Job application support thread

[PinkPomeloFruit]

I’ve been looking and applying since September. I had one job offer but the conditions were not great so I declined it. I’m really struggling now, applications take so long and I’m not being shortlisted, I used to get shortlisted for pretty much everything I applied for!
anyone else also losing the will to live?

Quite a few say if we think you’re using AI your application will be discounted. Or if you use Ai you must tell us.

Im more worried in that the employers are receiving so many applications that the ads are being taken down within a couple of days. So it’s very hard to get in on time!

I've not heard anything and I applied for about 5. Its harsh out there.

I just remembered I had an interview three weeks ago and haven't heard anything. Its rude as I made a big effort for that one.

@Nitgel that is awful! Have you chased them?

That’s not been my experience. The most I’ve seen is a tick box “if AI has been used, I confirm everything written is accurate.”

I think in 2026, most companies are embracing AI. I can only speak for my own sector of course, but I’ve worked in government and private sector so a cross of employers, where AI isn’t seen as an issue but rather an asset.

It’s probably because most of the roles I’m going for involve a level of counselling skills.

How is everyone doing? I have two interviews next week 🥳

I am currently in a redundancy process, I actually now have something lined up, but a number of people have told me that their organisation (including some parts of the nhs for example) is using an AI screening process that tells them what percentage an application is AI and is excluding any that fall high. I would strongly recommend that you humanise your applications, amend the weird punctuation tendencies and bold text and all the other things it does, and use your own voice where possible even if you use Ai to screen your applications. It’s not just the wording, it’s the whole style that stinks of it, and this is possibly what the screening is picking up even if you’ve changed wording. I read an interesting thing (might even have been on here) where hiring managers were saying how frequently they hear the same lines in applications where they have been AI generated.

@thenewaveragebear1983 i agree. Lazy AI word salad applications are pointless. But you can use it smartly, for example I identify gaps or weaker parts of my statement compared to the JD using AI.

yes I do this too. I think it actually takes a high level of skill to use AI “properly” and know how to get the best results and it certainly doesn’t make it easier. In many ways the suggestions it makes are unnecessary and it’s that complete accuracy level that automatically gets picked up by Ai screens and gets you discounted. No one naturally maintains the exact tone throughout or makes zero repeats for example, and this is what the screening picks up, not just the content.

I have noticed a lot of applications (techy/data roles in charity sector, not management level) now asking for personal statements, and also providing quite sparse job specs because I think they are trying to prevent people just running it all through. The less they tell you, the more you need to show you know what the role means.

I have hired a lot in the past, we’ve had a hiring ban at work so I haven’t experienced AI as a recruiter but I can only dread to think the state of applications now.

I have an interview but am thinking of taking on casual work. Applications take so long. So.e are impossible to do without some sort of ai assistance.

Ive had another interview so waiting to hear back!

I’ve been offered a new role!

In the end, after a slog of applications and interviews I was offered a Civil Service role, which wasn’t great pay but I figured it was a permanent contract and stability.

Then out of nowhere an old colleague contacted me about a role they were advertising with her organisation, I’m SO grateful she did because I may have missed the advert because it’s pretty much remote working so it could’ve slipped through my searches.

I’ve been offered that one, so turned down the CS offer, which felt really weird since I’ve been battling to get a new job for so long.

It’s really tough out there, but stick with it, things will come up eventually but it’s a bloody slog, good luck with your interviews!

Fingers crossed for you, god the waiting is awful!

I was using AI to do initial drafts of cover letters, I don’t see the issue as long as you use it as a starter not the finished version, I got interviews that way, it’s so time consuming when they all want something slightly different.

Well done all! Sounds like we’re all doing much better.

Thanks unfortunately got a no. Very frustrating because I have all the experience and got on well with the interviewer. They even said I had some good ideas that they weren’t currently doing that they could learn from! I feel like these people want blood 🙈

That’s good! It’s easy to miss new ones when you’re in the midst of one application, so glad she reached out!

@fashionqueen0123 that is frustrating. Do you have anything else in the pipeline?

Oh I’m sorry, I commiserate with you, I had a lot of nos too.

I agree that they want actual blood - it’s madness out there right now, but stay positive, something will come up.

I know, I’m not really one for ‘networking’ as such but it shows it is worthwhile to let people know you’re looking, you never know when it might lead to something.

No unfortunately not.

Congrats 🥳 and good luck for the interviews! I put 3 applications in last night.

How’s everyone? I had an interview yesterday and I’m willing the phone to ring