To think getting a job is impossible for some?

You're not unemployable. You're just feeling doubt because of the rejections which feel like knockbacks and are undermining you. You are very close to getting a job, keep going, don't give up. I too am in a similar position and feel really dejected and hopeless and it's hard to keep going. Three interviews - three jobs not gained. I need to follow my own advice and keep going and take into account what saltinesandcoffeecups said - which is brilliant. Good luck.

When I lost my job a few years ago I went and worked in hospitality for a year. Built my confidence back up and then started looking for jobs that were in my normal
field. I thought people would question my “year out” but they didn’t.

so maybe just get any job that suits the hours you need and in 12 months or so look for something more in your field?

OP I think in this day and age, one has to be prepared to
-start again from the bottom, many times
-change sectors, many times

I have done so myself and it is exhausting, bit also my duty.

I've been second choice for jobs and then got the job at interview. Think how you are coming across at interview. They wouldn't interview you if they didn't think you had the skills.

Research the Company so you know about them. Think of questions about the role you could ask. Think about relevant experience you have that you could talk about during the interview.

And remember that my DH has got jobs because the "first choice" turned it down!

I've only ever had management roles in retail and even I'm finding it difficult
Apply for many jobs through indeed and sometimes as little as five hours later they've rejected me
I wish I had the qualifications to do something better and actually enjoy what I do

If you keep coming second then it’s just a numbers game. Keep going and you will be successful eventually

There is definitely more unemployed people than there are jobs available.

I made the comment about people not being suited to certain types of work, because I genuinely feel a lot of people would be really crap carers and I hate how this is trotted out as a job you can just walk into and therefore there should be no unemployed. People who need care deserve better. Its not about being 'too good' its about not being good enough.

You've come second in 2 interviews so no, you're not employable. Carefully think about the feedback and what additional skills could get you over the line, and keep plugging away. It WILL happen. Best of luck.

I'm going to be blunt but I think your attitude is wrong - you come across as negative.

"I know I probably need to cast the net wider, but it is very disappointing to give up a professional career."

It's not about giving up a professional career, it's just finding ANY job until you potentially find something more suitable. I'm currently a teacher, I've worked in engineering, plus as stop gaps I've done all sorts - a TA, working in a chocolate packaging factory, night shift factory work - basically whatever was going.

Most schools would give you a TA job tomorrow. A friend of mine got a TA job as she couldn't find anything in her field and didn't want a career gap and her kids were both at primary school, she then got promoted to a higher level TA due to her degree, and then due to long term sickness of a staff member, she actually ended up teaching A Level as an unqualified teacher. She's now back working in a science laboratory.

Used to be a recruiter and an employer branding consultant and it was such an eye opener. First thing is your CV. You have to get past the AI gatekeeper but there are some really good AI tools out there that will help you assess your CV and give you a score on what the AI will pick up. Then suggest ways section by section to get to 100% or as close. The other thing is, interview role playing! I am hit and miss in interviews so a friend and I will practice over and over and over again until I have perfected my answers but also have a bank of delay tactics to give myself a chance to get back on track or ready made questions for when my mind goes blank!

Flipping the interview back on the interviewer to get them to open about about what they love about the company, culture, their own career path, how you can add value to their team etc - anything that makes them talk about themselves and become human. Pick up little cues on what they are into and find common ground. They won’t realise that they have been yabbering on but think you’re a great person to talk to and want you on their team!

People always talk about candidate expectations being misaligned but some of my clients - wow. You would think they were offering a job to replace the King Charles based on their unrealistic expectations on what candidate they would find for salary offered. Best companies were the ones that knew their businesses or brands were not on the top of candidates list and they had to work harder to attract (and retain) candidates and far more respectful of the effort candidates put in as word gets around. Example is British American Tobacco. My favourite company to recruit for! Worst employer I’ve ever come across - L’Oriel.

Lastly - by the time you see a job post it’s probably half filled. So spend one day a week researching news etc of businesses which are growing or expanding etc. Find a name in the article, use free tools like RocketReach to find the work email of that contact and just drop them an email saying how interesting that all sounds and how you’d love to know how you can be part of that growth and what skills you can bring. Use RocketReach free credits to get the direct contact details of that name you find or use it to map out line managers and recruiters.

Never use the word ‘I’ on speculative email especially at the beginning. I get unsolicited job hunting emails of ‘me me me, I, I, I’ and they go into the junk bin. I don’t care about what they want. But If someone can feel my pain, and can suggest what they can bring to help me - I’m all ears!

It feels impossible but the “The Universe Is Full of Magical Things Patiently Waiting for Our Wits to Grow Sharper” - you got this!

In your case I’d look for women returners schemes local to you - there are both employability programs with coaching and support hiring schemes. There are ways back for women taking time out for raising family/caring/health conditions.

All well and good suggesting that people should consider taking a backward step & working their way back up, but I soon lost count of the number of times I was told I wouldn't be offered an interview or a job after an interview because I was over-qualified/had too much higher level experience, and would soon get bored and leave.

