Trials of Finding New Job
Discussion
Apologies if there is another similar thread but after 5 months out of work I am starting to feel bitter towards the many companies that I am applying to for being ghosted right after applying or after what felt like really good 1st interviews. A quick google reveals that this is now the new normal in todays job market and that I need a thicker skin by the sounds of it......
The process seems to mainly revolve around taking your chances with a faceless online application along with no doubt 500 other candidates or at least thats how it feels.
I want to stay positive because if I do let things get to me then it could show through at future interviews. But it really does annoy when you come out of an interview thinking that went as good as it could have gone and I want that job then you get absolutely no word back not even a thanks for attending our interview. Saying well would you really want to have worked for such organisations in the first place if this is their culture is a bit of a sour grapes cop out really.
One example of how the whole recruitment thing works these days is this. Today I was thinking about whether to do a bit of voluntary work so that I dont have a huge gap in my CV and show some willing. So at 9.24 am I applied for a voluntary driving post with a well know charity. Again it was the faceless online application so you think the same as the others - you might hear back you might never hear back but hells bells guess what at 10.27am (just 63 mins after applying) I get the loveliest reply from the manager with details and an invite to meet. Sods law. Why could'nt this have been the response from the nice salaried full time dream jobs I have been applying for? Must be a world record in terms of the quickest response to a job advert this.
How are others coping and what are your hurdles or gripes??
I went to a Job Fair in the summer - what a complete waste of time that was. It was more like an exhibition for companies - they wouldnt take CVs off people but would direct you to apply online - whats the point then? You got off your backside to attend the fair to try and stand out from those that wouldnt go.
The process seems to mainly revolve around taking your chances with a faceless online application along with no doubt 500 other candidates or at least thats how it feels.
I want to stay positive because if I do let things get to me then it could show through at future interviews. But it really does annoy when you come out of an interview thinking that went as good as it could have gone and I want that job then you get absolutely no word back not even a thanks for attending our interview. Saying well would you really want to have worked for such organisations in the first place if this is their culture is a bit of a sour grapes cop out really.
One example of how the whole recruitment thing works these days is this. Today I was thinking about whether to do a bit of voluntary work so that I dont have a huge gap in my CV and show some willing. So at 9.24 am I applied for a voluntary driving post with a well know charity. Again it was the faceless online application so you think the same as the others - you might hear back you might never hear back but hells bells guess what at 10.27am (just 63 mins after applying) I get the loveliest reply from the manager with details and an invite to meet. Sods law. Why could'nt this have been the response from the nice salaried full time dream jobs I have been applying for? Must be a world record in terms of the quickest response to a job advert this.
How are others coping and what are your hurdles or gripes??
I went to a Job Fair in the summer - what a complete waste of time that was. It was more like an exhibition for companies - they wouldnt take CVs off people but would direct you to apply online - whats the point then? You got off your backside to attend the fair to try and stand out from those that wouldnt go.
Fella, take it from someone who has moved from job to job countless times to my annoyance and desire to find something better.
It is not you, often this will be internal stuff. I went for an interview a month or so ago for a role that I could do yes, but was not really specifically qualified for if you looked at my experience. Mentioned this to the agency and asked them to be very specific in the questions to the employer so as not to waste my time.
Even mentioned in interview rather than trying to pull off a Houdini I can do all this stuff act. And they knew this and were happy to train (they said).
And obviously did not get the role, I was clearly the token outside applicant for an internal role, should never have been interviewed, and next time will refuse the interview if the same things happen.
The things agencies, companies will do are out of your control. Take it on the chin, ask for feedback (it will usually be inane non committal crap, but make them work) and move on.
It is not you, often this will be internal stuff. I went for an interview a month or so ago for a role that I could do yes, but was not really specifically qualified for if you looked at my experience. Mentioned this to the agency and asked them to be very specific in the questions to the employer so as not to waste my time.
Even mentioned in interview rather than trying to pull off a Houdini I can do all this stuff act. And they knew this and were happy to train (they said).
And obviously did not get the role, I was clearly the token outside applicant for an internal role, should never have been interviewed, and next time will refuse the interview if the same things happen.
The things agencies, companies will do are out of your control. Take it on the chin, ask for feedback (it will usually be inane non committal crap, but make them work) and move on.
On the other side of things, I’ve been trying to recruit for months and finally this week got two promising CVs. One didn’t turn up to the interview we agreed on the phone and the other hopefully will later this week.
Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
OP, a lot of jobs don’t exist or only have token interviews when they know they want an internal candidate.
I’ve travelled to another country - at somebody else’s cost but it ate days of my time - for an interview for a job that didn’t exist.
Or they want a perfect candidate, who doesn’t exist. This is particularly silly: if you are having a house renovation, do you look for the perfect tradesman and live in a half finished house until this mythical man of perfection turns up? No, obviously you talk to a few, find one that looks like they are about as good as you can reasonably expect and then hire them.
I’ve travelled to another country - at somebody else’s cost but it ate days of my time - for an interview for a job that didn’t exist.
