This is soul destroying

[MrsAncunin]

I've been applying for jobs all weeks (ones I'm absolutely qualified for) and I think I've applied to 27 jobs and I've only received 1 interview.

I don't know where I'm going wrong, part of me thinks it's because I haven't worked in 2.5 years but prior to that I worked over 10 years in the same roles I'm applying for.

I don't really know what to do apart from pray I get the job from the 1 interview 😩

Are you up to date on your knowledge?
Have you explained the gap in your CV?
Have you had someone look over your CV?
Are you including a covering letter?

There is probably help out there to help you rejig or polish your CV.

If there is a Job Centre (if that’s what they’re called these dsys) could you drop in and ask about help with job seeking?

Are you signed up with an Agency?

I have no idea about applying for jobs in current times but don’t give up hope. Keep the faith.

There's not much to be up to date on as they are entry level jobs like customer service and admin but I'll have a look around.

I've not had anyone look at my CV as I've never had any problems before but I'll see if I can as maybe there's something I'm missing.

I haven't explained the gap in my CV so that might be an issue - I'll add it now before applying for more.

Thank you

Can you do something voluntary, even if it’s working in a charity shop?

What’s the reason not working? Children? Have you explained the gap on your cv?

Are you tailoring your ads to the job? The most recent lady I employed was so enthusiastic and passionate in her cv and application, she is brilliant at her role. I don't know if she cleverly made sure she ticked all checklist boxes, or was. Literally just that passionate. Tailor every cv to job, research company and ridiculously sell yourself. Imagine they have checklists for cvs, what boxes can you fickcto progress to interview? Why do you want to work for them specifically?

Firstly, I wouldn't be too demotivated/disheartened... it's a horrible market out there! Even your 1/27 interview is probably better than most.

All I can suggest is ensuring your CV is on point. People (more often than not) don't realise how important the CV is and how poorly theirs is written. I'm not saying this is you, but perhaps a CV review? Many job boards do them! The added thing they don't tell you they do is reformatting it, so when you upload them to job sites, all the forms auto-fill (saving you a lot of time!).

The most important things people often miss out are quantifiable achievements: I increased sales by 25%, vs. I was a very successful sales manager etc. It also helps to read job descriptions and pull out all the buzzwords, and incorporate them into your CV (if they apply!). This means that the automated CV programs don't auto-discount you.

I don't have to look for work really but I really feel for those who do.

The reason I've been out of work is complicated so need to try and make it into a positive:-

children born 22 months apart, one born with addition needs so I'm a carer for them (DH will take over care responsibilities if I work)

Dad died and mum needed caring for, turns out mum needed extra care as she's neurodivergent that dad has been hiding for 30 years (by abusing her).

Undiagnosed mental health issues which was causing me a lot of problems but on medication and therapy now so doing a lot better hence looking for a job just really as something for me.

I would recommend you adding a cover letter.

It is easier to explain a gap and why you are applying to the roles your are applying for.

If the hiring manager can't make sense of your CV they are less likely to invite you for interview. A cover letter helping put you in context can go a long way.

Can you get temp work through an agency to start with? I walked into temporary work same day from the agency. Many lead to permanent positions if you are a good fit.

Buzzwords tailored to applications are really important.

Also tailoring from the heart, let passion shine through!

Start applying for jobs you don't need to be qualified for, supermarket work, agency work....etc. If you reach out to a recruitment agency you'd probably have a job within a week

On your applications / CV, just put this down simply as “carer for children and elderly parent”.
You don’t need to explain in any more detail than that. And don’t disclose the mental health difficulties. If you need to, tell them once you’re already in post.

I agree with @Serengetti56

You don’t need to go into the details.

@MrsAncunin it’s a bit like sales - send out 100, get 15 replies, maybe 3 interviews. If you’re doing it yourself then this is not far off what I’d expect, especially at first. I also found momentum of responses increased over time as well. Definitely address the gap in CV but don’t put too much detail. Something like ‘career break for xxx’. Also always put in a cover letter (so many people don’t, even when I ask for one in applications). As others have said, maybe look for a recruitment agent that specialises in certain level roles. Good luck, keep trying and you will get there.

Where do you apply?
Be sure to apply via the company's website (as opposed to Linkedin). It's always better.

I've been on lots of hiring panels and, for me, the covering letter is more important than the CV. A CV you can do minor tweaks for each job to make sure that it has the right buzzwords, but a covering letter should be 1-2 typed pages explaining why you have the right experience for the job.

You should address the gap but they basically just want to know you took a career break for one of the normal reasons (e.g. caring responsibilities for elderly parents, illness, having a baby, etc) and that you didn't run away with the till takings from your last job to join the circus. Just add something like:

"I'm excited to be returning to work after taking a career break to care for my family. I admire your organisation and this looks like a great opportunity which would be a good fit with my skills and experience, so I'd be delighted to discuss this application further with you."

You need to explain the gap in your CV. It could be cos you were in prison for armed robbery for all an employer knows. While there are a few hundred other people applying for the job, you cannot afford to give them the slightest reason to overlook you.

Do some volunteering/ upskilling in other ways.

Explain the gap.

Try to think about how your CV might compare to someone who is currently working in customer service/ admin.

What are you bringing that would make an employer want to give you a shot rather than just employing them?

Are you coming across as passionate, committed and knowledgeable?

Or are you just coming across as a mediocre - 'I need some money give me a job plz'? (Even though you haven't worked in 2.5 years?)

Obviously that is not going to attract an employer. You need to see yourself through the eyes of the recruiters, explain the gap, and tell them what you're offering. Make yourself an appealing prospect and you will get interviews.

Are you absolutely sure you’re hitting all of the points in the person spec in your cover letters/applications?

Im my place of work each applicant gets points against each of the person spec requirements. If they score for each then it’s mandatory that they’re offered an interview.

The job market is v tough. My son just found a job but it took about 3-4 months, hundreds of applications and many many interviews

I love the way the government keeps going on about getting back to work. They should see how hard it is to actually get a bloody job!

It is competive right now - I have applied for 66 jobs at last count, having just been made redundant from a job. Getting interviews for about one in six of those thus far - I think the thing to remember is that you only need one job and at least these days applications are fairly quick - I have a few CV templates and tweak them a bit for each role.

Agree with @SBHon, make sure you hit all the points on the person spec - the number of applications we receive where it looks like the person hasn’t even read the person spec. We score each application - if you meet the person spec you won’t get an interview no matter how personable or passionate your application might be.

It's not you OP, it's the state of things.

The market is brutal right now, lots of secret redundancies, a huge wave of highly skilled candidates, and recruiters just generally being crap because they're not getting the jobs in so try to make the candidates feel bad/not good enough.

My advice

• avoid job boards apply directly to roles via jobs posted on the company/firm website (longer process but more effective)
• tailor your application as much as possible to get each role/business
• treat it like work so have set time for applications/interviews and live your life outside of that (don't let the applications become all consuming because you will get burnt out)
• apply to returners programs to get your foot in the door

Good luck 💐

Job centres don't help with job seeking. Just an fyi