Cloo
Banana for scale
strung out: ace news, so pleased for you!
The job hunting support thread
- Thread starter Cloo
- Start date
Well, that's my night sorted....
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Congrats strungers!!
Just popping in to see how people are doing, congrats strung out !
Things have gone really well in my new job - just to think that this time last year I was in utter utter despair, in fact up until August/Sept I was just so fucking down it was unreal.
I've been in the new job since September, been learning lots and working with a really nice team of people. Such a contrast to my previous to last place which was a horrendous work environment.
This organisation actually invests in training, there isn't a real scowl if you suggest any training you could do with that would help the organisation out too. I've been on a 3 day SQL training course, been to a conference (all paid for), I'm really enjoying it! Also slowly clawing my way out of the debt I've accumulated over the year - it's been a tough time and I'm slowly getting my mental health back too I think. Although I'm not sure if I do have a long-term mental health condition so will chat over that with the GP for my review in the new year.
Bottom line is - things have improved immeasurably, it's been bloody hard work and I ended up applying for tons of jobs, going to interviews that were a waste of time ...
Just keep yer spirits up as much as you can, just get your head down and keep at it.
I found a good rant on here helped. And the people on here helped, thanks to everyone here who helped me during a truly shit time.
Things have gone really well in my new job - just to think that this time last year I was in utter utter despair, in fact up until August/Sept I was just so fucking down it was unreal.
I've been in the new job since September, been learning lots and working with a really nice team of people. Such a contrast to my previous to last place which was a horrendous work environment.
This organisation actually invests in training, there isn't a real scowl if you suggest any training you could do with that would help the organisation out too. I've been on a 3 day SQL training course, been to a conference (all paid for), I'm really enjoying it! Also slowly clawing my way out of the debt I've accumulated over the year - it's been a tough time and I'm slowly getting my mental health back too I think. Although I'm not sure if I do have a long-term mental health condition so will chat over that with the GP for my review in the new year.
Bottom line is - things have improved immeasurably, it's been bloody hard work and I ended up applying for tons of jobs, going to interviews that were a waste of time ...
Just keep yer spirits up as much as you can, just get your head down and keep at it.
I found a good rant on here helped. And the people on here helped, thanks to everyone here who helped me during a truly shit time.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
This is a wonderful message to see, not just because it shows that you are sorted, but it acts as a reminder to the rest of us that it is possible to be out of work for a while, and to feel desperate and ill, but to claw your way back again.
I wish I could stop crying, though. I am at the depths of despair stage.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Cheer up Guineveretoo, it sounds like most of what you are doing is working very well, for example you are getting interviews at a reasonable rate, perhaps you just have to tweak your interview technique a little for you to win through.
xes
F.O.A.D
Indeed, it does give a little hope, that some day the mist will clear. Hope yours clears soon. Don't think mine will, totally fluffed the interview day today. Felt like a fish out of water. Still, it was a practice interview, and practice is good.
Oh Guineveretoo ....
... it's such a shit feeling it really is, I know where you're coming from ... but just keep your head about you ... post on here, look after yourself!!!
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
latest here -
the 'temp job until xmas' didn't materialise (should i tell the tax person this, since the agency got as far as getting me to sign a P46? my extremely cynical side wonders if the agency is using my details to launder something dodgy?)
i have an application for something fairly meh - the next stage is a bollocks online personality test thing, and I'm not sure if I can even be bothered.
And two possibles - both things where I meet the 'essential' requirements but not the 'desirable' so chances are I might get an interview then get thanked profusely but told they had someone with more / better / more recent experience, so not sure if i can be bothered with these either.
it might be simpler to hibernate...
the 'temp job until xmas' didn't materialise (should i tell the tax person this, since the agency got as far as getting me to sign a P46? my extremely cynical side wonders if the agency is using my details to launder something dodgy?)
i have an application for something fairly meh - the next stage is a bollocks online personality test thing, and I'm not sure if I can even be bothered.
And two possibles - both things where I meet the 'essential' requirements but not the 'desirable' so chances are I might get an interview then get thanked profusely but told they had someone with more / better / more recent experience, so not sure if i can be bothered with these either.
it might be simpler to hibernate...
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Hang on in there, Guin and Puddy! I've been through that despair and I got through the other side. You will too.
