-08-2010, 12:54 PM

frost you look ca-razy man!

m4a1mustang · 03-08-2010, 01:23 PM

300 applications in 26 years it not many. That's less than 1 application a month...

I remember when I was first out of college I was applying to probably 300 jobs daily... haha.

Wicked_G · 03-08-2010, 02:47 PM

Is this the record? Dammit, and I thought I had a good story with 3 years and 95 job applications.

I love how companies will say you 'lack experience'
How in the world do you expect me to have experience when NO ONE will offer me a job?!

frost · 03-08-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked_G

Is this the record? Dammit, and I thought I had a good story with 3 years and 95 job applications.

I love how companies will say you 'lack experience'
How in the world do you expect me to have experience when NO ONE will offer me a job?!

Just like credit, they wont give you credit if you dont have any

09-19-2009, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	After 26 years and 300 applications, 46-year-old bachelor finally lands a job 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

09-19-2009, 06:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	He looks happy, I hope he does well! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

03-08-2010, 12:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	frost you look ca-razy man! __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-08-2010, 01:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	300 applications in 26 years it not many. That's less than 1 application a month... I remember when I was first out of college I was applying to probably 300 jobs daily... haha. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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09-19-2009, 06:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue660r01 Guest Posts: n/a	lol wtfff

03-08-2010, 12:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	...and some of us complain so much...

03-08-2010, 02:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
Wicked_G Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Irvine Posts: 93 Drives: G37s Rep Power: 16	Is this the record? Dammit, and I thought I had a good story with 3 years and 95 job applications. I love how companies will say you 'lack experience' How in the world do you expect me to have experience when NO ONE will offer me a job?!