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?

You must have done very well to come second. Fingers crossed that they forget to give you notice and in the mean time you find something brilliant

i just have been informed that i am at risk of redundancy on the first day return to work from maternity leave...

Struggling to do job hunting after a year career break, but we need to stay positively.

Hi can I join too? I am being made redundant in July as my company are moving away from the area and I can't go with them because of young kids and husband here.
I've known that this is going to happen for the last 2 years and have been seriously job hunting since then. I think I have applied for 12 jobs in that time and have been interviewed for 5. My last interview was on Friday and I really thought this was it but it is now Monday evening and the phone hasn't rung. I'll ring them tomorrow I think, but hope is evaporating.
I had some interview training last week on the STAR technique. I didn't actually use it on Friday (duh) as the interview seemed very informal but I'll definitely try it next time. If anyone is interested, this Guardian article explains. The trainer said you should try to have two example for every competency on the person spec.

careers.theguardian.com/careers-blog/star-technique-competency-based-interview

Yes, what's worse is that you dont even get a 'thanks but no thanks' letter anymore. I assume they get too many applications nowadays, years ago it was considered good manners & you might be kept on file.

I've started working as a cleaner within the public sector.

I figured any job was better than no job & I can work my way up to a point as people retire etc.

I Don't even have a contract, I'm worse off than a zero hours employee :( and dont get me started on childcare :(

Havent been on the thread in a while. Distracted by one thing or another.

Got a phone call today offering a job interview! So pleased to know my cv is ok, just the sort of job I want too so really hoping. Not til 31st march though.

Hi I got the job! Writing on this thread must be lucky! As soon as I'd written my woes I got the call. Don't give up everyone. I genuinely feel that things are getting slightly better in the job market

Well done Treacle :)

Got a call at 7:30 last night offering another interview for a position I was hoping for.

GROUP interview on Tues! Any tips anyone? What can I expect from a group interview?

Had the interview yesterday. It was fine just had to say a bit about myself then work in a small group answering a ques.

So hard to stand out in a group and theres always one or two people who dont let you get a word in.

I should know by the end of the week if ive got through to a one on one interview.

Just to say I'm back at work and really enjoying it.... Just really hoping that this thread stays lucky...

Hello everyone, just to say my current contract was extended for 18 months!!!so a bit of pressure now off.

I've been given a 'proper' job, covering maternity leave :)

Typically, I have an interview next week for another job & for once in my life I don't need/want the job... So I'm going to go anyway!

Ive been thinking about that stock...Ive got two interviews in the next week and Im still applying for jobs, some really good ones which Id prefer but what if Im offered one of these jobs? Do I still go to the interviews? Seems a bit mean to accept a job then leave after 2 weeks because something better has come up. But then I dont want to turn the first offer down in case I dont get another one!

I was made redundant in August but due to family circumstances only just again applying for jobs (been made redundant about 4 times). Last time I was made redundant, I had a bit of a break and did not sign on for 6 months as I wanted to study a bit. I knew it would be hard but it was awful trying to get an interview. This time it will be harder because I have to get to grip with public transport in Hampshire which is certainly not as good as London and of course has no tube, though there is a train.

My age is definitely against me (54). My last place treated me so shoddily that my confidence is at an all time low.

Most jobs down here are for carers, cleaners or shop work. I did a short training scheme in a department store for 6 months in late teens (actually dumped in menswear the whole time apart from one day in the canteen, where managers had a different cup to mere mortals!), but I am applying for retail jobs now.

I have just filled in 3 forms online from Asda and (as you will see in my other post about PPA forms) filled in a PPA form having to list my strongest and weakest traits. Ugh I sounded like a whipped puppy!!

I applied for a job being advertised by a local employment agency. The agency person phoned me for 'telephone screening', random interview questions prior to possibly forwarding my cv to the employer.

One (pretty standard) question she asked me was, 'what other jobs have you applied for ?' I answered honestly.

When the phone call was finished and I was reviewing what was said I felt a bit, 'robbed'. She was using me for possible leads the cheeky mare !

I wish I'd just said the generic industries that I'd applied to not the actual company names. Oh well, wise after the fact.

If, say, a hundred or so people have applied (I asked and got a generic answer - God, she was a shark, the agency person) then she's going to get dozens and dozens of potential leads from saps like me who just want to be honest !

To cap it all, she point blank denied an e-mail I got from that particular agency a couple of years ago giving me the brush off ! Must have been a different provider she said arbitrarily. I thought don't deny what I've just told your and/or practically tell my I'm lying.

Ghettoprincess - that is awful. I don't like agencies. They sent me for any old thing. It soon became clear in one place that they should not even thought of sending me. They made it clear at interview too.

Ahh well, after filling in 3, yes 3! questionnaires for Asda they emailed to day to say thanks but no thanks. Ho hum.

Oh dear deathwatch have you tried other supermarkets?

Ive got my one on one interview tomorrow (eek!) Ive had a sickness bug and horrendous chest infection over the past week so not feeling my best but will do my best.

Then have another interview next Mon for a different job, fingers crossed and all.

Deathwatch - that sucks

DesperateHousewife - good luck. Hope your bug and infection clear up too.

kazza - how are you? is your dh ringing the agency /ies frequently to ask what there is? needs to keep himself at the top of the pile and get to know the recruiters. then they will think of him and put him forward if anything comes up.

I am job hunting at the moment and do all the admin for our family business at home but absolutely hate it. How do I put this succinctly in my reason for leaving? How can I give a reference when it would be my husband providing it? I have a very part time job in a school so am doing something outside of the home but I am finding it so difficult to come up with a paragraph that does not sound clunky.

Im currently jobhunting, and glad I found this thread
One thing Im hating at the moment is making online applicatons, everywhere these days seem to require sigining up to an account, verifying emails, security questions..and thats before you try to upload your CV and your bloody screen freezes so you have to restart
urgh, its been one of those days. Four hours to finish one application tonight thankyou very much TalkTalk Broadband!!! Jeez I really wish more places would accept paper applications, and then maybe the veins in my neck wouldnt bulge so much haha