How is your job hunting going?

[DreamChaser23]

Every day people are losing their jobs. Or are due to lose their jobs when the furlough scheme ends in October. And it is not only the furlough scheme a lot of women will be affected come September if schools do not open.

For me it is not too great. My job is at risk and there is a chance it could go in August or September so for the past month I have been applying to a lot of places. My background is finance and I have around 3 years of work experience. I have applied for warehouse roles, night shift sorters, finance roles and others but to no avail.

as I have tons of experience in that field. Then she asked my age and said I was too old. Humph.

Wants someone to have loads of experience but be young, erm is she expecting people to start working at the age of 2? Seriously though did you record it? That's discrimination, and she shouldn't have even asked for your age. Her loss, I line manage someone who started with us last year at 61, and she is bloody fantastic.

To be honest I was so surprised that I just said oh. It would come down to my word against hers and I thought if that's their attitude to the amount of experience I have I can't be bothered with them. I was very put out for a week or so tho.
Bugger Sandy I should have come to work for you instead.

Sandybval

Your post gives me hope
Where are you and any jobs going?

No, seriously can I ask what line of work you are in?

I work in tech, but my colleague is in an admin position. I say that, but honestly she has exceeded what we thought we needed and has brought so much value to the team, she has a new job title and a payrise to reflect her work. We do 'blind' recruitment, which sadly shouldn't be needed, but we have had a more diverse pool of applicants reach the interview stage since, which can't be coincidence but more a reflection of unconscious bias which sucks. Her interview was by far the best of the day, as in miles ahead, some others on the panel had reservations of the usual kinda rubbish such as well they might retire in a few years, how can we be sure they can use a computer competently, will they fit into the team etc. But in reality anyone can leave a job whenever, even if the chance is higher it's not a valid reason to exclude someone in my opinion (I've left jobs within a year or 2 of starting!), if the systems couldn't be used confidently that would be more of an issue with our staff training, and honestly she has fitted in really well with the team and really changed the dynamic for the best. Doesn't always come out and socialise with us, but as that's not a requirement of the job and other people don't either so it's such a none issue. It seems more companies are moving towards this now, and although unfortunately some will still be arses at interview about it, I hope places become more open minded. My friend is in the civil service and works with new starters who are 50+ quite regularly, I believe they use blind recruitment.

Thank you very much for you post, it's very interesting and I agree more companies should do this.
There are a few companies near us that don't openly discriminate but you know that you either wouldn't get an interview or fit in as they are all very young employees.
The companies offer experience days, have games consoles and play rooms. My ds2 started off in one at 18, he said he'd feel to old to work there now at 25.
It's a shame as they lose diversity not just in terms of employees but a different type of communication with customers.
It was a call centre, but not necessarily selling young people products.

I work in recruitment and we have gone from maybe 10 applicants to 80+ for some jobs.

Bit shit. I lost my job in March, was headhunted twice but one wouldn't let me wait to start until I had childcare and the other wanted 4 days and I want to do 3.

I have an interview this week for a job. They had 55 applications apparently, and that's without them giving a salary.

@Lovingmylife but are they all qualified / suitable for the roles they’re applying for?

A role I applied for was shortlisted you 60 applicants.

@notthemum

Just come across this thread. Had a woman phone me a couple of weeks ago, was practically falling over herself to offer me the job as I have tons of experience in that field. Then she asked my age and said I was too old. Humph.

Legally, they can't do that. You didn't tape the call by any chance?

@NewJez. Unfortunately not. Had no idea of the number so just picked up and said "Hello". As said I was so surprised. You can't get the experience I have within that field out of a book. Still as someone upthread kindly said 'Their loss'. Hope to find something soon though cos am very skint and so flaming bored.

Has anyone got any advice? I have found the perfect job. But it requires 3 references and I can only get hold of two!

I’m always a bit embarrassed of asking for references!

Don't be embarrassed asking for references, 3 does seem quite a lot! Do they have to be employer ones or can they be character references? I've written plenty for people and I never mind, it's good though when asking just to give a very brief outline of what it involves, like I'm applying for x, is it okay to ask you for a reference, they usually send an email asking for y. The worst someone will say is no, but even then just keep asking someone else, if you want the job it's definitely worthwhile . Its a positive thing to be job hunting anyway if you are out of work and/or just fancy a new challenge or advancing, absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.

Or if you are unsure of the third, contact the point of contact on the job advert maybe? Quite a few organisations like it when a perspective employee makes contact prior to submitting their application.

I sent them an email and they confirmed that 2 was fine

So it turns out my interview from last week has thrown up a privacy issue relating to the remote interview. DH strongly thinks I should tell the recruiter. Thoughts girls??

Yay good news @Teacuplady86, it can be quite nerve wracking contacting perspective employers I find, but usually worthwhile. Glad it's sorted

In what way whitechoc? Have you realised since that something was inappropriate to be shared via a unsecured platform? Or who was able to view?

@sandybval interview on MS Teams. Logged into my laptop yesterday, teams app flashes up. Record of the interview. The "chat" section shows the full names of other people who have logged into the link after me. For the same length of time. Basically I think these are all the full names of the other interviewes.

In that case yes, because it's definitely something they need to address for any future interviews they do. It could go either way though, I would be (embarrassed that we had made that error but) impressed that someone had noticed, noted that it isn't acceptable, and was willing to let us know, even though it can be daunting. It would make me feel like the employee would be confident in challenging things if needed, and also paid attention to detail. Some might get defensive though, so it depends on the company. In honesty as they would have seen your name as well, although it might be limited in what they could do with that (obviously for a sensitive post it's even more of an issue) and because I'd worry a bit about their data handling processes and awareness, I would be very tempted.

@sandybval DH said the same about them being impressed I'd noticed! I'm concerned that they sent one interview link to all attendees. Will try the recruiter again tomorrow. Not going to sue anyone but it's defo a privacy issue! My real name is quite unique, I'm easy to find on SM. The competition could easily have looked me up!

Yes that sounds like a good plan, and it is a good spot! Let us know how it goes.

I will let you all know!

I got an interview next week, hurrah!!