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.

Had an interview for an admin apprenticeship only paying 10k.

That's madness. I wouldn't be so set on the type of job. If you widen your search you will have a higher chance of securing employment, and it always seems so much easier to get a job once you have a job.

Something else that may help - looking at sites like glassdoor where people can give feedback on their interview experience with a company and sometimes you can find examples of questions people were asked.

I hear you, I am job hunting at the moment.
I'm a qualified MFL teacher. Can also teach ESL (my most recent experience)

Can get anything permanent, just getting offered occasional day to day at crap rates

Set about making that happen and doing something you do care about

I can't be picky now that I'm signing on. My job centre advisor wants me to apply for ANY admin, retail or customer service job.

Are there really more jobs than applicants? Employment is at its highest ever level. I don't know of any jobs that don't get ten times as many applicants than needed. I think it's pretty hard to get a job right now, OP. I'm sorry you're finding it hard.

I seen a local job advertised, looking for a degree & experience - for minimum wage. Crazy

Admin jobs are also likely to be automated in the next 20 years. There will be far fewer clerical roles around. I wonder what current administrators will end up doing?
www.wired.co.uk/article/will-robot-take-job-uk-public-sector

With minimum wage rising, I expect that retail work seems more attractive, at least they have a staff discount!
As a former retail worker I say no wage unless in 6 figures would make retail attractive 😂 On a good day you can have as little as 6 customers going berserk on you because the compnay doesn't make that red dress in baby blue and it is obviously personally your fault😂

On a serious note. Op, what do you mean you have no references?
Your CV is obviously great since you are getting the interviews, so good job on that!

Imho it's your confidence. I mean it kindly, but you really need to work on that considering what you said about yourself in your OP.

Applying for jobs and preparing for interviews is time consuming!
You mention that you're an undergraduate...I would highly recommend getting in touch with your university careers service. They can help with this.

Regarding attractiveness .... It's interesting you raise that as there is some research out there on career attractiveness which might suggest there is an issue to be addressed. It's in its early stages though. It's an under- researched area due to the controversial and subjective nature of the subject. .

However, your interview technique is absolutely the issue here and that can be addressed....go speak to a careers adviser!!!!!

I found the key was getting my foot in the door by temping.

If at all possible swerve anything with an HR department as if you have had the temerity or life circumstances to not fit a tick box narrative, the computer will say no.

The people interviewing are human, they have flaws, just like everybody else. Keep that in mind when they are interviewing, remember they were once in your shoes. This may help with nerves and anxiety. Be yourself, present yourself as someone who is authentic and honest, and obviously prepare yourself solely for that specific interview a week, if not more, in advance.
I've been in this dilemma myself, years ago and I always would reassure myself that if I didn't get the job then it just wasn't meant to be, that something better was around the corner. Keep going and best of luck x

I'm not sure that admin jobs can mostly be replaced by robots. In a school, for example, who is going to locate the name (or absence of one) on a school cardigan and then deliver it back to its owner? Who is going to receive all the files for the new starters and stick stickers with their names and dates of birth onto new files and then put everything in said file? Who is going to print out a timetable for a child who has lost it for the fourth time that week? Who is going to notice the tiny little scribble on the back of a piece of paper that asks if a particular child could study French and not Spanish? Who is going to notice that the surname on the registration form does not match the birth certificate? Or remember that detention emails cannot be automatically sent to a particular child's 'contacts' because it is important that the dad doesn't get them because he's particularly nasty to said child over any misdemeanor, or remember that a particular couple have had a very acrimonious divorce and therefore must never meet at parents' evenings or have letters addressed to both of them? Will a robot be able to answer waiting list queries kindly and with understanding, but without giving any false hope? Will a robot be able to listen to a parent who struggles with English and whose speech is very heavily accented and still be able to understand the gist of the conversation and respond with kindness and using terminology designed to help the caller get all the information they need? Who is going to take all the registered post to the post office every afternoon? Who is going to put all the confiscated mobile phones into the safe and make sure the correct child collects them at the end of the day?

An automated telephone message system and a computer voice recogition system for dictation really isn't going to cut it I'm afraid.

I agree that I'm not sure there are more jobs than applicants- maybe in some highly skilled fields, but not in basic admin. I think employee shortages are also very geographical.

