I didn’t even get an interview :(

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I feel really embarrassed and disappointed in myself.

I am currently unemployed and wanted something to work around my nearly 4 year old and childcare. He doesn’t start school properly until next September. And because I struggle with my mental health.

Anyway, I applied for a casual job in a local library as the hours would fit in around my son and you can pick and choose what you want to do, so it was pretty ad-hoc.
I thought I’d written a really good personal statement and was pretty convinced I’d get an interview at the very least.
Long story short I haven’t received anything - no phone call or email so I’m assuming I wasn’t shortlisted for an interview.
I then emailed and they told me they’ve already shortlisted.

My background is working in schools as a support assistant/TA but I no longer want to do that, so thought I’d try something different.

I just feel really stupid and annoyed at myself.

If I can’t even get a job like this, I’ve got no chance long term.

I'm sorry to hear this. I too work as a T.A. but worked as hoc in a library a few years ago. I'd ask for feedback if I were you. I left as I took on extra hours in my main job and didn't really enjoy the library work anyway

Ask for some feedback. Just keep looking. The job market is tough right now but you will find something.

Look how much you're raving about the job. You're not going to be the only person who wants that job, including former teachers who are semi-retired and much more flexible and can work much more overtime than you.

Jobs in libraries are actually in really high demand.

Library jobs like this are like gold dust I understand. They can call the shots and get heaps of applications.

If I can’t even get a job like this, I’ve got no chance long term.

On the contrary, there'll have been very high competition for a job with that much flexibility. I wouldn't be surprised if they were able to shortlist based on very specific experience - i.e. people who'd previously worked in libraries. Don't give up or be despondent based on this one job - get back out there and keep applying.

I used to work in publishing and when made redundant applied to work in my nearest library - always wanted to be a librarian... Didn't get an interview either. I feel for you!!

It’s so disheartening. There’s a job out there for you, just not this one.

Quick reply - I bet there were HUNDREDS of applicants and while you're more than likely well able to do the job, someone with the exact job experience will probably have got it, or they even already had an internal candidate in the wings but had to do the official hiring procedure.

Sorry - really long sentence...

Try not to be too despondent.
I think it’s rude that you never received even an acknowledgment that you had applied for the job.

You don’t sound like you were particularly hungry for the job, just liked it because it fitted in around your personal life? Maybe that came across in your personal statement.

Please don't despair Op , I failed an interview for a supermarket job not too long ago.
A flexible job in a library is going to attract lots of applicants, it's just a numbers game.

I’m also an ex-TA and now do an admin job for Childrens Services. They are really flexible about different working patterns. Have you checked if there are similar vacancies near you?

This isn't you OP- it's the sheer numbers looking for something similar and with that much flexibility- including ex teachers etc.

Hello OP, I work in libraries. Some of our external vacancies for library assistants (lots go internally) have over 100 applicants per post. Don’t feel disheartened!

There would have been so many applicants - don't take it personally.

It's the first job you've applied for since you started looking, It'd be unusual to get the first one you looked for..

How about you offer to volunteer there a few hours a week? when the next vacancy comes up, you can put yourself forward.

Otherwise, there are lots of jobs that you do wfh?

I think you’re underestimating how many people will have applied for that job- I wouldn’t take it as any sign of your employability generally. It is annoying when recruiters don’t even send a standard “thanks by no thanks” email.

As others have said, library jobs get tons of applicants. I worked in one for 20 yrs. Students in particular would apply, particularly as such jobs sometimes give preferential access to library resources, and this is just the time of year when students are looking for part-time work. I would also add that, with respect, referring to not even being able "to get a job like this" jarred. Perhaps you meant it in another sense, but we would often get applicants who clearly thought the role could be done by anybody as they had little idea of what it would actually entail and who were quite put out when not successful, telling us how ideal they'd be etc.

OP, honestly don't feel bad - these jobs are like gold dust and there will have been a vast number of applications.

I remember naively thinking, when I'd stopped doing my 'proper' job and was looking for a part time role to fit in with school holidays that I'd walk into a school library or TA job, but I soon realised that so many people were after just this kind of job. Far from being 'a little low-status job', they attract huge interest from parents with really good and relevant qualifications.

Keep going though, and I'm sure you'll be the chosen one eventually.

If I can’t even get a job like this, I’ve got no chance long term.

Don't be defeatist.

Lots of people would've wanted that job for the same reasons you did. Just keep applying and you'll get your job eventually.

I am not a qualified librarian and I have never worked in one, so I'm not in that world at all. Yet I know two fully qualified librarians who have left the profession due to lack of jobs or job insecurity. There are so few jobs in libraries. They are gold dust, this sort of job is the kind of thing that attracts highly qualified people who, like you, have young kids. They will have had their pick of people who are both qualified and experienced, so don't feel bad.

You are really underestimating how attractive this job is, that's the problem really.

It’s disheartening isn’t it? I’m job hunting right now. Been unemployed for 3 years, I feel invisible in the market. It’s soul destroying when you know you’d be great fit a job but someone else doesn’t see it. Keep trying the market if you don’t like your job, something will come eventually.

I don't know what you mean by "a job like this", but I think you underestimate how many people will ahve applied for such a job. Library assistant, with hours you pick and choose around childcare/school? They will have been inundated with applications. And you aren't really qualified for library work.

You're not going to get a job with an attitude like that, especially acting like the job is beneath you somehow. Buck up and apply for things you're qualified for, or things you don't need to be qualified for.

Definitely ask for feedback op. Also could you ask someone non judgemental who you trust to look over your application letter and CV?. Sometimes someone else's view shows things you missed or could have presented better ... especially if you haven't written an application for some time 💐

I think people do degrees in being librarians

there will be the right job for you out there