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Original poster

How do you keep morale up when job-hunting?

271 replies

christinarossetti19 · 07/07/2021 12:31

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?

OP posts:
Normaigai · 09/08/2021 17:51

Well done!

Lochnessgiraffe · 09/08/2021 18:14

Thanks. They are sorting out contracts and sending me a laptop.
If anyone is looking to retrain there are lots of Project manager jobs out there at the moment

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 09/08/2021 19:02

Well done Lochnessgiraffe. That's great news.

OP posts:
YeDancer · 10/08/2021 09:19

really nervous about this afternoon's interview
Imagining all sorts of scenarios - too much travel, not getting the adjustments I need, not enough home working, another arsehole employer (I had an awful one last year and a breakdown), maybe they won't recruit me if they percieve my needs as being too much, maybe I'll go over my presentation time.
Arrrrrgh
Tried the power pose thing and just felt stupid

Lochnessgiraffe · 10/08/2021 09:36

Good luck! Relax and breathe you got this!

Wheresmrpenguin · 10/08/2021 12:00

I've just bombed another interview. Well I left feeling really positive, thinking it went really well, I took some courses to up skill myself on the missing skills, and still didn't get to 2nd stage. My small business has just failed because I've been concentrating on interviews and applications. I feel so depressed about it all.

Wheresmrpenguin · 10/08/2021 12:01

@YeDancer

really nervous about this afternoon's interview Imagining all sorts of scenarios - too much travel, not getting the adjustments I need, not enough home working, another arsehole employer (I had an awful one last year and a breakdown), maybe they won't recruit me if they percieve my needs as being too much, maybe I'll go over my presentation time. Arrrrrgh Tried the power pose thing and just felt stupid
Good luck, you can only try your best!
YeDancer · 10/08/2021 16:25

My god that interview was hard! I think I fucked it up!

First, screen share wouldn't work properly when I was trying to deliver the presentation, so I worry they will now be thinking I won't be able to speak to clients properly if I can't get bloody Teams to work! (I hate Teams btw, much prefer Zoom)

The questions were hard too and I think I talked too much and too fast out of nerves!

I fluffed the safeguarding question and I think I could have done better. I gave a kind of ummm answer. I said if someone was in danger I would speak to the appropriate person but I'd also be mindful of not making a difficult situation worse. I think I could have given a better answer Sad

They also asked my salary expectations which threw me. It was advertised with a salary scale so I had expected to start at the bottom, which would have been fine.. However, when they asked that question, I was kind of on the spot. I'm thinking, well obviously I'd like more money but if I appear greedy, it might put them off! So I said, if the salary was negotiable, I would be hoping for mid to end of the scale.

Does that sound okay or have I fucked my chances?

I don't think I will get that job, but on the plus side, they said they didn't expect much travel or office working.

Dancerinthemoonlight · 10/08/2021 16:29

@yedancer I hate when they ask salary expectations as I always feel put on the spot aswell, you don't want to out price yourself but you also don't want to low ball either. Keeping my fingers crossed for you

YeDancer · 10/08/2021 16:36

I also think I finished my presentation way earlier than the 15 mins allocated but they only allowed me a max of 3 slides too.

Urgh, the more I think about it, the more I think I blew it.

I have applied for other roles though, and my current contract hasn't ended yet so I still have some time.

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 10/08/2021 18:48

Wheresmypenguin I'm sorry to hear that. It's such a depressing and discombobulating experience isn't it?

Do you have anything else in the pipeiine?

I've submitted one application and am away at the moment and I do feel better for just not having the opportunity to endlessly scroll through job sites, I must say. I couldn't give myself a break at home, despite knowing that was the right thing to do.

YeDancer yep, Teams is an absolute PITA. It would definitely throw me if screen share didn't work. Safeguarding questions are always difficult to answer because the right answer is 'follow the policy' which is what you said, but it sounds so lame.

Onwards and upwards comrades, although giving ourselves a chance to feel just pissed off when necessary.

OP posts:
Wheresmrpenguin · 11/08/2021 22:51

@christinarossetti19

Wheresmypenguin I'm sorry to hear that. It's such a depressing and discombobulating experience isn't it?

Do you have anything else in the pipeiine?

I've submitted one application and am away at the moment and I do feel better for just not having the opportunity to endlessly scroll through job sites, I must say. I couldn't give myself a break at home, despite knowing that was the right thing to do.

YeDancer yep, Teams is an absolute PITA. It would definitely throw me if screen share didn't work. Safeguarding questions are always difficult to answer because the right answer is 'follow the policy' which is what you said, but it sounds so lame.

Onwards and upwards comrades, although giving ourselves a chance to feel just pissed off when necessary.

Nothing else at all for me. Back to square one. Had a look though and not a single thing is suitable so will give a week and try again.

