I understand it's a difficult job market but I finally had an interview with a company where I held the exact role, in that industry and division.

37 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 22,2024 at 7:03PM UTC

   Been there. Same type of role. I was 42 but you couldn’t tell. Looked younger. Was told they wanted someone “moldable” which equals younger. Ask for feedback and see if they will offer it. It could help you in your next role. It simply could have been down to how you got along with the interviewers. I’ve been an interviewer and it’s so hard to make those decisions as someone always gets the short straw so to speak. Sometimes doors close for a reason and the right one will open when it’s supposed to. It happened to me. It’s there keep plugging away and do not give up. Give yourself a day for the sad moments but tomorrow is a new day. Hang in there!

2. AnonymousOctober 22,2024 at 9:21PM UTC

   Don't give up . I am going through the same thing but found some work that pays the bills on the interim . It's hard here for all of us looking .

3. AnonymousOctober 22,2024 at 9:34PM UTC

   This is a big reason I decided to work as a consultant. I cannot deal with company alignment, politics and ageism. Such bs.

   I like to decide who I work with, what I work on and how much I work. I do not want to be part of a team and hierarchy. I work remote. Yes I want to deliver excellent work, and offer expert advice. No my clients are not my friends.

4. AnonymousOctober 23,2024 at 12:15AM UTC

   The thing that scares me about being a consultant is that you don't really get to decide who you work with, how much you work etc unless you can actually GET consulting work.

5. Lisel RosewoodOctober 23,2024 at 12:16AM UTC

   And what if you put down 'consultant' on your resume and are asked who you have done consulting work for, and you haven't actually done any because you haven't been able to secure any!

6. Virginia AddisonOctober 23,2024 at 12:20PM UTC

   I’m in the same boat! Keep going! You will get the right one!

7. Grisel ScarantinoOctober 23,2024 at 1:13PM UTC

   The 3-step combo I’ve found works the best for my clients (when they use these together) is:

   1. Leverage your network to get referred to new opportunities- that helps you stand out and gets you to their list of interesting candidates faster. Who do you know -or who can you meet- that might know of opportunities you’re interested in?
   2. have a resume that highlights your accomplishments (i.e., responsibility + outcomes you helped accomplished validated by data wherever possible), packed with key words from the job description
   3. optimize your LinkedIn profile so you get recruiters reaching out to you and showcases you skills to potential employers. Put keywords from job descriptions throughout your professional “brand” tells the story of who you are and why it behooves them to interview you.

   Don’t give up, you got this! Wishing you all the best.

8. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

   Any tips on how to nail an initial interview since her rejection came after an interview? Having gotten that far, it appears her lead up in getting seen is working.

9. Grisel ScarantinoOctober 24,2024 at 6:53PM UTC

   Without knowing the details of the interview, it's hard to answer your question in a way that isn't generic, unfortunately. I could rattle off a list of interviewing best practices like: know why you are the best person for the job so you can present yourself with confidence, come prepared to ask great questions, stick to the STAR method when answering Behavioral-Based Interview Questions, own your accomplishments, etc. But for all we know, she could've done all the right things yet the company simply wanted to go with an internal hire.

10. EmmaOctober 24,2024 at 12:33PM UTC

    I have had the same issue. I feel a lot of it is down to the AI screening CV’s for the keywords they are looking for. Looking for a job has become a full time job!

11. Maggie StoneOctober 24,2024 at 12:34PM UTC

    I am sorry. I imagine that is incredibly frustrating and discouraging. Please do keep looking. Unfortunately, everyone who was contacted for the interview was probably qualified, at least on paper. So it may have come down to personality, fit with culture, or potentially concerns that you may be overqualified. Doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you, it may be that you’re not a good mesh with this company or group of people. Good luck and I hope you find your tribe that is thrilled to have you soon.

12. Fathima JesmeeraOctober 24,2024 at 12:39PM UTC

    Going through same thing only computer computer-generated email says that I wasn't selected for the next round as other applicants aligned better with the role. honestly disappointed from all applications.

13. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 1:33PM UTC

    I helped create the role I worked on for 8 years before covid and was consistently praised as a top performer. I instantly applied when it reopened and was told other candidates were better suited. It is very discouraging and feels like a big slap in the face. I admit I've kind of given up now.

14. Liz MilneOctober 24,2024 at 2:22PM UTC

    I saw a link on social media this morning about how an entire HR team were dismissed because their AI recruitment sorting tool was just rejecting... everyone's CV!

    They suspected it, so the manager submitted his/ her own resume and, yep, it was auto-rejected!

    Maybe ask for personalised feedback, perhaps that'll get a human to check out your qualifications???

15. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

    If you have the hiring managers info or the HR person then send them an email thanking them for the opportunity and that you were very excited about the role. You would love any feedback on why you weren’t able to move forward. Sometimes they answer, sometimes they don’t. But thanking someone after a rejection regardless leaves a good last impression. Maybe they know they could pay someone else less than you, maybe there was one question that tripped you up. You never know, but if the HR person reads your thank you you never know if they have another role coming up they can put you in for, or even recommend you to a friend at another company. Either way it only helps not hurts.

16. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 2:43PM UTC

    I have heard hiring managers reject resumes that they identified as “overqualified” when really they were too insecure to have a strong performer on their team. In that case It could be that organization is staffed with under credentialed people. It could be that the position was pulled, and HR just sent the wrong form letter. Or, their dream candidate came in via an insider connection and the recruitment process was ended. Keep trying! The right role is out there somewhere.

17. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 4:06PM UTC

    Take a deep breath, there is a glut in the market now and companies especially larger ones can pick and choose. You have to do something to stand out from the pack. Did you send thank you notes to all the interviewers? Did you ask tough questions of them? Did you use words to show them you were already in the role and ready to hit the ground running by adding value? It's definitely a long slog right now to get a job since many companies have either poor interview processes or just don't know how to get things done. Take control of your own destiny by being as outbound as possible and doing things out of the ordinary to get your next role.

18. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 12:18PM UTC

    Find a good local recruiter (or many) cast your net as far as you can go. What I found during my journey was that HR groups see the same person every day. They want someone that stands out- have a conversation, show that you have a good sense of humor and want to be a team player, but can also work independently. Highlight how you added value, but still want to learn. I worked with many recruiters and they will only send you out to places that align with your background.

19. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

    I can certainly understand how you feel. I got recommended for a computer job in the summer. I applied for it as soon as I could.

    Sad to say, I wasn't selected for the position.I never heard back from the company nor did I hear back from the person who recommended me for the position either.

20. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

    I am in the same boat you are in. It is very frustrating and I can only offer you my perspective in hopes you find something useful in it.

    1. You are not alone. A lot of us have been in this place of not being looked at for roles we are qualified for. There are people who are willing to compromise themself in a way that we may not be willing to in order to obtain a role.

    2. Let's be honest, getting a job is 10% skillset and 90% personal bias. Hiring managers go off if they think you are a good fit for THEM, if they like your personality and if they believe THEY want to work with you. There is NOTHING YOU can do about that. As long as you are being your authentic self, you can't take these interactions personal. IT really is not about you, but about the preferences of the hiring manager.

    3. While being in this situation is no fun, I have to believe if a company is passing on me, its not a good fit. I don't just want a job, I want to work at a company that respects me for who I am and what I can bring to the table. I do not want to be fake and put on aires to be hired. So trusting that what doesn't come is not right for me and moving forward until that fit comes is the only thing I can do.

    Wishing you luck and offering and support I can provide. Best wishes.

21. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 12:43PM UTC

    Sometimes the hiring manager didn’t get to have a say in the job description! Their seniors want one person, and they want another. This is especially the case if you’re perfectly qualified. Mid career your biggest issue is likely that you are threatening. Try applying for more senior roles in that case.

22. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 1:00PM UTC

    This sort of thing was happening even before AI started screening Cover Letters and Resumes.

    During my first marriage, my husband was an accountant. I was a pharmacy technician. Neither of us had done anything else. An accounting position opened up. We both applied. I got a call for an interview and he did not. He had an accounting degree, I didn't.

    It doesn't make sense.

    Hoping you find exactly what you are looking for!

23. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 1:00PM UTC

    I hear you; but I have a question for you. Why did you want the exact same job in the company, that you had before? Unless you just wanted a lateral move or there were issues. Was there any discussion of that? Usually when you're looking for a job you try to do a step up and that's been hard for me. If I'm an HR coordinator and I have experience doing that I'm not going to look for another HR coordinator position. I'm going to step up to HR generalist HR specialist...

24. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 1:32PM UTC

    Some of these jobs are not truly hiring--they're just wasting people's time to look like they're experiencing growth or to scare people internally.

    It could also be that there are overqualified people interviewing who will accept the same pay you will or less, or they could feel like you asked for too much pay. Or the interview didn't go as well as you thought. Unfortunately, who knows? But I've been having the same struggle since late 2022, and the only jobs I've been able to get are absolutely awful (which is the reason why I keep looking for jobs).

25. Bridget GriffithOctober 25,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    I agree. I started my job search back in June and some of the same companies/positions are still hiring for the same Job I applied for in June.

26. HOctober 25,2024 at 2:32PM UTC

    Gosh I feel your pain! I've sent about 25 resumes off to jobs I am so completely qualified for, and I've only been called to interview once. I made it thru 2 rounds before they awarded the position to an internal candidate- AFTER they had me make a presentation of ideas and concepts around one of their internal initiatives. I'm guessing they took my ideas (and from all the other candidates as well) and had themselves a nice bank of directives for the year. This whole process has been so disheartening. My resumes and cover letters are perfectly aligned with the jobs I'm applying for, yet I continually get the 'Sorry, we went with someone more qualified' response without even the chance to interview. Really makes me question myself, my skills, and this entire process.

27. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    Hello! I'd like to share a scenario with you:

    -1 job is posted, and 50 people apply.

