Do you think you could get any job you applied for?

[sweetsintheair]

Not for example if you were a trained solicitor and went for a job as a neurosurgeon.

But in your field of work, if you saw another job you wanted would be extremely confident you’d get it?

Nope.

I even got turned down first time round for my current job, as they wanted more experience in a particular new skill (that they were changing to) and weren't prepared to wait for me to train.

They ended up creating a second role that did fit my experience and I got offered that a month later.

No, despite (or perhaps because of) over 20 years' experience at various levels in my profession/work area. It depends on so many factors - geographical location is a huge one - I've just moved from an area where I was well known to one where I'm not and took a lower level job as it was so difficult to get one at the level I used to work at; if your face/name is known/fits; whether they want a bright young thing (yes, this is still a thing, whatever the legislation might say); if you've had time out for childcare/elder care/illness.

I've also definitely seen a tendency recently to take on new managers who have very little if any experience in the sector, and oh boy, does it show. Most of them don't know how to do the most basic of tasks (think along the lines of being able to ring items through tills in retail although not that industry). They're absolutely great at sitting on Teams meetings, presenting at conferences, and doing "strategy" though....

I'd say I'm just old and grumpy but I've been like this since I was 23....;)

Not applicable at the moment, but I was always great at getting the interviews and absolutely shit in front of an interviewer or panel. I never talked myself up on paper, but whatever impression I gave, I couldn't follow it through in person. I simply don't come across as convincing in real life.

I'd be fairly confident. I'm competent in my field, there is a skills shortage and I've done enough interviewing of mediocre/bad candidates to know how to present well in an interview.

However I do have specific job aspirations/wants. I think if they didn't match the company they wouldn't offer me a job. Which is fine because I wouldn't take the job anyway!

Don't put anything that shows your age on your CV?

You might still suffer prejudice at interview level, but at least you should get to the interview stage if your skills match up. And more and more companies are doing blind recruitment.
(I'm the same age and have just got a new job)

Don't put anything that shows your age on your CV?

This. Just put the last 15-ish years on the CV.

No! I always get shortlisted but just don't seem to be able nail the interview because of my nerves or get told that the successful candidate has more experience. I've get ok fairly good feedback and have always taken that feedback on board to try and improve. I've also tried several techniques like preparing answers, practicing the STAR technique, taking in notes, not taking in notes etc.... but if I get asked a question that I haven't thought of or my examples don't quite fit it just throws me. My last interview I just went to pieces and struggled with questions I should have been able to answer easily due to my nerves getting the better of me. I've tried lots of techniques to manage my nerves too but think I've just got this fear of interviews which is blocking my progress. I do everything I can to get more experience but feel I'm stuck in my current level of junior management and can't make that leap up to the next level. It's so frustrating!

No - I don't interview brilliantly (out of practice plus nerves)

Pretty much yes, I'm very qualified and have lots of experience. The only job I went for and didn't get was one they told me at the interview that it's actually 6 days a week, 4 full days and 2 half days, which didn't appeal oddly.....(one less lie in and extra travel costs).
So, I suggested that I worked each half day as a full day alternates weeks - which they didn't want to do.

I sort of feel that if you're guaranteed to get any job you apply for, you could be applying for more senior or challenging jobs.

I'm a corporate lawyer which is a role with a very defined career path. Any job I apply for will have a number of applicants with CVs just like mine. Who gets the job is likely to come down to personality fit and perhaps precise experience (they want more experience in TMT and I've got more pharma or vice versa, say)

Pretty much but then I’ve always worked for the NHS and only applied for jobs I’m qualified for, where I know there is a vacancy.