I found out that my rival was not successful so I was asked to register my interest via a covering letter by Friday. I handed it in yesterday in vain hope that I'd be interviewed by the end of term. I don't want to wait another (unpaid) fortnight to find out about my future. But I guess I will have to.
I found out that my rival was not successful so I was asked to register my interest via a covering letter by Friday. I handed it in yesterday in vain hope that I'd be interviewed by the end of term. I don't want to wait another (unpaid) fortnight to find out about my future. But I guess I will have to.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Thanks, guys. I think I am finding it particularly hard simply because my job was a much bigger part of my life than was healthy, and, despite it being very stressful in its own way, I was using it as a prop to hide other issues, as it were. There were days when I struggled to get out of bed, because I was so scared and upset about life generally, but I forced myself to do so and, once I got to work, a switch kind of happened, and no-one would have known what a mess I was in.
Now, that switch doesn't happen anymore, so that I am scared and upset a lot of the time with only my grandson to pull me out of it.
I have to keep reminding myself that it was the right thing to do, leaving my job, because there are lots of times, like now, when I wonder if I will ever find something to fill that gap.
Now, that switch doesn't happen anymore, so that I am scared and upset a lot of the time with only my grandson to pull me out of it.
I have to keep reminding myself that it was the right thing to do, leaving my job, because there are lots of times, like now, when I wonder if I will ever find something to fill that gap.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I found out that my rival was not successful so I was asked to register my interest via a covering letter by Friday. I handed it in yesterday in vain hope that I'd be interviewed by the end of term. I don't want to wait another (unpaid) fortnight to find out about my future. But I guess I will have to.
Good luck with that! Hope it all works out. How likely is it that you'll be interviewed by the end of term, though?
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
This is what is happening to me. I am getting interviews because I fulfill all the essential requirements - I have been doing this work for about 24 years - and it is very frustrating to get feedback which simply says that there were "better" candidates on the day or whatever.
I have arranged to be given some feedback today which might be a bit more helpful, as she says that, although I did a "good interview", there were some weaknesses. So, you never know, I might actually get some useful feedback for once....
But being told that I rambled and was unfocussed is not helpful, because that is just nerves!
But anyway, good luck! The lesson I think we all need to learn is to persevere, and to be patient?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Unlikely. Too much on. But this is being intolerably drawn out. They are so shit at this!
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I just got the feedback from my last interview, and embarrassed myself totally by sobbing while she was giving it.
I really am in a mess.
I really am in a mess.
weltweit
Well-Known Member
I think another lesson is that practice makes perfect, the more interviews you do the more calm you will be in them. I used to have meetings often as part of my job, now I have to do it again. The first time after a long break I was quite nervous, but the more I do the easier it gets.
weltweit
Well-Known Member
How did you get your feedback Guineveretoo, was it face to face or on the phone?
And BTW someone went to sleep in a meeting with me recently - am I really that boring?
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
more (((Guineveretoo)))
And BTW someone went to sleep in a meeting with me recently - am I really that boring?
I'm not sure.
Let me get back to you on...
*thud*
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
It was a phone call.How did you get your feedback Guineveretoo, was it face to face or on the phone?
And BTW someone went to sleep in a meeting with me recently - am I really that boring?
I was having a bad day anyway - had been crying already - so maybe I shouldn't have taken the call, but I thought I should get it over with.
Well after leaving my job on 9th Dec after redundancy, I got a job offer yesterday which I have accepted. Full time permanent. Start on 7th January which means I can finally relax for Christmas and not worry about paying rent and pressured by Job Centre. Based 35 minutes walk from my flat so will save on travel cost. Funnily enough also offered a temp role today which I accepted but will email tomorrow and turn down. Tempted but don't want to go through the hassle of applying for JSA and housing benefit all over again if it all goes pear shaped like my last job.
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Guineveretoo, sorry you were having a bad day, hope tomorrow is better.
wrt interviews I think preparation helps a lot. When I was interviewing, not that long ago I did a lot of research into competency based questions online and had some practiced responses and learnt this STAR technique which was very helpful for organising my thoughts.
Plus there were some questions which I dreaded and which I had to find carefully worded responses for. My sister was a great help, discussing acceptable answers and the like (all on the phone) and we did some question and answer sessions where she hit me with the questions I was least looking forward to so that I could practice my response.