Or they want a perfect candidate, who doesn’t exist. This is particularly silly: if you are having a house renovation, do you look for the perfect tradesman and live in a half finished house until this mythical man of perfection turns up? No, obviously you talk to a few, find one that looks like they are about as good as you can reasonably expect and then hire them.
Edited by creampuff on Tuesday 4th September 13:40
The other side of the coin: my wife runs a 50-odd person business, and reads the Cvs of those who answer the job adverts. She estimates she has read over 1200 so far this year.
90% are useles, saying they will commute from the south coast to Derby, for example. The good are also in this pile, but with the ease of online applying these days, anyone will apply for any job. You are facing a huge number of competition im afraid..
90% are useles, saying they will commute from the south coast to Derby, for example. The good are also in this pile, but with the ease of online applying these days, anyone will apply for any job. You are facing a huge number of competition im afraid..
Jimmy Recard said:
On the other side of things, I’ve been trying to recruit for months and finally this week got two promising CVs. One didn’t turn up to the interview we agreed on the phone and the other hopefully will later this week.
Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
This is exactly where we are, I have never had so many candidates not turn up for interviews and 1 not even turn up on their first day as they decided to stay where they were but didn't bother telling us.Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
Have you gone to companies direct and tried to build relationships with HR/managers who may have vacancies.
It seems to me recruitment is changing, neither side are particularly happy with it currently but nobody knows what else to do.
I have had similar here. This year I’d say about a third of interviewees haven’t turned up. HR seem to think this is normal for the UK right now.
OP it looks like Jimmy is in the same region as you. If you are close enough, maybe you could help each other out in the interim?
What kinds of roles are you after by the way?
OP it looks like Jimmy is in the same region as you. If you are close enough, maybe you could help each other out in the interim?
What kinds of roles are you after by the way?
The slightly impersonal networking of LinkedIn works pretty well too. The company I used to be with had a guy who's main role was hiring people in for contract roles, and he'd always hit LinkedIn first. I've also had several enquiries from recruiters who got my details from LinkedIn, in a couple of instances for jobs I was already doing through another company so they were at least targeting the right people.
Hi - sorry if I missed it - but you don’t say what work/area you are looking in (understand the rant/cathartic process of having a good moan). But one thing PH does appear quite good at is advice (yes some of it is c@p however)
Maybe furnish a few details around what your skill set is/where you are looking ? And you neither know what/whom may read it.
Maybe furnish a few details around what your skill set is/where you are looking ? And you neither know what/whom may read it.
Audicab said:
It seems to me recruitment is changing, neither side are particularly happy with it currently but nobody knows what else to do.
Seems pretty easy to me. You have a vacancy.
Put up an ad.
Make sure ad describes the job in enough detail that qualified people will be able to figure out they are qualified.
95% of CVs will be a waste of time. Bin them.
Pick about 6 people who seem qualified. Call them.
Sone may not be available or suitable, so you might end up with three.
Interview them.
Offer one a job.
—-
Is there anything about that which won’t work? If it is a difficult role to fill, you could call more than 6 and interview more than 3. Or add a second interview.
I really don’t have much sympathy for employers complaining. It’s takes seconds to bin an unsuitable CV and from that point forward, nothing is different from the pre-internet days where you did not get so many applicants.
Jimmy Recard said:
On the other side of things, I’ve been trying to recruit for months and finally this week got two promising CVs. One didn’t turn up to the interview we agreed on the phone and the other hopefully will later this week.
Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
the van driving job - youre not in Birmingham by any chance? ;- )Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
cheers for the replies guys. i have a lead tomorrow hopefully on something so we will see where that goes.
ive since found a pukka response when somebody is trying to think of reason NOT to offer you the job you applied for if it comes up on the phone or if it ever came up at an interview "dont you think youre a bit over-qualified for this role?"
my retort in future is this "well if you had to have an operation in hospital would you want the surgeon who is over qualified carrying out your surgery or the guy who is less qualified?"
LOLs.
ive since found a pukka response when somebody is trying to think of reason NOT to offer you the job you applied for if it comes up on the phone or if it ever came up at an interview "dont you think youre a bit over-qualified for this role?"
my retort in future is this "well if you had to have an operation in hospital would you want the surgeon who is over qualified carrying out your surgery or the guy who is less qualified?"
LOLs.
williamp said:
The other side of the coin: my wife runs a 50-odd person business, and reads the Cvs of those who answer the job adverts. She estimates she has read over 1200 so far this year.
90% are useles, saying they will commute from the south coast to Derby, for example. The good are also in this pile, but with the ease of online applying these days, anyone will apply for any job. You are facing a huge number of competition im afraid..
heres one for you to compare notes on!90% are useles, saying they will commute from the south coast to Derby, for example. The good are also in this pile, but with the ease of online applying these days, anyone will apply for any job. You are facing a huge number of competition im afraid..
I applied for a role 22 miles from my doorstep (google maps suggested a 34 min commute) and the guy on the phone was saying youve got a great CV and your experience is what we would be looking for blah blah blah but he put it to me that I would quickly get bored of the commute which he reckoned was a more realistic hours run (but an hour these days is nothing!). so he liked me but talked himself out of not putting me up for an interview. Its very hard to figure these peoples thinking out. If I had thought 22 miles was too much of a commute then surely logic dictates I would not have bothered applying.......
