How Do You Cope With Endless Job Rejections?

smileylondongal

When I think back about my year of applying to jobs, I don't think I was angry but I was frustrated and repeatedly disappointed. I applied to over 300 roles and had may be 8 interviews and yes I did get a job at the end of it but was so desperate to work and earn again that I completely missed the plot and ended up leaving due to it not being what I thought it was.

With hindsight and now about to enter the job market I've decided to do the following:
- Make sure I tweak every CV and covering letter to the job
- If don't get a job within 3 months (this is highly likely!!) then I'll do some volunteering in the week
- I'll make sure I have some structure to my day, e.g.. I know my batteries are quite low in the afternoon so I'll do my job hunts in the mornings and I'll get up early and do them at 8am
- I'll take my son to playgroups so that I can get socialising on one of the days a week
- I'll look into doing a night course/distance learning to get me back into the mindset of what I used to do
- I'll join some discussion groups on Linkedin and make lots of contacts
- I may even (should I find the right childcare) do some work experience with a company to help them out during a busy time

I think a lot of my motivation comes from being with others and I find it hard being so isolated so it really makes a difference. Employers like to see you've been using your time effectively so it's good to have volunteering and any other work related element on your CV.

HTH

SevenOfNine

donquine wrote: »

I think everyone here would agree that you come across as a very angry person and whilst our online persona doesn't always reflect who we are in real life, I do wonder if your frustration is coming across into your applications?

donquine - speak for yourself! I just think the OP sounds frustrated, disheartened and disappointed . Therefore 'everyone' on here DO NOT agree that he/she comes across as a very angry person. :A

claire16c

I have to say that some people may go to tens of interviews but that doesn't mean they are interviewing well, and could go to hundreds more and it wouldn't make a difference. I was responsible for hiring people on my team at my last job, and some of the people I interviewed were shocking. They had no concept of how to answer basic questions. And most were graduates.

My other friend currently works for a supermarket and was interviewing some people last week for a shelf stacking job. One of the questions was 'What do you know about x company?' They replied 'I don't know.' People may be complaining that there are 'no jobs' but my friend interviewed 3 people and they were all like this. Sometimes it can be the other way around and it is actually hard to find someone suitable for a role.

Its amazing how many people go to an interview without even researching the company. It's not exactly hard to go online and look it up. And then worst is when you interview someone for a job, and ask them what they think the job involves, and they have no idea what so ever. Why would you employ them?

But sometimes, it doesnt even come down to you personally, you could potentially be fantastic in interview, and I honestly only would reject someone if I did not think they would fit into the role, and I would always give feedback, but sometimes it can be an unfortunate situation where there is more than one person suitable and someone good has to loose out, but more often the case was I found it hard to find someone who was right for the job and had to keep extending the job advert. And remember sometimes, it sounds crazy but being rejected can be a good thing. For example, I had to make sure that the person I hired would fit in with the team. I had to make sure people wouldnt clash with the boss. If you pick them wrong person, it can end up that they end up unhappy in a job they don't like. So sometimes it doesn't even come down to you, it can just be how you would fit into the organisation at that time.

Personally if I was going to tens of interviews and not finding anything I would be looking at what I was doing and making sure to ask for feedback from every single company. Show your cv to someone you think can help too.

When I was at uni my tutor practically ripped mine to shreds. But I did what she said and Ive been asked to interview for every company Ive sent it to.

donquine

SevenOfNine wrote: »

donquine - speak for yourself! I just think the OP sounds frustrated, disheartened and disappointed . Therefore 'everyone' on here DO NOT agree that he/she comes across as a very angry person. :A

Apologies, didn't meant to offend. I was basing that statement on how the OP generally comes across to many other regular posters, not just in this one thread.

Fully respect that you have a different opinion.

Truegho

Donquine, thank you for the advice. You made some excellent points there, and I will certainly take them on board.

All the best.

donquine wrote: »

Hi Truegho. I know you've been a regular on the jobseeking board for a while now, so I wondered when was the last time you were actually in paid employment? Have you been doing any voluntary work to help plug the gaps on your CV?

If you've been volunteering, you will have picked up lots of good, transferable skills, which perhaps you aren't highlighting on your CV that well. If you haven't, you should seriously consider it. You can find details of local opportunities on Do It. Whilst volunteering isn't paid, it shows an employer that despite being out of work, you are capable of committing to regular hours and could be a good employee. I don't know if you're on JSA or not, but it wouldn't affect a claim if you have any worries in that regard.

I think everyone here would agree that you come across as a very angry person and whilst our online persona doesn't always reflect who we are in real life, I do wonder if your frustration is coming across into your applications? Are you doing anything to tackle your emotions? Talking to a close friend in real life and/or taking up running are both low cost examples of things you could try.

On another angle, have you talked to your GP? It's sometimes hard to separate between feeling crap because you're not well and feeling crap because life is throwing crap at you. Might be worthwhile having one of those wellperson checkups to make sure everything is ok, making sure to bring up your emotional state of mind, as well as how you are physically.

If you would like, I'm happy to take a look at your CV and give you some advice, but I'm aware that many jobs ask for application forms these days, rather than CVs with a letter.

I would suggest picking a day (maybe tomorrow, it is the start of a new week) and deciding that's going to be your fresh start. Put on your best work clothes (you'll feel more focused than if you sit at your computer in your PJs, for example!) and start looking afresh. Let go of all those failed applications and start your search again. You no longer have XXX failed applications; you have zero. Anything is possible.

Watch something funny on 4od, YouTube or iplayer and laugh. Keep that smile on your face and complete your job applications as if you are Truegho, one of the world's happiest people, rather than Truegho, fed up and frustrated. You might be surprised by how different you come across on paper when you're forcing yourself to feel upbeat.

The next time you get rejected for something, accept it wasn't meant to be, rather than raging at the employer. Take feedback if it's forthcoming, then move on. Onwards and upwards. Remember, every application is not a waste of time - it's practice. Yes, the job market is tougher these days, but every jobhunter could always do with a bit more practice on how to sell themselves well - it's not actually a skill that comes naturally to many people.

I really hope things turn around for you, but I think you are going to have to take some bold steps to make that happen. Perhaps another motivation you can use is how many people here on MSE would fall off their chairs in shock if you were able to post about getting a new job - it's always a great feeling to prove people wrong. You could do that. Really, you could.

Good luck.

dmliverpool

palna wrote: »

for me i just keep applying as i ahve nothing to lose.
plus from perivious expeirnce where i had no hope i got a job ytook 6 months, and got anthor job took 6 months.

I also keep thinking is there anything extra i can do get qulifcation, do volunteer, send cv to agencies companys direct, apply to apprentshcips.
change cv cover letter

I think you spirit is there. I just think oh well your loss and never let it effect my ego:cool: you want an employer to employ you for you.