If you have someone you could discuss such things with you would feel more prepared I think. As it was, in my case, none of my interviewers strayed into the territory of my most dreaded questions but I felt much more confident because I had prepared for them.
I also asked who would be present at each interview, most times they would tell me and I checked them out on the internet / LinkedIn etc before meeting them. This also allowed me to ask them some pointed questions of my own, based on what I had found out. For one interview I bought the report and accounts from companies house before the interview. That showed I was serious. Didn't get that job unfortunately. :-(
I think preparation is key. It gives you confidence.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I always prepare for interviews, research the organisation, and ask who is on the interview panel (although they mostly say in the invitation).
I have had lots of training on interview skills, and presentation skills (most of the interviews I'm going for include a presentation or two), and I have a very strong written application which shows decades of relevant experience.
But I'm not getting the job offers.
Every single time, including today, the feedback is that I did a really good interview, that they would have appointed me, but there was someone else who was a "particularly strong candidate" or who "scored slightly more on the day".
So, I can't even improve or do anything differently.
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Oh, ok, that must be very frustrating.
When they say "someone else who was a "particularly strong candidate"" do you believe they are being honest or do you think they could be fobbing you off with a pat answer? I ask just because I was sometimes fobbed off with a trite put down when what I actually thought had happened was that I had not somehow gelled personality wise with the interviewer.
I may have said it on here before but one interviewer dismissed me saying that I could definately do the job but the team was very buzzy and she was not sure I would fit in! - That had me fuming for days! (eta I think that was ageist!)
At least Guineveretoo, you are not getting this one "sorry weltweit you are overqualified!" .. I got that a lot and before even getting to the interview stage, made me very cross!
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Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I think it's sometimes true, like today, but I don't always believe it.
And I'm afraid I have been told the over-qualified thing quite a few times.
Perseverance and patience, that's what I need.
And, most importantly, to stop crying.
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Guineveretoo, are you perhaps crying because you are down? it would be perfectly normal to be in your situation between jobs and things, I just wonder if it is worth a chat with your GP, someone I know was going through a stressful time, and feeling down about it. They went to their GP and were given a pick me up sort of med which they say did help.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Yes, I'm down, and my GP knows and has known for several years, which is how long I've been treated for depression.
That doesn't make it any less real, and I wouldn't go to the doctor simply because I was upset at not getting a job.
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
I think, in the short term, it sounds like you need some positivity that is probably nothing to do with jobsearching...and yes, I appreciate that that's probably a big ask.
But it sounds like you're running up against brick walls time and again, probably to the point that even as you go through the process, you're probably thinking "nah, here we go, another complete waste of time, effort and mental energy", which is bound to be coming out in the interviews.
If we didn't have such a shit government, and the whole thing wasn't just a mad race to chase you into the first job that'd have you, I'd be suggesting that you took a bit of time out to regroup, but I imagine that's not really an option.
But I do wonder whether somehow taking a step back and possibly considering other avenues in which your skills might be transferable might be a good idea? I appreciate that you can see the excellent fit between your skills and the roles you're going for, but it sounds as if the people you're applying to might not be.
My apologies if this is covering ground you've already gone over, but it's heartbreaking to watch you come back after another sterling effort at preparing for a job with yet another knock-back, and I can't help wondering what's stopping someone as capable as you from landing one of these posts...
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
This is partly true, in that my intention was to take time to regroup after leaving my last job, because I recognised that I was being drained, emotionally and psychologically. However. I hadn't accounted for how much of my psyche was tied in to my professional life, and I also panicked that I may never get a job, so I have been applying for jobs for which I'm over-qualified, or which I don't really want.
It's not true that the depression is affecting whether I'm successful in interviews, though. When it's bad, I don't go, and I've been dealing with it for long enough to know how to deal with it.
I think I should step back and sort myself out, but that's what is hard, because I have been working silly hours in a highly pressurised job for decades...
But I'm going to stop this self pitying, self obsessed nonsense for now. This is not really the thread for it!
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Guineveretoo, I am not convinced about stepping back to sort yourself out, what might that entail? and could it not be depressing in a way to do that?
You are used to working long hours in a high pressure job and I sense you get some of your personal identity and confidence from that (as do I). I am not sure stepping back would be right. Perhaps instead you could say to yourself your job search is now your role and apply yourself - as you have been doing - working hard to gain a suitable new position however long it may take?
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