Help - Interview burnout/lost my confidence and cba to try anymore.

[Metabigot]

I lost my job in March due to redundancy and since then have really struggled to get even short term work in my field - a qualified profession of which I have around 20 years experience. Usually I'd be able to get interim work at least - and in fact during the financial crash of 2008/9 I got through on short term contracts never out of work for more than a few weeks.

This time however the market is completely saturated with candidates at my level all chasing the same few jobs. I've had around 12 interviews in 3 months all with no happy ending. Most of the time they don't even get back to you after interview to let you know it's a no.

I seem to get interviews no problem, it's getting an actual offer where its difficult. But now its like I have burnout. I can't be bothered to do any prep. Why bother when I'm only going to get the radio silence 'no' again. I'm well aware this is a massive vicious circle but its like my energy to invest into interview prep has just disappeared. Financially my husband has just got a job so the pressure on us as a family is not quite as bad -we can manage for a few months and I don't want to take just any old thing. But what can I do to get my interview mojo back? I have one in 2 hours and I'm sitting here typing out a message on mumsnet rather than prepping.

Its almost like if I don't try I have an excuse for why they reject me and feels less 'unjust' if that makes sense? but its taking me further away from getting a job isnt it.

[MayIDestroyYou]

With 20 years of professional experience is there no possibility of taking on your own clients, working as a consultant, setting up your own practice? (Obviously I don't know the nature of your work.)

You must have limitless connections and contacts, as well as expansive and in depth knowledge of your field.

Alternatively - has your work been interesting enough to provide sufficient material for a book? A month's thought could probably yield enough for a proposal to an agent.

In your position you have, for a while, the freedom to branch out. You could consider new routes while continuing to 'turn up' for interviews.

[christinarossetti19]

I do empathise - it's truly shit to be job hunting at the moment.

Maybe you don't need to do any particular prep for an interview though? You'd have thought it all through when you were applying, so maybe just read through your application and the JC/PS?

Given the market (and my field is the same, I've got over 20 years experience in what was a niche field but has become highly popular and which is now absolutely saturated), it's luck as much as how much prep you put into an interview tbh.

I hope that this is the one for you though - good luck!

[Metabigot]

@christinarossetti19

I do empathise - it's truly shit to be job hunting at the moment.

Maybe you don't need to do any particular prep for an interview though? You'd have thought it all through when you were applying, so maybe just read through your application and the JC/PS?

Given the market (and my field is the same, I've got over 20 years experience in what was a niche field but has become highly popular and which is now absolutely saturated), it's luck as much as how much prep you put into an interview tbh.

I hope that this is the one for you though - good luck!

That's made me think actually - in my efforts to 'control the outcome' I've been trying to do lots of prep but apart from reading up on the company and remembering my competency based examples of various skills/experiences there's not much else I can do apart from wait for Lady Luck to remember me.

There have been several interviews where I've answered every question perfectly (in my mind) and really couldn't have done anything more yet they still come back with a no and usually some nonsensical reason such as 'fit'.

I don't even know if I want any of the jobs I have interviews for today. I don't know what I want any more. Well i do... but it seems so out of reach right now. I'm not sure if it's better to take something short term to at least be working or to wait it out for something I do really want. But the ones I really want don't want me... that at least has been my experience this year.

[AlfonsoTheMango]

No advice but you have all of my sympathy, OP. I know what it's like so I can only hope that your fortunes turn around soon.

[Metabigot]

Well lo and behold! I got an offer for the job this morning, I was sure I'd screwed it up as I was feeling so negative about everything. It's only a four month contract and I'm probably punching below my weight with it but it's an income and they will let me look for permanent roles during the contract. I'm kind of conflicted about taking it as I know I can possibly get something more senior if I stick around but during these current times I may be better off just taking it as it's short term it's not a massive risk if I don't like it.

I guess I should take it to get me over the summer and then keep a look out for longer term stuff as the contract nears its end?

[christinarossetti19]

Well done OP!

Yes, take it if only to give yourself a break from the tedium of job hunting!

It's not long and you'll be able to start looking round again in a couple of months.

[Metabigot]

A break from the tedium of job hunting is a very good reason.... maybe when I've had a chance to refresh my head I can get back out there for the more senior roles. Recruiter said that things can really quieten down over the summer although this year its anyone's guess what'll happen.