Second interview feeling flat

[awayfromitallplease]

So I am late 40s and have been going for freelance roles in my industry which are few and far between. Even with interviews I never seem to make it. Too old, too expensive, work not specific enough to brief, cv too non-linear... have struggled to get anything at all lately. I'm panicking about how employable I am. I know I interview well, but it always feels out of reach. Even a few days freelance work passes me by.

Got to second interview stage this week for a role I know I could do and a good career move. They're still seeing loads of people and I didn't get a good sense of whether I did well in the interview. It's just flattened me since the interview.

Even if I get it it's only a short term contract. I have tax bills I need to deal with in December and also separated. I've no idea how I can stand on my own two feet.

I feel drained by the prep effort and need to somehow build myself up and keep on. I can't help but wonder what the hell else I should do. I'm too old and tired.

Best of luck. Hope something works out quickly.

Bit much to have multiple rounds for a short term contract and still not let you know straight away.

OP I hear you - I just posted earlier about an interview I’m waiting to hear back from. It’s a fulltime role but I have been freelancing for quite a few years prior to this. The constant pitching for work and financial instability is exhausting…

I too am in my late 40s and worried I seen a bit over the hill for employers - which is crazy given we have at least another 15 years of working life left!

If anyone has inspirational stories for me and OP it would be great to hear them!

Hi Op. I was in the similar position last year when I tried to get out of my toxic former workplace. Like you, I was in my 40s and I thought I never would be employed again. I was willing to go back to basic and happy to get any job even with much less money as long as I could get out of my toxic workplace.

I applied for all sort of jobs and got invited to all the interviews but for some reason I never managed to land any job even though the feedback was that I interview well and came across very confident but they decided to go with someone else. One of the interview feedback that I was outstanding but they wanted someone else 🥲 I didn’t get the job because I was over qualified.

6 months of applying for jobs/interviewing plus toxic workplace took a toll on my mental health. I decided to take a break from work & applying for a job all together for a few months.

I resumed to job hunting again once I felt better in myself, I got 3 jobs offers in a space of 2 weeks and to my surprise I was headhunted for the 4th job. When the recruiter sent me a job listing, I thought I wasn’t qualified for it and would never go for it if I came across the job advert before. However I agreed to go to the interview as I got nothing to lose and 3 job offers waiting.

I passed the first interview and they invited me for a second interview within a couple of days. 3 days after my 2nd interview they offered me my dream job, the one I would never have gone for if it wasn’t for the recruiter that put me forward. Salary was almost double my last one and I don’t want to jinx it but this is the best company that I ever work for even though I have only been here 5 months.

I am a great believer of everything happened for a reason and there is a better opportunity is awaiting for you.

From getting rejected for all the interviews I attended to 4 jobs offers at once. I hope my story bring you a positive outlook and you will get there.