Aibu to be upset

[durhamdiva]

I’m a single mum with young children. I volunteer in a fairly specialised industry and jobs are few and far between. Had an interview with a company at the start of the year (I currently volunteer there) and was told the only reason I didn’t get the job was a lack of experience.

Another post for the same company came up and I again got an interview. Just been told I didn’t get the job as I can’t offer out of hours cover. They knew back at the start of the year that I’m a single mum with no backup and there was nothing in the job advert about out of hours. I’ve asked whether this would always be a requirement and it was confirmed it would, so no point applying again.

Aibu to be extremely upset. I never stood a chance of getting a job offer, I wasted my time, petrol and parking money and of course their time. I’m actually wondering whether there is any point in continuing to volunteer.

The problem with being a volunteer is that they're not going to give a job to someone who's already doing it for free.

I found out the hard way 🤬

Actually feel a bit humiliated and angry too.

I've seen plenty of people get jobs after volunteering. Not always in the same field. Most continue to volunteer in some capacity as they loved the cause and didn't do it just to gain a job.

If you can't work the hours they want then volunteering or not you wouldn't have been offered the job.

Can you apply for other jobs elsewhere ? I think you will need to accept they won't take you on sadly enough, but your volunteering experience may help you land a role elsewhere.

Can you try at a different company doing the same thing, at least then your volunteering would still have got your foot in the door somewhere?

I passionately believe in the cause which is why I volunteer, unfortunately sector is too small to find many opportunities so the knowledge I’ve gained is probably useless. ☹️

Ah I doubt that's true, it's more rhe skill set and procedural know how that applies elsewhere,,,don't be down heartened.

Are none of them transferable to your existing employment whatsoever?

Employers can be real shits the way they waste peoples time and money for want of some simple information on a job advert.

I hope you find something else soon

Box sets, I’m currently unemployed.

That's awful OP. Sounds like a massive miscommunication or deliberately mislead you.

You will have gained something though, there must be some transferable skills. Even just having someone to give you a reference if nothing else. And the good cause has gained from your work.

That could be another factor then. Employers want recent work experience, it doesn't necessarily have to be in the same sector but to show a work ethic, knowledge etc.

It sounds like your pinning your hopes on one particular role and that's never a good thing, Aim for it yes but not forsaking every other role out there.

Ah OP, that is really rubbish. It sounds like they should have been more upfront with you to begin with. I agree with Boxsets, you need to look for another job, widen your search and maybe come back to this area when you've gained employment experience.