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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there are no jobs in the UK?

118 replies

Winniejari · 20/10/2023 05:30

I have applied for hundreds of jobs over the course of three months. I have a masters of business and bachelor degree in computer science. Ive had over ten years experience in asia and europe and feel so down about getting nothing. What am I doing wrong?
Ive extended my job search to literally anywhere in the UK.
Ive heard nothing! Ive had one interview where i got to the final round and nope!
Does anyone else have this problem? Is it just the IT sector? How to get around it?

It makes you feel so unconfident when your inbox is just filled with rejection after rejection.

OP posts:
FSTraining · 20/10/2023 14:32

Tech industry has taken a bit of a pummeling in the latest downturn. You might want to think where else your skills might be useful (e.g. project management) until things pick up again.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 20/10/2023 14:57

theprincessthepea · 20/10/2023 14:11

You have to treat job hunting like a sales job unfortunately. I have only got a job in these 3 ways

  1. Applying and following up. Even after rejection, following up and even reaching out to a real person in that company. I once didn’t get the job I applied for but had a great convo with HR and I then got a job with them 3 months later for something more related to my skill set
  2. Knowing someone - yes we hate nepotism (I started my career with not even a reference from my family!). I’ve had a few jobs because I’ve known someone or because we’ve worked on something in the past. People that recommend internally often get priority sometimes. Sadly I’ve also recruited people (more so freelance) for the same reason
  3. Being headhunted - being approached for a job. Usually it’s because I’ve put myself out there. Doing the odd panel discussion. LinkedIn etc

If you think about it, you are up against friends of, people that follow-up, people with such strong public reputations that they are being head hunted - think social media is a massive public CV. Plus hundreds of applications.

You can do it, just focus and be very intentional with each message that you send.

Good list…but everyone needs to get over #2… it’s not nepotism it’s networking and is not only acceptable it’s encouraged. Many companies offer referral bonuses.

@Winniejari Your circumstances may be scaring off opportunities. Be crystal clear about your ability to work without needing a visa or any additional work on the company’s part. Literally put it in both your CV and your cover letter. You might also have better luck reaching out to a specialty recruiter who can help get past the first review.

bathrobeandpie · 20/10/2023 15:05

As above, the same application and the same CV to hundred of ads or hundred of companies will achieve nothing.

Taylor your CV to each individual job.
You will achieve more with 10 good applications than a 100 generic ones.

Use an Agency.

Temp, become a contractor.

"anywhere in the UK" might not help much. People reasonably need someone local, not someone who will end up declining the role because the move, finding new accommodation etc. ends up being too much aggravation or too expensive. Proving you CAN start and work long term will help.

Recruiting in the IT sector is a nightmare for lack of candidates!

BrotherViolence · 20/10/2023 15:05

I think going through recruiters is the right call. Every job I've had, bar a couple, has been found via a recruiter. They help get you through the door, and some places don't even look at applications that haven't come via a recruitment company they trust. Speak to a few though. A lot of them will go quiet after your initial chat with them.

Mouldyuck · 20/10/2023 15:09

There's always jobs in the IT department for the bank I work for. Might be worth looking into that.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 20/10/2023 15:14

There are actually lots of jobs in the UK right now, a lot of employers are really struggling to recruit. Whether there are jobs in your particular sector at the particular level that you're looking at, I couldn't possibly say, but there are definitely plenty of jobs out there!

Chocolatelabradorsarethebest · 20/10/2023 15:15

I work in HR and closely with our recruitment team and we’ve recently recruited 4 Product Owner / Manager roles, there are lots about and depending on sector limited candidates with relevant experience, so you should be in demand.

2 things, have you ever worked in the UK? The brands on your CV might not be known, so it’s sometimes good to put a UK comparator so recruiters know you have relevant experience, e.g. Company X (Taiwanese equivalent of ASOS for example). As for Product roles people really want relevant industry experience.

Secondly are you currently in the UK with a UK number / address? When we advertise tech roles we’re inundated (I’d say more than 50%) with applications from non-UK based candidates, particularly India. It does open questions about visas/interviews etc, so if we’ve got 100 applications that can be a quick way to discount people unfortunately.

I’d also be far more selective, if you’ve applied for hundreds of jobs then you’re bound to not be relevant for the majority, you really need to focus on those you have industry experience in.

Good luck

Jandob · 20/10/2023 15:24

Find yourself a recruitment consultant, get your cv fixed, get feedback about interviews. Do you have work experience? If not get some.

DinnaeFashYersel · 20/10/2023 15:33

If you have the relevant experience and qualifications but are not getting invited to interviews then there is something wrong with your cv or the applications you are completing.

You need someone to review your cv and tell you what is wrong with your applications.

