Your biggest struggle

TomLowe

Hi there everyone,

I got curious and thought I'd start a thread to see what other people struggle on in the job hunting process.

What do you find most difficult to get over when applying for jobs? Is it writing the cover letter, CV or the actual interview itself? Whatever it is I'd love to hear it.

For me it was always writing the cover letter, and although I'm much better at it now I always need someone to give it a read over.

So yes, what do you find most challenging?

- Tom

DCFC79

Finding a job after being redundant for months although i do have some respect for others who have been out of work for longer than i have as they keep at it.

bluenoseam

I hate covering letters to be honest, trying to get the right mix of making yourself stand out without seeming like you're full of it! But to be fair the biggest struggle i have is the fact you apply for jobs and then it's *tumbleweed* silence, not even the decency to knock up a standard letter saying "thanks but no thanks", that's really starting to wear me down a bit!

unicornblue72

cover letters are a nightmare do agree with you bluenoseam the silence is a nightmare though got three rejection emails this week i feel popluar

t0rt0ise

I think the worst for me is not getting the job after interview. That really puts me down for a while. I don't care if I hear nothing after an application has been sent. I tend to forget them once they're sent but then when I get an interview and all that research and walking round the house answering pretend questions and then wham.. no chance. Job I've got now is only for maternity cover so I shall be back at it soon enough.

browneyedbazzi

I find writing CVs and filling out application forms quite difficult because I'm quite self deprecating by nature and it feels quite weird to be writing down how wonderful I am at xyz and blowing my own trumpet.

That being said, I've learned to turn off the weird feeling a bit and just get on with it now (thankfully!)

erdd2

I always found the "selling yourself" part difficult and would get someone tthat knew me to do this on application....then had the added difficulty of follow up at interview!

hcb42

Interesting what people say about the cover letter, having recruited lately, I find it sad that people dont seem able to write a covering letter at all. believe me if my experience is anything to go by, you can be pretty ordinary at it and shine above the majority!

bluenoseam

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I think the worst for me is not getting the job after interview. That really puts me down for a while. I don't care if I hear nothing after an application has been sent. I tend to forget them once they're sent but then when I get an interview and all that research and walking round the house answering pretend questions and then wham.. no chance. Job I've got now is only for maternity cover so I shall be back at it soon enough.

It's an annoyance, but ultimately if you've had an interview and not got the job, atleast you have a place you can go for feedback. Right now i'm stuck at the point where after the applications i've sent (granted so far only about 15 - not exactly a good jobs market right now!) i'm starting to wonder if i'm actually rank rotten employability wise! A lot of that has to do with my previous employer basically reducing my confidence to near nothing, but when you're left with no feedback it's disheartening!

smileylondongal

I think it's not hearing from people or hanging about in the selection process not sure of where you stand. It's also trying to get sell yourself in a way people 'get' what you're telling them. I'm not going to do a bashing the agencies post as most of the ones I've come across are brill, however there have been one or two whom I've been calling the gatekeepers, as they make a lot of assumptions based on very little knowledge of my area and don't listen when I try to explain it to them.

Redbull

My biggest problem is when I finally get to interview stage. What im thinking and what I want to say turns into something pathetic and I end up talking complete rubbish. I never remember what I’ve rehearsed so it comes out in a complete muddle.

I don’t seem to have a problem with cover letters…what I’ve done is devised a couple of templates and I just customise them depending on the job. Most of the jobs I apply for are pretty similar so there’s only minor things that need changing.