Tough getting a job offer, what else should I do?

[reallysadfeelings]

Dear Mumsnet, I'm hoping someone can advise. I intentionally took time off work after a series of events that culminated into me using the time for my dc as well as taking up some short courses. I am now ready to resume work but finding the job hunting process a lot more difficult that previously.

I know being a female, from an ethnic minority group and 53, the odds are well stacked against me. But I'm trying to stay positive. I am PQ in one of the accounting qualifications (think ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA etc). I've had interviews but nothing positive. However, the scary thing is that I've know that I've performed poorly in those interviews so it's not a case of wondering why I'm not being picked.

Also when it comes to tests, I'm testing TERRIBLY, much worse than I ever did before. I know I suffered from brain fog and thought I might be getting dementia which really shook my confidence, so to test that, I enrolled on a number of courses and have passed them well, so can't really be my brain that's playing up.

My brain just seems to freeze before interviews or tests and I can't seem to get it back on track, however hard I try.

I have tried looking for non-accounting work but yet to get an interview for any jobs I've applied for. I have plenty of transferable skills into administrative jobs so I'm at a loss as to why my skills are not attractive to potential employers.

Can someone please offer some advice as to employment agencies, job boards I could try?

On the other hand, I'm also interested in night work in banks or financial sector jobs that require night work (so I can be available for school drop offs and pick ups). But not seen these advertised other than in Edinburgh which can't do as I live in England.

Has someone been in a similar position and what did you do?

I don’t know your industry, but just wondering if you could consider doing some agency/temping work. This way you get to know which companies you’d like to work for, and would gain confidence and experience in the job. It might even lead to a job with one of the firms you have temped for, and you would have knowledge of the company business ethos and staff which would be helpful in an interview.

It’s really tough anyway never mind with the gap etc. As part qualified you are up against much younger people and I’m pretty sure ageism is a factor. Public sector is definitely a better bet and some bigger companies seem more understanding.

What level did you reach in terms of experience and how long is the gap? I had 2 years over covid and landed a public sector role at a lower level to ease back in before moving back up. How far off qualified are you and can you get back to studying? What were the short courses?

Thank you for responding. I have approached agencies but nothing fruitful has come of it - yet. I have found that the agencies seem fixated on my gap than experience. There was one that seemed hopeful but they came back asking about the reason for my year out and later they sent me a rejection email. But I'll keep applying to agencies.

Are you on LinkedIn? If not, I would recommend! Work on your profile before marking yourself as 'looking for work'. It should basically be a reflection of your CV.
Assume your CV is in a decent shape if you are getting interviews? It's worth giving it a really critical review though.
Interviews will get better the more you do! Practice some standard questions in advance if you can. There are many interview tips on LinkedIn too.
Re: your brain fog - menopause? Are you on HRT?
Good luck!

Thanks for your insight. Unfortunately, the Public sector in my experience has been the toughest so far. I've lost count of how many civil service jobs I've applied to and failed to get a look in. Nothing either from Local Government, even for Receptionist jobs.

I have a one year gap and with one of the qualifications, I finished all the 2nd tier level exams with one tier or so left to finish.

In terms of experience, I would say I am mid-level. So not entry but not Management either.

The courses I've done so far are beginner level Insurance as I thought I might try that industry, but have been disheartened by the very low wages available for entry level roles.

Then I did a PRINCE2 course which I found really interesting but haven't had any luck with related jobs, but still looking.

I am also currently refreshing my accounting knowledge with AAT.

A year gap is small so shouldn’t be an issue. Were your exams a long time ago hence the AAT refresh? Finishing off the higher exams would be a good option if your experience matches, eg you were working as an accountant vs an accounts assistant, it’s possible the roles you’re applying for are too low, you’re over qualified. I guess you’re best applying for part qualified jobs.

The civil service has a knack to passing applications & interviews so you’d have to master that. It’s very different to CV and cover letters which I hate doing, so I’m avoiding those. Make sure to get your CV reviewed and tailored to each role, the same for the cover letter. ChatGPT is great for ideas if you edit to your style.

Advice varies, but I’ve chosen to remove dates from education and older jobs - they are listed in less detail but no date. This makes my age less obvious. If you don’t want accounting jobs you can remove the qualifications if not relevant. And address the career change in the letter or CV summary to show you want the admin role vs desperate for any job and will ditch it once you have a better offer.

Try to focus in on what you want to do. Pick jobs you really want as that passion will help in the interview. Courses aren’t always that helpful unless you’re doing the role, it’s easy to forget. I’m holding off from a course for that reason. Experience is definitely more valued.

Similar to @Sparla I've taken dates off my degrees as I started the first one in 1995. I've gone backwards and forwards with past work history but I've now gone back to 2004 as I've had a really squiggly career path and I decided those early-ish years helped show my transferrable skills. Also when I talk through how I got to where I am today, it doesn't make a lot of sense without at least that job on there. I took off the prior experience though.

I definitely agree ageism is a thing, it's tougher basically as soon as you're over 40.

Also agree that brain fog could be menopause related so HRT and/or adaptogens could be worth considering if you're not already. Try to do lots of practice interviews with anyone who'll help you, just get a friend or family member to ask you questions, and practice talking through your CV out loud. Write down a load of answers to possible interview questions too - things you've done well, challenges you've overcome, difficult people you've dealt with positively, etc.

Good luck!!

Thank you! I'm on LinkedIn and just recently changed my Profile. I don't like putting "Looking for work" on LinkedIn only because I fear it looks desperate but mostly because I don't want my former co-workers to gloat over my current unemployed status. They may not, but it's just something I worry about.

I constantly check my CV to ensure it's ATS compliant and it's currently at 83% so can't be too bad. I am going to practise Interview technique as I think that is what is letting me down.

Yes, I'm Peri-menopause but can't take HRT or fear to take it because cancer runs in my family. And yes, I know that theory has been debunked, but I'm too scared to go near it, so I'm just trying to be healthy and take vitamins.

I will look at Civil service jobs again and pay attention to how I'm composing my support statements.

I don't put dates on my CV however, my LinkedIn profile has the year I graduated, which doesn't help as recruiters look at LinkedIn after receiving a CV and application (or at least, I assume they do). I'll see if I can remove it.

Thank you! I'm not familiar with adaptogens, will find out what those are.

I shall also look at interveiw practise. Many thanks.

I took dates out and then pretty much every recruiter asked for the dates anyway...

I started a job this week, age 52, after 16 months out (redundancy) - admittedly wasn't looking hard all that time. I'm 3 days in and suspect it's not quite the fit for me, but it's an income, and I may be able to mould it into something which suits me better, and if not, it's easier to get a job when you're in a job and all that. Tech though, so could be quite a different market from accountancy.

Congratulations on your new job! Yes, it's nice to have an income and then you can eventually be on the lookout for jobs that fit better.