    -The hiring manager has told the recruiter they only have -time for 6 first interview slots.

    -Let's say 10 of the applicants are horrendous, that leaves 40 people. Out of those 40, 20 of them have great work experience, but it doesn't quite align with this role. That now leaves 20 people. If all 20 have experience that's exactly aligned to the requirements of the role, the recruiter has to eliminate 14 people to get down to 6 people for those first interview slots.

    So, it then comes down to this: there's something in the application materials that sparked the recruiter's interest, depending on the role/field: values alignment, a personal story that demonstrates what the organization is all about, a bit more experience in a specific skill that the team needs to get things done, etc.

    And to find something in a new field, remember that all skills are transferable. To do that, it's important to show the recruiter why your skills transfer. Tell your story in a concise, compelling way. Don't make them connect tot dots between their needs and your skills. Unfortunately, skills no longer speak for themselves - even though they should I know the market is TOUGH. But, I hope these tips help!

28. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 3:01PM UTC

    It does sting and get frustrating. But it's not necessarily you, it's them, and it's also the chemistry between you and them. There are so many factors, biases, subconscious beliefs. Just keep learning, not only interviewing but also how you feel. It can teach you a lot about yourself.

    I fully understand, it took me 2 yrs, my self esteem took a big hit. Because this was back when jobs were thriving, I was more experienced, qualified had the most connections in my life. Because of this I kept thinking it was me. But looking back I wish I kept a journal so I could go back and see what I learned about myself. Not only that but it was influencing my personal life in ways I didn't realize.

    But looking back I did learn a lot and understood that resilience is something we all have one way or another. You will feel bad, you might feel worse or better nothing wrong with that. But you will get through this and I wish you all the best.

29. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 4:46PM UTC

    I feel your pain. I've applied for jobs that 'had my name on them,' as I believed I was a perfect fit. It is extremely frustrating.

30. AyianOctober 25,2024 at 5:44PM UTC

    Having all the right experience doesn't make you a shoe-in for second round interviews. There may only be two rounds in the first place and something in your soft skills or personality were a mismatch for the team, boss, or organization. If you're genuinely curious, consider writing an email asking how you could have performed better or in what ways your resume could be improved to be better suited for that position.

    You have plenty of skills that are applicable outside your industry. Highlight skills that crossover, especially general office skills - computers, typing, customer service, office software, time management, etc. and go from there. Consider shaking up your entire resume to best suit an industry change. Nothing is sacred or set in stone other than keeping the font professional and legible.

31. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 5:44PM UTC

    I am right there with you. It's super frustrating and breaks off a little piece of your self esteem every time. But don't stop, it just means that it wasn't the right fit. Even though you KNOW you would have nailed it.

    Good luck, keep going, even on the days when you don't want to. Takes 30 minutes to go down the rabbit home and 3 days to dig yourself out. I believe in you.

32. Sue CampbellOctober 25,2024 at 6:51PM UTC

    Its so hard. I am not sure what your role was.... but I know for myself, I've been struggling for 10 months now. I just think in my role there are just sooooo many people competing. I sat in on a really good (read: informative) zoom call yesterday, and they were describing how to create a portfolio page to add to your resume. This is literally a 2-3 month project to put together that I will have to start I guess. Ughhhh. Not giving up.

33. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 27,2024 at 4:15AM UTC

    What do you do? Unless you do something like graphic design, I'm not exactly sure how a portfolio would help you. 2 to 3 months is a large investment of time - can you elaborate?

34. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 7:19PM UTC

    Yeah, I'm in the same boat. It will be a year since I was laid off early next month. I've put out 340 resumes, and written about 6 or so different resumes, and about 200 cover letters.

    I have even tried finding ANY job in any industry and I STILL can't find a job! We're going to lose our house soon if I can't get something going. I have no Idea what will happen. It's extremely stressful. I think for me it is this:

    1. Ageism (a middle 50's candidate reads like an old lady no matter how I spin it).
    2. Over-qualified in local jobs...maybe they think I'll jump if a better job.
    3. The job market it so overcrowded with applicants they can be very choosey and it's working for them.
    4. My Unemployment was over in June, and I have run through all my savings.
35. Karen MooreOctober 25,2024 at 8:55PM UTC

    I’m in a very similar boat on all stated comments but I’m taking a dual approach: applying for jobs and laying the groundwork for a consulting business in my area of expertise. After 5mths of business development and prospecting I finally have 4 clients in my pipeline and am working to close them. I say take your expertise to small businesses and get paid for it.

36. Becky AldazOctober 25,2024 at 7:21PM UTC

    I am so sorry. Do mock interviews, get feedback and keep going!!!

37. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 8:53PM UTC

    Really sorry to hear this and of the struggles that others are having, I don’t know if this is helpful but my alma mater has a great career center for alumni. I have been contacted in the past by job seekers doing informational interviews ( are those still a thing?) and one did result in me connecting the job seeker with someone I knew who hired them. Best wishes to you!