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Original poster

Anyone else finding job-hunting absolutely soul destroying?

42 replies

Hangingover · 27/09/2020 07:12

Just that really. My role was niche and straddled two industries that are on paused due to Covid (think large scale live events) and laying people off in their 100s. My LinkedIn is redundancy after redundancy after redundancy. After much, much searching I've found a grand total of six job where my skills are actually transferable and would be genuinely really helpful to the role (e.g more so than the general "I've led a team" or "I'm good at sales") and have written them detailed covering letters explaining how my experience translates to their organisation. No interviews and none of them will give feedback. I look every day but everyone seems to want 3 years experience in the exact same role, or the job is so junior that I wouldn't be considered for it. Also none of them post the salary either which doesn't help!

Is anyone else in the same boat and feeling thoroughly seasick?

OP posts:

Blankiefan · 27/09/2020 07:19

It's shit. I've been looking for 8 weeks and have applied for 90 jobs so far. I am a project manager with lots of experience but getting nowhere outside my sector. I've had my CV and LinkedIn page both checked by professionals (neither added much as they were already "really good") and have tweaked. I tailor my cv for every job and write cover letters. I've got 20 years of experience. Everyone at my previous job said I'd be snapped up. It's fucking embarrassing.

Original poster

Hangingover · 27/09/2020 07:25

I tailor my cv for every job and write cover letters

I considered writing a CV that makes me sound less experienced than I am today so I wouldn't automatically get chucked out for less senior roles.

I don't care about taking a pay cut, hell - I'd go as low at 50% but these jobs have literally thousands of people applying for them. You just get lost in the pile. And it's hard to know how to state that in your CL without sounding totally desperate!

OP posts:

Handsnotwands · 27/09/2020 07:26

It’s the absolute worst. I had a period of unemployment following redundancy and the psychological impact of searching, applying, waiting, interviewing, waiting, rejection was relentless and frankly seriously traumatic. You have my total sympathy.

Interested in this thread?

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Jobs

Iggly · 27/09/2020 07:27

As much as it’s hard, speak to recruiters. I wouldn’t trust LinkedIn only or adverts without understanding the market. And they will, but be mindful that they’re working for employers.

Handsnotwands · 27/09/2020 07:31

In the end I did as you say, dumbed down my cv and got a basic admin role via an agency with an organisation I knew I’d like to work for. Used that as a foot in the door and eventually (after about 6 or 7 applications) managed a step up internally. I actually love my current team and although I’m on a fixed term contract I am working harder than i ever have done to make myself indispensable. Hope I can cling on for an extension 🤞🏻

MotorwayDiva · 27/09/2020 07:40

A few years ago I changed direction in career and it was tough then, so only imagining how hard it is now. I took a step backwards to get in the door of a company I wanted. Am still there now.
My only advise is don't wait for job adverts, find the HR department and send CV directly.
Good luck everyone

31133004Taff · 27/09/2020 07:52

It’s reassuring to read other people’s similar experiences. I’ve just been taken on in a fixed term contract. I’m really pragmatic. It’s a really difficult economic situation, if you’re in work or not, and everyone has their own personal challenge to overcome. So I’m going to enjoy everyday at work because it is very plausible that it could be my last for a long time. Applying for jobs - my own personal post-graduate study. Every job application is an essay so I’m depersonalising the whole process. I’m getting interviews now so my performance is improving.

Again, reading this thread does make the whole process feel less ‘why me?’ Best wishes all for a successful outcome.

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 27/09/2020 08:12

It is. I remember looking for a STEM position when I had industrial/academic experience - It seemed that 9 years of industrial experience made me LESS employable - I got a job through my network.

Speaking of network - you will have one, even if you don't think so and think of recruiters - I personally haven't got a job through recruiters but have had positive interactions - go for the recruiters that will interview you first BEFORE they put you up for positions - it's far more likely they will have more suitable roles for you.

AlternativePerspective · 27/09/2020 08:15

It’s horrendous. I’ve been looking for work for a number of years now, and it’s been made partly harder by the fact i had a period of illness and I also have a disability which means I can’t apply for e.g just a job in a supermarket etc.

