Interview fatigue

Northerness

I moved back to my home city six months ago due to family reasons and since then I've been unable to find a job. I have been turned down by just about every major employer here, despite getting lots of interviews.

My sector is marketing/communications and I've an amazing CV as it gets me job interviews - I've worked for some really great companies across the UK and delivered results. However, despite the employers always saying that they really like me, they always give a teeny tiny reason in the feedback as to why I'm not quite right. Here are some brief examples of the feedback I've got after interviews:

City Council - "you haven't handled large enough budgets"
Theatre company - "we went for someone with more 'hands on' experience"
Major manufacturing company - "your experience is 'too events'"
University - "better suited to marketing than PR"
Student Union - "just need a little more management experience"
PR Agency - "great portfolio but we're now employing two graduates instead of one person with experience"
Media company - "just not quite right"

It's starting to really get me down because I'm starting to think there's something wrong with me personally. I've never had a problem getting work in major cities but it seems like no company in my home city wants me. I'm 29 and have over six years' experience and two very good and relevant degrees. It's so disheartening when they give a small reason why I'm "not quite right" because I REALLY need a job - and as well as being experienced I'm a really quick learner, work really hard and I'm very loyal.

The jobs I've interviewed for have been very good jobs yet I never get interviews for more menial work. I would do almost anything except sell PPI / Debt Collecting /Compensation Chasing but it seems it is even more difficult to get these jobs. I've sent off countless Admin Assistant jobs but they just seem to want school leavers. Am I too experienced, not experienced enough, just "not quite right", too marketing, too PR? I have no idea.

I'm so tired of filling in the application forms, doing countless research and spending days upon days putting together presentations for these interviews. I genuinely feel I've been busy non-stop doing this since becoming unemployed that I will actually need a holiday if I get a job!

Is there any hope? Are companies just biased against unemployed people? I really don't think that the people interviewing me have any idea of the stress involved in an interview when you're unemployed, desperate for money and all your eggs are in one basket. One interview I spent two weeks putting together a presentation -as they requested- and went through two rounds of interviews with them. They left me waiting for two weeks and then just sent me a rejection letter second class (not even an email or a phone call, which would have put me out of my misery sooner).

Anyway, I am positive about the situation I guess just getting another rejection an hour ago means that I needed to get this out of my system and I feel better already . I've another interview next week so I am hoping that this is the one (please!). I just think that the government and Job Centre needs to do more to help ex-professionals that are in situations like this. We have no support other than JSA, we could really do with some emotional support and networking opportunities - as well as the Job Centre Plus building better relationships with local employers. They haven't done anything to help.

Anyone else in a similar situation? Or better still, managed to get out of a similar situation? How many interviews before you landed a job? Thanks for listening:T

whitewing

You obviously are very good at communication as your first post is very well written, and your problem analysed and displayed clearly. Could you volunteer to do some work for a charity for a short space of time? Just something to give you a 'break' and change of scene. It is tough and I do feel for you. I went for a job interview once a number of years ago for a part time position, when I was temping full time and setting up my own business. This was a time when far fewer people had internet access at home, and I certainly didn't. And the interviewing panel wanted to know why I hadn't checked out their website, despite it being a small admin role and a very short notice interview. I did want the job but unfortunately can't work miracles which is all anyone wants, lol.

paddyrg

I think you're up against the fact that jobs are just tight right now - more applicants for each role meaning employers can afford to be picky.

dizzyrascal

I honestly think you should focus on jobs where you can use your skills, experience and qualifications.
Whilst it may seem a good idea to apply for lesser roles I think that the reason you won't get an interview is simply because the selectors will think you will not stay long in the role.
We had over 200 people apply for an admin role and amongst the candidates were a dozen PhD's, goodness knows how many Masters and tons of over qualified people. None of these applicants were invited for interview because of the reason given above.
This may seem mean but the role was not particularly intellectually demanding and we had already had 2 graduates do the job then move on fairly rapidly.
It is just common sense to employ an appropriate person

I do wish you luck in your search and hope you find what you're looking for.

londoner1998

Northerness

I could have written your post, so I feel your pain. I am in the same situation as you, and also in the marketing/comms field. I had all those responses , every single one, and IN the company I spent five years. I am now out (redundant) and looking for work, like you, also on JSA. In two months I have sent countless CVs and applications and done two interviews. The first one came back with one of those lines: 'we just went for someone with more experience in X genre'. When then I got a voicemail form my old company for feedback for the last interview I did saying 'You did an excellent interview, we were extremely impressed... but we went for someone with experience in History and Science', then I started to feel like you and extremely angry, powerless: if they were so impressed, where do I got from here? How do I improve? I Got very low for a couple of days. Because all that preparation seems to go to waste.

