Is anyone else looking for work at the minute - advice please-rejections, confidence knocked

[DancingTommy]

My temp contract due to run out in March. I’ve applied for several roles over last 6 weeks not one interview secured.
One was a dead cert basically very similar to the niche role I’m doing now lots of similar contacts if anything I’m overqualified for it wanted degree level I’m post grad with managerial experience.
It’s all public/third sector jobs I’m going for.
I know with the increasing mass unemployment it would be challenging but thought i might get to interview stage- is anyone else experiencing the same?!

Bumping

Yes I’ve experienced the same .It’s tough out there at the moment, but not impossible. I’ve been rejected for everything I’ve applied for bar two jobs! Applied for one job and scored 1/7 for my application, felt like a right Wally even applying .I’ve just got something though .

You may need to tweak your application forms /cv ,but you may be absolutely fine and just need to keep trying . Just put in for loads ( if you can find ones that are suitable mind ).Best of luck .

Recent recruitment for us was quite depressing - most people did not tailor their CV or their covering letter to reflect our job description - the lack of effort is understandable if you are going for as many jobs as possible but we want someone who wants to work in the job we are offering - and if they don't want to change their CV/Covering letter for the job we are offering, it's an automatic failure to progress, I'm sure you're not making the same mistakes OP - so hopefully you'll be picked soon.

I’m recruiting for admin staff (pay is around 20k) and we had over 500 applications for 4 roles. Many of them had been made redundant from professional roles, many had previously earned 30k plus.

Office managers, teachers, registered nurses, health and safety officers, personal assistants, project managers etc all applying for these admin jobs.

It’s a tough time for job applicants right now.

Oh gosh I’m so with you. It’s really depressing isn’t it ! My confidence is so low anyway after having time out for kiddos.
Thought I’d found the ideal role this month but I didn’t get it after the interview. I’d put my heart and soul into the research and prep and I thought it went well.

I was told by a recruitment agency that companies are nervous that candidates won’t stay long term, that they are looking to take anything and leave when (hopefully) the market improves.. might be why you didn’t get the role as you were over qualified.

Ps also a million other reasons you didn’t get it.. all unrelated to you personally.. keep going!

Actually I really resent recruiters expecting applicants to tailor the CV to the job description. The cover letter should be tailored - of course. But my work experience, skills and qualifications are what they are. If a recruiter needs me to join all the dots for them, then the company is probably a bit pants.

@DianaT1969

Actually I really resent recruiters expecting applicants to tailor the CV to the job description. The cover letter should be tailored - of course. But my work experience, skills and qualifications are what they are. If a recruiter needs me to join all the dots for them, then the company is probably a bit pants.

I'm sure it must be a pain in the butt - that's why most people don't do it and why you'll stand out of you do.

I know it's hard at the moment but there are so many people looking for work.

We have recently filled several positions and had many applicants. We did not even interview candidates who were over qualified.

We were looking for people who wanted to work in a particular post and not someone who would be gone as soon as the market picked up.

I would recommend not applying to a company for more than one position and don't take a scatter gun approach with applications.

Yes, tailoring CVS is a pain but if you are targeting your applications you won't have as many to do and can spend the time on them.

You need to make your application stand out. Research the company and put in your covering letter what it is about the company that makes you want to work for them. And not info that is readily available from a 30 second google search. Dig a bit deeper.

For example if you are an experienced office manager there is no point in applying for a warehouse role as there are likely to be many people with more experience than you.

I wish you luck in your search and that the job market picks up for everyone soon.