The job hunting support thread

[AnnO'Neemus]

But also it’s to do with crippling lack of self-esteem and impostor syndrome. So the usual jobseeking anxiety really

I think with ND folk it's more than just 'the usual job seeking anxiety'.

We tend to over-analyse, read too much into things, make assumptions, like if it lists all these criteria in a job description, then we must meet them all or else we shouldn't apply.

One of the big eye-openers for me was reading something, think it might've been an article in a women's glossy magazine, about the difference between men and women, which is that, generally and roughly speaking (because I forget the exact proportions), men will see a job description and think to themselves, 'I meet 5-6 out of the 10 criteria, I could do that job,' and submit an application. Whereas women will look at the same job description and think 'I only meet 7-9 of those criteria, so I can't apply for that job.'

And another thing I read much more recently was how employers draw up those lists of criteria more like a wishlist, they don't necessarily expect all good candidates to tick all of those boxes.

So it doesn't matter if you don't tick all those boxes, if you don't have all those skills/experiences.

If you've got relevant knowledge and experience, it doesn't necessarily matter if you've not got the full skillset, like using particular software, because they can train you to use it. Similarly, it doesn't necessarily matter if you're an external candidate and you've not got experience in their systems, policies and procedures and don't have product knowledge, because you've previously worked in a widget company and they're a gadget company, if you're a whizz with spreadsheets or whatever is their non-negotiable key criteria.

All you can do is submit an application and trust the process, ie if you get invited to interview - and you might - then in their opinion you have sufficient skills/experience to do the job, in that you meet their minimum requirements (although there's always the possibility that someone has lots more skills and qualifications or whatever, or simply performs better at interview).

Don't rule yourself out. Give yourself a chance at least. Throw your hat into the ring next time.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I submitted five job applications just before/after Christmas.

Have just received one knock-back, despite having relevant experience for the role in this particular sector.

iirc, this application requested a salary expectation. I put what I thought was a reasonable amount, in fact I low-balled myself, because I figured it would be a good foot in the door, in terms of career progression, because it's quite a big company, but the amount I put in was a couple of grand higher than what greendoor says they pay for similar roles.

I suspect lots of companies are still paying national 'living' wage, ie minimum wage, not a real living wage, or a few pence above it, for roles that require experience and qualifications.

 

[furluxor]

My last interview went fine but I didn't get the job. I don't think it's personal, my experience was more transferable skills than direct experience, and they were interviewing for a few days with lots of candidates.

Getting back into action with an application submitted last night. I'm underqualified so chances are not great but I'd love this job so had to try anyway.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

even thinking about going for a job you used to have (as in same employer, same role) is a mistake, isn't it?

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

even thinking about going for a job you used to have (as in same employer, same role) is a mistake, isn't it?

I went back a couple of times, legal secretarial/legal PA jobs, I'd started as a temp, though, worked my way to working for partners. I left twice. Colleagues joked that if I came back and left again, they wouldn't be getting me a third leaving present!

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Just heard back from another role, a sort of polite knock back, effectively pointing out that the job was quite repetitive production stuff and that they didn't really think the job would offer me sufficient variety and experience, but offering to bear me in mind for some seasonal opportunities later in the year.

The tricky thing is that I'd asked for quick feedback, because if they give me a job interview, there's a specific course I can do next week, but I don't want to spend around £1k doing the course if I don't even have a job interview.

So I've hastily written back to reassure them I understand and still want to be considered for the job anyway. Hope I've not blown it.