Anyone else job hunting and finding it soul destroying? Sign in here for support!

[toomanywheeliebins]

I have been job hunting for four months and have two DC (1 years and 3 years). I'm quite senior in my sector and I decided not to return to my old job after ML 2 and seek a new and possibly more senior role. It was more complicated than that because my organisation was struggling a bit so there wasn't a really clear job to return to but still it was the right time to move on.

I have found it utterly exhausting and frankly soul destroying...and wondered if I am alone...and whether anyone whatever their circumstances (Sahm returning or redundant or career change) wanted to join in a support thread?

My confidence is knocked. I have had interviews and the feedback on the whole has been good but the competition is really fierce and I'm not feeling as sharp as I was (probably because the baby isn't sleeping well) and I don't know how to overcome that at interview. They look at me and think mid thirties ( may want children/ flexible working) before I get in the door.

I also feel that I am doing two jobs. Looking after a baby and a three year old ( she attends nursery some days) full time and job hunting/ applying for jobs etc/ preparing for interviews. I literally get the baby down for a nap and run down stairs to the PC to work. All house stuff has to be done when the baby is awake to maximise time I can put in applications. It's boring. I want adult stimulation and not to spend all day every day covered in yogurt.

DH is amazing and is very hands on. He has had to save his leave for any potential interviews and by the time we have got both kids in bed, there is no way I can work on job applications... We do both feel in limbo. We can't plan anything (holidays etc) or spend any money because we don't know how long I am going to be off for. We can afford it until August and then it gets very tight. This worries me a lot.

The last straw came yesterday. Was approached for a good job by an annoying head hunter . Had a chat on phone. Applied. Statement and CV etc took ages as it was very tailored. They didn't even long list me.....

What a waste of time. It just feels like work is slipping away and all I have achieved is gone and there nothing I can do to stop it.

Moan moan moan- anyone else there?

If I can offer any advice its to either stand out from others applying for the same job (having up to date skills helps with this - I get this a lot from graduates where degrees alone are not getting them into jobs). The other suggestion I would have is to offer PA support (as a suggestion) at business networking events. It only costs a small amount to have some cards printed, everyone there is lovely and the coffee's usually nice.

Memyson Welcome!!! The uncertainty is crippling. I do understand. I think there is lots of people out there looking to jump ship and that's why competition is so strong...
Having moaned about it down thread I am hopeful that an 'in' with my contact will at least put me in with a fighting chance

Hi, can I join? Been looking for a month - still working but not for long. Sent lots of CVs, but nothing. Nada. Only one very speculative interview.

I've just had a rejection for a job I didn't even really want. They said they had over 100 applications.

I need to keep calm about tomorrow but the baby is sleeping terribly and I'm shattered....

What time is it at, TooMany?

I still haven't heard back. On the one hand, they only received the presentation on Tuesday. On the other, it feels less and less likely that they want to hire me with every day that goes past.

I'm really tempted to chase it.

toomany thats what I despair about...every job I go for I reckon has hundreds of applicants, thats why I need to stand out but I feel so bog standard. Being out of work for 4 years doesnt show me in a good light either.

I feel if I can just get to the interview stage I can wow them but its just getting there. I try to get everything I can think of down on paper but I feel they just skin over and see SAHM/NO DEGREE/1 A-LEVEL D GRADE into the bin it goes :(

I spent my whole evening last night filling out a very lengthy application form and reviewed it this morning and sent it off, I bet I dont even get an interview. I know I shouldnt be so defeatist but its hard not to be!

Going in now. Cross everything

Good luck.

I'm off to do a test later for one I don't want but know i'll not get through. Not even sure why i'm putting myself through it. I know totally defeatist attitude.

Good luck Toomany

Felt it went really well and I felt I couldn't have done any better. Will find out tomorrow. Come on everyone xxxx

Well my test was not what I thought they would test me on but was on something I actually felt confident doing! So fingers crossed I get through to the interviews. I saw the sheet of people coming in to do the test, basically someone every half hour for two days

Well done Wips. Gunning for you!

Just had a call. I'm meeting the CEO on Monday.... I'm the only one.
Big smile

Great news!! Good luck for that!

Ive got to write a handwritten cover letter for a job. Have written it about 10 times and still not happy with it. The paper looks old and worn Im going to buy a new pad tomorrow and decent pen.

Wow....that's a first desperate

Yeah, I'd be a bit surprised to have to do that, Desperate.

Well done, Toomany!

Agent from Job 1, where I've done 3 interviews and submitted a project, told me that she spoke to the CEO yesterday and they have looked at the project. They need time to talk, apparently. Not sure if that is good or bad!

I've got three interviews tomorrow. I may have to cancel one. Another is for a contract role until the end of June, but it pays well and would give me a break until then at least. Could I throw away a permanent job for a contract one, though?

This is tough!

Wait until they offer contract role Caja and then go back to the perm role and see if that concentrates the mind....

I'm hopeful.....

Its for a doctors surgery receptionist job so I guess eligible handwriting is essential.

Can I join? I've been a SAHM for 3 years, been trying to get a job for 4 months now, a few interviews, nothing coming of anything. I have all the right qualifications and experience, have kept up to date with changes and developments in my field, don't know what else I can do. Have applied for loads of jobs, spent ages tailoring my CV for each one and giving examples on application forms. Nothing. Have applied for assistant roles as well, when left at Manager level.

I think it must be the career break that is putting them off. Or it's me somehow. Perhaps I smell.

My field is HR... I used to look at job applications everyday.

Soul destroying.

I really think that emailing everyone you know your CV is the way to go. I really think that personal recommendation is the best route. I also think my voluntary work is a great way back in.
I've got a call to confirm that I have interview for another job today. It's a perm very senior role which normally I would love but it's going to be very competitive and I think it might be a good idea to take a interim for a while to get my confidence back before moving up.

Hi mrsapplepants dont give up hope, I guess it can take a long time for something to turn up.

My last job (dec 2009) was working for my SIL (shes director now) so she got me the job, no interview needed. I would love to work there again but she hasnt got anything going at the mo.

I've perfected my hand written cover letter so will send that off tomorrow and just applied for a job that was added today in my local town so that would be handy.

I've got an interview next week but can't muster any enthusiasm, I've had loads of knock backs and this job is 12k less than my last job which ended just before Christmas

I'll plaster on a smile and do my best as I do want it because I want to be working but I can't help thinking 'how did I get in this position?'

Bloody redundancy

Ok... I sent an application on Tuesday night, by Wednesday lunch time I got the rejection email... Oh dear... Not really helping to keep the moral up!

By the way, have you tried linkedin? works much better than emailing the CV around (it is less pushy but it covers more people as long as you have their email address to link)

Fingers crossed for us all! :-)

I got offered the contract job!

They told me in the interview that they want to offer me the job. They said they'd tell the agent immediately.

No contact from the agent get though...

Well done Caj! Hope we can all follow in your footsteps and find jobs too!