Yes, another 'I didn't get the job' thread - come commiserate with me!

[TooTiredToArgue]

Hi
Having narrowly missed out on my dream job earlier this week ('pipped at the post', apparently), I feel like throwing in the towel and not applying for a job ever again.
I've made a list and it's the 6th interview I've had in the last 6 months, so can't help feeling a bit despondent. I hate interviews and being under the spot light, and tend to waffle when nervous. I also wonder if my age is against me, with a significant birthday coming up soon.
Any words of wisdom, interview tips or tales of finally getting the job you wanted gratefully received! Thanks.

Sympathies from me op, I'm just starting to go for interviews after 20 years in the same job- it's daunting! I too am wondering if my age is going against me as I'm only a couple of years from a significant birthday too. I'm hoping that the right job is around the corner - hopefully for you too!

I do hope so! Thanks for the encouragement. Good luck to you too - hats off to 20 years in the same job!

I've always been terrible at interviews and the more I wanted the job the worse I was. The only trick for me in the end was to do lots of interviews until I started to get a bit more immune to the nerves. I also coached myself by saying out loud all my standard answers so that I had some well prepared in advance - hearing your own voice can be a shock at interviews and it always used to throw me so I almost had an out of body experience! I have to say, looking back now I'm retired, there were a lot of jobs I wanted at the time which would have been really wrong for me if I'd got them. So sometimes interviewers are right and a job that's right for you will be out there somewhere. Good luck.

I have interviewed people who are very nervous and they have been honest about that when I've asked them how they are at the beginning of our interview. It allows us to have a bit of a chat and maybe even a light-hearted joke it to get them settled in a bit and make more of a human connection and allowing them to relax into it a bit more. As an interviewer we want you to do well at interview. And I agree that sometimes the person and the company culture and role just don't fit.

Thanks @donttalkaboutbookclub .
I thought I did lots of practise, mostly while driving to work, but one question threw me, and I think that's what did it.
It's just such a soul-destroying exercise. Can't wait to retire...

practice not practise.

That's a good point. I did mention my nerves in the opening question, and tried to make a (slightly feeble) joke about them....

I heard on Monday that I didn't even get selected to interview for a job where I met all the criteria and had the certifications to back it up.

I wouldn't mind but I spent 5 hours filling out and double checking their complex, lengthy online application form and (as requested) including "tell us about your suitability with examples for each of the person requirements"

Makes me wonder if they had an internal candidate in mind.

Sorry to hear that @SevernEleven
Hope you have other irons in the fire...

Often they do have a candidate in mind and all sorts, try not to beat yourself up, I agree it can really grind you down.

Feeling that today. Came out of the interview feeling confident, then couldn't stop thinking over what I'd actually said and wondering if I'd blown it. Then got the rejection today and I just cannot be bothered with the hours of writing applications and careful interview prep anymore. It's so much energy and time.

Lots of sympathy for everyone else here (and a bit of a scream into a pillow to go along with it)

Didn't get an interview for my dream job this week got a couple of interviews end of the week (that I've not prepared for at all...) but don't think I'd want them, chucked the applications in as I was doing the other one anyway and typically got interviews for those! Going to attend to practice as it's a promotion so would be good to see if I can pass the board for the next grade up, I do actually really like my job though, just got a new manager I'm not keen on so running away a bit....

Sorry to hear that @user8545 It's all just pants, isn't it?
Useful to get some interview practice under your belt. Onwards and upwards!
I've done two more applications today, so fingers crossed. Not holding out much hope.

Oh god I could have written this.

it’s exactly that isn’t it.

it’s so so exhausting.

I’ve been ‘just marginally beaten’ six times now. Starting to wonder if I’m walking around with a sign on my back..

I've been applying for various jobs over the past year, no success yet but I have had a number of roles pulled mid process due to hiring freezes. A lot of these businesses (tech) are also now making redundancies so I think I've had a lucky escape actually, as my current job is pretty secure.

My ideal is to get promoted internally but feels like there is a lot of competition and so often someone already in mind for the job. Definitely been a victim of a couple of 'jobs for the boys' situations too.

I did some careers training pre Christmas with Squiggly Careers, in thinking more about where I wanted my career to develop, it actually made me realise I was enjoying where I was and didn't need to chase a promotion/new job at any cost.

I would highly recommend looking at their books and podcast - free episodes on every topic you can think of. I have their interview one saved ready to listen to when I get my next one. They are running free 30 min clinics on Monday in Jan - look them up on Linked In.

Re interviewing, practice does help and I've got to a point where I think I'm good enough at them. I'm trying my best to think when an interview doesn't go well, it's nothing to do with me, but the team fit isn't there. It's hard but I keep on trying my best to scoop myself up and carry on, the right opportunity will come in time.