Page 11 | How do you keep morale up when job-hunting?

christinarossetti19 · 2021-07-07T11:31:18+00:00

I'm finding it quite demoralising. Sending applications and not even receiving an autoreply acknowledgement. Preparing for interviews and just not hearing afterwards. Not being able to apply for jobs/get interview because I haven't got enough experience in X. Not getting jobs because I'm over-qualified. I'm studying a post graduate course, seeing my friends outside, exercising etc etc but have this weird feeling that I'm somehow living outside of life. I find myself look at people with jobs, even if I speak to someone on the phone, and feeling wonder that they've got this seemingly elusive thing! I've been self-employed for a long time, which I don't think it a particularly desirable attribute for employers, but I can't do anything about that. How do others keep their pecker up?

InSearchOf · 01/09/2021 12:17

Thanks @christinarossetti19. I'm not looking for project manager jobs but some of the jobs that I apply mention project management as desirable skill, which is why I was thinking of it.

Original poster

christinarossetti19 · 01/09/2021 13:21

Prince2 is a specific type of project management. It works in an environment where everyone else 'speaks the lingo' and knows the jargon.

I think there are some 'intro' courses that you could look into to see if it would suit you.

OP posts:

Luobogao · 03/09/2021 06:34

So DH is through to a forth round of interviews for his job. Desperately trying to be encouraging whilst trying not to get my hopes up because we've been here before and there's nothing else in the pipeline if this doesn't work out.

Original poster

christinarossetti19 · 03/09/2021 08:45

Four rounds of interviews in a week - your poor dh and you!

So hoping that this is the one for him - I have everything crossed.

OP posts:

YeDancer · 03/09/2021 09:51

two weeks until I leave my current job and my manager has started finding fault in things that weren't an issue before....

Dancerinthemoonlight · 03/09/2021 18:44

Had a preliminary phone call with a company today. They asked my age which is a big no no in interviews and then kept saying how far away I am and that's the only thing putting them off me. It's a commutable distance and surely that's for me to decide not them.

Also had an interview that was arranged at the last minute after chasing for a date. It was switched from in person to zoom as i couldn't get to the office in time due to work meetings. They want to see me in person next week but unsurprisingly havent responded to my email stating my availability. Also involved travel internationally about 50% of the time which wasn't stated in the ad. I might withdraw of they try and arrange something last minute again.

Original poster

christinarossetti19 · 03/09/2021 18:58

God that sounds annoying Dancerinthemoonlight.

Neither of those sound particularly inspiring, do they?

Never mind, YeDancer - the end is in sight!

OP posts:

Dancerinthemoonlight · 03/09/2021 20:06

@christinarossetti19 no they don't.

@YeDancer the end is in sight and just ignore them as they are probabaly just not picking as you are leaving. Only 10 working days to go for you

Wheresmrpenguin · 04/09/2021 18:00

@Dancerinthemoonlight

Had a preliminary phone call with a company today. They asked my age which is a big no no in interviews and then kept saying how far away I am and that's the only thing putting them off me. It's a commutable distance and surely that's for me to decide not them.

Also had an interview that was arranged at the last minute after chasing for a date. It was switched from in person to zoom as i couldn't get to the office in time due to work meetings. They want to see me in person next week but unsurprisingly havent responded to my email stating my availability. Also involved travel internationally about 50% of the time which wasn't stated in the ad. I might withdraw of they try and arrange something last minute again.

That sounds awful, avoid at all costs in my opinion!

Wheresmrpenguin · 20/09/2021 21:05

Hows everyone getting on?

I've had another interview today after a long time, and another one next week. Hoping I've got the one I had today, don't want the 2nd one. I'll find out tomorrow.

Luobogao · 21/09/2021 07:45

DH got a job! A big pay cut and longer hours but I don't care. Just so glad that he found something.

YeDancer · 21/09/2021 08:23

I start new job today. I'm shitting myself. Doubting myself. Wondering if I can do it. Worried they'll expect more of me than I can do. I hope its just first day nerves!

