Keep not even getting interviews when I apply for promotions - feeling despondent

[OryxAndCrake11]

I work in university admin. I've been here for 4 years, although I've had two year long mat leaves during that time.

In previous jobs I have always been promoted, usually several times and usually quite quickly. However, I have recently applied for 3 roles and haven't even been invited to interview. It is competitive, I know every job usually has applicants in double figures, and every job is advertised internally and externally - internal applicants aren't favoured. Additionally, some of the jobs are full time but advertised as job share considered - I am applying as a job share, which obviously puts me at a disadvantage.

However, I am wondering if maybe I'm poorly thought of? I work hard, turn up on time, am friendly etc. My manager is very nice but would never give me honest feedback if I wasn't well thought of. I was also wondering if I could approach someone for feedback on why my application wasn't taken forward - it does say feedback isn't given on apps, but as I'm internal maybe it's worth a try in case this is the issue?

What would you do? Do you think I need to look elsewhere? I love my employer and feel lucky to work there, but I want to progress.

Do ask for feedback - there is no harm in trying. If you have an HR dept ask for a meeting to discuss it, press your manager. In all cases make it clear that you are keen to get on but willing to take on board any negative things that might hold you back. Without knowing your own track record, the requirements of the jobs you were seeking, and the calibre of other candidates it is quite hard to pin the issue down

Thank you, I will ask for feedback on my most recent application, the worst they can say is no. I'll ask my manager for a meeting too. I just really don't want to be stuck at the same level for the rest of my career. I must be going wrong somewhere, and I know no one here can tell me why, but it's really getting me down

Are you applying with an established job share partner? Definitely ask for feedback.

Why not make an appointment with the university careers service?
Ask them if they can advise staff too.

Do you address every point on the person and job spec? You need to include facts to show how you meet or exceed as many as possible. Use a billeted list, eg "HNC minimum" - "I have a degree in..." ; "Myst have experience of..." - "I have 6 years experience of X, 4 in this role and 2 in my previous role". And so on. Make it easy for the selection panel.
I used to recruit Uni admin staff, and applications like that are in the minority!

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

Do you address every point on the person and job spec? You need to include facts to show how you meet or exceed as many as possible. Use a billeted list, eg "HNC minimum" - "I have a degree in..." ; "Myst have experience of..." - "I have 6 years experience of X, 4 in this role and 2 in my previous role". And so on. Make it easy for the selection panel. I used to recruit Uni admin staff, and applications like that are in the minority!

I agree 100%. We recruited last year and I was shock by how poor applications were.

If you're not getting to interview then your application isn't hitting all the scoring points.

They will have a job spec/person spec listing out what they are looking for and the application/cv review will be scored against that. Any CVs that meet the minimum score required or the top X number CVs will get through to next stage.

It's interesting that you assume people don't like you, rather than maybe your application is not very good...

As PPs have suggested, I would sit down and ensure my CV covered every single point of the job description, prioritising so that the most important aspects come first, and where possible using the same words. So if my CV currently talks about organisation & time management skills but the JD talks about prioritising conflicting demands to meet tight deadlines, I would change it to say that rather than just assume the reader will read in that I can do that - make it easy for them to say "yes, she meets this requirement" and difficult for them to rule you out!

In previous jobs I have always been promoted, usually several times and usually quite quickly.

How did this work for you before? If in previous periods of employment you had multiple promotions, what roles were you successful at?

Let's be honest, admin has a very poor career ladder. It's basically working in a support role. It's easy to be pidgeon-holed. About 80%+ admin roles are performed by women, unless you're in public sector where it's possibly 70% women. Hence why I'm unclear what your expectations are for any future promotion - you don't say "I'm applying for project management/office manager/ etc" type roles, so it's hard to advise you why you aren't being selected for interview. If you're going from Admin to other roles how well are you highlighting suitability for these new role profiles, to tick their boxes.

Just applying for jobs, when you can't evidence any track record or development training aligned to those new roles, may not be a successful strategy. I don't want to say it definitely won't because there are no absolutes in life, but let's say it reduces your chances.

Do you have an IDP and have yearly discussions re this with your manager and you can make this part of it?