To ask for ideas as to why nobody is hiring me?!

[GrumpyDirector]

Third sector, director level, 15 years experience. Strong CV and professional background (I think).

I’ve been applying for new jobs for about six months. I’m getting interviews with ease, and making it to the final interview (so, it comes down to two or three people) and I’m not getting the job. EVERY TIME.

I’m starting to lose my mind. I’m getting the interviews, so my applications are presumably good. I’m getting down to the final interview, so my interview technique is presumably good. All of the interview feedback is great (I keep not getting them by a ‘narrow margin’, allegedly), so not being given anything to work on.

So, what could it be?!! This has never happened to me before and it’s starting to make me feel rather shit. These are very high profile jobs and I understand that the competition is fierce, but it just happened for the tenth time! HELP!

How senior are the roles? Are you considered a bit young for them?
15 years seems a lot but not when you consider that in most professional roles, people have closer to 20+ years for top roles. By top, I mean head of divisions, C level roles etc. I remember thinking I was more senior than I actually was in my 30s and wondering why breaking into the next level was so slow. In fact, experience does come with years lived in many cases.
If it’s middle management then ignore as 15 years should be fine.

I also would have put it down to being female and in my mid 30s as I felt ready for the next step up. I actually just wasn’t mature and experienced enough at a range of problems. As I grew and matured, I got those roles.

@Beebopbopbopbopbop

Of the roles are going to older men it could be the case that they are more experienced. Now personally I don’t think that means they can do the job better, but if the panel are playing it safe it’s what they will often go with.

Irritating as hell, unfair - but not your fault.

This

Third sector and money is always tight so they often recruit safe rather than take a risk. I also echo selecting an internal candidate and I think it is worth asking if this has been done every time you do not get the job. I also recommend a mentor and upping your networking within the sector. Also really look at your skills and qualifications. I am in third sector and last year started a leadership and management course to up my core skills. I do also agree with a heavy heart that your age could be a factor but a good third sector organisation would not see this as an issue if your skill set and personality would be a good fit for them.

You are in your 30’s and you don’t have children. They don’t want to hire someone who will then go on maternity leave, especially for senior roles. Can you magic up a couple of teenage children or list sterilisation under hobbies on your cv?

I shouldn’t joke though. It is such a nightmare for women. Until large quantities of men take long paternity leave, I don’t think the discrimination will end. I know one man who is taking 6months paternity leave but he is the only one.

Also, like others have said, internal candidates.

It's your age, for certain.

1. Remove the years you were at school from CV.
2. Dress older than you are.
3. Squeeze in talk about how much you love to travel. Travel travel travel. "Because I don't have any dependents, I am free to travel!"

Something WILL come up!

@dunroamingfornow

Could this be linked to experience as if you are in your 30's with 15 years experience some of that can't have been at a senior level surely ? I'm in the Third Sector and we would be looking for demonstrable breadth of senior management experience at Director level. Is all of your 15 years experience at senior management level ?

Not all, no. However, if I’m getting down to the final two on multiple occasions, I’m not seeing how that can be it.

Reference.

Check there's no one who could be bad mouthing you secretly behind your back.

“I went from always being immediately snapped up to getting to the final stage and getting positive feedback but not getting the job for (insert random reason here).”

This is my exact situation, @Slayduggee. Off the rings come. The mentor thing has come up here a few times, I’ll look into it!

@Doubledoorsontogarden

Why are looking for a new role and what was longevity of previous roles?

Career advancement/more money and three to five years (which is the longer end of standard for what I do).

Totally agree re the babies thing, especially as you haven't had any children, they could be looking at losing you for 3 years out of the next 6, that's hard on lots of businesses, especially at your level where you can't easily get 'maternity cover'. It's not fair, it's not right, it's not spoken of, but it's definitely happening.

Babies. It'll be the babies. Especially since they're hiring older men instead of you. Or else their bias is telling them an older white male is more of an authority than a younger female and he's bound to be more knowledgeable/experienced (bullshit of course but these things are entrenched).

Keep chugging you'll get there!

You've reached the crysalis stage ...

It happens to a lot of us, where we no longer fit the mould that we used to fit as caterpillars.

That's when the consultancy stage kicks in. The independent businesswoman who has had enough of that shit.
The butterfly is about to grow wings.

So - what is your independent consultancy business going to be?

@PeeAche

It's your age, for certain.

1. Remove the years you were at school from CV.
2. Dress older than you are.
3. Squeeze in talk about how much you love to travel. Travel travel travel. "Because I don't have any dependents, I am free to travel!"

Something WILL come up!

Point three made me laugh. 😂

And, thank you!

I think senior level roles are very competitive at the moment - I know it depends what sector, I’m in the environmental sector and there is lots of movement between companies at the moment. For a Director level role we look for direct relevant experience, but also potential - so it isn’t just that you have to already be doing the role. Easier for internal promotion than it is for taking a chance on an external role, as e will have a far better idea of a persons potential if we already know them.

Thank you so much, everyone.

These responses have been both heartening and heartbreaking (I’m unlikely to get older, whiter or more male anytime soon). Networking is harder now than it used to be in the pre-C days, but I can definitely do a bit more. And look into NED roles.

I think the sheer effort of the multiple presentations and the level of prep required for each of these interviews - jumping through hoops, meeting the staff teams, on one occasion writing a précis of a digital transformation strategy - is also starting to get to me. It’s a lot of work to do to be told “it was almost you, but we went with the other candidate.” I was beginning to think I was going mad, but at least I now have possible explanations.

Great idea from @SocialConnection - definitely think about a consultancy role and send your details to everyone who rejected you, I bet you get a few calls. Good luck!

Play the game OP.

Take rings off.

Don't talk about your OH. Don't say "we" don't mention family at all.

It's illegal for them to ask about children at an interview so do not volunteer the information.

Take dates off CV.

Also just to put an alternative spin on things, if it's older people getting the jobs it is entirely possible it IS because they're ore experienced.

Don't give up!

Probably discrimination of some kind.

If you are director level but only in your 30s, and someone just has the edge over you each time, I would guess it comes down to someone else having greater depth of experience. To get to such a high level at a young age you have presumably skipped up the ranks quite quickly - nothing wrong with that in principal - but someone else at director level who is 20 years older than you will have had more experience of everything. If I was interviewing two candidates who were equally skilled and interviewed well, I could imagine choosing the one with more experience.

Also probably a lot of roles where they already know they want an internal person but are going through the motions to pretend they are considering external applicants - I have seen a fair bit of that.

Probably not an issue given weather but do have a look at your fingers if you take rings off. Is your finger a different shade where the ring would have been? I tan and it’s obvious I wear a watch even if I take it off. Not necessarily a bad thing - maybe you are separated.

@SocialConnection It might be time to think about it!

@perimenofertility That’s a fair point, and I suppose it’s not one I can do very much about.