Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Can we have a chat of how exhausting it is to apply for jobs, get interviews and then not get it?

70 replies

Needadoughnut · 04/02/2019 10:09

In the past year I've apply for God only knows how many jobs. I've had at least 6 serious job interviews in the past 4 months. Two have been with a presentation I don't of a committee. Yes, I've had one offer so far (after being out in a reserve list), but it's just so demoralising! And I know I have to keep at it because the one job I have managed to get is not the best (long commute and low salary).

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 04/02/2019 13:15

I know. I get so emotionally invested too. I imagine working there every day, making best friends with my new colleagues, being amazing at my new job etc.
Then thump down to earth when I'm rejected! (I'm not even getting interviews!)

Birdsgottafly · 04/02/2019 13:22

It's even worse when you know you are getting rejected just because of your age, because it's not something you can work on or improve.

I don't think the self esteem side of being rejected is taken on board enough, especially in regards to people who are going back to work after a considerable break.

redannie118 · 04/02/2019 13:23

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
misscockerspaniel · 04/02/2019 13:30

Birdsgottafly I don't think that until it effects them personally, that people realize how age affects trying to get a new job. And it doesn't matter how qualified or experienced or how fit you are.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 04/02/2019 13:32

It’s very difficult to keep thinking that you have skills and talents, but just not for that job. I suppose if you’re an actor, you must get used to being turned down for roles, unless you’re part of an acting dynasty. At least until you are able to get a part that gets you know.

It is demoralising, of course it is and makes you feel badly about yourself. Even getting an interview is a huge achievement.

Original poster
Needadoughnut · 04/02/2019 14:49

foxy I agree getting an interview is an achievement in itself, but they're so stressful.. I usually think that by interview stage I'm very close to getting the job, but I'm slowly realising that's far from the truth. Kinder I'm exactly the same! I had an interview at a place I loved and I keep imagining myself working there which I'm sure doesn't help!

OP posts:
Youngandfree · 04/02/2019 14:59

I don’t mind interviews but I hate doing applications for jobs!! I find them so tedious, although I had to do neither for the job I am starting soon...thank god. I went into a job as a substitute and an internal job share came up, they asked if I would be interested and I said yes!! Next thing I know I have the job 🤷‍♀️😆if only it was that easy EVERY time!!

Iamtheworst · 04/02/2019 15:16

I was going to start a thread about this. I’m applying for anything and everything right now. The number of jobs paying minimum wage but wanting degrees and experience is ridiculous. I’ve given up hope of recieving feedback from interviews. I had an interview in December. I assume I’ve not got it but I’ve heard nothing.

And my pet peave, application forms that only ask for things that would be on a cv. Surely that’s a waste of their time creating the application.

Original poster
Needadoughnut · 04/02/2019 15:59

iamtheworst where I live the main problem is that most jobs are either basic admin or shop assistant - I'm overqualified for both. IME you should be more selective with what you apply for, it has given me better results

OP posts:
Iamtheworst · 04/02/2019 16:20

I’m tried being selective but I live in a big university city so asking for a degree + experience for entry level (17 or 18k£) seems totally normal.
I have one agency tell me outright that I was over qualified for any thing they had.
Onwards and upwards.

edwinbear · 04/02/2019 17:43

I can empathise entirely. I was out of work for 10 months after being made redundant and finding something else was a full time job. Writing tailored CV's and application forms, revising for interviews like exams it was awful. One firm put me through 7 interviews and a 3 hour psychometric test then ghosted me when I tried to find out if they were going to make me an offer. It's expensive too, paying for all the travel, dry cleaning suits etc.

