Cannot get an interview!

TeacupsAndCakes · 2025-01-23T04:20:47+00:00

Hi - advice please. I have recently left a very toxic nurse role and am looking for a job completely away from nursing. I've been nursing around 5 years but realise that it just isn't for me and want a complete career change. I don't want to go into anything health related and am looking for jobs at universities, admin in fire service etc. I spend so long on applications and keep getting rejected. What am I doing wrong?! I like to think I have several transferable skills but it just seems that I can't get anything now that's not related to health care/nursing. Only positive comments please, feeling really rubbish!

Mrsttcno1 · 23/01/2025 06:28

Are you applying for jobs that you meet the essential criteria for, or are you applying for jobs where although you don’t meet the criteria (e.g. a lot of admin roles now ask for 1 year+ of experience) you feel you have skills that transfer? If so it could be as simple as another applicant has admin experience already, so not your issue at all.

What style applications are we talking about? E.g. if they are competency based ones, companies tend to have a structure they like to see, people can fall into the trap of writing “I have x skill/experience” without actually evidencing or demonstrating they do, it’s better to show rather than tell if that makes sense, “I have done xyz which demonstrates xyz” rather than “I have x, y and x skill”.

It is really difficult though, especially as lots of jobs now have so many applications per vacancy so if you’re applying for jobs where you don’t have direct experience or qualifications it could be as simple as other applicants do have that.

Have someone read over your applications, good luck x

Original poster

TeacupsAndCakes · 23/01/2025 10:02

Mrsttcno1 · 23/01/2025 06:28

Are you applying for jobs that you meet the essential criteria for, or are you applying for jobs where although you don’t meet the criteria (e.g. a lot of admin roles now ask for 1 year+ of experience) you feel you have skills that transfer? If so it could be as simple as another applicant has admin experience already, so not your issue at all.

What style applications are we talking about? E.g. if they are competency based ones, companies tend to have a structure they like to see, people can fall into the trap of writing “I have x skill/experience” without actually evidencing or demonstrating they do, it’s better to show rather than tell if that makes sense, “I have done xyz which demonstrates xyz” rather than “I have x, y and x skill”.

It is really difficult though, especially as lots of jobs now have so many applications per vacancy so if you’re applying for jobs where you don’t have direct experience or qualifications it could be as simple as other applicants do have that.

Have someone read over your applications, good luck x

Thankyou that's helpful. I think maybe i need to word my applications differently and use more evidence! X

OP posts:

shinebrightlikeanemerald · 23/01/2025 10:32

Join an admin agency.

villagefayre · 23/01/2025 10:51

Yes try to make sure you do meet the minimum requirements for the post (sorry if this is stating the obvious).
It is really hard to get things at the mo. I am looking too (though only been in current job since September).

You must have a lot of transferable skills from nursing. Try to look for something that is a little bit below what you are really looking for (hours wise, pay wise even) to try to get a foot on the ladder of the sort of job you want. That is what I have done, that is why I am looking.
I recently saw a very simple but useful motivator written on a board for job seeking:

ABC
Any job
Better job
Career

Also, don't spend too much time looking each day, as I think it can be very depressing and demotivating and a waste of time. Try to stay positive (easier said than done sometimes I know). Best of luck. You will find something.

Original poster

TeacupsAndCakes · 23/01/2025 13:55

villagefayre · 23/01/2025 10:51

Yes try to make sure you do meet the minimum requirements for the post (sorry if this is stating the obvious).
It is really hard to get things at the mo. I am looking too (though only been in current job since September).

You must have a lot of transferable skills from nursing. Try to look for something that is a little bit below what you are really looking for (hours wise, pay wise even) to try to get a foot on the ladder of the sort of job you want. That is what I have done, that is why I am looking.
I recently saw a very simple but useful motivator written on a board for job seeking:

ABC
Any job
Better job
Career

Also, don't spend too much time looking each day, as I think it can be very depressing and demotivating and a waste of time. Try to stay positive (easier said than done sometimes I know). Best of luck. You will find something.

Thankyou!! That's good advice. Good luck with your search too!

OP posts: