Constant rejections...on the scrap heap...early 50's

[OakCat]

Made redundant from mid senior accounting role I'd been in for 3 years due to wide spread redundancies in company.

Cannot seem to find a perm role (South East). Never had a problem before. Latest rejection email today. I thought I had a good cv and experience and have excellent references. Clearly on the scrap heap. Agencies only interested in getting me 3 month contracts or put me forward for perm roles clearly no one else wants (pay is awful or no WFH at all).

Any words of wisdom....Will keep plugging away but really soul destroying....

@Floofydawg

Saying it is ageism is not helping op. So what are you saying ???

I was given her hope that it's not her age and she just needs to push through the next few months. You are saying what?? She wont get a job because of ageism and all doom and gloom moping about because we are now old we are no use to anyone attitude???

You talk about my attitude but that's not a healthy one either.

Fyi lots of older people on here have got jobs aswell so....

Bacon88 why don't you start your own thread instead of totally derailing OP's?

At this point I feel I could write it for you, you've repeated yourself so much. Am also beginning to see why people might not be inclined to hire you.

Thanks @EwwSprouts on the NHS link. I've shyed away from public sector jobs as didn't think I'd be considered with only private sector experience so might apply to once back from hols.

Why I'm reluctant to take a 3 month role is that attending/preparing for interviews is quite time consuming and feel it would be unprofessional to take a 3 month role and then constantly taking time off to go through the 3/4 rounds of interviews for a role I don't get each time. More open to temp to perm. I thought being immediately available would give me the edge as well.

Will see what next week turns up when back to applying. Thanks for everyone's encouragement x

Become a Tutor in FE/ Apprenticeships/ Uni? Worth a look.

@OakCat

Public sector recruitment is so bureaucratic so by all means apply as the jobs are secure and benefit are good. However it is lengthy and it really is a different beast. I was sent a 3 page diversity questionnaire for both a council job and an NHS job. They then wanted 3 rounds of interview which was over like 3 months and some of the interviews were very much about political ideology and not your financial knowledge. Both me and a previous colleague who is 48 and male didn't get a job after all that. So before any one wants to make a sarcastic comment it is not my personality or number of jobs I have had.

I honestly do wish you luck. Keep going. A job will show up for you.

I'll be glad when the school holidays end, won't you?

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain absolutely!

@OakCat have you considered the charity sector? I've been looking for a senior role in a charity (not finance though) and there are very many finance jobs in charities at the moment. I've never seen so many senior roles in charity finance. Many are WFH / hybrid and charities are often open to transferable skills and experience. Best sites are Charity Job and Guardian Jobs.

I've just landed a big new role at the age of 54. £20k pay rise, fairly big step up with future prospects for internal promotions. Keep going!

Good news @Sportycustard ! How did you find your new job was it via an agency or a job website? There is hope then …🙂.I might look at charities too I was always under the impression that charity sector didn’t pay well but maybe that is not the case …

You’ve had 14 jobs, some of which were permanent and you’re 29. Assuming you did a degree then finance exams, I’m struggling to see how you can fit all that in. By your age I was on my 3rd job since graduating. Fair enough if it was all contract work but permanent too?
Unfortunately your sweeping statements and defensive attitude would be a concern for me.

I found my new role on LinkedIn but it was via an agency.

The charity sector is having to match salaries for professionals who can switch between sectors. If your role only exists in the charity sector then the salaries can be poor but it's not the case for roles that translate to other sectors.

I've worked in the charity sector and you should definitely try it, I think they're very fair and doubt they'd be ageist. And the salaries are better than you might think, very flexible, above average holiday allowance, I had 29 days plus BH and a decent pension.

Charity job is a good website.

Well been back from holiday 1 week.

Applied for 22 new jobs this week. 15 rejections. 1 cv actually got through to hiring manager but rejected due to not having sector experience.

Most agencies pushing jobs which are £25k less than my last salary....for context was last on this salary 15 years ago.

Lost count on how many recruitment consultants I've spoken too...apparently I have an excellent cv and experience and should be snapped up...ha ha clearly not happening.

Trawled public sector jobs but nothing suitable locally.

Really hoping something changes soon.

Have you looked through your contacts to see who is working where?

I find that if I can name drop that I worked with someone who is a current employee (assuming they'd say good things!) it increases the success rate of getting to interview significantly.

I think I read a study on this and it said something along the lines of it being a psychological effect that people assume you'll be similar to people you know, so if they 'fit' then you will be a good fit.

I would also butter up the recruitment consultants as much as possible.

Effectively they're the gatekeepers - they often only get to put forward their best 3 candidates so it's important that they not only think you have a good CV but that they take a personal liking to you.

I'm always very friendly (without being weird) and ask them how they're day is, give a very friendly goodbye ("Thanks so much for your help" etc).

You want them to want you to succeed and not just be 'another CV'.

@OakCat I could have written exactly what you wrote in your most recent post I am having the same experience as you. I have lost count of the amount of applications I have made it is becoming soul destroying!

I don't know what the answer is...

I have been offered an interview but the salary is way lower than what I've been earning it would be a big step backwards pay wise.

Torn what to do as I need to get working again ...and trying not to panic.

Any advice do I go to an interview for the role that is a lower level?

I have applied for a charity job, so thank you.

Have you had any luck OP? Am still plugging away but it’s just not happening …anyone suggest who can do a CV review? I’ve lots of experience maybe not selling it well enough 🤔am all out of ideas