I'm pretty sure part time admin jobs are surprisingly competitive- it's the sort of work that a lot of people want for all sorts of reasons, so if you don't have something to make yourself stand out, and you don't perform well at interview, then yes, you will probably struggle.

Do you have recent experience? If not, getting some temp work on your CV may really help!

I hear you, OP. Two degrees, 30 yrs of work experience and I'm limping along on v occasional entry-level temp and freelance work. Worked at a reasonably senior level in a particular industry for 20 yrs, haven't had an interview for a role in that industry in 3 yrs of applying. It's soul destroying.

I hear you too OP.
I'm outside of London but in SE. Secretarial doesn't go above 22k very often for most sectors here. Also have noticed admin/office rolls only come up about 3 every month for the entire area with about 40 mile radius.

I think employers are having a field day atm with cheap workers. Wages haven't gone up since I had dd 7 years ago! You can see how we have the term "working poor"

*office roles - not rolls! The future of technology taking over admin? With such amazing predictive text, how could we resist?

You're stuck in a vicious circle. You say you are uninspired and unmotivated and from your op, it looks like your self esteem is low too.

Sadly, these feelings will reflect at interview. Imagine interviewing for a babysitter (or cleaner) . Two teenagers come. One is bored, came only because they want extra money, they don't really care about kids. The other lives kids and is really looking forward to getting to know your kids.

Both have made some efforts, dressed appropriately are answering the questions smiling and making wte contact, but in all liklihood, you'll be able to lick up from the behaviour who is enthusiastic and who isn't and you'll be more incline to give the job to the person that appears motivated.

The best you can do is to clear your mind of all the past and future worries when you go to an interview. Focus on the present as if its the first interview you are going to and it is s for a job that you're going to love. Meditation can really help.

OP why don’t you have references? Are there no local volunteering opportunities that you don’t need references for? We have lots of environmental groups near here that are always looking for people who just turn up. It’s not always regular but it’s something. I also got involved in local politics/ the local gardening club and took on admin roles for them. - Then one of these groups were able to be be my reference for a paid job.

I think a lot of these employers who whinge about not being able to find people are having a laugh, they want someone with a ton of experience and they only want to pay shit money.

I'd just keep trying and do all the interview practice you can

My advice is to take your prep notes into the interview, say to the interviewer that you sometimes get a bit nervous in interviews, do they mind if you refer back to your notes to make sure you give full answers? I did this and I got the job because they said they were impressed with how organised I was and the notes showed I was obviously prepared and wanted the job.

The Jobcentre will have access to provisions that can help with interview practice- ask what they have on their provision and job board. Depending on where you live and age it could be national career service (they will look over your CV and help with interview skills), Princes Trust, Love London Working etc. Whereabouts in the UK are you?

You seem negative and defeatist which could be coming across in the interview. Why no references? If so how is that requirement different to employers wanting references? Volunteer work is usually more relaxed - I once got one from a dentist for an applicant for a volunteer role. Smaller charities are often more flexible. I was volunteering at the time which helped me get a job and I retrained, although not a degree, prof quals.

The other turn off could be the part time study - is this likely to interfere with a full time job? And is a sign that you clearly aren’t interested in a longer term career? If it won’t interfere try to downplay it, unless it’s relevant, you don’t have to mention it at all - being overqualified is definitely a thing. In the interview smile, be positive and try to relax. The interviewers want you to succeed. If you are nervous they’ll understand. Take notes and don’t worry if you need to refer to them. Prepare an answer to the usual interview questions and take them with you to read if needed. Libraries have books to help prep answers.

How you fit in is just as important as whether you are capable. I’d rather have someone cheerful, easy going and determined with less experience than someone who is very capable but could struggle to fit in or be a bit difficult to work with. Admin often needs lots of communication so it’s important someone is comfortable talking to people. Programming is great for introverts but admin isn’t.

Sometimes it’s hard to explain why someone isn’t a good fit and it’s just one of those things, like dating. Interviews aren’t the best way to assess so you have to make the most of it. Imagine you are chatting to a friendly acquaintance who wants you to do well, answer the actual question, refer to notes if needed, breathe and smile.

I agree with temping, you can look for temping work? that is very often the way in.