How to cope with constant job rejections?

[Imjustinvisibleme]

I spent ten years retraining in a sought after creative industries role due to disability. I did particularly well academically and hoped that success would transfer to my job seeking.

For clarity I’m a 50 year old, mother of two school aged children, one of which is low
needs neurodivergent.

I trained in a niche area and I’m not going to divulge which it is as I don’t need career advice or job application advice (previously HR and careers officer for a university so know what is required but I can no longer work in those roles for health reasons). I’m also worried of standing out/being identified because of my age and situation

I am so sad that I am constantly being rejected without getting to interview. Former classmates half my age, without disability or children are applying for the same or similar roles are messaging me telling me they have interviews or have got the job and half
the time I’m not even getting a rejection letter/email. I know my applications are good and relevant.

It’s just so disheartening. Retraining took up all my savings and I went from graduating on a high, top of my year and winning prizes to just another 50 year old woman on the scrap heap.

It’s the first time I’ve felt being older and disabled is a barrier. I’ve always known it was but I wouldn’t let myself believe it was going to happen to me - naive I know.

How do I learn to cope with the constant disappointment? It’s soul destroying.

And for those wanting to know why I don’t get another job in the meantime, the roles I’m after allow me the flexibility to work around my disability and working in a shop/cafe/ HR /office doesn’t give me the same flexibility I need.

If you’re not getting interviews then actually it doesn’t sound like you know what’s required in your new industry. Is there anyone who could look at your applications for you?

How do these employers know your age or that you have disabled children if you aren't getting interviews? Are you putting it on the application? If so, don't!

How do they know your age or that you have children? Neither of these need to be disclosed on your CV.

I'd guess that it as simple as your CV isn't as strong as theirs. Can you look again at your CV? I have to do a lot of sifting for recruiting and tbh I prefer older people with more experience, I'd never discriminate based on age.

I would advise that you don’t mention your age or that you have children etc on your application. Also are you tailoring your covering letter to the specific points on the advert? For example, the first point on the advert might be that they want someone with XYZ experience so you write a paragraph on this in your covering letter etc. Mention each point individually. Good luck, OP!

As a mid-50s job seeker I absolutely feel your pain. It’s very hard to conceal your age given the need to give dates of qualifications etc.
I second the suggestion of getting someone else to look at your CV to see if it can be improved.
Ultimately the world of employment is not kind to middle-aged women. Just remember that it’s not you, it’s them, and you are worth so much more than this.

I have passed my applications around (most
dont ask for cvs or ask for a specific kind of CV in addition to their application forms) to check the content is appropriate to the job specs or requirements. I’ve asked previous colleagues from HR & Careers to check them over and they’ve all said it’s good or offered tips when needing to improve. These are people I trust to be honest with me.

The recruiters will know about my age because I’m assuming most can tell that someone who went to uni in the early-mid 90s isn’t going to be 24.

i don’t mention children in my application but having worked in HR, I know assumptions are made about women of a certain age in a way that aren’t generally made about women or men coming out of uni at the traditional age.

My disability is mentioned when asked about requiring adjustments for interview so that is why they know about that. At no point in my OP did I say I didn’t get interviewed because of a disabled child, I didn’t even note them as a barrier only my age and my disability.

I specifically didn’t ask for application advice but how to cope with constant rejection. I’m assuming those who are offering the application advice are not 50+ trying to start a new career.

I don’t have anything hugely helpful to suggest, but I have been there too and it nearly destroyed me. Lowest point was when I wasn’t interviewed for an internal vacancy that had my name on it (after expiry of a temporary contract) and received a cancer diagnosis two weeks later.
I’ve come to understand that the field is deeply fucked up and I’m actually better off out of it. Is that a place you can see yourself reaching?

I would only put on your CV your recent qualification and make sure you only cover about 10 years of work experience on it.

If you detail your entire work history and previous qualifications employers will work out that you are an older candidate.

The creative industries are generally quite hard to get into and you might need to try to do some freelance and/or volunteering work first to get some work experience that will help you get a permanent position.

I just spent 10 years retraining and only finally graduated this summer. I’m not giving up yet.

I think I just struggle with the idea I’m too old to be given an entry/graduate job when i’m
expected to have a minimum of another 17 years of career ahead of me before I can retire.

i’m terrified of relying on benefits if I can’t get work and I’m running out of options fast. The disability is just a really inconvenient barrier to taking on other low paid no responsibility work while I try to get into my chosen field.

There were four older women who graduated with me. I was the youngest of the old ones, and two older men. One man walked right into a job thanks to nepotism, another is independently wealthy so not as bothered about earning. The other women are in the same situation as I am. They came from very successful professional carers too. It makes it hard to believe all our applications are crap.

Just to let you know there’s a thread for those of us who tried to have career changes but didn’t manage to, and it’s made clear that it’s a mental health support thread and not a job hunting advice thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4976932-a-thread-for-those-of-us-who-tried-who-have-a-career-change-but-didnt-manage-to

One thing the thread made me realise is that universities can recruit all the students they want because they’re not required to find us a job at the end of it, they just tell us how much it’ll change our lives.

I know the thread isn’t for everyone, but is there for anyone who wants it.

Thank you @123stay i shall have a look at it. My mental health is (so far) ok but my resilience is waning