3.44k
I just cannot anymore
I’ve applied to over 300 jobs, had numerous phone screens, and at least ten interviews, but I cannot get to the second round. I have no idea what the issue is as most say it is not my lack of experience with their software, just the other candidates match their needs. I don’t even know what that means.
I’m so frustrated. I don’t know if I have the mental strength to move forward. I’m using all the energy I have to stay positive, but I don’t know if I can anymore. I’m smart and good at my job, but this experience is making me feel the opposite.
Michele LuptonVice President of Marketing
78
10/15/20 at 4:57PM UTC
I'm in the same boat. It's very frustrating. I try to take a few hours each day to take a break - take a walk, take an online class, just do something for myself. Good luck to all of us. Hopefully we are all just about to turn the corner.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/15/20 at 5:59PM UTC
I have a routine with work and breaks and it is helping. Of course, being treated like a person through this process would be amazing.
Michele LuptonVice President of Marketing
78
10/15/20 at 6:22PM UTC
I completely agree. I am tired of getting no response or an automatic response.
Albania Martinez BojosOperations Manager with extensive experience
142
10/12/20 at 6:09PM UTC
A lot of us are feeling that way. I'm on the same boat, I know how frustrating it can be. I had to stop my job search for a little bit and take a mental break to gather myself and my mental strength. I am now back to it and it's just as bad as I remember, but at least now I know what to expect and I am more mentally ready. Good luck and don't give up
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/12/20 at 6:19PM UTC
Thank you.
Melody Johnson
52
10/10/20 at 7:33PM UTC
I think far more people go through this then we will ever realize, in both good in bad times. It is hard to admit you are struggling when you live in a society that preaches you will succeed if only YOU pull yourself up by YOUR own boot straps.
Please update us on your progress Hugs to you!!!
Alisa GoldschmidtEnthusiastic Sales Ops and Marketing Pro
104
10/02/20 at 11:57PM UTC
I am right there with you. I hit the wall this week and am emotionally and mentally exhausted from the job hunt. It doesn't help when the recruiters/hiring managers don't follow through with their end of the conversation (I'll send you a calendar invite for Friday, I'll call you by end of day Wednesday, etc, etc,). Sending you a virtual hug. I'm taking the weekend off.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/03/20 at 1:02AM UTC
and recruiters get so mad when candidates ghost them. Maybe if we treat each other they way we want to be treated
Alisa GoldschmidtEnthusiastic Sales Ops and Marketing Pro
104
10/03/20 at 1:11AM UTC
AGREED! Not sure why it's so hard to just be considerate to one another. As a candidate it's extremely frustrating and discouraging when I put in the time to craft a great cover letter, resume and then post-interview thank you email, and get absolutely no reply. I'm a big girl - if you aren't selecting me to continue in the interview process just take 2 minutes and send me an email and tell me! But don't ghost me. Behavior like that makes me not want to work for the company.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/03/20 at 1:24AM UTC
or buy their products.
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Anonymous
10/02/20 at 11:14PM UTC
I wish I had advice to share, but I just want to say I feel you. I have been on almost 40 interviews last year (before COVID) and made it to various stages of the hiring process but always fell short of the offer. And whenever I asked for constructive feedback, of course I never it get it ("We like you, but we decided to go with someone else"). I can't help but take it super personally, because if I'm qualified, it must be because they don't like my personality. Or there is some kind of bias against me (maybe it's being I'm female or young-looking or not the right race or where I went to school). But I have been hired many times before so I know someone out there will "like me" and hire me.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/03/20 at 1:08AM UTC
I know exactly how you feel. It is hard not to take rejection after rejection personally, but seriously how can you not. You go to the interviews, put your best face forward try to be honest yet likable... it is like being on a blind date and the personal was expecting Kylie Jenner but got me instead.
Anonymous
10/03/20 at 1:18AM UTC
Seriously feels like dating! But I feel like it's almost worse than dating because I don't need a romantic partner to literally survive. Lol
Brandi HinkleAccountant, Grad Student, Combat Veteran
167
10/02/20 at 5:16PM UTC
I just want to say that constant positivity is overrated and unrealistic. It is ok to have negative feelings and be down sometimes, especially when faced with such a frustrating situation. Fighting it will wear you down more quickly. That doesn't mean give up, but just feel your feelings then move on to the next step.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/03/20 at 1:09AM UTC
100% with you on that. Sometimes you need to cry.
