Another failed interview and I’m devastated

[LoisLaneKent]

im early 30s, 6 months ago I was let go the day after returning from compassionate leave for a funeral. Soon after my partner left me. Then another relative died. Just been awful.

I’ve always performed well at interview but this time has numerous final interviews and not got the job. I really really wanted this one - they said I did very well at STAR and 2/3 areas of the presentation. They’d be happy to recruit me in future for another type of role.

I had 6 months of savings but in a month or so that’ll be gone and I’ll have to ask my parents for a loan which makes me feel mortified. I’ve gone from having a great life, job and partner to no life at all. I feel completely drained and gave everything to that last interview.

@Pherian I am on LinkedIn. I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs at this stage. It’s soul destroying.

I am a project manager.

@LoisLaneKent 100% agree with JCP comment. I worked at a job centre 7 years ago and a lot of my job was counselling and signposting. Hopefully you have a good advisor you can build a rapport with. Definitely don’t be afraid to let them know how you’re feeling.

The positive I’ve picked up on is you got an interview for the kind of work you really wanted and got some good feedback also. To me that shows promise - it’s just a matter of time. Good luck!

Maybe ask if you can spread out sessions. To three weekly or monthly. So you kind of have the support without an end imminent?

Get on to Google and look for interview tips from the likes of Reddit, and also watch videos on how to pass an interview. Then next time you get an interview, be buoyed up by your preparation. You will get something, OP, it's just a matter of time

You are getting through to the final stages so you are clearly good. Try to focus on that (I know it's not easy).

If you weren't a desirable candidate you'd not get this far.

Your turn will come.

Are there any places looking for as hoc staff just to give you something? Wedding venues near us are always looking for casual staff. Maybe a useful distraction and a small amount of cash but not permanent enough to represent a step down.

Oh OP that's so tough, I'm really sorry you're totally within your rights to feel like life's being unfair right now. I'd suggest;
Keep applying, project management is a great career path, there are always roles, be flexible with the industry as its a very transferable skill set, especially if you have the qualifications
Give yourself some grace, allow yourself some wallowing and treat yourself a bit (appreciate funds are tight, but maybe a chocolate bar and a bath for example)
I appreciate you don't want to ask your parents for a loan, but it might be worth (if you get on well) talking about just how tough things are at the moment- they might offer support without you needing to ask and they'll definitely be great moral support (hopefully)
Reach out to some specific recruitment agencies, there will be some specifically for project management roles and they might have a view on your CV or interview skills so whilst they're a bit annoying sometimes, do milk their knowledge and ask them for help, as well as using online options like linked in and indeed
Dedicate some time each day to applying for roles and some time for yourself, keep exercising if you can, even just a walk and try and eat well, always get dressed etc, it'll help you feel more with it
Remember how well you did, there's an employer out there who really liked you and would happily employ you, that's lovely feedback - also you never know, the person they've chosen might pull out or fail probation and you're ready to go in those cases.
Stick with it, in 6 mths time you'll be back on track and so proud of yourself for getting through all this!

Isn't it fucking incredible that someone who has worked consistently and paid into the system only gets 6 months Job Seekers Allowance. I was made redundant when I was on maternity leave 21 years ago. I signed on, as we needed that to claim on our mortgage protection policy. I got it for six months despite having had consistent employment for 21 years before that.

Hey …. Slightly different scenario for me; our children have SEN needs and it’s taken forever to get them not schools. Work has been off and on, kids schooling dependant .
I applied for 2 jobs recently and was unsuccessful, applied for 3rd and got it :/
it’s by far from dream job but will help.
I have done voluntary work tho and made sure I mentioned that In interview . Looks good on CV and gets me out for a bit .also pleases job centre ? Sending positive vibes ! X

Surely you are entitled to some universal credit too not just job seekers

you need to do 2 seperate claims op

we made this mistake husband was made redundant and he only claimed job seekers then a few weeks later we applied for universal credit and it turned out we were entitled to quite a bit more and we’d no idea!!