I was in fact offered a job last October but due to my disability the offer was withdrawn in April. It wasn’t legal but there’s nothing to be achieved by making a fuss.

I’ve also noticed recently that the skills requirements eeven for basic jobs have been increased presumably to keep down the number of applicants. I’ve seen a couple of basic admin jobs requiring things like legal knowledge, degrees, and most demanding “recent experience”.

Snorkelface · 27/09/2020 08:32

Part of my work is in a really niche industry and in the past two weeks a huge number of those jobs have now got apprenticeship or intern added to the title where usually they would be reasonably well paid. This included one intern placement for an entry level admin role which expected a minimum 2 years experience contract drafting and negotiation. There's also a lot of two-in-one jobs appearing as in Project manager/bookkeeper.

NW2SW · 27/09/2020 09:17

Yup, LinkedIn is incredibly depressing atm. And all jobs are seemingly contracts, but without the contractor wage

Blankiefan · 27/09/2020 10:55

I've started limiting myself to 3 hours job hunting per day and then doing other productive things around the house. (That's 3 hours at my PC - it doesn't include the couple of hours scrolling thru jobs on my phone spread across the day). Getting the house in shape makes me feel like I'm contributing more and limiting my pc time makes me more focused.

I am also finding that time spent developing my network does feel more productive too. Even tho I hate it.

Original poster

Hangingover · 29/09/2020 13:42

Still no interviews, Christ I have the confidence of a snail rn!

OP posts:

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 29/09/2020 16:52

I used to find getting interviews was the easy bit. Getting actual interviews when you were more than just a tickbox was somewhat harder...

edwinbear · 29/09/2020 17:19

DH has been looking since Nov. He was on 6 figures and is now applying for jobs paying £15k-£20k and not getting anywhere. He's in his 50's and I don't think he'll ever work again.

newlabelwriter · 29/09/2020 17:31

Agreed. I'm on a FTC which ends in 5 weeks, I was pretty confident they'd renew my contract but looking less likely with Covid. Applied for so many and had 1 interview.

Ariela · 29/09/2020 17:58

Recent graduates seem to be as badly hit - no vacancies for anyone without experience.

Original poster

Hangingover · 01/10/2020 12:34

He was on 6 figures and is now applying for jobs paying £15k-£20k and not getting anywhere

Ouch! I applied for two recently that were really ambiguous about seniority and the application portal demanded your previous salary and lowest acceptable salary. I have a feeling my application got tossed immediately on the previous salary thing, maybe I should be lying to make it lower.

OP posts:

user1493423934 · 02/10/2020 03:56

for you all. I was made redundant in March right before 1st lockdown and still struggling to find anything.
Its so hard.

Original poster

Hangingover · 03/10/2020 08:54

Just here for a rant. Here are some more things I cannot stand:

really poorly designed job portals which make you input everything manually, add your CV anyway and then give you an error message when you try to submit the application. This has happened twice today.
job listings with no salary or start date

OP posts:

Original poster

Hangingover · 03/10/2020 08:55

Oh another one....job adverts that take you through five different job websites in order to get to the application page, each of which makes you input your email so they can send you spam.

OP posts:

Officeinterviewschoolhelppleas · 03/10/2020 09:02

I feel you OP. I’ve applied for sooo many jobs. I’ve had a few interviews but not got anything. I’m getting sick of it. I’m applying for things I’m qualified for. One interview I had, I was told she had 350 applicants and only kept the advert open for 5 days. It’s a tough market. Hopefully it’ll get better. Best of luck

CoronaIsWatching · 03/10/2020 09:17

I feel you, I had the same problem in 2010..ended up working in Primark! My luck changed though and now doing well. I agree you just need to take anything as a stop gap, doing any sort of work is better for the mental health than just being at home all day facing rejection after rejection.

thevassal · 03/10/2020 12:37

YES! to the poorly designed job portals. It should be a rule that every single person even vaguely involved in recruitment should have to put a full application through their own portal before it is allowed to go live.
Company might have to pay for additional IT kit though due to monitors being thrown on the floor in frustration!

Original poster

Hangingover · 03/10/2020 12:40

Make that three times it happened today.

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