Wheresmrpenguin · 21/09/2021 10:58

@Luobogao

DH got a job! A big pay cut and longer hours but I don't care. Just so glad that he found something.

Congrats to DH! I bet thats a relief. Is this the one he jumped through loads of interviews to get?

@YeDancer Good luck! when my DP started his new job recently I just remind him that that you're not expected to know the job straight away. It can take a few months to find your feet so no rush to be amazing from day 1. Just spend the next week getting to know your environment and new colleagues and everything will fit together in no time.

YeDancer · 22/09/2021 08:07

so it was a long and tiring day and I feel very overwhelmed and confused. Everyone was really nice but I'm still sitting here thinking I don't know if I can do this!

I don't have full access to all systems yet but told that will take a few days and my manager is going to let me shadow him until next month where I've to take the lead on things myself.

I'm really nervous. I had such a long tenure in the public sector (and left after shit treatment) so adjusting to a whole new sector / job is just really scary

Wheresmrpenguin · 08/10/2021 13:50

@YeDancer

so it was a long and tiring day and I feel very overwhelmed and confused. Everyone was really nice but I'm still sitting here thinking I don't know if I can do this!

I don't have full access to all systems yet but told that will take a few days and my manager is going to let me shadow him until next month where I've to take the lead on things myself.

I'm really nervous. I had such a long tenure in the public sector (and left after shit treatment) so adjusting to a whole new sector / job is just really scary

How you getting on now? Sorry i didn't see your reply!

Well i've FINALLY had a job offer! Its not part time like I was applying for but it is down the career path im working towards :)

Worrysaboutalot · 28/10/2021 14:49

I am still applying for stuff. No luck so far.

TheBestForLast · 28/10/2021 15:36

I've been job hunting for the past few months and I'm beginning to think I'm unemployable because of my age. I'm 47 and have been employed within the print industry for 25 years. Lots of jobs out there and my CV covers everything from design to print but I can't seem to even get a reply. So fed up and feel so old 😕.

Worrysaboutalot · 01/11/2021 14:50

@TheBestForLast Keep on applying for work. The right job won't pass you by.

Metabigot · 02/11/2021 11:40

I just wanted to come and update on this thread as I was quite active on it when it started and spent around 4 months unemployed during which time I went for no less than twenty interviews all of which turned me down. Eventually out of desperation I took a temporary job at a lower grade on the basis that it was more than the dole and would tide me over the summer and I could start looking again in Autumn for a job comparable to my previous grade from which I'd been made redundant. I was really really reluctant to take this job and saw it as a massive failure but thought 'needs must'.

Anyway after being there a short time I was promoted to project lead as the person originally recruited walked. Then one of the permanent managers left and I went for their job although I thought I'd absolutely buggered up my interview and they kept me waiting several weeks to see external candidates so I really thought I mustn't have got it.

But I did! And I now have the job similar to those I was originally applying for in the summer and really enjoying it. Its a whole new chapter in my career and after the disappointing summer with so many rejections that I had to go on anti depressants very very pleased its turned out this way.

Just wanted to give some hope to those who may be finding it tough and also - its surprising what can happen when you just take anything whilst I wouldn't recommend to do this for a perm role, for a temporary role it definitely worked in my favour.

languagelover96 · 02/11/2021 17:40

This is uplifting. I read tons of useful books in preparation for starting the process of finding work. My top tip is to talk to people and develop your skills and qualities for a interview. Tailor your resume in preparation as well to get results. Focus on what the job description wants as much as possible here in order to get a interview. Discuss your options with a careers advisor in your area if possible too. Find out as much as possible.

DallasDerby · 03/11/2021 20:30

@TheBestForLast

I've been job hunting for the past few months and I'm beginning to think I'm unemployable because of my age. I'm 47 and have been employed within the print industry for 25 years. Lots of jobs out there and my CV covers everything from design to print but I can't seem to even get a reply. So fed up and feel so old 😕.

Maybe you need to make you CV reflect the job you want. If I have one bug bear about CVs and covering letters is that they are too generic - I don't see someone doing a good job to get themselves a job, they cast their net wide and in the process dilute their impact.