Another failed interview and I’m devastated

I completely understand you are feeling devastated to miss out on another job. And obviously the financial side of things is causing you a massive concern. But try and remember you are doing fantastically well! You are getting interviews and really good feedback. Obviously you come across well. It's hard not to take it personally, but you don't know who they took on or why. There are likely to be very small margins in it - eg the other person has specific industry experience or maybe has experience using certain programs etc. Or sometimes they are planning to take on an internal candidate and are really just going through the motions of interviewing.

I agree with the person saying to try and do some free training if you can.

Also, don't give up on recruiters. Sounds like the recruiter was a bit shit in your case and trying to shoehorn you into a job they were desperate to fill. Try and look for a specialist agency that deal with your level and role. Or if you have a lot of experience in a certain industry, try specialist in that. If you are put forward to an interview for a role you are too experienced for, be ready to explain why you want that role eg for certain experience etc. The client is concerned that you are there because you are desperate and as a stop gap. Prove otherwise.

Good luck! It is brutal, but you are doing amazingly. I'm sure the right opportunity will come along soon.

NHS have almost a recruitment freeze at the moment, and lots of cuts and redundancies being made.

I would add to this that a lot of organisations have the ability to check if a cv is AI generated.

Make sure you put personalise it in your own writing

ChatGPT is your friend here. Do two versions of your CV, one for account manager and one for project manager. Put your current CV in and along with a few job descriptions of each role and keep refining the output until you have two really good versions. Then get it to review your linkedin profile.

Don't whatever you do use raw chatgpt content, use it to bounce ideas off and highlight gaps. Ask it is this CV suitable for this job role and where is it lacking- you then know the gaps to fill.

Good luck

I recommend getting a good recruiter onboard looking for a job for you. Get some help with your linked in profile and CV.

Gosh that is so hard. You are doing everything right. I think you can feel proud of how you are getting through this. No advice to add but very much hope things will fall into place for you soon.

The only way is up. You will look back at this time and marvel at how strong and resilient you were despite not feeling it.
The right job for you is around the corner and like someone else said, sometimes they already have a candidate in mind for positions, so don't be disheartened.
Keep going 💪🏻

Make sure you claim all the benefits you can. You paid into the system so that when you fall on hard times the system supports you as you rise again. Speak to your parents now so it’s not a shock. Good luck

The job market is really tough at the moment, particularly in certain roles. project managers are flooded in the market right now, and I know dozens who have been out of work for a while, and we've had hundreds of applications for any roles.
but with that knowledge- you have had interviews which is really promising as many I know haven't even got that far.
I've just managed to get a new role which is very specialised but I was panicking as my contract was ending in a few weeks. What has worked has been networking hard. You mention your previous manager championed you - reach out to them. Reach out to old clients too - you'll be out od any contractual terms by now. Possibly set up a website for freelancing account and project management - there are hundreds of online entrepreneurs always looking for good freelancers.
undertake some free learning - all the project and collab software like asana, ClickUp, trello and Monday offer free intensive training and you can apply to be a verified consultant once trained - that has actually got me a role before as the company had just bought one of those tools so the fact I knew how to implement it was the bit that clinched the offer over another candidate.

Hi OP, I know it’s not the same as project management, but Personal Assistant and Executive Assistant roles would be a good side step. I’m a University PA and can offer further advice if required.

If you haven’t done so, thank the last interviewer, ansk if they will hold you on panel, and let them know you are available for short term projects in the meantime. Can you do a free or low cost qualification eg PRINCE to add to your skill set?

It's not you. Brexit has fucked up the economy beyond recognition.

I feel so sad for you, OP.

life is just so shitty sometimes 😢

I don’t have many suggestions other than please just keep applying and have faith you’ll get there. Absolutely shite advice, I know.

sending a big rather unmumsnetty hug.

It's a really tough market out there right now, literally 100s of applicants to a role. Don't feel bad about yourself you must be doing amazing to make it through the shifts. Makes it really hard to prep your way into a winning interview - because it's not really about skills experience or polish. It's about the other candidates who are exceptional too and the personal bias of the interviewer. You are doing amazingly. Keep strong and keep at it. If/when the job market improves you would have your pick of the roles

I've been where you are. Lost my job, broke up with partner of four years, kicked out of my house (renting for six years and landlord's daughter wanted to move in). It's so hard.

I'd suggest looking at short term contracts. Anything pays better than unemployment benefits. I did things well below my pay level as it was money. They were only short term appointments, so a month or two here and there, but really helped with the bills. Do you have a past employer who might need temporary assistance? I approached a firm I worked at 3 or 4 jobs prior to the one I was made redundant from - it was a peak time for them so having me for a couple of months really helped them and really helped me. My last contract was three months and I ended up being there for 18 months (contract kept being extended) and the experience in that industry lead to a permanent role at another organisation.

Doing what I do now, filling short term vacancies (3 months) is very challenging. If you're able to contract in those slots you might find, like I did, you can maintain back to back roles until something permanent comes along.

It’s also savage - we had over 80 applicants for one junior PM role recently. You are actively looking for reasons to mark people down when you could give it to at least 5 people

@LoisLaneKent I recruit in PM, what sort of level are you looking for? Have you looked at universities and local government? Most only require you in the office once a week, if that, and so you can cast the net far and wide. Sorry you’re going through such a rough time.

Hope you're on OP

What has your job hunting and interview process been? Have you been giving yourself some breaks from it?

No advice Just a giant hug.

Employers have become very amoral of late and this job market is wild.

You have been through a huge amount.

One thing I really recommend is try amd spend 30mins/ am hour per day either gardening or in nature ...I was skeptical when someone recommended this but it really works wonders. Particularly if you can garden or grow things.

@LoisLaneKent pm me and I will introduce you to a good agent.

Is there not a time limit for going down the unfair dismissal route, not sure what it is