UK jobseeker auctions herself on eBay

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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In a last ditch attempt to save her home, a UK jobseeker has put herself up for auction on eBay in the hope of finding an employer.

Deborah Bowen was made redundant from her sales role two years ago, and has since struggled to find a steady job. Despite sending out her CV to hundreds of recruiters, she has been unable to secure anything other than part-time work, in some positions earning as little as £6.50 ($9.60) per hour.

Now, she and her husband face eviction from their three-bedroom home, because they can no longer afford the mortgage repayments.

In desperation, Ms Bowen turned to online auction site, eBay, putting herself up for sale with an ad that read:

"For sale - a willing and able permanent or temporary employee.

"Sales Professional/BDM/W/house will do almost anything for work. Please read on, Could you be the right person to give me the right opportunity?'

The ad includes her CV with details of her employment history, education and hobbies, but to date, it has only attracted four bids, equating to a paltry 17 pence (25 cents).

"I thought eBay would be a great way of reaching a large audience and people from all types of sectors," Ms Bowen said.

"I've been to so many recruitment agencies, but when they see I've been made redundant twice they just think I'm a job hopper and refuse to offer me anything.

"But I will do absolutely anything, drive a forklift truck or even clean toilets. I don't think people understand." Ms Bowen admitted that her approach may seem "radical" but said she was willing to try anything if it would secure her a job.

Would you resort to selling yourself to get employers to notice you?

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User comments

I totally agree with Sam from Australia. The world has gone crazy. We sometimes should stop and think hard about what we wish for!!! I have a job, where I feel any skills I once had are going down the drain, but because I still have a mortgage, I'm stuck here. I have looked and I would have to sell myself all over again. The selection criteria for some jobs is ridiculous. Some people just don't get a chance to apply for a job that they may well be the best at because 'someone out there' thought 'let's make this process as difficult as we can' and then there is the 'interview process' don't get me started on that. Good on Deborah Bowen for having a go...........even that's what we do everytime we apply for a job - is sell ourselves.

i dont believe she is being "picky" as you put it. She clearly states she will do "anything, even clean toilets".

In the article, it said the lady had been constantly contacting recruitment agencies and they have not helped her to get employment. What happened to door knocking yourself? I have got several really good jobs in the past doing that and I have lived in the UK and several other countries. I found the UK was the easiest place to get a job if you are truly willing to do anything. Try waitressing or work in a bar. Forget the agencies and walk into places and ask. It is scary, but they can only say no and they might say yes.

Always two sides to an argument. Reading the perspective of Ms Bowen she is a poor hard done by sole. What would be nice to balance the story now is to ask some of the 100s of employers who have not seen her as the best candidate for the job.The alarm bells went off for me when I read "I'd drive a forklift truck or clean toilets" As an ex forkie I took offence at that as I had to be licenced and good at what I did to firstly get the job and then keep it. Dont know if London is like Australia but plenty of work going in the personal columns if anyone is that desperate to work.

Would you resort to selling yourself to get employers to notice you? Don't make me laugh. It's been years that people have been selling themselves. Nowadays you basically can't get a job if you don't go out and sell yourself. If you want to work, that is pretty much the only way you will get a job if you sell yourself, unless you were Albert Einstein. And the worst part of all. You could be a great salesperson, but really crap at work. Still you will get the job, while someone who is a great worker, but lacks selling skills, will miss out. Well, you asked for that kind of world and you got it.

I think this is innovative and show this young lady has imagination and guts. After 2 years of being down trodden, I think this shows this young lady is bright and has *** and energy. Congratulations for thinking outside the box. I hope she finds a secure and well paying job. She Deserves it.

I think Ms Bowen has done very well for herself, more than alot of people would do. She has shown courage, to step out there and do something to save her home. I say well done you have my upmost respect.. there also should be alot more people in the world like Ms Bowen.

before you all get teary eyed you should know that 6.50 an hour is a good rate in U.K. for sales, thats what I was on 3 years ago before I moved over here. Back a few years that would equate to $19 before the exhange rate went pants. My house in U.K cost 200k, current exchange rates $300 for a large 4 bed with a nice garden garage and drive, my mortgage was equivalent $300 a month, and the interest rates are about 2% less at the moment in the U.K (maybe we should all remortgage with U.K.banks and teach the greedy aussie banks a lesson). My husband is in the military so I have to find a new job every 2 years or so, I never had a problem, maybe she should be less picky, take what you can get, then if you aspire to greater things, train up some more and keep looking.