Why is it so hard to get a job nowadays

[stuffingmyfacethiseaster]

When there are suppose to be more jobs than applicants...

And not that I should be hired based on just applying. I always make the effort.

I'm losing faith in successfully gaining any employment and looking for reasons as to why nobody wants me. I think it might be my looks as I don't think I'm particularly attractive, well not conventionally attractive. It might also be that I'm a complete nervous wreck before interviews so I end up saying crap that's not relevant to the question, this then makes the interviewer feel awkward, like at the interview I had today :(

I've been turned down 4 times this week and last after having 6 job interviews. I always research the company and craft my answers beforehand so what am I doing wrong?

I'm actually finding the whole process tiring and a complete waste of time- it's been 5 months now, I can't even get a volunteer role (no references). I deliberately want to fuck up at the next interview because I don't feel bothered. I know what the outcome will be.

Because you need a million years experience of a job now and a gazillion other qualities.

I feel for you OP. Stick at it. Something will come up. I was out of work for about 8 months and it was thee most demeaning experience. I applied for so many and sometimes had an email within an hour saying I hadn't got it.

How do you feel you interview? Do you ask for feedback?

Hang on in there!!!

Ignore the interview question. Just reread your post. Practice answers out loud. I've had mega brainfarts in interviews before and it's thee worst!

I think it might be my looks as I don't think I'm particularly attractive

/\ It's not this

I'm a complete nervous wreck before interviews so I end up saying crap that's not relevant to the question

/\ It's most certainly this.

Is there anyone you can practise mock interviews with at home? Waffling and getting off topic will certainly go against you in interviews, you need to be succinct and answer the question.

Depends a lot on what sort of work you're looking for. Some employers are screaming out for staff, but some can afford to be very choosy. Plus there are a lot more graduates around these days, so I suppose they mop up a lot of the jobs being advertised. (Sorry if you're a graduate, OP).

Unfortunately learning how to be good at interviews is really hard. Unless your really good at selling yourself. You have to go in confident, positive and try to overcome the nervous.

I know as I have the same problem. Practice at interviews is the only way I'm afraid.

I was in a similar position a few years ago after being made redundant. I thought I'd walk into another role but unfortunately, most of the mid-wage jobs in my field no longer existed. I ended up retraining out of desperation and even after getting a good degree I think my age goes against me as far as graduate schemes go and I was so scared of experiencing unemployment again when I finished university that here I am, in not far off a minimum wage job scraping by. I'm still looking but you have my every sympathy.

Do you know anyone who works for a large company who do a "refer a friend" scheme or anything like that?

Have a look at the STAR model for your interview practice and prepare examples for common questions that you can tailor quickly depending on the role

How do you feel you interview? Do you ask for feedback?

One interviewer and I'm fine, more than one/a panel and I go to pieces. I either get no reply or I'm told someone else had more experience.

I'm going for entry level admin roles. Some companies in areas that I have no interest in but I have to apply because I'm signing on at the moment.

Also, I'm not a graduate but a part time undergraduate.

Despite what some might say, I know looks has something to do with some jobs. Attractive people are looked at favourably and I know that's fact

Plan your answers in advance and then tweak them to fit the question. That way you'remit having to think on your feet so much and can be more relaxed.

STAR model

This is a good idea, thanks. It all seems so time consuming, but I think it's worth a try if it could improve my performance.

Unfortunately, thousands of people will be applying for the same basic admin jobs. It’s depressing.

I hear you. Two redundancies in 3 years (not my fault) 20 years experience. Loads of professional qualifications. Can I get a job? Can I heck.

Is it your age, if you're looking at entry level? Sadly, I think in some sectors that's more of a barrier than looks.

How long have you been away from work and are your IT skills good. Can you talk confidently about them?

As it happens I interviewed for a part time admin role last week. Most interviewees were mums who had been away from work for a while and most of them really struggled with the IT questions (only word and excel which were a requirement in the advert). The successful candidate had put herself through some recent courses and been using her skills in a voluntary capacity.

Employers expect you to jump through hoops for an £18k admin job these days. With minimum wage rising, I expect that retail work seems more attractive, at least they have a staff discount!

And for that 18k you are meant to be motivated, enthusiastic, go the extra mile etc. For an office job. It’s all bullshit.

The success rate for applicants at my work is 2.9%. You have to be really, really good at interviewing. Practice, ask for feedback, practice some more.

Can you ask a friend or family member to do a practice interview with you? Preferably someone with experience of recruitment and whose judgement you trust. Or even practice answers in a mirror or on video.
It's really hard sometimes to break into work, always seems to be easier to get a job from a job. Are there any temp agencies in your area who you might be able to get a start with? Can you not get any voluntary role without a reference? Can you not get a reference from a tutor, if you are studying, or even a former teacher, if not too long out of school? Or even a family friend can supply a personal reference - choose somebody who writes well and has known you for a few years.
Good luck

I’m a bit confused when you say that you research and craft answers but also that you end up saying irrelevant crap. Are you perhaps not preparing well enough? Or are nerves getting the better of you and all of your prep goes out of the window? Maybe try getting a friend or partner to mock interview you so you can practise. What also helps me is to think of the interview as two sided. Yes they’re interviewing you but you’re also interviewing them to see if this is somewhere you want to work. And I know you said entry level admin; if this involves reception work then speaking from experience they don’t care if you don’t look like a model but they will expect you to be incredibly well turned out- I would always interview for corporate reception jobs in full make up, dark suit, sheer tights and heels. Now I’m an exec assistant and I don’t go to quite so much effort although it’s important to still look smart!

Good luck with your job search

Research research. Research. Think of questions . Write down bullet points and read them as you're waiting to go in. Deep breathing and possibly a couple of Kalms.

The successful candidate had put herself through some recent courses and been using her skills in a voluntary capacity.

My IT skills are not bad, but need brushing up on in some places. I've signed up for a free IT course online and volunteering is a good idea but as I have no references, it's hard to find anyone to take me on.

Are you perhaps not preparing well enough? Or are nerves getting the better of you and all of your prep goes out of the window?

Bit of both, but I also prepare answers I think they want to hear so that I can get the job.

Admin roles are in high demand and you don’t seem to have any real qualifications or interest. Even if you looked like s supermodel they wouldn’t hire you. Looks really don’t matter that much so long as you are presentable. In your position I would look at other kinds of work where you may be more likely to secure a position.

Employers expect you to jump through hoops for an £18k admin job these days

Had an interview for an admin apprenticeship only paying 10k. Don't know why I went, but I'm desperate.

You say you're applying for jobs you have no interest in - that will absolutely show and tbh the interviewers are making the right call in not employing you.

What do you want to do? Set about making that happen and doing something you do care about

In your position I would look at other kinds of work where you may be more likely to secure a position

I honestly don't know what I want, well I'm not qualified for what I want which is to work in statistics, UX or some other social research career. I find that fascinating but I don't have the right experience or the qualifications at the moment. I feel uninspired and demotivated.