Demoralised from job hunting - constant rejections.

[Keepyourdistance000]

Tired of spend most days looking for and applying for jobs. Of tweaking my CV for each application.

Tired of constant rejections .

Tired of occasionally getting interviews and being told I interviewed well but they will not be proceeding further.

REALLY tired of agencies wasting my time and of them getting my hopes up.

Tired of being mid 40s and feeling I may never work again or have my own money again.

25 years work experience and no-one wants to give me a chance

Hi I am sorry to read this - in which industry do you work? I am older than you and I recently got a new job fairly easily (I own in publishing) - do you work in an industry where youth is perceived to be important?

I work in publishing, not 'own', sorry.

I'm a PA and have also done Legal Reception work. I am applying for all level of roles from admin to Exec PA. Had to leave my last job when DH's job relocated away from the area.

Have also done some Event Marshalling.

Can't even get a job waiting or in a shop - applications either get ignored or told too experienced.

Sorry for the negative attitude but had a bad experience with an agency earlier today and it's made me miserable

I also volunteer for an animal charity both on the rescue and admin side of things.

My husband is having the same issue OP. Worked in media/ sales until redundancy last year. Covid and that has just trashed his niche end of the industry completely and he is struggling to find anything at all.
It’s so demoralising I feel for you

@Margaritawithlime thank you, I hope things soon improve for you and your husband.

Try the NHS in your area, we're crying out for all sorts of clerical and admin staff.

Are you on LinkedIn? A good way to build networks. So many jobs come through contacts.
Also have a look at what colour is your parachute book and website. A very useful approach to job hunting.
Good luck.

@thesandwich no, not on LinkedIn, never really wanted to be.

@pyewackect there aren't many clerical/admin roles available where I am and the ones that are usually ask for medical secretarial or healthcare experience.

Maybe try it? Have a search for profile tips.

Yeah a lot of hiring happens on linkedin. Make sure your profile is full and indicate the skills/keywords that you have.

Seconded get on LinkedIn and add lots of keywords to your profile
That’s how headhunting happens these days
Keep going OP - the pandemic has made everything so much more competitive
But you have loads of experience so something will land sooner rather than later

Thanks, will get on to LinkedIn.

Glad you’re going to try it. Follow all the organisations you’d like to work for.
Stress your it skills. LinkedIn have resources to help too.
Good luck

Op this was me earlier in the year. Must have applied for god knows how many roles. All similar to what I do now. Could have done a lot of them with my eyes closed but could I get interviews?? No I couldn’t!!!!!! I had endless agencies ring me to tell my cv was great, met them on zoom, said they had roles coming in which would be a good fit but zilch. Unless they were phoning me to offer me a role 30 miles away

I did secure one interview which I was hugely excited about. Role was with a great company, really varied. Interview went well and was told I’d hear about the next round in a day or so. It was implied I’d got through to the next round of interviewing. Waited and waited and then 6 weeks later got rejected for an internal candidate. Absolute waste of my time!!

I’m not sure what’s going on with recruiters and the job market in general at the moment. A lot of people are finding it hard going.

Hang on in there - something will come up

@lastyearscalendar thank you.

Glad to know it's not just me.

Another rejection from another company. This time a supermarket for which I spent hours online doing online tests, which I passed but they won't be interviewing me.

I honestly, really feel like giving up now.

I'm starting to think it's not what you know, it's who you know - e.g. recruiting managers giving jobs to their friends

I am so sorry, please do not lose heart.

Maybe try to 'taylor' cv for the company you are applying for? You have varied experience, which is fantastic but if you are applying for a supermarket job maybe you have to 'tone down' your CV a bit?

It is true that networking, who you know, is important but honestly I got this last job, my previous job, and the one before that when I did not know anyone, I got to the interview as a completely 'unknown quantity' - I am telling you this to give you courage and hope. You will do it!!

So sorry. Have you considered being a virtual pa or going freelance?
I know many people who have not got through supermarket online tests.
Networking is really useful in getting contacts to find out about jobs.
Have you explored linked in?
Don’t give up.It will happen for you.🌺