Wife Unable to Land Job

Okay, the title may be misleading, because she does have a job. She is an assistant manager at a phone job within Asda Living. The only problem is, she hates it. When we first arrived in September, she had three job offers right off that bat, but since, nothing. One or two calls and then they never call back. Do you think that this is just a rough patch? We are confused as why she is not getting called for jobs she is more than qualified for.

Welcome to a recession job market. Sadly, this is not uncommon. In fact, I'd even say she's pretty lucky to be getting calls! I've applied for at least 100 jobs in my field in the last year and a half and not got one interview from them. And I'm more than qualified. The only jobs that I get calls for are ones that I am recommended to by my contacts. Perhaps she should start doing some networking?

Besides that, she should just keep on applying and, if she has some time, perhaps trying to volunteer or do some kind of work experience in her field might help her get the jump on other candidates. And although she loathes her job, be mindful that there are plenty of people out there that would take her place in a heartbeat, so make the best of it. 

Welcome to a recession job market. Sadly, this is not uncommon. In fact, I'd even say she's pretty lucky to be getting calls! I've applied for at least 100 jobs in my field in the last year and a half and not got one interview from them. And I'm more than qualified. The only jobs that I get calls for are ones that I am recommended to by my contacts. Perhaps she should start doing some networking?

Besides that, she should just keep on applying and, if she has some time, perhaps trying to volunteer or do some kind of work experience in her field might help her get the jump on other candidates. And although she loathes her job, be mindful that there are plenty of people out there that would take her place in a heartbeat, so make the best of it. 

This! I'm going to volunteer while I'm out there so I can build some work experience in the UK. My fiancée and many others off of UKY have mentioned how tough the job market is. Stay positive, things will come around

I'm going to volunteer while I'm out there so I can build some work experience in the UK.

Just remember that you will not be able to work or volunteer until you have been granted FLR(M) after your fiance(e) visa.  And it is illegal to do volunteer work on a tourist visa.

Just remember that you will not be able to work or volunteer until you have been granted FLR(M) after your fiance(e) visa.  And it is illegal to do volunteer work on a tourist visa.

Yep, I know

Alright, just checking.  Some people have gotten caught out by this, and it caused a lot of stress and worrying later!

Although I must say it seems silly you can't volunteer while on a fiancé visa. If it's non pay and keeps you as a productive person in society you think it would be allowed SMH

And although she loathes her job, be mindful that there are plenty of people out there that would take her place in a heartbeat, so make the best of it. 

Yup.
I was made redundant in 2009 from a job I'd loved for 8 years. It took me 2 years, a series of short-term temp assignments, and an eye-opening 'never again!' experience at Whole Foods to get where i am now:  an entry level job in a bank, at an entry level salary (this is after 20+ years experience in the financial services industry).  Yes, i hate the job, but I know I am lucky to have it in this crappy market.

It's ok saying "I'm more than qualified for that job", but think about it.
I was made redundant on Oct 31st, I started looking for specific IT work after Xmas and only had 3 interviews out of over 30 jobs applied for. I'm sick of people saying "oh well, have you tried the local supermarket" etc. Look at it from the business perspective, if I apply for a job just working in the supermarket they see straight away that it's not my normal work therefore to them I'm just taking it until "something better comes along", why would they want to employ someone who could leave in a couple of months when they are getting loads of applicants?
Unless I can prove a genuine interest in making a career change then.

It's ok saying "I'm more than qualified for that job", but think about it.
I was made redundant on Oct 31st, I started looking for specific IT work after Xmas and only had 3 interviews out of over 30 jobs applied for. I'm sick of people saying "oh well, have you tried the local supermarket" etc. Look at it from the business perspective, if I apply for a job just working in the supermarket they see straight away that it's not my normal work therefore to them I'm just taking it until "something better comes along", why would they want to employ someone who could leave in a couple of months when they are getting loads of applicants?
Unless I can prove a genuine interest in making a career change then.

I've had this same experience. When I was looking I applied for jobs in retail as a stop gap because we were desperate for extra income. I never got anything from it.  From what I could tell from the very few times I got to come into the shops, I was one of the few native English speakers even, but I never even got a call back from there.  It felt degrading, but I think they took one look at my degrees and said, "yeah, she doesn't really want to work with us, and will be gone as soon as something comes along."

I also had another that openly told me they refused to look at me because I didn't have a NI number yet.  I showed them I was legal to work here and was in the process of applying for my NI number, but he said it was their policy to stay away from any questionable applications without National Insurance. So rather than risk the wrath of UKBA, they just rejected me since I was an immigrant and wouldn't even check to see that I really was legit.  I hated early job hunting.  Happily something did come on later in the year that fit my qualifications.