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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:
Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 16/08/2021 18:59

Oh, well done YeDancer!

All the best of luck to you.

BridgetJones I can empathise with the 'what ifs?' but you can only make what seems like the best decision at the time that you make it.

Who knows how 'dream jobs' would actually pan out?

OP posts:
Lochnessgiraffe · 17/08/2021 05:50

Well done! yedancer

YeDancer · 17/08/2021 14:56

They say its a standard Q&A interview

I have no idea what they mean by that

I am so used to competency interviews instead!

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 18/08/2021 11:11

I guess that means filling in the gaps that they didn't ask at first interview and questions more specifically about the role YeDancer?

Though who knows?

I'm waiting to hear whether I've got an interview for a job that I ticked all the boxes for - it's exactly my area, but who knows?

Other than that, nothing in the pipeline as I've had a break (away and not much advertised) and feel way better for it.

As the calendar moves through August, I'm aware of a tightening knot of dread in my stomach about the prospect of getting back on the looking for jobs/filling in applications/doing interviews/being rejected train.

OP posts:
YeDancer · 18/08/2021 17:44

I heard back from another application and I have an interview on Tuesday.

They are going to send me case studies 30 mins in advance and ask me questions about how I would approach the case studies.

My only worry is that I have another meeting immediately before the interview that I cannot miss, so I might not get a chance to look at the case studies.

I am not taking the day off work (I WFH at the moment) and I don't want my managers to know I am interviewing. The interview itself is over my lunch break (at my request) but I worry I won't be prepared now. I also worry the case studies will be hard!

Hopefully, however, the interview in Friday will go well and I will get that one as its f/t whereas the other one is p/t.

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 18/08/2021 18:14

That sounds tricky YeDancer, not ideal but I'm sure that you'll find a way through it.

Your interviews are coming thick and fast. I've been trying not to think about the one that I'm hoping to get (interview date is next Tuesday...) but not succeeding.

I think I've faced so much rejection for so long that as soon as I anticipate it, it stirs up so much sadness, anxiety and despair.

I have got a bit of freelance work coming up, which is better than nothing, just so not what I want to be doing.

Best of luck for Friday. Sounds promising.

OP posts:
Limewine · 18/08/2021 20:25

@YeDancer

I heard back from another application and I have an interview on Tuesday.

They are going to send me case studies 30 mins in advance and ask me questions about how I would approach the case studies.

My only worry is that I have another meeting immediately before the interview that I cannot miss, so I might not get a chance to look at the case studies.

I am not taking the day off work (I WFH at the moment) and I don't want my managers to know I am interviewing. The interview itself is over my lunch break (at my request) but I worry I won't be prepared now. I also worry the case studies will be hard!

Hopefully, however, the interview in Friday will go well and I will get that one as its f/t whereas the other one is p/t.

I'd let them know you have timing issues - we all want to find the best candidates.
goldbrick · 18/08/2021 22:45

I've been offered another job. Now all the job hunting and lack of confidence it brings has made me feel unable to go back to the first one (I've accepted the offer and have a start date) and say I won't be starting even though the other seems a better fit. Everyone says it's a great position to be in, it does not feel like it right now. Hoping everyone has had more success this week.

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 18/08/2021 23:39

What a dilemma goldbrick.

You do need to go with the job that you want the most though.

If you do decline the job that you've already accepted, it's likely that they'll have a reserve list to go to, so don't let that bit of awkwardness be the main decider.

Congratulations though!

OP posts:
BridgetJonesPanties · 19/08/2021 06:35

well done @goldbrick

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 19/08/2021 19:33

I've got an interview next Tuesday for a job that I really want.

It worries me how much it affects my whole outlook on life tbh.

But pleased obviously.

OP posts:
YeDancer · 19/08/2021 20:42

well done @christinarossetti19 good luck!

I got 3 rejections today Sad but I have that interview tomorrow and another on Tuesday so fingers crossed

Getting more nervous about tomorrow's interview. Worried about getting it and then not being good at it, or the team being arseholes (I had a horrible experience with a previous employer)

It does seem very ME though

Wheresmrpenguin · 19/08/2021 21:22

@YeDancer

well done *@christinarossetti19* good luck!

I got 3 rejections today Sad but I have that interview tomorrow and another on Tuesday so fingers crossed

Getting more nervous about tomorrow's interview. Worried about getting it and then not being good at it, or the team being arseholes (I had a horrible experience with a previous employer)

It does seem very ME though

Just came on to say good luck for tomorrow!

3 rejections though, what is wrong with places. I'm sure they're missing out on someone amazing candidates.

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 19/08/2021 21:29

Good luck YeDancer.

Focus on the interview, not the 'what ifs?'.

Easier said than done, I know.

OP posts:
goldbrick · 19/08/2021 22:24

Good luck, I have absolutely everything crossed for both of you.

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 20/08/2021 10:55

Thanks goldbrick.

Have you decided what to do about your job offers?

OP posts:
goldbrick · 20/08/2021 11:24

@christinarossetti19 I've had another offer. You honestly couldn't make it up. I've gone with the second one, it's a lot more work but there's no point in going through all this and not taking the risk now I have the opportunity. Just hope it pays off in the long run!

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 20/08/2021 11:44

Do you mean the two offers you mentioned the other day, or is there another one on the table?

Either way, going with the one that's going to stretch you sounds good. Glad that you were able to put yourself first.

OP posts:
goldbrick · 20/08/2021 11:56

I had another one again. I have no idea how I've spent so long with no offers and then get 3 in a matter of days. I suppose it just shows you can't give up hope!

Now I've made the decision I am glad, but the deciding and telling them no was much harder than I expected. I would have been happy with any of them if I only got offered one if I'm honest but I had to choose the one with the most long term potential. Fingers crossed I've got it right.

How are you feeling about your upcoming interview?

YeDancer · 20/08/2021 12:12

I got the job!!!

It was between me and another person.

They want me to start as soon as possible so I need to negotiate my notice period which is 3 months but I have annual leave unused.

I'm all mixed emotions! Excited and relieved I have a new permanent job and it is home based too.

Nervous because I hope I will be good at it and they will be nice people.

goldbrick · 20/08/2021 12:26

Congratulations @YeDancer! It sounds perfect for you.

You will be good at it and they will be nice people, don't let the doubts creep in!

Original poster
christinarossetti19 · 20/08/2021 12:40

Oh, so many congratulations YeDancer and how great to find out so quickly!

Fabulous news.

goldbrick 3 job offers! I thought that's what you meant. The world of recruitment moves in mysterious ways...

Touching on the realms of 'you couldn't make it up', having been twiddling my thumbs in my freelance work since early July (which isn't that long, but with nothing in the pipeline it felt dreadful), I've just picked up another request for some work in Oct/Nov time.

I'll pursue it because I might well still be looking for work then. It will be online which I don't want to do in the long-term, but maybe will have to for a bit longer.

OP posts:
Lochnessgiraffe · 20/08/2021 13:04

Well done yedancer so pleased for you

YeDancer · 20/08/2021 22:08

Apparently I get a WFH allowance to cover extra costs but they haven't said how much that is or how it is worked out, only that it would be paid monthly. Anyone familiar with such allowance? I never got it from my previous employer or the one before that either, although that was more covid related WFH I guess.

Lochnessgiraffe · 21/08/2021 06:45

If its the government one it works out to be about £6 a month. Maybe its there own one?