Karen PriceExperienced Program Manager, PMP.
320
10/02/20 at 4:15AM UTC
I can only imagine how frustrating this is for you. Please try to locate a job networking group in your area. Examples of two in my area https://southlakefocusgroup.com/ and https://my.stonebriar.org/portal/friscoconnect
These generally offer free services such as resume reviews, practice interviews, moral support, linked in profile and job listings.
Keep your spirits up and it will happen. If you need to take a week break from job search then do that. Keep reaching out to your contacts too. They do not mean to forget to check in on you but it happens. Best wishes!
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/03/20 at 1:10AM UTC
It isn't my resume. I'm getting interview I just cannot get past the first round.
Karen PriceExperienced Program Manager, PMP.
320
10/03/20 at 1:45AM UTC
I understand. Those groups have more to offer than just resume reviews. For example they can give real life interview critique and networking for job positions. You might give it a try. Good luck!
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/03/20 at 1:51AM UTC
I'll see if there are any groups in the area outside the unemployment office.
Anonymous
10/01/20 at 4:06PM UTC
Rebecca, I read this and I thought that maybe I wrote it and (in my despair), forgot that I wrote it. Just a little humor to cheer you up. For my own sanity, I have temporarily stopped my job search. I cannot go on any more interviews (in person, zoom, or phone), only to be ghosted, or offered very low pay, so I stopped. I think you need a break from it. Turn off the notifications from the job board you are using, and use the time( and it is a lot of time) to do something for YOU. Feel free to reach out to me if you need to.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/01/20 at 4:19PM UTC
LOL - thanks.
I wish I could put my job search on hold but I cannot. I've been denied unemployment so I have to look for work. I'm in an impossible situation, and all I can do is pick myself up, brush off the direct, wipe away the tears, and move forward.
Anonymous
10/01/20 at 4:30PM UTC
The unemployment piece is tricky. I had a hard time navigating it. Can you revisit that or possibly get someone at your state's UI office to take a look at your case? I say this because one of my friends was initially denied UI, but called, and actually got through , only waited about 15 minutes, and they reviewed her case, and then she was ok to receive UI payments.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/01/20 at 5:36PM UTC
my state will not let you amend a claim but and two months I finally have been appointed a hearing with the appeal office but that is not for another two weeks.
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Judi Lacko ZallapsDynamic and Well Respected Accounting Executive
12
10/01/20 at 1:46PM UTC
Keep your head up, Rebecca! I've been going through a similar thing and it is demoralizing, frustrating, difficult, makes us feel like we're inferior, not worthy and not hirable. But those are just the lies we tell ourselves because we are getting beat down. I'm not going to lie, it's tough! Be sure you're engaging in self care to stay as positive as you can. Lean on your personal support network, share your frustration and your fear and borrow their strength.
I took a free LinkedIn job search optimization training and found it very beneficial. I changed my profile, changed where I was spending my energy (75% networking, virtually and 25% searching job sites for positions, adjusting my resume to the key words in the job description and creating job and company specific cover letters), expanded my search to positions above and below my abilities and recently accepted a 6 month contract position. Not exactly what I was looking for but buys me some time to find a permanent position with benefits and takes some of the stress off.
Keep your head up!
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/01/20 at 2:11PM UTC
That is how I feel. That I'm unhireable and a failure. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Maybe nothing or maybe everything.
Judy HutchinsonInternational Education Specialist.
140
10/01/20 at 1:07PM UTC
Rebecca, like everyone else, I was very sad to read this. I have reflected at length to see if I have any great ideas for you, and aside from joining in the ranks of those who have tried to give you positive thoughts and encouragement, I can't think of any advice. I wish you wouldn't get down on yourself, but I know very well that I would be the same way--most people would. I'm certain it's the timing--COVID. There are way too many people in the same situation, and the competition is fierce. It doesn't say anything about you and your abilities. In the end though, that doesn't help you out of your present dire situation.
I am not any sort of specialist but I wonder if any of our ranks here might have the knowledge and experience to do some coaching--checking your resume, helping you reflect on your abilities and thinking of ways to expand your job search into another area other than HR, where you skills would be easily adaptable. Helping you with a brilliant cover letter, and then coaching on the interview.
All I can do is empathize and hope for the very best for you.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
10/01/20 at 1:12PM UTC
thank you. I love the community here at FGB but I wish there were more resources provided by FGB.