Deep breath - you are doing really well.

it could have gone to an internal and you didn’t do anything wrong

can you temp doing anything just to ease the pressure? It might lead to something too.

Is there not a time limit for going down the unfair dismissal route, not sure what it is

@LoisLaneKent pm me and I will introduce you to a good agent.

No advice Just a giant hug.

Employers have become very amoral of late and this job market is wild.

You have been through a huge amount.

One thing I really recommend is try amd spend 30mins/ am hour per day either gardening or in nature ...I was skeptical when someone recommended this but it really works wonders. Particularly if you can garden or grow things.

Hope you're on OP

What has your job hunting and interview process been? Have you been giving yourself some breaks from it?

I’ve thrown the kitchen sink at it:

• loads of job applications for my role and other adjacent roles
• worked with three recruiters, even had interviews but eventually told I’m too senior for their roles by the employers themselves after interview
• temp work
• freelance
• casual shift work

I’ve explored all these areas and no luck. Consistently told I interview well but something or one thing not quite right each time - and it’s always different!

@WickedElpheba and yeah I’ve taken some breaks including a 4 day break before my last interview. I felt confident and calm in the interview and clearly they liked me but it’s still not enough

@LoisLaneKent I recruit in PM, what sort of level are you looking for? Have you looked at universities and local government? Most only require you in the office once a week, if that, and so you can cast the net far and wide. Sorry you’re going through such a rough time.

It’s also savage - we had over 80 applicants for one junior PM role recently. You are actively looking for reasons to mark people down when you could give it to at least 5 people

I was so pleased with myself for having 6 months of extra savings and the thought of relying on parents again in my early 30s feels humiliating. I feel weak and crap. And not like myself to be on this situation.

a couple of weeks ago I was socialising and some people in the group made remarks about people who claim benefits. Maybe they forget how close many of us are to needing help.

Here’s the career situation:

I started as an account manager but in practice most of these roles were really half AM/half PM. I had an amazing manager who said he planned to promote me to senior account manager and a series of steps to take to achieve this. He then left and the replacement manager didn’t honour the promotion after I achieved those things.

I then interviewed at a company for a Senior Account Manager Position. Instead they referred me to another team as Project Manager. This was a much better salary with big name clients so I accepted.

The interview I just lost out on (down to last two) was Senior Account Manager. Feedback was my strong PM experience meant I wasn’t so suited to that role. But this just isn’t true as I’ve done both.

I've been where you are. Lost my job, broke up with partner of four years, kicked out of my house (renting for six years and landlord's daughter wanted to move in). It's so hard.

I'd suggest looking at short term contracts. Anything pays better than unemployment benefits. I did things well below my pay level as it was money. They were only short term appointments, so a month or two here and there, but really helped with the bills. Do you have a past employer who might need temporary assistance? I approached a firm I worked at 3 or 4 jobs prior to the one I was made redundant from - it was a peak time for them so having me for a couple of months really helped them and really helped me. My last contract was three months and I ended up being there for 18 months (contract kept being extended) and the experience in that industry lead to a permanent role at another organisation.

Doing what I do now, filling short term vacancies (3 months) is very challenging. If you're able to contract in those slots you might find, like I did, you can maintain back to back roles until something permanent comes along.

It's a really tough market out there right now, literally 100s of applicants to a role. Don't feel bad about yourself you must be doing amazing to make it through the shifts. Makes it really hard to prep your way into a winning interview - because it's not really about skills experience or polish. It's about the other candidates who are exceptional too and the personal bias of the interviewer. You are doing amazingly. Keep strong and keep at it. If/when the job market improves you would have your pick of the roles

I feel so sad for you, OP.

life is just so shitty sometimes 😢

I don’t have many suggestions other than please just keep applying and have faith you’ll get there. Absolutely shite advice, I know.

sending a big rather unmumsnetty hug.

It's not you. Brexit has fucked up the economy beyond recognition.