Question for anybody involved with recruitment.

amber1979

Do employers and recruitment agencies really avoid hiring women who they see as a potential risk? As in maternity pay? I've heard this as a rumour many times.

The reason I ask is this. I have two degrees, a post-graduate qualification and experience in more than one field... Yet I appear to be totally unemployable. Out of fifty applications I have been invited to two interviews. Still unemployed. Even jobs usually considered appropriate for school leavers have rejected me!

So, is this true?

jdturk

1) Depending on the job you have to ask is someone who has spent their entire life getting qualifications a working person, you may think the qualifications look good on paper but unless you are applying for jobs specifically catered to the qualifications then it could give of the idea that you may not stay to long at the company.

2) Unfortunately some companies do biased against women but out of the 50 you applied to I would only expect 2-3 of those to do this at most

3) It could just be your CV is poor

4) The jobs market is very fierce at the moment so its not unheard of to have 50+ interviews and no luck

amber1979

Not staying long point may have legs I think. Hmm

CV has been professionally written. I give in. Maybe I'll just go have six kids by seven different fathers, get a heroin addict and live off the state. Probably more lucrative and less stress lol.

dickydonkin

amber1979 wrote: »

Do employers and recruitment agencies really avoid hiring women who they see as a potential risk? As in maternity pay? I've heard this as a rumour many times.

The reason I ask is this. I have two degrees, a post-graduate qualification and experience in more than one field... Yet I appear to be totally unemployable. Out of fifty applications I have been invited to two interviews. Still unemployed. Even jobs usually considered appropriate for school leavers have rejected me!

So, is this true?

I would not expect anyone involved in recruitment to admit that this situation occurs, but I suspect it does. It is a similar situation with age discrimination - despite being illegal to discriminate against age, many - but not all recruiters and employers are probably guilty to some extent.

From your qualifications, you are certainly not unemployable, however, as jdturk alluded to, the nature of the jobs market at this current time is very difficult for everybody seeking employment.

Just persevere and at least you are getting interview experience, although I understand that will be of little consolation to you, however, if you ensure you get feedback from the interviews you have had, you can prepare yourself for the next one.

It can be disheartening and demoralising, but just keep plugging away!

Good Luck.

Maybe I'll just go have six kids by seven different fathers

The maths doesn't work out there amber!
Least you have not lost your sense of humour!

Misshomme

amber1979 wrote: »

Do employers and recruitment agencies really avoid hiring women who they see as a potential risk? As in maternity pay? I've heard this as a rumour many times.

The reason I ask is this. I have two degrees, a post-graduate qualification and experience in more than one field... Yet I appear to be totally unemployable. Out of fifty applications I have been invited to two interviews. Still unemployed. Even jobs usually considered appropriate for school leavers have rejected me!

So, is this true?

You're joking? I never thought about that. It could be that your over qualified for the jobs. Especially the school leavers one. It could be that an employer doesn't want to pay a higher wage for a post graduate when someone else can do the job cheaper.

smartpicture

Yes, some employers definitely consider this - perhaps especially small businesses where it would have a disproportionate impact. Probably less common in large businesses where they anticipate a certain % of maternity situations to arise and have the proper procedures in place to cover it.

However, I would find it more off-putting that you have spent so much time in education, and would be concerned that it might indicate someone who isn't so good at facing the real world of work.

dickydonkin

However, I would find it more off-putting that you have spent so much time in education, and would be concerned that it might indicate someone who isn't so good at facing the real world of work.

But if a job required the qualifications she has, she would not be considered for the job in the first place if she did not have them! Furthermore, the OP did indicate that she had "experience in more than one field" which indicates to me that she has had experience in the 'real world' of employment.

Proc

What are your degrees in? Most are useless.

Secondly, 50 apps and only a few interviews? You've got a bad CV. Are you suggesting that these 50 positions were all filled by men?

Stop blaming other people and do something about it.

smartpicture

dpassmore wrote: »

But if a job required the qualifications she has, she would not be considered for the job in the first place if she did not have them! Furthermore, the OP did indicate that she had "experience in more than one field" which indicates to me that she has had experience in the 'real world' of employment.

Agreed - but she said she was also applying for jobs suitable for school-leavers so although the qualifications may be necessary for her ideal career, for the other jobs that she is applying for, I was trying to show her how employers may regard these 'unnecessary' qualifications.

In truth, without seeing her whole CV we can't make an accurate judgment, but the OP is obviously frustrated and looking for answers so it won't hurt to mention some things she may not have considered herself, that's all.

dickydonkin

Proc wrote: »

What are your degrees in? Most are useless.

Secondly, 50 apps and only a few interviews? You've got a bad CV. Are you suggesting that these 50 positions were all filled by men?

Stop blaming other people and do something about it.

It was only a matter of time before Anhilator or Proc entered the fray offering unhelpful advice - as per!

So Proc have you seen the OP's CV, or have you just jumped in again without thinking? The OP has already indicated her CV had been professionally compiled - so come on then, you seem to know the answers to everything so enlighten everybody - what should she do then?
We wait with baited breath.

Proc

dpassmore wrote: »

It was only a matter of time before Anhilator or Proc entered the fray offering unhelpful advice - as per!

It's not unhelpful.

Amber is obviously barking up the wrong tree. She's not getting interviews, the problem is obviously her CV. She can sit there all day blaming the recruitment consultants or whatever, and guess what? Nothing will change.

If you want to change something, then do something. But moaning about other people doesn't change !!!!!!. Get your CV out, get some friends who are in senior positions to take a look at it. Accept the feedback. Change it. Tailor it. PM me your email address and I'll take a look at it myself.

But seriously, my advice might not be sugar-coated but it'll make a difference.