Keep getting interviews and then not getting the job for jobs below my pay grade !

[hirolla]

What is happening ?

I'm interviewing for jobs I easily got in 2018 with less experience?

I've had two maternity leaves in the last 4 years and I can't help but think it's that.

For reference, I work in Business development, tech.

I've been interviewing with 5 companies in the last 4 weeks and only for one role, I made it past the sales manager stage. All others have failed at that stage.

I don't feel like I'm good enough for the super senior roles and therefore I have tried to go for a bit less senior ( still mid level ). But seem to be failing there too. In my next batch of interviews there are two more senior ones, maybe I'll have more luck but I feel like they'll see that I'm under confident. And the longer it goes on, the longer it's proving right. But I was even worse before ( confidence wise ) when I did land the jobs, so I don't really get it. I just fake it. I faked it my whole career really but at the level I'm at, I really feel like I don't belong and I suck. I bet they can tell.

It's a mind fuck because on some level, I know I can do it. I know I'm qualified and I've worked hard to be where I am.

On the other side I feel like I don't belong. Especially since I've had kids. Everything has changed.

As a PP has said I’d maybe reflect on what you’re saying in the interview and how you’re coming across.

I’ve recently been interviewing and have had two people apply for a lower level role, eg they were Heads of before and are now interviewing for Manager level. One gave the attitude of they could do it in their sleep, why would we not want someone more experienced etc. They came across very arrogant and I think they would have been a nightmare to manage as they’d always think they knew better and would struggle to take the lead from their new manager.

The second came across as they wanted an ‘easy’ job. They didn’t want something that would push them and just wanted to do the bare minimum and leave. Nothing wrong with that per se, but we need people with a bit of drive in the team.

I’m not saying you’re coming across like either of these, but it would be really wise to reflect on what answers you give to why you’re looking for a step down. Employers do worry you’re looking to coast or you’re just desperate for a job and will be off as soon as a better offer comes along.

Those are two great examples, thank you.

I must be doing something wrong. I must look good on paper, but when they drill into my experience- they must not like what they hear.

As I'm mid to senior experience level, I doubt I come across as arrogant as I always mention that I love to grow and learn and that I never want to stop improving.. that kind of thing, which is true. I definitely don't think I know it all and yes I have quite a bit of experience now, but I always want to get better. Maybe that's the wrong thing to say ?

The last person that rejected me had a problem with how my CV was laid out. He just didn't get it. No one else has ever told me that. He only seemed to have started looking at it during the call and missed lots out, until he realised he needed to scroll a bit. To be fair, this has never happened before and I didn't really like him anyway. But he probably thought, if she can't sell herself on her CV, then she can't sell for me. I've made a few changes to my CV since then.

It could be something that just doesn't align with what they want, we chose not to hire someone recently because she made it obvious she expected to be able to work from home (fine) while looking after 2 toddlers (not fine).

Are you looking for certain hours or leniences, part time work in a traditionally full time role, or something like that maybe?

@sorrythetruthhurts no not at all. I'm just taking what they're offering. I've not made any demands of any kind.

That sounds like a him problem, because he should have been offering you an interview based on your CV in the first place!

@sorrythetruthhurts yeah it was weird.

His feedback was that apparently I didn't know why I was there ? Which I don't understand and I can only ascertain that he was confused himself because he didn't get my CV or look properly at it.

He was also finishing off some work while he was talking to me. The role was the same role I got for a way better company in 2018, when I had less experience and far less to say.

Thanks everyone for being so helpful. To give a bit more context around why I feel how I feel :

In 2018 I was in a mid level role let's say

I move to a senior role in 2021 and then in 2022 I was off on Mat leave.

Then I came back for all of 2023 to date.

So the time spent in the more senior position was 2021, 2023 and some of 2024 of course. I also had a lot of the back end of 2021 off because of pregnancy related sickness ( HG ). From when I got pregnant in September 21, I couldn't work properly. So essentially - I don't have many years in the senior role.

That's why when I go for positions, I am more comfortable trying for the more junior positions as I believe if I go for the proper senior ones, I'll be up against people who have 5 - 10 years experience. I don't have that. I can't stay where I am, it's not possible.

I also don't mention that I was off for a few months during pregnancy etc .

Also the company I was at at the time, was literal

When I interview, I'd be potentially put off by someone's CV who has climbed from more junior to senior roles. I'd be wondering what reason for them coming back down to more junior roles. Couldn't they handle it, did their boss think they didn't do a good job of it, are they struggling with their workload etc etc. I'm not saying I wouldn't interview and think past this, of course I would. But it would be a doubt already there. Then if you're not coming into interviews confidently it would probably match my expectation. Go for the more senior roles! Sell yourself. Believe in yourself.

You are getting multiple interviews - that’s excellent news! This means there’s nothing wrong with your CV. If you are being reflected after interviews, that’s what you need to invest into. Write down examples, script and do mock interviews with someone who’ll probe and won’t let you off the hook. And will provide detailed feedback on tone, body language, level of energy etc. Rinse and repeat. Pay for this if need be.

I hear you on the nuances of your progression and seniority - only you will zone in on it. You f you have a chip about it and no confidence that will come across. You need to make peace with this somehow.