I think being away and not obsessing is a better place to be in. Hopefully some time away is doing you some good to refresh. Hope you're having a nice time away in general.

If you get a moment, have a read of this article I came across, from someone job hunting during the pandemic.
I think it sums up how we're all feeling perfectly, and the bit about hiding away after a failed interview and also having burn out is so close to home for me especially.
It gives some good tips too on approaching applications too.

amwren.medium.com/9-months-and-1000-applications-4fb8b3dff6a9

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 12/08/2021 18:27

Good article.

I do struggle with the 'reframing' though. If I try to think my target is to 'submit 5 applications this week' the only way I can do it is to remind myself of the reason why ie to get a job.

The filling in of applications forms/tailoring CVs is so boring and tedious.

I do need to find a way to compartmentalise job-hunting though.

OP posts:
YeDancer · 13/08/2021 15:20

I am so sick of recruiters contacting me about a potential job then ghosting me when I say I'm hearing impaired and can't hear well on a phone. Its not something I can hide until I get the job either but it also doesn't stop me from doing the actual job. There's workarounds that people just can't seem to be arsed to consider. sigh

YeDancer · 13/08/2021 17:33

Also, had that interview on Tuesday. Its now after 5 on Friday and I haven't heard if I've been successful or not Sad

goldbrick · 13/08/2021 18:03

Been lurking on here for a while, after who knows how many applications and 13 interviews I got an offer today. And for more than the advertised salary! Keep going everyone, even though it doesn't feel like it you will be the right person at the right time!

Lochnessgiraffe · 13/08/2021 18:18

Well done goldbrick

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 13/08/2021 18:51

Congrats goldbrick that's great news.

YeDancer I'm sorry - the ghosting is so awful.

Do recruiters have to phone you? Could you ask the to email instead?

OP posts:
YeDancer · 13/08/2021 19:31

They could but they don't, despite being asked to

Its not that I can't use a phone at all, its just not my preference and I need them to understand I might struggle a bit, even with the adapted ones.

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 14/08/2021 22:17

It's crap and as you say unnecessary.

Hope that you're having a good weekend.

OP posts:
Wheresmrpenguin · 14/08/2021 22:30

@goldbrick congratulations! Great to see more people getting there.

@YeDancer Fingers still crossed for you. The salary one is tough. i'm in a position (being unemployed) where i'd take anything, but if you dont ask you dont get.

Well I think I got scammed by a 'recruiter' earlier this week. They called about a job, and said they'd email me the details after. I gave away my N.I number and my D.O.B and then didn't hear anything. The call was poor, and he didn't sound like he knew what he was talking about, and only after i thought it was strange to be asking for those details. I've had to pay out to block credit stuff being taken out in my name. Felt so desperate I didn't even think, embarrassed for myself, especially as I used to work with Fraud.

YeDancer · 15/08/2021 08:03

oh that's really shit!

I have that worry when recruiters contact me out the blue too - are they genuine? how did they find me?

Wheresmrpenguin · 15/08/2021 15:57

@YeDancer

oh that's really shit!

I have that worry when recruiters contact me out the blue too - are they genuine? how did they find me?

I know, I've been out of the job hunt for so long I've forgotten what it's like. At least I've learnt now. I think there's a lot of job scams out there.
BridgetJonesPanties · 15/08/2021 18:07

Name changed as DH knows my username I think.

I do find myself looking back and feeling guilty about all the job offers I turned down!

December 2020, I was made redundant so obviously started job searching. I think the fact I was available immediately helped get the job offers. I got 4 in February 2021.

One was a p/t job with a low salary but I still had to go through 3 stages by which point I was like no thanks. It didn't feel like they had a clear structure and the job would be more sales, so I was offered it and turned it down. No regrets there as I know the person who got it and she didn't stay long - she said it was indeed more sales than what we had both thought it would be.

One was what I thought was my dream job. They interviewed 5 candidates and I later found out I was the only one who wasn't taken on. They said they'd take me on if they got more funding (charity), but then they did get more funding and still haven't taken me on. Plus I am more qualified and experienced than those they took on so that's annoying too. I feel messed about by them and that they will never get back to me with an actual start date.

One was another charity. Highest salary I've been offered and would have worked with. Mostly WFH but I worried it would be too strategic and high level for me. I also worried about the lack of a union and poor pension contributions. So I turned it down. family said I was mad and looking back, I probably was as it was permanent WFH.

4th one, and one I took, was in HE, a FTC which is coming to an end. Its been entirely WFH so far and I took it because it seemed really easy (it is) and the managers seemed very nice (they are). But its not permanent and no chance of becoming permanent.

So I think I should have taken option 3. Now that I'm not having much luck in my job search I look back and think I must have been really stupid.

YeDancer · 16/08/2021 18:41

I have a second interview on Friday Shock

I thought I'd blown it, so how bad were the others I wonder?

No presentation this time, just a 30 minute Q&A