Why can't I get a decent job?

julie1075

Sorry was just needing a little ego stroking I guess. Just came back from an interview for yet another perfect job and within a half hour the phone rang with the no thanks message. I sat and sobbed on the kitchen floor.
I have 2 part time jobs and one is so bad it is making me physically sick before I go in, and it's only 2 days a week! I get no sick pay or holiday pay and I'm treated like a simpleton - I have been working as their book keeper for 4 years! I'm desperate to leave, but they do pay very well that is the only thing that keeps me there. It's hard to find a job that pays so well and when I do I find it easy to get to interview but I seem to screw it up somehow everytime. I always dress well and think about my answers but I've put on a lot of weight after giving up smoking and it has knocked my confidence somewhat.
Todays interview was a second interview and it was between me and another woman (for the second time) I saw her when she came out and she was a slim woman and I thought to myself then if she has the same experience as me then I'm !!!!!!ed. Do you think employers discriminate against overweight candidates or is it just my lack of confidence coming through?
Sorry to go on but it's soul destroying to get so excited to get to second interview stage and know it's between you and one other only to lose at the last hurdle. I keep thinking I have found a light at the end of the tunnel to get my work life back on balance but I have no idea why I lose out so frequently. Please help!
Julie

katthehat

Don't give up Julie..............hang in there, you have done really well to get to a second stage, don't let it knock your confidence, things happen for a reason, as you feel desperate to get out of your other job this one seemed perfect, but you may have had a lucky escape, treat each interview as an experience, the right job for you will be just around the corner.

Good Luck x

LittleVoice

julie1075 wrote: »

I have 2 part time jobs and one is so bad it is making me physically sick before I go in, and it's only 2 days a week! I get no sick pay or holiday pay and I'm treated like a simpleton - I have been working as their book keeper for 4 years!

So, if you are their employee and not a self-employed bookkeeper, they are not acting legally if they refuse to pay 4.8 weeks paid holiday each year. (And the amount increases on 1 April.)

Popsicle

Hi! You must not lose heart. I would not give a person a second interview unless they impressed me and I am guessing the same happend with you for you to get a second interview. The most important things I look for when interviewing are to be smartly dressed, arrive on time, enthusiasm and ability to do the job. You sound like you have these attributes, you need to go into the interview believing you are the best person for the job as it makes a big difference to how you come across. Remember that you must have come across really well to have gotten a second interview! Best of luck!!

Little_Chicken

Hi Julie, I know exactly where you're coming from. Don't give up hope though. Like anything I'm sure a very small amount of people do discriminate on weight, but not many, and who'd want to work for them anyway?

The thing is with interviews is you never know who you're up against, or what experience they have. Stay in there, and try to keep positive - which is what I need to do.

At the end of the day if you don't get the job it probably wasn't right for you. LCx

littlestar1981

Hang in there!

Reading your post was like looking in the mirror... about the physical sickness thing particularly. Only my job is full time.

If you have got to a second interview like others have said you're obviously got what they are looking for. Unfortunately a lot of the time there is someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk (and fall flat on their face pretty quick after being employed lol) and they will pip the genuine workers at the post.

Also remember in this current climate things are a lot more competitive and difficult.. probably more people going for jobs are there are more people currently with no job!

Sorry I have just waffled there, good luck and just keep thinking how good you will feel on 'hand in notice day'

x

poker_face

julie1075 wrote: »

It's hard to find a job that pays so well and when I do I find it easy to get to interview but I seem to screw it up somehow everytime. I always dress well and think about my answers but I've put on a lot of weight after giving up smoking and it has knocked my confidence somewhat.
Todays interview was a second interview and it was between me and another woman (for the second time) I saw her when she came out and she was a slim woman and I thought to myself then if she has the same experience as me then I'm !!!!!!ed. Do you think employers discriminate against overweight candidates or is it just my lack of confidence coming through?

Confidence is probably one of the most important things in interviews. Conveying an optimistic personality is also important. If you don't believe in yourself, then other people are likely to follow suite.

timbellina

poker_face wrote: »

Confidence is probably one of the most important things in interviews. Conveying an optimistic personality is also important. If you don't believe in yourself, then other people are likely to follow suite.

EXACTLY what poker face said. You say you sat down and had a good cry when you didn't get the job. On the kitchen floor. I'm guessing that you're coming over as a bit nervous at interviews; you may even be concentrating more on not being nervous than on the interview itself.

Very very VERY (!) few employers are interested in your looks (other than general hygiene!) when it comes to job selection. They want someone who will get on with the rest of the staff, get on with the work, and not leave for a better job in six months. Just hang in there, you'll be fine.

Meanwhile, why not register with the AAT, and start getting a proper book-keeping qualification? It's well worth it in the long run.....

Tim

pinkshoes

Sadly it is a well known fact that being overweight can go against you in an interview, as overweight people are often seen as lacking self control or respect for themselves, which are perhaps considered important criteria and characteristics required for a job.

No doubt someone will yell at me for saying that, but I work in an office full of men, and they verbally analyse every female who walks through here, and it ain't nice...!

Rather than being physically sick over this current job, use that energy/feeling to focus on boosting your confidence, by perhaps losing the weight. Every time you feel frustrated, put some good music on an mp3 player, and go for a long walk to clear your head. As well as losing weight, it'll also make you feel much clearer in the head, and will bring back your confidence.

julie1075

Thanks for all your replies.
I have been wanting to do the AAT qualification for some time but just can't afford to pay for it myself unfortunately.
I don't think I come over as nervous, maybe too confident actually as the interviews seem always to end a little hostile, like they don't believe what I'm telling them and I promise I don't ever lie or exaggerate. I don't know what I say that comes over wrongly, maybe I think I'm qualified for the job when in reality I'm nowhere near, I have no idea. But thanks for your feedback, I'll keep trying and if all else fails I'll go back to full time retail , I just didn't want to be stacking shelves in my fifties! (Some time off I might add!)

sarastark86

If you really like the place and could see yourself working there, I don't think there's any harm in contacting them even after they've turned you down, just to say that you were sorry to hear that they had decided to offer the job to another candidate as you were very impressed with the company and thought you would have performed well in the role. You never know, if the other person turns out to be cr*p or leaves shortly after, they will think of you first and you may be in with a chance. Or they may get another opening or recommend you to someone else... you won't know until you try!

Also look up your legal rights as regards holiday pay and sick pay with your current employer as that does not sound right!

Stay positive! Best of luck xx