how to get over not getting 'dream' job

[elephanteraser]

i really did try my best but didn't have enough 'experience' even though i've worked in the industry for 10 years and have a degree specialising in it. They just want more than i can offer. I am 45 too old to get any more experience so will have to just think of something else to do or stay in my job which i love but is badly paid.

I did my degree to get myself out of the rut of earning a part time salary now wonder if it was worth it :( i feel too old to bother anymore.

i also had another interview and they didn't even bother to contact me :(

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get your dream job. I know how devastating it can be. It's happened to me too, more than once recently.

However, at 45, you're far from too old to gain more experience - or to apply to other dream jobs. You have more than 20 years of working life left. To apply for two jobs and not get them is nothing. And you got interviews, so you really were just pipped to the post.

Your job is out there, but you will certainly never get it if you don't apply.

I approach interviews on a 1:5 basis, I know from experience that I need about five interviews to get an offer (may be more, may be less). This makes sense when you consider that employers usually shortlist around 4-6 candidates. Sometimes it really is just a numbers game. When more than one person can do the job, interviews can be won or lost on the most trivial things.

I'm sure you will get there if you just keep going and wait for your ship to come in.

They just want more than i can offer

What specific feedback did you get from them?

My mum is 55 and just moved into a new job which is more challenging / money etc and is really happy - you are not too old!!