3.44k
Stuck in the mud
Does anyone else feel they are wasting their time with applying for position after position without hearing anything but rejection?
KATHELLEEN PARSONSBachelor's degree for healthcare admin.
172
08/17/20 at 2:30PM UTC
Yes! and to find out that most are hiring 'in house'. Like time is being wasted.
Mina AsifAPI Developer
124
08/16/20 at 3:28PM UTC
I have felt that. At some point, I even questioned if the jobs I was applying to were what I wanted. I know it feel like time wasted or a sign but it's not. Going through that rote rejection and silence pushed me to work on my network. You will get through this.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/16/20 at 7:07PM UTC
thanks
Jackie RukaProfessionalHappyologist Thrive in your purpose.
2.72k
08/16/20 at 8:01PM UTC
Rebecca, you are doing all the right things it sounds like however, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Follow up shows you are authentically interested and a go getter it’s not a sign of weakness but strength. I suggest you take tome this week to follow up to three openings you are genuinely interested in that you have applied to. Send an email or look up the HR director on LinkedIn.
In the meantime can you do consulting or teach kids online for some income?
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/16/20 at 9:09PM UTC
It doesn't feel like it. Rejection after rejection feels like I'm doing everything wrong. I've have one recruiter tell me that calling for a follow up will get my resume placed at the bottom of the pile or even in the trash. WTF is all I can say to that, but I keep going. What choice do we have? I brush the dust off and wipe the tears away and move forward.
See other replies
Ciara WilkesThe Master of Sales and Marketing
215
08/15/20 at 12:28PM UTC
Absolutely. I finally stopped applying on my own and began applying to referral based jobs only. Receuiters aren't that big of a help these days, so it's best to connect with hiring managers and those employees who have tenure with the company. It helped me tremendously. I received a job offer shortly after changing my application process.
KATHELLEEN PARSONSBachelor's degree for healthcare admin.
172
08/17/20 at 2:31PM UTC
I tired this method, and I did not get anywhere with it. :( glad it had helped you.
Ciara WilkesThe Master of Sales and Marketing
215
08/24/20 at 12:58AM UTC
I’m so sorry that it hasn’t helped yet. Can you PM me so that I can be of more assistance? Your breakthrough is coming! Just hold on a tad bit longer.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/15/20 at 2:18PM UTC
I'm considering the same, but first I'm taking a a week or so to refocus and get in a better mental place.
Ciara WilkesThe Master of Sales and Marketing
215
08/24/20 at 1AM UTC
Absolutely l! I understand. The job search is exhausting and mentally challenging to say the least. Please PM me if I can assist you in any way. I’m always available to assist another woman on a mission ?
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
299
08/13/20 at 2:51PM UTC (Edited)
I hear you, and it is *maddening.* I am not convinced that networking is a solution -- its success may depend in large part on the industry. I have wonderful people keeping their eyes and ears open, and I've done a few applications via personal recommendations, but so far
... nothing. Of course, responding to job postings has its issues too; I do wonder how many of these are genuine; I've busted my booty applying, interviewing, producing sample work ... and been ghosted like you would not believe. I know it's deeply frustrating. It seems that there is no single "magic bullet", but I encourage you to keep doing what you're doing. Do hang in there. Sometimes opportunities come up when we least expect them, and in areas we hadn't considered! I wish you much success.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/13/20 at 3:09PM UTC
I'm trying to be positive but I agree with you "networking" isn't the best way because people are recommending internal candidate and friends before they recommend their contacts in LinkedIn.
I've jumped through every hoop and still nothing. I'm underemployed, I qualified for unemployment but keep getting denied. I don't know what 'everyone' excepts us to do.
JenInterdisciplinary Educator
138
08/13/20 at 2:13PM UTC
You’re definitely not alone. I have both the education and experience for the jobs I’ve applied to. Many times, I have most of the preferred qualifications as well, but silence screams louder every time I check my emails and there’s still nothing.
Cheryl Januszka
38
08/13/20 at 2PM UTC
Continuous application/rejection cycle, but I keep applying because all it takes is one no matter how many ways I try to get after it. Frustrating and draining, but necessary.
Pat RoqueSpeaker, Career Transformation Coach, Mastermind
445
08/13/20 at 11:20PM UTC
What kind of role are you looking for?
Cheryl Januszka
38
08/13/20 at 11:43PM UTC
Standard administrative or legal assistant work.