But I digress: in response to your question: I have been told once that in a second interview I seemed really prepared, with a lot of useful information, but they couldn't get at how I do things, who I am. As they didn't get a sense as to who I really am, I didn't get the job. It didn't help that I did it on the phone, but that's another story. Could it be that you are 'over' preparing and not letting the real you shine through?

Could you also be applying for jobs that may be are not a very close fit to your skills and experience, even though you can easily do it? This has happened to me too (in the charity sector, where I don't even get interviews) so I decided that I need to really focus on those that I know stand a chance of being shortlisted. These days it seems that covering 80-90% of the job description is just not enough: you have to have 100% to get an interview, it is much tougher than t used to be.

Take heart in the fact that you are getting interviews, but also remember that half of those responses have nothing to do with you: if they decide to hire graduates instead of an experienced professional, that's clearly not your fault.

I would say: be yourself, focus on what you can bring to the company and take the feedback in. Keep going, I know is very tough and disheartening but you are one step closer to getting that job. The right employer will see what you have to offer and take you in.
I have two interviews this week, one with presentation included, so I know how you feel. In regards to those who left you waiting for tow weeks before letting you know (been there, wear the t-shirt too), you are better off without. Their loss.
Keep going and remember you are not alone: it is a tough time, but focus on your search and you will get there, eventually. Take it day by day and don't think of the rejections: they are already in the past. Focus on the future.

I wish you all the luck, you clearly deserve getting a job soon, and I know you will.

wantsajob

whitewing wrote: »

You obviously are very good at communication as your first post is very well written, and your problem analysed and displayed clearly.

Written communication, and verbal communication in a face-to-face situation, are two very different things. I hope I'm reasonably good at the former, but know I'm very poor with the latter. This reason is I have a disability called Asperger's Syndrome. This is not to say I think the OP has difficulties in this area, far from it. But as it was a point raised I felt it important to offer an alternate view. I have a First Class Honours Degree, and Pass with Merit at Masters, but keep getting knocked back at interviews. Even for minimum wage jobs.

If you're into marketing and PR, perhaps you could consider freelancing - if this is possible? If you're knowledgeable about the internet, and social media, you may be able to do very well out of it.

Northerness

Thanks for your responses so far, much appreciated and it's great to hear other people's views and experiences.

@Whitewing - I would love to do voluntary work but I always seem to have a job interview scheduled for which I have to prepare, write and rehearse a presentation. I do have a few hobbies which take my mind off things and I do see that there are plus points to being unemployed - such as working from coffee shops : )

@paddyrg Yes, I realise the job situation is particularly tough for everyone, especially where I am in the north of England. Without giving my location away, I officially live in the worst place in the UK to find a job (I'm sure you've now worked it out)! I feel that I have so many skills so that I can make a real contribution to the city and contribute to its prospects - but it's hard when I also need help myself in the first place. The government and Job Centre are only concentrating on the young unemployed, yet it my area of the country gov statistics show it is not the young employed that are the problem here. Not one of the jobs I've had an interview for was through the Job Centre.

@dizzyrascal Thanks for your comments. I realise why I don't get interviews for the lower roles but I would honestly be happy doing them. Most of my previous jobs included lots of out of hours work and potential 24/7 phone calls from colleagues/clients/media - just doing a 9 to 5 would be refreshing! Plus, one of the of the admin roles I was turned down from was the University that I did my masters degree at (different to the uni role mentioned above), so I'm not sure what that says about further education. I'm sure there's lots of room for progression at a University and you would expect career development at any level of job.

@londoner1998 It's reassuring to hear that someone else is in the same boat as me, but I'm sorry to hear about your situation too. Yes, it's annoying when feedback isn't 'true feedback', so you can't learn from your interview even though you have put so much effort into it. If you look on LinkedIn and Twitter you can often find out who got the job, sometimes people announce their new job on Twitter and two months down the line you can often get their name off the company website/LinkedIn. I have to say that often they don't seem any more suited to the job or any more experienced - often contradicting what you are told in your feedback!

