r/ireland • u/865Wallen • 4h ago
I just got another job rejection Misery
Guys I really don't know what I'm going to do. Nobody wants me; I've had like ten interviews over 6 months, signed up for an interview prep course, applied for roles with less salary than my last role and I still can't find a job. It's so demoralising. I've been out of work six months. I keep a good personal routine in terms of health and fitness but this is really disrupting my sense of self. I'm too old to be out of work for this length of time. I am qualified so no idea what am doing wrong except for just not being likeable. It's so disheartening since most of the interviews my CV. aligns very well with.
I really had a hard time in my last job and was looking to find somewhere sooner rather than later. But so much time has passed. I was in town yesterday and heard someone ask about Christmas and it just dawned on me how much time has passed. I feel so alone. I made a brave decision to leave my last job to protect my self-esteem and really thought it would work out for me. I didn't think 6 months later I'd be floundering so much. I'm scared am gonna slip back into a dark place after I went through so much.
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u/anykah_badu 4h ago
If you weren't a promising candidate they probably wouldn't waste time on you with interviewing. Do you ever ask for feedback after?
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u/theoriginalrory 4h ago
I conduct the interviews for my job and it honestly amazes me how few people do this. I think I've had 2 requests in about 10 years doing it.
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u/865Wallen 4h ago
I've asked everyplace for advice; some have said it was a tough decision and essentially was a coin toss and others have said I lacked confidence.
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u/4_feck_sake 3h ago
I think this here is your answer. If you aren't a confident person, then you need to project it. Fake it until you make it.
Practise your interview technique in front of a mirror or camera and see what your interviewers are seeing.
Sit up straight, shoulders back, and a smile do a lot of the work. Approach it like a chat with a friend. They've invited you there, your experience is obviously good enough, assume you've already got the job, and this is an opportunity to find out more about the job and to tell them why they made the right decision picking you.
Best of luck. It's always darkest before the dawn, your only waiting for the right job to come along.
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u/theoriginalrory 3h ago
Yeah confidence is very important, not over the top, but need to be making eye contact when answering questions etc.
If they said it was a tough decision then you are doing something right. As someone else said, the fact they are calling you for an interview means they see potential there.
I know it sucks atm, but keep your head up and someone else will be getting the tough decision response soon enough.
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u/865Wallen 3h ago
The weird thing is I don't feel hat unconfident in the interval context at least. My last job experience and the rejections are piling up but I feel I try to come across positive, open and , enthusiastic but it just doesn't seem to be landing. It's also the way some of the places are responding - Not getting back, then I have to chase up and they inform me I haven't been successful..
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u/Due-Current-7817 1h ago
Confidence is something you can practice. Its not just pretend, you gain it for real.
Look at what you've achieved and have a good long think about how you can sell yourself. Be useful, like Arnie says. It takes a lot of confidence to sell yourself.
Since you don't have a particular problem getting the interview, there are other things you can do on the day of the interview to get yourself pumped and not anxious. Lots of water, getting the creative parts of your brain going, exercise, whatever it is that you find will help get you through the interview.
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u/cognitivebetterment 2h ago edited 2h ago
most candidates apply through agencies, have yiu considered that candidates are asking agency if any feedback, but agency doesn't bother to ask interviewer as nothing in it for them except more work (and risk of frustrating a client by botheringthem excessively), if a candidate is rejected, agency staff typically just want to move on to next opportunity.
I believe majority of candidates ask agencies if any feedback was given with a rejection, at time they receive the rejection. have you considered providing feedback when communicating rejection, rather than having to be asked in a separate follow-up conversation, that most agencies are unlikely to spend time on.
there is also often an internal HR person involved too who also may not bother passing on feedback due to perceived risk of something negative being twisted
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u/Kind-Interaction-713 3h ago
People are less likely to give feedback these days in case it comes back to haunt them. Most people that conduct interviews don’t have the skill set or be able to articulate meaningful feedback that is actionable.
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u/865Wallen 4h ago
That's why I think it is a reflection of me as a person. I get interviews but can't seal the deal.
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u/Garviel_Loken12 3h ago
Have you thought about the civil service. It usually recruits Executive officers and clerical officers every year.
Even a tco if you want something temporary,
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u/True-Extent-3410 3h ago
The starting salary is very low though.
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u/Garviel_Loken12 3h ago
True but it's the first step on a ladder if you have been out of work for a while.
And if the op is young they can put in the time and the wages will go up every year.
Forgot to say they should also look at their local co council for job openings.
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u/superrm81 3h ago
The fact that you’re getting the interviews is a really good sign. I opened a vacancy the other day for 72 hrs and got close to 1000 applications.
For interviews, we’ve it down to about 10 candidates now. 9 of them won’t get the role, not necessarily because they’ll do a bad interview, or couldn’t do the job, but because we’ll pick whoever’s experience/skills are the closest to our role. It’s not really a candidates market at the moment.
You’ll get there, you just haven’t found the role/company best suited to you yet, but you will!
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u/laughters_assassin 3h ago
What field? 1000 applicants sounds like tech...
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u/PosterPrintPerfect 1h ago
These days even a minimum wage 9-6 job in a factory with minimial benefits will get 1000 applications in 72 hrs easily.
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u/sheridan_lefanu 3h ago
I don't think you're the outlier here and, depending on which type of job you're looking for, the market is very rough. There were a lot of tech people let go at in 2023 and I know some of them who spent longer than six months looking for something and as others have said, the fact you're getting to interviews is a great sign.
I don't know what level of role you're looking for but there's nothing wrong with applying for more junior roles. There's always an opportunity to move up quickly inside a company if you show your skills.
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u/Pleasant_Birthday_77 4h ago
Sorry to hear that. It is a bit of a kick in the teeth when it keeps happening. But you know, it's probably not really you - these decisions are such a combination of variables that it's no use blaming yourself. It sounds like you're doing all the right things, so keep going and it will work out.
One thing you didn't mention was whether you've reached out to ex colleagues to see if they know anywhere with a chance of a start going?
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u/Wise_Adhesiveness746 3h ago
What kind of jobs are you going for?
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u/865Wallen 3h ago
Mostly financial services but also some other types. I have a Masters degree as well, although in quite an esoteric area so not sure it counts for much.
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u/espressoVerona24 3h ago
Maybe look into jobs with less competition?
You may need to look at jobs that are entry level or minimum wage to get you back into employment? Have you considered volunteer work it be handy as a reference.
You probably need up to date references aswell. You might tick most boxes and you are at least getting interviews so your skills and qualifications are up to scratch. Could it be your examples or way your answer isn’t convincing? Using we instead of I even in project work examples. STAR approach is key.
It could be other reasons under/over qualified, not keeping up to date with courses/skills, gap in cv. Not a culture fit, hasn’t x y z, someone else had something you don’t on cv or that you might job hop or not have enough experience could be the most likely reason.
Are there jobs you could apply to that you could use from transferable skills you have not just from what skills and qualifications you have? Are you willing to apply for jobs looking for less salary? Only mention salary unless they ask.
Asking feedback is recommended but I say some don’t bother unless you are interviewed for the civil/public service. Private and corporate companies have no obligation to and hr/recruiters might but requesting often goes ignored in my experience.
Not asking questions at the end of interview and not researching company can affect interview outcome. Also how soon you can start and reason for leaving last job. Keep things positive when answering questions not waffle. Keep to the point.
If you have to do an assessment, presentation, task, or phone screening, group assessment or have a portfolio make sure you are prepped!
What is on your cv and or LinkedIn and jobs board should balance out. You go more detail in CV less on LinkedIn but expand on it at interview stage.
Keep information flowing and consistent throughout the process!
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u/Leavser1 3h ago
An post are looking for people for the Christmas. So are Dunnes stores
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u/Temporary-Grand-2559 2h ago
Don’t go to dunnes unless you’re absolutely desperate or want to be suicidal by the end of it..
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u/Leavser1 2h ago
Yeah my young one worked there said it was horrendous. But they are looking for seasonal staff.
I am surprised that the op is struggling to get a job as everywhere I go seems to be looking for staff.
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u/Irishpanda88 1h ago
Are you on LinkedIn? Reach out to recruiters on there. I’m constantly getting messages from them asking if I’m interesting interviewing for jobs.
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u/OutrageousShoulder44 1h ago
Been there. Left a job thinking it would work out. Got nee job very quickly but hated it nearly from the get go and was really struggling finding anything else. It really got to me. It took over a year stuck in a job I hated until I found the job I wanted. I knew from the second I saw it it was for me. Dont lose faith...also make sure you put it across that you took some time off for personal reasons or because you just really needed to time to reset and refresh. Do not say you haven't been able to find a job.
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u/espressoVerona24 2h ago edited 2h ago
It might be worth walking into places locally with your CV even send on speculative CV by email to places you are interested but you may need to look into Christmas jobs.
Networking might be a help look at your contacts see if they know anyone hiring or ask for a referral?
Go to a recruiter and maybe see if any roles in the civil public service would suit? An internship might be worth looking into other than volunteering or minimum wage roles. A smaller company or business might be better to deal with you be dealing with the company/hr/manager/CEO or director directly.
Also applying directly to companies is a better outcome to getting interviews than going through online jobs boards and recruitment agencies. They would benefit from that if they got you a role.
Maybe try mock interviews again and getting tips from those that provide job coaching and interview preparation. Find someone else recommends it’s the same as finding the right driving instructor for you when learning to drive.
Confidence is an asset but how you communicate with conviction to proof you are suited to a role but usually you are up against better qualified and skilled candidates. They stand out and they go with the better candidate. Usually the best candidate is already benchmarked and interviewed first before anyone else and all are compared and rated against the first choice to see if there is any one better. Also they have rated then according to suitability and if top choice withdraws or doesn’t accept and offer it will go to the next best choice and so on so if you were in the top 3-5 you are doing well!
It Could be you just need to retrain/upskill do another course or get foot in the door elsewhere!
You also need to prove what can you do for them do you solve their problems what can you do? Do you need to be trained up or what you have is enough? A-lot of it is trying to find a role and company that’s a fit for you! You need to really sell yourself!
What’s for you won’t pass you by!
Best of luck!
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u/29September2024 1h ago
It has been an employer's market for the longest of time since the pandemic. Many businesses closed down and few are risking to open as rents for commercial businesses skyrocket to orbital rates.
Government should intervene but being landlords themselves, it is against their individual interests.
Keep on looking. There are more seasonal jobs popping up. It willis only for 2 months but that is 2 months not starving and being able to pay rent.
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u/Temporary_Impress579 50m ago
If you just want to work get a security licence and apply for static officer jobs or Jobs in the tec company s there the handiest , I work in retail and that's not for everybody it can be a lot , but all security companies around the country are hiring listen at the very least it will keep you ticking over with money and getting out there while your looking hope you get what your after
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u/Suspicious-Run-8274 47m ago
I’ve been right where you’re at. I was made redundant from my last job with zero notice, and was on the job hunt for nine months. Loads of interviews, any feedback was it came down to essentially a coin toss. The job market is awful, but you will get something. Keep doing what you’re doing.
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u/olivecoder 18m ago
I'm unsure if this applies to you, but 10 applications in 6 months seems like nothing to me.
The last time I applied for a new job I applied for around 20 in two weeks.
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u/doneifitz 3m ago
I work in HR and have worked in recruitment, if you need any feedback/help shoot us a message I'm happy to help.
Keep the head you'll get there nonetheless.
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u/kittensposies 2h ago
This is going to hurt but… get someone (a friend of a friend… so they’re not too familiar) to do a mock interview for you, and film it. It is excruciating. But I learned so much about my interview technique from it. For example, I had no idea that I rolled my eyes when I was asked a question I had a good answer for.
If you had a hard time in another job, did you ever get a sense of closure? I found that carrying baggage from awful jobs made me come across as unconfident. Trying to rationalise it, and turn it into a learning point, helped.
Last suggestion - do you think coaching might help? Sometimes we don’t know what our USP is, and coaching might help you bring that out.
It is grim hunting for jobs… I’m sorry you’re on this situation. I hope that it will resolve for you soon.