Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Job Hunting - This is exhausting, right? How do you keep going?

30 replies

WhatHappenedToThose · 17/03/2021 18:52

I've been applying for jobs for a few months now, and I have luckily been offered a few interviews.

Statistically, the offer of interview compared to the amount of jobs applied for is about 1:4

But I am ok with this, it feels like a reasonable number.

I have reached final stage interviews three times now, and have gone through multiple rounds of talking to recruiters, been given a chance at a telephone chat, or been passed on to the business for a review of my profile.

I feel like I am on a constant treadmill of researching various businesses, finding things to talk about, being engaged and listening, and creating presentations for that crucial 2nd/3rd stage.

I am finding it incredibly draining. The entire process, from scanning emails/LinkedIn/Reed/etc, to applying and writing a tailored covering letter, to waiting for a response, to preparing for interview, to waiting for another response, and then, inevitably, being told no.

I am waiting for a response to a final stage interview now, I have done a first stage interview twice this week, and another one tomorrow.

I am now terrified that all of this effort will be for nothing, and that everyone that takes the time to talk to me will find reasons to pass me over.

I have been telling myself all this time that getting to interview stage is a massive deal, and I should be proud of that, but I wonder how I'm ever going to leap over that final hurdle and get a job offer.

I am waiting for a decision on one job, and should receive it tomorrow. Hopefully this self indulgent thread is for nothing, but I'm worried it won't be, and I'll be stuck in a job where I'm severely underpaid and underappreciated, forever. Gah.

OP posts:
Mintjulia · 17/03/2021 19:01

You're right, it's exhausting but it sounds like you're doing well.

I was job-searching from August to the end of Feb, and struggled with morale about four months in. I took a 'half week' during which I looked at the job boards and worked on applications until noon each day, and then closed the laptop and went outside - gardening, running walking, cycling, whatever - take your phone with you but stick to it.

Then a warm bath, milky drink, hot water bottle, early night.

I got two offers in February - like buses Grin - so hang on in there. Brew Cake

cinnamonchips · 17/03/2021 19:04

Yes, I am job hunting and it takes so bloody long to do each application! My CV isn’t really good enough for what I want but I know if I got to interview I could show and explain my skills and expertise etc. I’m so fed up of feeling a sick feeling of nerves every time I get an email notification or call. Good luck to you!

HappyStep1 · 17/03/2021 19:19

It really is exhausting having to tailor your application each time, the hours scanning job sites, waiting for responses.
I had this for eight months last year and some days just couldn't face it, the no responses and thanks but no thanks were the worst, you're doing great getting all those interviews!
I agree with @Mintjulia I had nothing for months then three interviews in four weeks and a job offer but it really is a numbers game. Keep going, it will be worth it eventually, especially if you really don't like the job you're in and you clearly have great skills.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Original poster
WhatHappenedToThose · 17/03/2021 19:31

Ah, thank you, it really helps to read other people's experiences. I will keep trying, because I just can't stay where I am. But I might just stop applying for jobs for a wee while, just to give myself a bit of breathing space. I'm not in any emergency situation with my job, I'm just unhappy. I will keep slogging away, after a short break. Nothing else to be done!

OP posts:
PresBide · 17/03/2021 19:35

I spent months in your situation OP and then like PP I got two offers at once. I totally agree that it is exhausting doing all the prep and making time for them to be ghosted or rejected. There were times that I just wanted to give up but having got to the other side I have faith you will too. Fingers crossed you get the right decision tomorrow.

Original poster
WhatHappenedToThose · 17/03/2021 19:51

Thank you!

OP posts:
Magnificentmug12 · 17/03/2021 20:07

It’s one of those things where it feels never ending but you look back and think it wasn’t that bad (when it was) but you’ve made it so the process seems ok then.

Just keep going, you will get there!

TeenTitan007 · 17/03/2021 21:20

I am on the other side and have been hiring the past few months. Unfortunately it's a demand-supply driven situation and there are more candidates than jobs at the moment. To increase your chances apply for more jobs and if you aim a bit lower than your 'right' fit you might find that offers start coming your way. Once you e impressed them in the interview you can negotiate hard and get the pay you deserve. Good luck!

codenamebananas · 17/03/2021 21:34

Yes OP it’s really exhausting. So far in 6 months of job applications I have had:

One interview where I was then left waiting for the best part of six weeks to be told I hadn’t been appointed to the role Hmm
Another interview cancelled at the last minute because an internal candidate had applied and the role was going to be filled by them
An agency put me forward for a role that in interviewing was nothing like how it had been described in the initial conversation
A recruitment agent quite rudely tell me my pattern of speech was all wrong and I should watch how I speak in interviews (this one still puzzles me as this has never ever been mentioned to me and I have never had a problem in an interviews previously?!?!)
An interview arranged for MS Teams that the employer failed to turn up for
Various calls regarding roles in cities 25-30 miles away for considerably less salary despite telling them I would only consider local vacancies
Sat through a 45 minute test picking out nonsense sentences and spellings.

There has to be something out there for me soon!!!!

CtrlU · 17/03/2021 21:37

Sounds like your doing better than me...

I’m getting to the point of giving up and accepting I may never have the career I want

WantChewbaccaForGood · 17/03/2021 21:42

It is a treadmill, it took me 9 months and several interview disappointments between the last day of my previous job and the first day of my new job.

Hang on in there! I decided to stop telling people I had an interview as I'd feel extra bad when I didn't get the job & had to tell the people I'd told that I'd not got it.

CatFaceCats · 17/03/2021 21:58

Oh I feel your pain! I was looking from about June last year and it was painful.
To top it off, I hadn’t worked in 10 years. I managed to get 3 interviews, and finally got a job offer last month. It’s so soul destroying, but just hang in there. Take a few days/week off and don’t apply for any. Something will come along.

Original poster
WhatHappenedToThose · 18/03/2021 09:23

I was turned down. Sad

I've asked for feedback so hopefully it will help me in future interviews. I have another first stage interview today and will keep plugging away. Sigh.

OP posts:
Mintjulia · 18/03/2021 10:03

Good luck Brew

BearSoFair · 18/03/2021 10:21

Good luck OP, I left my last job in Jan 2020 obviously unaware of what was around the corner...I didn't even get an interview between March and July/August last year! So demoralising. Since then several interviews, one I felt really good about but beaten at the last stage. Just have to keep at it and I always try to think 'this might be the last application I have to fill out' to try to keep myself positive!

purpleme12 · 18/03/2021 10:29

I feel for you
It's been a long time but when I was job hunting it made me feel so down
Why I get so worried about losing my job

Original poster
WhatHappenedToThose · 18/03/2021 11:01

Yes, I do want to be in a position to choose wisely where I end up next, not just grab any offer (not that any exist, mind you!), because I don't want to be job hunting again for at least 4 years or so if at all possible.

Whew. I've been in touch with a recruiter who found me on LinkedIn and asked for a chat next week to see what she thinks about where I can look next. And I will do my best in today's interview and just keep trying.

Oh, and do my current job, too, of course...

Bear - have you found a position yet, or are you still looking?

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatHappenedToThose · 19/03/2021 12:07

Well, I had a good chat with a recruiter yesterday and off the back of thar I've revamped my CV and applied for a few jobs. She will be sending it off to some people as well, so who knows what will happen next!

OP posts:
SarahAndQuack · 19/03/2021 13:27

I've been applying for permanent jobs since 2014. I quite often get shortlisted and I've been told I was the second choice a couple of times, but nada. It is exhausting. I think what's worse is when there's nothing to apply for - at least there are jobs, you're getting interview offers. You'll get there in the end; they wouldn't interview if they didn't feel reasonably hopeful about you.

Original poster
WhatHappenedToThose · 19/03/2021 14:04

Oh @SarahAndQuack I can't imagine the stress. I hope your luck changes soon.

OP posts:
JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 19/03/2021 14:47

It took me 12 months of jobseeking while I was still unemployed - had 10 interviews and one offer (this one).

I think it is useful to remember that jobseeking activity to me also includes physical and mental self care, skill upgrades and generally reminding oneself that you are doing as much as is possible. No-one actually spends 35 hours a week ONLY on jobs.

SOmetimes a job-seeking 'holiday' is a good idea - particularly if there a large number of jobs you have applied for and are awaiting for news.

Also with recruitment agencies - pay more attention to the ones that actually interview you rather than send jobs based on your CV. Your CV could have been brutally attacked by an algorithm - make sure you take a hardcopy.

Some of the absurdities - 3 interview in a week and 0 offers. And that according to agencies Kent is in the West Midlands.

DianaT1969 · 19/03/2021 15:19

Yes, the whole thing is a huge time waste. It's the wrong way around. We should give all employers one detailed CV, take a single psychometric test and make the results available, answer generic questions on a short video clip. Upload that and recruiters should do the work of shifting and matching skills. Not us matching our skills to their jobs and jumping through hoops preparing presentations before an inkling of an offer is on the table.
If all the hours job hunters spent on this shite was put to actual good use, the country would be a hive of economic activity.

QuinoaAvo · 19/03/2021 15:40

Defo look after yourself in between, it's exhausting.

BearSoFair · 19/03/2021 16:55

I'm still looking OP - unfortunately for me most of my experience is in retail positions so while the majority of shops are closed it's been hard to find much! In an ideal world I'd like to stay at a supervisor level as that's what I spent the last 5 years doing but at this point I'd happy step back to a sales assistant role just to be doing something!

bonfireheart · 19/03/2021 17:00

What's frustrating is being ghosted. Got to second stage of a job recently and heard nothing back, I chased via email and still nothing.
Agree about dedicating some time for it, I have some leave next week and DD12 at school so might use one day to send some applications out. And yes it is very tiring!

Swipe left for the next trending thread