I was actually at a stage when I wanted and needed a lower level job for at least a significant amount of time, having been broken more than once by the pressures of the higher level jobs. But I would never be given that chance to prove I didn't want the stress and responsibility any longer.

Having worked managerial grade with staff and working directly with Directors, in a specialist area which has transferrable skills, I'm now working one level above the bottom in a local council as an admin and that's suiting me perfectly - I intend to stay there up to & if possible past retirement.

I’m applying for jobs and it’s shocking.

I’ve had rejections saying that the position has been filled, but the advert is still up making it look like there are vacancies when there aren’t;

I’ve been invited to do presentations and then told by clients in the sector my interview work has been presented to them as a pitch when I was told that I wasn’t qualified for the job;

I’ve applied for jobs and then been called by the company trying to sell me their product where they are using adverts to find corresponding people in relevant sectors;

I’ve applied for jobs through recruitment agents who have then phoned me to ask if I am looking for new jobs does that mean my employer is hiring.

I’ve been rejected for a job and then sent marketing material and discount codes as part of the rejection email.

Ive applied for jobs advertised as remote only to be told they require 4 days a week in the office.

good luck- it’s shit

There's also no point in taking a job that you're not going to be able to manage because the hours or location isn't practical. I've seen plenty of colleagues start jobs in good faith only to find out that whoever hired them wasn't completely honest about these things. Why would you knowingly put yourself in an unsuitable job?

I applied at around 0800, interview at midday and submission of ID, right to work documents.. etc, confirmation of training and first shift by 1700.

This was in 2021.
Any other questions?

Telling people that they think they’re “too good” for some jobs just because they have certain things they’re looking for is exactly trying to take them down a peg.

Right, but that's not actually what I said.

I said some people do think they're too good for certain jobs and that some people have unrealistic expectations as to what they need to look for.

@saltinesandcoffeecups That is such good advice.

Can you try temping? Sometimes that can lead to a permanent opportunity - I've found two permanent jobs like this. It's true that it's easier to get a job when you're already working.

I understand that you want to stay in the field in which you have qualifications and experience but, as you've been trying without success for two years, you need to change tack. Take any job you can get, then keep looking for the dream job.

One of my kids just changed jobs, in a competitive sector. To get one thing she really wanted, she compromised on other things. There are jobs around but employers expectations are high.

So your question isn't
"AIBU to think getting a job is impossible for some?"

so much as

"AIBU to think It's not fair that I can't get the Holy Grail of jobs - including me limiting myself to part time and 'nice work' in an office, that pays me as well as I want, even though I haven't worked for two years and in that time can't show that I have been volunteering, or working in a job I'm not so keen on" ?

This situation is the exact reason that I will always caution women from leaving work. It is the counter to the “I’m only working to pay for daycare “ argument.

As a hiring manager I will always give someone with an extended break a fair evaluation. That being said that person is generally going to have to bring something special to the table that raises above candidates who haven’t had a break in working.

Where I live PT or flex working isn’t really a thing so will defer on that point to others but will say that needing concessions for any reason (except disability) is also going to make me less likely to hire you.

As others have mentioned… It is very obvious when someone gets a job after an extended break under their pre break role. I love to see that! I will note it then move on to their previous relevant experience. What I immediately think is that this person is not overly fussy, they are wanting to work and likely have a good work ethic and will likely not be a pain in the ass if asked to do work ‘beneath’ them. (Let’s be honest all roles have shit tasks and times where you need to suck it up and pitch in).

During the interview I will ask about the current role and probably ask questions about their experience starting over/stepping back/or whatever. Basically I’m looking for an answer that highlights how they understood they needed to get back into work, they learned something from the experience, and/or they got along ok in the role. It’s generally a quick question/answer.

I will then transition to their previous relevant experience and ask what they’ve done to stay current in the industry/role. what I’m looking for is some attempt to keep up with current events. Answers I’m looking for: continuing education, keeping any certifications or licenses current, keeping up with subscriptions to trade magazines, knowing about the latest software releases, linked in learning classes, volunteering in an adjacent or related area, etc. In other words, something that tells me despite the time away they’ve made some sort effort to keep current.

Then I’ll transition to dig into their previous experience in detail, the same as I would a person without a break.

Hope this helps the OP or anyone else who finds themselves in this position. I get it, it’s hard. For those that might find themselves making a similar choice in the future please go back to my first paragraph.

To add: I think you should look for contract roles to get back into work after a gap (or do something self employed while you are looking)

also apply for FT roles & see if there is any flexibility

i am in a niche area(marketing related) and there are NO part time roles advertised: the very few people who work PT have negotiated it. TBH if I was hiring externally I would always want a FT headcount not PT, but I wouldn’t lose a good employee who wanted to go PT if I could help it … this might be a route you need to consider if it’s the same in your field