To think I should be able to get a job?

[Nobodywantsme]

Losing the will to live. I live in outer London, next to a tube station so I’m happy to commute into London -just about all zones.
I have a first class BA, MA , 10-12 years in logistics, operations and sales .
all cv gaps are accounted for as having been SAHP for a couple of years here and there. I have also got a CHE, various professional courses and qualifications under my belt and I can supply excellent references.
I am really very presentable and told I sound great too.
so why on earth can I not get an interview in any of the fairly diverse range of roles I’m seeking? I have childcare in place from 8-6pm every weekday for my primary aged chap. It’s costing me a grand a month but I don’t want to lose her because she’s wonderful. I can’t afford to continue without getting something soon. I’ve even been applying for random hospitality roles just to plug a gap but I’m not even getting an interview! My CV is well done, DF is a senior exec and said he’d hire me tomorrow if I were the right field.
Why does nobody ever respond to my applications? I’m even some feedback would help at this stage.

1. you need to tailor each cv to the job. They will automatically reject cvs which don’t have required skills and it might be you just haven’t highlighted them well enough
2. send notes
3. are you applying for jobs you are over/under qualified for?

How up to date if your linkedin profile OP? A lot of recruiters use the linkedin key terms to find candidates so you to have about 20 key terms liberally sprinkled throughout your profile including job titles of jobs you want. Is your profile open to recruiters and do you have the green 'open to hire' frame on your profile? Is your cv a word doc or a pdf because recruiters use a search tool that can't always see pdfs.

Daft questions but are you writing a cover letter for each role? Chatgbt can do it for you in 30 secs if you put in the job description then you can edit. When you apply do you find out the name of the recruiters or hiring manager and apply directly to them via linkedin as well?

I'll think of a few more questions.

I think you may have uncovered the issue there! I don’t use LinkedIn or other profile based social media as I have a history with an extremely dangerous man. I escaped severe DV from him and he’s hunted me down a few times and tried to ruin my life. I did change my last name a few years ago but I still found that if you searched my old name the new profile with new name would pop up! So I’ve tried to have no online presence. So presumably, if they rely on googling people I’m pretty much screwed then! Perhaps I could get some advice from someone very tech smart as to how to overcome this. I’m definitely aiming at the right levels and tailoring each application so it can only be this can’t it?

If you aren't getting an interview then your CV isn't passing the sift.

Some companies are using automation for this stage, others are just inundated with CVs so have a very simple and quick checklist and if you don't hit it your CV will be rejected.

So you need to ensure that you are writing your CV to the Job description/person spec, you need to mirror their key words and be implicit in detailing what you did, ideally in the same order they have listed it as it's highly likely that they will have the JD/PS as their checklist and will just be ticking them off as they go through your CV with a scoring system something like top 5 scores get to interview.

One tip for getting past automated sifting is to 'tag' your CV. So in the footer, make a list of all the key words they might be looking for and change the font colour to white so it's not visible, then save your word doc as a pdf and submit the pdf. The automation will read all those words and recognise them as good but won't realise they aren't used in the correct context. Might just get your foot through the door.

With regs to your online presence, ignore all the other social media and just make a static page on Linkedin with your new name, details, work experience etc. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. If Count Twatula finds you, block him immediately. Do you have a court order in place to stop him contacting you (I think it's called a non-mol but not sure)?

Also search your name and check to make sure there isn't another person with your name who is a gigantic arsehole on Twitter or something, just in case.

If that's all too difficult, go through an agency like Office Angels or Tradewind, don't just fill out their online form, give them a ring and outline your experience and what you're looking for, and make a personal connection with someone there, then send in your CV.

Also (you might already do this) don't rely on your CV to speak for itself, write a unique covering letter for every vacancy you apply for, outlining your reasons for applying and why you think you'd be right for the role.

When was your last job? Are you applying for roles in a similar field?

Also if you want to give yourself more of a presence without people actually being able to get to you, you can have a "locked down" Twitter and Instagram account (profiles that have a padlock next to the name) so employers can see you exist but no one can read any posts or add you without your consent. That way they won't even know if you never ever post.

Don't bother with Facebook at all, it's a waste of time and if you have the easier-to-lock-down social media, no one will question why you're not on there.

Another way to improve your web presence is to start your own website showcasing your skills. A basic three-page website would work or you could start a blog writing about your thoughts on your industry. If there's no "contact us" page or contact form (or comments form) on the site, then you don't run the risk of Twatula getting near you. You can share the website URL on your CV so people can find you easily, and potentially not even use your full real name (so for example, my blog is under something like B. Smith which is my initial and the most generic part of my name, it isn't very identifiable to people who know me, but employers will know it's me if they've been given the URL).

Alternatively, find an employer who just doesn't care about this crap. My current one doesn't (and I work in Social Media Marketing), so they do exist even if they're a rare breed nowadays.

If you have the qualifications and experience but are not getting any interviews then your CV and/or cover letters aren't up to scratch. I would either ask someone to review it with you or if you aren't comfortable with that approach consider paying a professional to do it for you. It may cost you a couple of hundred quid but it may also get you a job.

Also what university are the degrees from, and in what subject?

Sales always have many new job openings but it is an awfully insecure field

Just as another suggestion, if you're near a tube station, it's as easy to get into London as it is to get further out on the same line (actually, it's easier at peak times of day because everyone's going in the opposite direction), have you looked in the opposite direction e.g. if you're in Watford you could try Hemel, Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes. There are quite a few places that make stuff (and so have roles for logistics and sales) a bit further out where land is cheaper. ;)

"Operations" is quite broad and non specific, its also used to cover slightly different things in different organisations. Were you in a particular area eg supply chain etc? Different areas go in and out of fashion, operations is a prime area where cost cuts can fall.

As others have mentioned the ATS system automatically shifts through CVs and reset those which it deems are not applicable. after going through the job description, highlight key words, phrases etc & tailor each CV to the job role using these words/phrases. A cover letter can help explain why you want the job. The CV should be they should hire you so keep the information succinct and relevant.

I was the operations manager for a logistics company. I actually hated it and don’t want a job like that again , however, the jobs I’ve had and the seniority of the roles and skills required to do them ,I thought would be beneficial/ attractive . The BA and MA is a different field which I’m yet to work in professionally. I’m actually wanting to level down in terms of salary and responsibility. I just want an ordinary 9-5 in a non senior role so I have tweaked my CV to try and achieve that. Maybe I should ditch the MA too?
I don’t really have much appetite for career progression at the moment, I want something I’ll enjoy and that earns me enough to keep paying my childcare for a year or two as I’ve got plans after that. I obviously dont indicate any of this on my applications. DH is main earner and I only really need to add around a thousand each month to keep us comfortable. I’ve been self employed but it was not sustainable as it was too many hours for two little return. I’d rather stand behind a bar if I’m honest .

I’m right at the end of my line. So headed into London does make the most sense. Where I worked before have been asking me to go back but it was just horrible and I was miserable so I’d rather just take anything else for the minute. I have so many skills and experience but I don't actually want a senior role because of the pressure.

Top 20 uni - Arts. Complete waste of time really but a very enjoyable four years of my life.
Ive never enjoyed a single day in any job I’ve had, I used to dare myself to step in-front of lorries on my way into work. I enjoyed every day at uni though.
there are literally no jobs in what I’ve studied so the degrees just count as showing some academic achievement. I had intended to continue in academia and wish I had now. I’ve never been so depressed.

This is helpful. Thank you.

This is very helpful. Thank you.