ReadyForPumpkins · 20/10/2023 15:34

Product owner is a specific title in software development. I know what it is. I think the problem is your experience being in Thailand. It's a very person role and you'll need to understand how business works in the UK. Otherwise, it'll be very difficult for your to prioritise the backlog or work with your stakeholders or development team.

ReadyForPumpkins · 20/10/2023 15:35

We hire across sector for product owners, but I think a relevant background is useful. We are in telecomunications but product owners have come from other technology companies.

ILikeStrictly · 20/10/2023 15:35

Is English your first language? There are some minor errors and inconsistencies in your posts which make me think it might not be.

If not, get a native English speaker with good language skills to proof read your applications before you send them off, especially since your qualifications are from other countries.

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 20/10/2023 15:40

Lots of product owner jobs in the civil service at the moment so absolutely second the suggestion to look there.

i would say that there is still a lot of weight in the industry of personal networks and recommendations. Be visible on LinkedIn, attend events if you can to meet people in a more targeted way. Get to know some of the recruiters who are active in the area you are focusing on.

do some volunteering type engagements with local stem charities or similar to help realise your profile

there are jobs, but it takes a lot of effort without a strong network - best of luck!

myBumJuiceSmellsLikeRoses · 20/10/2023 15:49

There are plenty of IT jobs. I don't think the issue is the job market.

Try an agency, or go contracting. I think some businesses aren't willing to pay for relocation like they used to and that might be a barrier if it's a job that doesn't involve WFH.

Fundays12 · 20/10/2023 15:58

I am just reading your update OP. Does your CV state you have the right to work in the UK on it? If not put it on as it may deter potential employers if they think they will have to obtain a work visa for you

lloydee1983 · 20/10/2023 15:58

Sartre · 20/10/2023 13:17

Actually a shit tonne of jobs right now thanks to Brexit, mass shortages across lots of fields. No idea about your particular field though but I’d try a recruitment agency.

That may be true , but that will be more the case with less desirable jobs though.

LuluBlakey1 · 20/10/2023 16:02

lavendermouse · 20/10/2023 06:36

I've applied for every supermarket job and care home job in my area and the care homes I haven't heard back from at all. Supermarkets it's taken weeks for a reply, says its had overwhelming applications and I haven't been successful, then the job advert opens up again. Then you hear that everyone should be able to get a job in the UK because there's loads of jobs available. 🥴

And yet there is a thing on BBC News now, interviewing a care company manager who is saying:
a) She can't find staff to employ.
b) She can't employ staff because councils are unwilling to (increase their care rates and she can't employ anyone on those rates.

Is turning down 60% of applications from people who require care because they can't pay private rates and council rates don't cover wages. Gov won't contribute any further increase to what they give councils.

Mysterian · 20/10/2023 16:10

My sector is nearing collapse due to not enough staff, government policies/funding and bureaucracy. Childcare. Want a change of career?

ClaraBourne · 20/10/2023 16:24

Mysterian · 20/10/2023 16:10

My sector is nearing collapse due to not enough staff, government policies/funding and bureaucracy. Childcare. Want a change of career?

What is your sector?

I'm also struggling with tumbleweed after being out of my profession a number of years.

Good advice on here OP. Definitely get your CV and LinkedIn profile done, professionally, they know all the key words to trigger the AI that's filtering the applications.

Mysterian · 20/10/2023 16:26

@ClaraBourne Childcare. I'm a nursery worker. It's low status, low pay, high responsibilities, but at least the hours are long.

ClaraBourne · 20/10/2023 16:28

@Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday what's a
Product Owner in civil service? 🤔

kittykarate · 20/10/2023 16:28

I'm not convinced that the IT job market is as buoyant as people believe.

We were recruiting and had 120 applicants for the job. Even once we got rid of the obvious idiots, we still had over 80 applications to review and whittle to a manageable interview list of 5 people.

I look at some job adverts and their list of requirements is near impossible, (and occasionally technically impossible) and they want to pay buttons.

Fightyouforthatpie · 20/10/2023 16:33

I look at some job adverts and their list of requirements is near impossible, (and occasionally technically impossible) and they want to pay buttons.

I see this a lot "10 years of experience required" for something that's only existed for 5, and ridiculous unicorn requirements because they are trying to recruit one person to do 6 people's work.

I'm glad I'm not looking for a job at present - it is hell.

All the organisations bleating about not being able to find any/good staff need to think about why that is, rather than just moaning and leaving their vacancies unfilled.

GRex · 20/10/2023 17:23

You'll need to stick to applying for retail product owner roles, it really isn't a role that translates well between industries.

KingsleyBorder · 20/10/2023 17:31

jeaux90 · 20/10/2023 13:53

When you say product owner do you mean technology wise you run it? Design it? Can you be more specific?

“Product owner” is a technical term in the world of software development and project management. OP is not being vague here, it will be understood by those recruiting. Essentially it’s the person who is responsible for making sure a software tool does the right thing for the end users and keeping the developers on track.