Overqualified! cant get an interview

mickeyfinn1

This is more a rant than anything else.

I took redundancy in 2010 as I was pregnant and oh in the forces so we live away from our families and my job involved a huge amount of travel and over night stays which isn't viable with a baby and no support network while oh is away.

I have now started to look for a part time job as little one is in nursery and it seems to be the hardest thing in the world to get an interview!

In my previous job I worked a huge area, generated over £5m sales a year, earned in excess of £60k but I can't even get an interview for a switchboard job at the hospital, or a reception job.

It is so frustrating that I want to work, have all the skills needed but can't get past the first step. I have played down my achievements, ammended my cv, sent cv out on spec and nothing. Usually not even an acknowledgment. It makes me fed up because I know if I could work full time I could go back into a role like my last one straight away but I can't even get a minimum wage job .

It is going to cost me to work as childcare is more than min wage but for my own confidence and happiness I want to work.

So frustrating. If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it please.

1940sGal

A few of us from Uni are having the same problem applying for even basic jobs that have no relation to our degrees. I apply for jobs I know I can do standing on my head and hear nothing.

I applied for a job at my dream location and despite having a friend on the inside who put in a good word for me and told me I stood a good chance because i matched exactly what they wanted, i got nowhere.

I've just applied for Aldi having worked in a supermarket while i was in college. If i hear nothing back I will be more than angry. I understand times are tough and lots of people will be applying for jobs but it gets me so angry knowing, and making clear, that i could do the job and not even getting an interview. It's beyond disheartening.

westv

Unfortunately it seems in the current climate:-

If you don't fit the spec EXACTLY you will be ignored
If they think you're too good you will be ignored
If you live more than 10 miles away you will be ignored
if they think you're too old you will be ignored
If it's a Wednesday you will be ignored

ok the last one isn't really true but it just seems that way

marybelle01

Give up entirely trying to downplay your CV and pretending to be something you are not. You are wasting your time - employers are not idiots and they will see it in a flash and assume you won't stay. And given what your background is - they are utterly right and given half a chance, you won't! Why would you? You will be bored out of your mind on a switchboard!

You will have to face a few facts - in your position (or the one you were in) it's a competitive world and a recession isn't ideal. At the best of times there would be more limited jobs available to you so it would take a bit longer... and these are not ideal times and you are two years out of date.

That said - try some of the specialist recruitment agencies for your field of work, or related fields. On the income you were on, it is impossible there aren't several. At least. A foot in the door is what you need - and for now you may find that contracting may even be exactly what you need!!!

Takeaway_Addict

If you could get a 60k Job just like that then why don't you get the OH out of the army asap and let him be a stay at home dad?

Modern times and all that...

PasturesNew

If you're that good at sales, why not start your own company working from home.... just find something you can sell!

marybelle01

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

If you could get a 60k Job just like that then why don't you get the OH out of the army asap and let him be a stay at home dad?

Modern times and all that...

I don't know the OP's circumstances but (a) some people are in the forces because the believe in the "mission" and (b) not everyone in the forces is a private - a major could be on £60k, a lt Colonel on a lot more. It is, after all, as you observe, modern times, and the army is a professional organisation with pay that reflects that fact.

ktothema

OP - I struggled with this after I was made redundant at the time my maternity was coming to an end. Added to that I also only wanted part time (to start with initially). It took a few months but I eventually got a temporary contact doing some admin part time. And yes, it was boring at times but when it was busy I enjoyed it, the break from baby care duties and talking to adults in real life was great. Good luck and keep persevering.

mickeyfinn1

Thanks for your comments.
I know I can get my old job back because I have had several offers from companies who have approached me but I really do want part time. I can't commit to the hours and travelling I used to do.

As for my OH leaving the forces, that would be his decision to make and it wouldn't change the fact that doing my old job type I would be away from home loads which is not what I want. He is also on a decent salary and loves his job.

I honestly just want a job to get me out the house, chat to other people and have a but of independence. I don't think I would leave quickly, I just wish I was given a chance to go to interview. It is frustrating taking time and energy completing applications then not even being acknowledged then when you phone to ask for feedback they say that they can't provide feedback to those not selected for interview. It would be good to get some pointers of where I can improve.

Errata

Register with an agency and temp. That will demonstrate you're happy to do a low ranking job on minimum wage.

cr1mson

If you are not going to benefit financially by working why not consider voluntary work?

It also might allow you to add something to your CV that you don't currently have. My voluntary work has allowed me to get paid work in similiar sector that I wouldn't have got had I not done it.

C