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 04/02/2019 18:07

Been there - I remember the 12 month shitshow that was the job search.
10 interviews before I got a job of which 2 I was a serious contender and 2 which were an absolute shitshow - one of which entailed a 6 hour drive and an overnight stay.
I'm a reasonably senior STEM person but feedback was intermittant and the old chestnut of 'better candidate' 'not enough experience' and 'too expensive' which you can do fuck all about. That and one of the shitshows being a catfish interview from the bloodied corpse of my CV after an algorithm ate it.
That and the fact I have ASD which seems to mean to the average HR person that when they see the CV and see me I might as well be a pod person from planet ZOG.

brownmouse · 04/02/2019 18:22

Been through this too lately. I Lao feel it takes about two weeks of useful working hours because I'm actually concentrating on applications/imagining my new amazing achievements. Confused

I need a couple of months to recover in between each one. Crap innit?

Maelstrop · 04/02/2019 18:25

It's even worse when you know you are getting rejected just because of your age, because it's not something you can work on or improve.

My big fear. I currently hate my job, but I’ve only been there since September and the thought of having to apply and have interviews-they’re usually all day-is exhausting.

amusedbush · 04/02/2019 18:31

I had eight interviews last year and didn't get any of them. Every time I was told that I was the reserve candidate, or I was top three, or I was appointable... but. Always with a but.

Today I had an interview for my dream job. It was internal and I know that the panel did due diligence because colleagues told me that they had been asked about my work. It all looked incredibly positive but I bumped into one of the panel members later this afternoon and they said, "a decision has been made and it's with HR. I can't say much more but you are welcome to come back for more positive information".

So yeah, it looks like that's another big fat no. I'm crushed. And for the record "more positive information" is a fucking weird way of saying "feedback". Also, I don't WANT positive feedback. I want to know what the hell I'm doing wrong!

spiderplantsalad · 04/02/2019 18:34

I've been temping for three fucking years now, lots of interviews, no jobs. I'm crushed and i just can't do it any more. I don't know what I'm going to do when this contract ends but suicide has crossed my mind more than once. I cannot, cannot do this any more.

thedishonthecoffeetable · 04/02/2019 18:43

I'm 63, I want an admin job as that is what I have done under various titles since I left school at 16. I've been applying for the past 2 years, had a few interviews, feedback, interviewed well, someone more experienced blah, blah, blah.

I am well aware that I tick a box that they are fulfilling their inclusive policies. Old person tick!

EddieCatflap · 04/02/2019 18:54

I had 2 interviews in December, one I had to prepare a 10 minute presentation on a topic they gave me in advance. I thought it went well but didn't get the job nor any feedback. The other one I had to give a presentation after being given the topic at the start of the interview! I thought it went well too and came second, absolutely gutted as I really wanted it and hate my current job. Now I can't face having to go through it all again, but I need to find something else to apply for first!

Original poster
Needadoughnut · 04/02/2019 18:55

@spiderplantsalad are you ok? I can give you ideas of how to make an income... Luckily you can make around £1200 a month but it's very unpredictable

OP posts:
Iamtheworst · 04/02/2019 18:59

edwinbear 7 interviews!!! How can you not get the job after that? Did they have other candidates doing 7 interviews or were you always just a bit short. Sorry to ask but that’s horrendous, I’d be in tears after 2.

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 04/02/2019 19:04

And people who seem to think that unemployed people are stupid and lazy. Why haven't you got a job - because no-one has given me one.
If William of Occam worked in Recruiting - he'd have grown a beard.

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 04/02/2019 19:09

I had 10 interviews including one when I would have to relocate for. Only got a job after being interviewed by people I knew.

SingaSong12 · 04/02/2019 19:11

I’ve got a couple of applications outstanding. Same employer, slightly different jobs. I’ve done the easy bits (name/employment/education) but am procrastinating. List of numbers and job spec. I’m bored of showing I understand equality and diversity.

One I got to interview they didn’t even bother to tell me I failed.

Redcliff · 04/02/2019 19:30

I feel your pain. I hate filling in job applications and preparing for presentations.

Needallthesleep · 04/02/2019 19:34

I could have written your OP word for word. It is soul destroying and such hard work. I have a final interview next week, and I’m just dreading the ‘tell me about a time when...’ questions again. Like you I always fall at the final stage, after I have put in a mammoth amount of work into prepping (and yes yes to the presentations!), and have thought about what my commute etc would be like. Urgh.