I think sometimes I could be preparing too much, but I would always prepare in the workplace - so I wouldn't want to turn up without giving it everything. I've been complimented on my presentations and told I appear confident but I know my performance will be affected through the desperation of being unemployed! If there's a job in my sector in this area I almost always get an interview but there aren't that many to choose from with living in a city with very little industry and very few prospects (but hey, I love it here - not ready to give up in it yet!)? Thanks for your advice @londoner1998 and best of luck with your interview - let us know how you get on!

dizzyrascal

You're right about a university and career progression (normally) but this role was at the university where I work.
I also understand how you would be willing to take on a lesser role. I dropped down a grade to get a foot in the door (so to speak). It has taken a couple of years to get back up the ladder but it has been worth it.

I would say that freelancing or working with social media is a good idea. Perhaps you could use your experience to develop a portfolio of smaller companies. Those who might not employ a marketing/comms expert in-house.
You never know where that might lead

Also, I have noticed that the academic departments (at my university) are starting to advertise for marketing/comms people. This is a role traditionally done by the general marketing department but with the new fees structure coming in I think the departments have woken up to the concept of competition.
Lots of things are changing so I would keep an eye out for opportunities.

MrSnuggles

Northerness wrote: »

City Council - "you haven't handled large enough budgets"
Theatre company - "we went for someone with more 'hands on' experience"
Major manufacturing company - "your experience is 'too events'"
University - "better suited to marketing than PR"
Student Union - "just need a little more management experience"
PR Agency - "great portfolio but we're now employing two graduates instead of one person with experience"
Media company - "just not quite right"

City Council - Too competitive?
Theatre company - They think you're too academic.
Manufacturing company - A lame excuse to get rid of you. They don't like your personality.
University - Maybe they're right? Or just too competitive.
Student Union - Just being picky.
PR Agency - Age discrimination that's been carefully worded. Only people who prefer two fresh graduates with no experience as oppose to one with experience are those who want young people. It's more expensive employing two...
Media company - Your personality isn't liked by them.

That's the impression I get.

Northerness

wantsajob wrote: »

Written communication, and verbal communication in a face-to-face situation, are two very different things. I hope I'm reasonably good at the former, but know I'm very poor with the latter. This reason is I have a disability called Asperger's Syndrome This is not to say I think the OP has difficulties in this area, far from it. But as it was a point raised I felt it important to offer an alternate view. I have a First Class Honours Degree, and Pass with Merit at Masters, but keep getting knocked back at interviews. Even for minimum wage jobs.

If you're into marketing and PR, perhaps you could consider freelancing - if this is possible? If you're knowledgeable about the internet, and social media, you may be able to do very well out of it.

@wantsajob I can only imagine how challenging it must be for people with Asperger's Syndrome to gain employment. I once had a job interview many years ago where I had to take two members of male management out to evening dinner/several bars as part of a second interview in the job process - even choosing where we went. It sounds very unconventional (and was) but it was an industry that could just about get away with this sort of thing. The night went well but I didn't get the job (I was still in work at the time) but it went to the other candidate who was male. I bet it doesn't matter how experienced I was because two blokes are always going to get along better with another bloke on a night out than a female (in my opinion). I wonder how fair this would be on someone with Aspergers, to have to entertain as part of an interview. The ability to network is particularly important in Marketing/Comms but I guess many jobs are about 'fit' and how you get along with the interviewers, when it should be about skills and experience based on merit.

Thanks for the suggestion about freelancing. I have considered freelance work but as I recently moved cities I feel I need to build up my contacts and networking again in the local area before I could make any money. This could take some time and I think I have a better chance of making money by gaining employment.

Northerness

MrSnuggles wrote: »

City Council - Too competitive?
Theatre company - They think you're too academic.
Manufacturing company - A lame excuse to get rid of you. They don't like your personality.
University - Maybe they're right? Or just too competitive.
Student Union - Just being picky.
PR Agency - Age discrimination that's been carefully worded. Only people who prefer two fresh graduates with no experience as oppose to one with experience are those who want young people. It's more expensive employing two...
Media company - Your personality isn't liked by them.

That's the impression I get.

I don't actually think the feedback means anything, I used to cling on every word but the more feedback I get the more it all contradicts itself. Sometimes I've had second interviews but then being given one of these excuses - so I'd like to think it isn't too focused on simply not liking my personality, otherwise they would have got rid at the first opportunity. A lot of companies also don't like giving feedback or aren't allowed to, so this is just a brief description of what I could squeeze out of them. Many replies just say " a different candidate was more suited". Many recruitment agencies tell me I come across well when they meet me in person and feel I would be good in an interview, maybe they are just saying this. I don't know