To do another masters to get a job?

[Watdidusay]

Since previous employer folded I've had no luck finding a new role. Currently on jobseekers, spending all day everyday applying and preparing. Nothing is going well. I am getting a good few interviews and then getting ghosted. I ask for feedback but none given after 16 different companies interviewed me in the last 11 months.

I haven't had this problem before. I don't think I'm doing anything strange. I've asked for feedback from old colleagues but they say I sound good. I'm really trying to figure out how to improve. I get along well with colleagues. I deliver. I keep my knowledge up to date. I don't have working restrictions on time or location.

I'm worried how 11 months out of work is starting to look. I'm starting to worry I'll never find a job again to be honest. I already have a masters and a PhD. Should I do a fourth degree? Another masters? I think the alternative is take my qualifications off my CV and work in a local job just to be working. But I am worried that will also look odd on my CV given my profession.

38 so I’m worried they are concerned I’ll go on mat leave

is what you wrote at 10.46 this morning, @Watdidusay. (Perfectly fine to change details for anonymity- but you need to stick to one story or posters will be confused!)

Have you looked at jobs in

Hospitals
Colleges/Unis
Prisons
Defense
Energy

What jobs did the other people on your course move to ?

Why don't you volunteer or work PT ?

Yes OP
38 so I'm also worried they are concerned I'll go on mat leave.

You aged a lot in a couple of hours!

You said you were 38 and also worried they think you might go on maternity leave 🤷🏻‍♀️
sorry I was slow typing and everyone beat me to it !
Fine to change details OP but make sure you proof read your applications.

How are you keeping your skills up to date? What networking are you doing? Are you active in tech networking etc?

A course is not the answer- specific coaching might be useful if its interviews where you are not successful. Do you have a mentor contact?

The job market is shocking. I have been able to walk into new jobs within a week max in the past (usually juggling multiple offers) as my type of role used to be very in demand. This time round, I lost my job in November and it took months to start a new job. I was really shocked and nearly lost hope. Like you, I had many interviews and positive feedback, but usually the roles were subsequently pulled for budget reasons, someone just beat me to the role or they just disappeared/ghosted. The job market is truly awful. My sympathies OP!

🤣🤣🤣 Something tells me the OP is not coming back now.

Subject too dull to stir up much reaction and outed herself within the space of a couple of posts. 🎣 0/10.

Why have said you’re 38 then later that you’re late 40s? 🤔

Are you 38 and worried that employers think you'll go on mat leave or late 40s and done you PhD decade's ago? you've said both of those things...

You said you’re in tech - you don’t need to be specific about what field, but thinking about what industry / commercial experience you have, it might be worth looking at some of the consultancy firms to see if they’re recruiting, as they often like people who’ve got real experience.
I will add a note of caution as I’ve worked in this field, that it’s hard work and you need to be seen to be getting on assignments and delivering for clients. It can be really interesting though and pays well.
If you have specialist skills, there are often smaller niche consultancies that may appeal.

For what it’s worth I have been sifting for Civil Service this week. 100+ for each role for INTERNAL roles as it’s all dried up and hard to get moving on promotion to even HO/SO. External roles are hen’s teeth.
Qualifications are a quick scan on a CV. Proven achievements much more important. You can’t have been studying all your life at your (mysterious) age. Your proven success counts for more at this stage. Another qualification just looks like someone avoiding life by studying if it’s not targeted to necessary qualifications.

I work in Information Security so tech adjacent and can honestly say a Masters wouldn’t help in any way, it’s not something I look for or care about when I’m sifting CVs or interviewing. If you’re getting to interview then your qualifications are fine, the problem is the content of what you are saying when asked to evidence your experience and skills.

We have so many people now with really good CVs (Thanks AI!) but then when you ask them about how they have handled a specific task or dealt with a specific problem it becomes clear that their knowledge is all theoretical and book based not practical and something they’ve actually done.

Tried those too. Even had internal referrals

Plenty of interview coaches out there have you considered that. Not cheap but you would hopefully get a return on your investment .

I would try a meeting with a recruiter in your sector first and an interview coaching session just to get unbiased feedback.

If you are getting the interviews but not the job, it soubds like CV and skills are strong so perhaps interview skills need to be refreshed.

It can't do any harm and far cheaper than more education.

I am currently volunteering too yes

And I have also applied for PT roles

Yes. I thought I had read the same.