Audicab said:
Jimmy Recard said:
On the other side of things, I’ve been trying to recruit for months and finally this week got two promising CVs. One didn’t turn up to the interview we agreed on the phone and the other hopefully will later this week.
Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
This is exactly where we are, I have never had so many candidates not turn up for interviews and 1 not even turn up on their first day as they decided to stay where they were but didn't bother telling us.Other than that, I’ve had people applying for office jobs who can’t type, people who aren’t able-bodied applying for heavy manual jobs and even a guy who couldn’t drive applying for a van driving job.
We are very understaffed now. A few years ago I was worried about not getting enough orders and contracts, now we can’t get the work done.
Have you gone to companies direct and tried to build relationships with HR/managers who may have vacancies.
It seems to me recruitment is changing, neither side are particularly happy with it currently but nobody knows what else to do.
although of no comfort to those people who have said folk have just not turned up to start or for an interview this does at least restore some faith in me that if this is what candidates are doing then for me its just a matter of time before i land something. I dont mess people around.
ToothbrushMan said:
cheers for the replies guys. i have a lead tomorrow hopefully on something so we will see where that goes.
ive since found a pukka response when somebody is trying to think of reason NOT to offer you the job you applied for if it comes up on the phone or if it ever came up at an interview "dont you think youre a bit over-qualified for this role?"
my retort in future is this "well if you had to have an operation in hospital would you want the surgeon who is over qualified carrying out your surgery or the guy who is less qualified?"
LOLs.
Not a good response. They think you are going to jack as soon as something better comes up. That response doesn’t give them confidence that you won’t. Make up a better reason. ive since found a pukka response when somebody is trying to think of reason NOT to offer you the job you applied for if it comes up on the phone or if it ever came up at an interview "dont you think youre a bit over-qualified for this role?"
my retort in future is this "well if you had to have an operation in hospital would you want the surgeon who is over qualified carrying out your surgery or the guy who is less qualified?"
LOLs.
creampuff said:
ToothbrushMan said:
cheers for the replies guys. i have a lead tomorrow hopefully on something so we will see where that goes.
ive since found a pukka response when somebody is trying to think of reason NOT to offer you the job you applied for if it comes up on the phone or if it ever came up at an interview "dont you think youre a bit over-qualified for this role?"
my retort in future is this "well if you had to have an operation in hospital would you want the surgeon who is over qualified carrying out your surgery or the guy who is less qualified?"
LOLs.
Not a good response. They think you are going to jack as soon as something better comes up. That response doesn’t give them confidence that you won’t. Make up a better reason. ive since found a pukka response when somebody is trying to think of reason NOT to offer you the job you applied for if it comes up on the phone or if it ever came up at an interview "dont you think youre a bit over-qualified for this role?"
my retort in future is this "well if you had to have an operation in hospital would you want the surgeon who is over qualified carrying out your surgery or the guy who is less qualified?"
LOLs.
for genuine cases I really cant think of a reason that sounds good enough to hit them back with if they come out with this youre over-qualfied line.......open to suggestions though but hope I dont need to use one again.
I was once called for an interview because they wanted someone with the general experience to do the job but specifically not from the same industry as they wanted some "out of the box" input.
Did a brilliant first interview, then got rejected when they took someone with "more experience in our industry"
Recruiters and HR depts all suck and will be first against the wall come the revolution!
Did a brilliant first interview, then got rejected when they took someone with "more experience in our industry"
Recruiters and HR depts all suck and will be first against the wall come the revolution!
ToothbrushMan said:
i was thinking more of them tending to use that tagline as a translation of " we cant afford you" and this would be my tongue in cheek come back !
for genuine cases I really cant think of a reason that sounds good enough to hit them back with if they come out with this youre over-qualfied line.......open to suggestions though but hope I dont need to use one again.
What goes on in the brains of HR and others doing recruiting is a mystery, but I've enough experience to know that a large proportion of the time, it is either not much going on or what goes on does not make sense anyway. for genuine cases I really cant think of a reason that sounds good enough to hit them back with if they come out with this youre over-qualfied line.......open to suggestions though but hope I dont need to use one again.
Just make something up which sounds plausible and will give them the impression that you aren't going to quite after 6 weeks and that you are willing to turn up and stay for a while for the salary on offer. Lie if you have to. The people interviewing you won't hesitate to lie about them already planning to give the job to an internal applicant and are only wasting your time and costs in coming to the interview. Have no morals, they don't either.
ToothbrushMan said:
the van driving job - youre not in Birmingham by any chance? ;- )
Not too far away! Depends which side of Birmingham you're on. We are in the Black Country.It sounds like you're a little over-qualified to be driving a van though....
I'm kidding. Feel free to drop me a message if you are interested in chatting at all, even if it comes to nothing major. I might know of someone who has something for you or be able to offer you something temporary and flexible to keep you going while you're searching, even if it is beneath what you're qualified to do
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