Applied for 80 roles and failing

[Godcalledinsick]

Please could I have words of encouragement? Lost my marketing job due to redundancy in April.

Been applying for roles (office, hybrid and WFH!) and been to a few interviews etc. Had a top recruiter edit my CV (it looks so good!)

I just opened Indeed and it stated I've applied for 80 jobs!

80. EIGHTY!

Feeling really low, worthless and dejected!

Anyway, tell me your success stories!

Oh dear 80 is a lot!

Are you only applying for advertised roles or have you tried sending your CV to companies speculatively? Also, have you had any feedback from any fo your interviews?

In your situation I would approach an agency, do not tell them about the interviews but say you are 'now ready to re-enter the workplace' and start that way.

After a career break that is how I went back as it is so fast and easy - started with a short assignment of a few weeks, then a few months, then got a permanent job.

And I can understand feeling low but you are not worthless

You need to focus your cv and cover letter more tightly on what is asked for in the job and person spec . Think of STAR in your responses.

The online job adverts are pretty useless. Both my adults sons applied for loads of jobs and it was only when recruitment companies got involved that they actually got some intervals for jobs they were interested in, not just anything and everything.

Thank you @carefullycourageous 😊

The feedback is that I'm "not a graduate". I'm 30. So 10 years older. And quite often they have an internal applicant or they know of someone (friends etc)

The remote roles are 100% remote but they often mention I am far away from the office. I'm about 300 miles from London.

Just feeling dejected and very lonely. I love working. I even checked the NHS to see if I can retrain but all those opportunities are 100 miles away (meanwhile I live 1 mile from a major hospital thats severely understaffed and on black alert)

Nevermind x

By all accounts Indeed is a waste of time.

You would probably be better off applying to roles directly or with the help of a recruiter, taking a more focused approach. Actually I've found LinkedIn to be good - that's how I landed my current job.

Good luck!

Keep trying - I applied for over 100 roles over four years. I was finally offered a new role last week ! How does your LinkedIn profile look?

It sounds like you may be applying to roles without tailoring your application to the specific job description. Applying is hard and takes time but each application must be unique.

Have you considered an agency? Given the staff shortages you should be able to get some work. Do you have an agency near where you are?

If you are not a graduate and that is an Essential criteria your application will fail.

Have you got LinkedIn OP? There are thousands of marketing roles there and I find LinkedIn to be the place to go when I'm looking for opportunities and to network. Get a profile set up and then search/apply for opportunities directly.

I applied to 92 jobs once and got one interview (but did not get a job).
It's shit and demotivating and disheartening and makes you wanna give up but don't! Keep going. Something will come up.

Hmm. There must be something going a bit wrong here because I work in a similar industry and we're struggling to recruit. I'm crying out for talented marketing types.

You need to make sure your application fits the criteria for each job - are you already doing that? Because when I shortlist I literally have to go down the person spec and check that the applicant has evidenced all the essential criteria. I can't assume, based on their previous roles.

The feedback is that I'm "not a graduate". I'm 30. So 10 years older.

Do they mean you don't have a degree?

Apply to a higher pay grade and experience level. If you know your stuff, jump up a couple of levels and pay grades. Men do. fewer people apply for them. You are probably tryig to set your sights low to compensate for losing your last job, Do the opposite.

As a PP said, tailor your CV every single job you apply for and mirror the language they use in their ad so that it appears on your CV as a skillset. Study the firm in detail - so apply for fewer jobs but target them harder. What are they proud of? Where do they sit in the market? What do they want to do next? Check the departments vision on their company website.

When you get an interview focus on one thing only: how can you help them? How can you solve any problems they have, raise their profile, ease the team's workload, improve their current output. Every question they ask, steer it to a clear consideration of what you can do for them.

I have a degreeand all the relevant extras like the Google qualificatios (Paid Media and Analytics etc)! I'm just "old"... The jobs I'm applying for are not titled "graduate marketing exec" and the job advert never states that they want a recent graduate.

Otherwise I wouldn't apply :(

I wonder if your degree and experience is clear . Treat it like a self marketing exercise. Are these entry level roles?

You don't have your DOB on your CV do you? No need. I leave off dates of my qualifications too, so they can't see how ancient I am.

Thanks everyone!

I think I'll focus on recruiters and LinkedIn. My colleague who was also made redundant said she's struggling too (we worked at an SEO agency)

😊

Sorry for the typos, trying to cook at the same time!

I've even been volunteering my marketing skills so there's no CV gap.

Oh in that case I would suggest applying to better paying, higher- grade jobs. You've got nothing to lose anyway.

My DOB isn't on there but good point about the qualification dates! Brilliant advice

@LIZS I'm applying for mid level roles. Not entry and not Senior. I did apply for one marketing manager role and was interviewed - they gave the role to someone who they knew through playing golf!!

There aren't many senior roles advertised where I live.

I needed this thread! I just popped on Mumsnet to have a break from applying for jobs as it is so demoralising.

I’ve been out of work for a couple of years because childcare has been an issue. It seems so unfair that during this time my ex has flourished within his career and I can hardly get a call back 😔 in my head I comfort myself by saying the employers must think I’m too over qualified (I’m not 😂) but it helps to deal with the rejection.

Wishing you all the best though OP, just wanted to let you know you’re not the only one.

It. sucks.

To not employ you because you're not a recent graduate is age discrimination and illegal.

I agree with many pp; if you ate not tailoring your CV, and letter, to the specifics of each job it is pointless .

We always ask for a cover letter; invariably all the ones coming from Indeed and the like have no cover letter and are generic cvs with little signposting to the job i am recruiting- so they get rejected straightaway. I am not going to guess and assume what you can do- you need to tell me.

@Angelik don't think they give two hoots tbh. And if I complained then they'd tell all their mates down the golf course and my reputation would be in tatters. (Locally, county wide at least)

@elaeocarpus thanks! I do write quite a nice tailored covering letter but I do find that a lot of hiring people don't even read them. It's actually really nice to know that people like you (who do read covering letters!) still exist so I'll keep doing it.

I was in my last role for almost 7 years and some recent feedback was that I didn't change jobs enough 😅 can't bloody win!

I'll just keep on keeping on 👍

@Babykoala1 same!! DH is a Director as he worked his way up. Me? Nah nothing. 🤣

I have started freelance but it's just SO lonely!