You start off by taking a degree and doing the best job you can so you get a good result and therefore maximise your chances of getting a good job. You apply for every job you can see that you are qualified to do or have the right skills that could be deployed in the role. You started off going for jobs that were at a quite senior level (because you have the right experience and qualifications) but you don’t get any of them because there is always someone else just a tiny bit better – I have heard the expression “there was nothing between you and the successful candidate but he just did x a tiny bit better than you” more times than I care to think…along with “you didn’t put a foot wrong, keep at it and we’re sure you’ll find something”. You lower your sights, not just in terms of level of seniority but also of hours so you’re now going for part-time work doing things that you don’t need any qualifications for. You don’t even get letters that say “thanks but no thanks”.

You go back to Uni because it becomes the only available option. You start the treadmill of looking for jobs again, this time with another qualification under your belt. You hear exactly the same feedback as before. You lower your sights again. You beg people to take you on to do anything – it doesn’t matter what, just something that delivers a pay packet at the end of the week or month. No-one does.

You start to become obsessed with “signs”. I saw two magpies this morning, that means I’ll get an interview for that job I applied for today. I pulled a penny out of the dirt in the garden today and I picked it up – that surely means I’ll have some luck. Oh my, I saw two magpies, a black cat and picked up a penny…that must mean that today there will be something.

You can’t leave the house in case “that phone call” comes and if you’re not here at the right moment they may go to the next candidate on the list. The phone doesn’t ring. You check your emails a thousand times a day. There is never one offering a job.

You get to the point where you start to think “what’s the point” of anything. Why bother to apply? You’re unemployable. Why get dressed? You’re not going anywhere…