Keep just missing out on jobs

[MintyFreshBreath]

So frustrating. Two weeks ago I missed out on a job by one point. I’ve just had another call saying I wasn’t quite right for this role but they’ve got some coming up in a couple of months and they’ll call me (I actually believe them as I work for the organisation) Now, I’m just waiting on one last phone call which will inevitably be a thanks but no thanks 😢 All I want is my band 6 (NHS). I’ve been top band 5 for a year now and could do with this.

Rant over, anyone else want to moan about frustrating job hunting experiences?

Are you a Nurse? If so asks your senior charge nurse if there’s scope to do a developmental role for a bit. Being a band 6 isn’t just about more money it’s more responsibility and you kind of have to show management that you’ll be a good fit.

Not NHS but had a similar experience recently. I find it hard to prove I'm a good fit for the next step up. I'm thinking of doing some career coaching before my next interview. I feel your pain though, it's exhausting

Yes I am. The annoying thing about the one where I missed out by one point, was i forgot to say something I do literally every day. I guess when you do it all the time, it’s very easy to do that. I’ll speak to the matron about more responsibilities.

@MintyFreshBreath

So frustrating. Two weeks ago I missed out on a job by one point. I’ve just had another call saying I wasn’t quite right for this role but they’ve got some coming up in a couple of months and they’ll call me (I actually believe them as I work for the organisation) Now, I’m just waiting on one last phone call which will inevitably be a thanks but no thanks 😢 All I want is my band 6 (NHS). I’ve been top band 5 for a year now and could do with this.

Rant over, anyone else want to moan about frustrating job hunting experiences?

I didn't get a band 6 job this week due to them wanting management experience. How on earth you are meant to get this without someone giving you the chance I don't know. There was all of 2 people and a volunteer in this team !!! half the time i think they just have one of their mates lined up for the job.

@MintyFreshBreath at a recent interview I had I was told afterwards that I totally sold myself short on every question. She said to me it’s like you forgot the basic interview rule of treating the panel like they know nothing and explain everything in detail! I gave short and concise answers where I should really have elaborated. I was lucky and got offered the job anyway because of my experience and that what I did say was spot on.
In your position I’d definitely be asking to step up and act as a 6 at every opportunity to show you can do it. It also gives you an insight into wether you’ll actually enjoy the role and gives you real life examples to use at further interviews.
It can be annoying doing the job without getting paid for it but it definitely shows you’re interested and management seem to like that sort of thing. Good luck!

@Babyroobs It’s the chicken and the egg situation all over again isn’t it??!! I mean how the hell does anyone ever get into management. I’ve just had my second No of the day so feel really shut. Might get pissed tonight. The worst thing about not getting a job is knowing you just have to keep applying for more and going through the interview processes. I hate it so much.

Also meant to say don’t take disappointments to heart as I think nearly everytime someone is lined up for the job before it’s even advertised! Acting up and doing the role unofficially may mean that it will be you one day!

*shit (just so we’re clear) 😂

Oh I know that @FlorenceNightshade Years ago, I had a job in the management office (pre-nursing) and when the applications came in the managers would be there going ‘that’s Sue’, ‘that’s Bob’ etc when they were looking at supposedly anonymous application forms

[quote MintyFreshBreath]@Babyroobs It’s the chicken and the egg situation all over again isn’t it??!! I mean how the hell does anyone ever get into management. I’ve just had my second No of the day so feel really shut. Might get pissed tonight. The worst thing about not getting a job is knowing you just have to keep applying for more and going through the interview processes. I hate it so much.[/quote]
Exactly. Without outing myself this was a band 6 information officer post. Joint managing an exceptionally small team of 3 others, one being a volunteer, so 2 band 6's jointly managing 3 people ! I have 35 years experience of being a band 5 plus experience in a non NHS team which has been working advising people in this very information centre for the past 5 years. I have experience of advising patients in every aspect, and specific skills which were very much needed in this centre that no-one else applying would have had as they were very specialized. Interview went well, I had done absolutely loads of prep and answered well. I just get the feeling they are never really thinking about what's best for the patients overall. Just because I have never line managed despite supporting volunteers, mentoring junior nurses, doing a six months post grad course in the specialty, ENB 998, advanced communication skills course etc. I felt like screaming at them " what more do you bloody want " ( yes I know that wouldn't have gone down well ). It's just tick boxes. Then to be told by some band 8 who has risen from a band 2 admin within a few years that because on one of around 20 questions I could not give an example of line management experience, sorry but it just makes me fume !!

@MintyFreshBreath

Oh I know that *@FlorenceNightshade* Years ago, I had a job in the management office (pre-nursing) and when the applications came in the managers would be there going ‘that’s Sue’, ‘that’s Bob’ etc when they were looking at supposedly anonymous application forms

Shocking isn't it. I applied for this same bad 6 a couple of years ago and the person got it surprisingly was best mates with the one interviewing.

[quote MintyFreshBreath]@Babyroobs It’s the chicken and the egg situation all over again isn’t it??!! I mean how the hell does anyone ever get into management. I’ve just had my second No of the day so feel really shut. Might get pissed tonight. The worst thing about not getting a job is knowing you just have to keep applying for more and going through the interview processes. I hate it so much.[/quote]
Sorry you got another no. Sounds like a few glasses are needed.

When I was younger I used to make a list of all possible questions, prepare answers and then practise saying them out loud in front of a mirror. It felt a bit daft but helped my interview answers come out a bit more polished as they were well rehearsed.

Sounds like a good idea @Redburnett I managed to predict a couple of the more generic questions today and had some prepared answers which helped to calm me down. One of the questions was an exercise all the candidates had to complete and I was told I did the best out of everyone 😤 Still, I’ve identified a load more jobs online and am going to apply over the next week or so. Got to keep plodding on. Good luck to everyone else who is also applying!

Make sure that your application demonstrates how you meet every single essential (and if you can desirable) criteria.

Remember that there will always be a question about values and behaviours.

Prepare by thinking of all the tricky situations you have dealt with AND all the times you've stepped up and gone beyond what is expected in your current band.

Make sure your CPD demonstrates you've attended courses that show you are ready for the next step in your career.

The higher the band, the more interview questions will ask about leadership, mentoring, training and management.

Finally know the job spec inside out so you can link your answers to what they are looking for.

Instead of applying for "loads more", you might be better targeting your efforts you are the best fit for.