Anonymous
08/13/20 at 1:56PM UTC
Ten months of almost constant rejection (not your typical situation as there is guaranteed age discrimination added in the mix) ... and feeling kicked to the curb, caused me to finally go crawling back to my prior industry - something I said I would NEVER do again.
In ten months of being unemployed, I landed some free lance facilitation/teaching work at a community college (my new field is mostly education), but this work has been slashed and made uncertain by Covid19. So my REAL choices (i.e., actual job offers) are between returning to the grueling physical work I used to do and helping the elderly with toileting, bathing, and errands. (Sorry, no can do.)
Of course there are pages and pages I could write about this story and I am truly grateful that I have a fall back industry to return to, if I don’t kill my knees and back or get Covid19 trying to do it. This will ALMOST allow me to pay my bills.
Life really ain’t very pretty right now. Sorry, all you perpetually positive people. After you face a multitude of challenges at the same time, over an extended period of time, you begin to lose your will. Never has there been a time in MY lifetime (almost 6 decades) where this country has felt so troubled.
Will November change all that? No, but it might be a start. Somewhere, deep down inside, there is still a little seed of hope.
Pat RoqueSpeaker, Career Transformation Coach, Mastermind
445
08/13/20 at 1:23PM UTC
Sorry that you feel this way, it’s sadly a common complaint.
Nine in ten jobs go through internal candidates or personal referrals, so it may help dramatically to focus on rocking your connections and leveraging relationships to have introductions to insiders at your desired employers.
One client this week landed two companies seeking interviews through referrals plus a Third via computer submission to a government job with zero connections.
In all 3, we took time to perfectly align her background and accomplishments to demonstrate how they’d positively impact the new organization.
This also gives you a channel for follow up.
Honestly assess your efforts:
Are you crystal clear on the job you are meant to do, and telling that story with laser focus...or taking more of a shotgun approach?
Are you contacting folks in your network?
Are you blanketing resumes or taking time to tailor them?
It’s tedious to run resumes through an ATS scanner to see how well yours aligns, but it’s what happens so there’s no point in trying to ignore that step. Jobscan.co is one that offers up to 5 free scans, I’m not affiliated with them but it’s one of many tools to help.
BTW I am NOT recommending any of the cheap resume writing services, they are focused on trying to impress you with their pretty graphic that the computer rejects IMHO.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/13/20 at 1:49PM UTC
I've done all of that and more. I am looking for specific jobs and my resume is tailored to fit those jobs. I'm trying to open my network. I get connections but that is it. I haven't followed up after the connection because I think it makes me feel desperate.
Pat RoqueSpeaker, Career Transformation Coach, Mastermind
445
08/13/20 at 11:20PM UTC (Edited)
May I ask Thy you feel desperate instead of viewing this as a fun way to reconnect with old friends?
I promise, The fortune is in the follow up, sister! ?
How are you approaching your connections? Do you have an agenda and 1-3 simple questions?
I’m sure they’d appreciate hearing from you and helping, but in turn you may want to commit to putting their advice to good use and circling back in a week (or whatever interval you choose).
Once you get comfortable You’ll be amazed at how much better it’ll help you feel.
Colleen FerraryOur biggest mistake is undervaluing our ability
131
08/14/20 at 5:46PM UTC
Love this answer, Pat!!
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/14/20 at 1:44PM UTC
I'm slowly running out of money to pay rent. SO that isn't fun. As for my connections, I'm introvert and not close to many people. I've reached out to old colleagues but haven't heard a thing. I'm not a horrible person, I just prefer my books and cats over people.
Colleen FerraryOur biggest mistake is undervaluing our ability
131
08/12/20 at 11:20PM UTC
Maybe I can help. Just posted a seminar for next Thursday. It talks specifically on this topic. I'm doing it free for FGB members. Here's the link https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DWmpj2BNTVihVsJ3_J9sWg
KATHELLEEN PARSONSBachelor's degree for healthcare admin.
172
08/24/20 at 1:31PM UTC
oh dear, I missed this :(
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/13/20 at 12:20AM UTC
Thanks I've signed up.
Anonymous
08/12/20 at 10:59PM UTC
Sounds very familiar!
I got fed up with the silence so starting this week, I email people directly on LinkedIn to ask for advice or questions about their industry. I already had one person respond!
Curious to see how this new approach will work out in the end.
I have the feeling people are looking for any opportunity to connect these days...
KATHELLEEN PARSONSBachelor's degree for healthcare admin.
172
08/24/20 at 1:28PM UTC
may I ask what questions are you asking. TY
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/13/20 at 12:18AM UTC
I've been asking for connecting but not following up. Maybe....
