This is not Nicola. However she would also like a job.
by NICOLA MORIARTY
For the past few years, I’ve been a stay-at-home mum / student / writer / small business owner (okay, okay, I make gift hampers at Christmas time for clients who are mostly related to me). When I received the news that I was going to become a published author, I thought all my financial worries would be over.
I wasn’t so naive that I thought I was going to become an E L James million dollar success – but I did think that a two book deal from Random House would at least give our household enough extra cash for me to continue staying at home, writing and studying.
Wrong.
I keep an XL spreadsheet with all of our predicted incoming and outgoing expenses for up to a year in advance – this way I can see ahead of time if we’re going to run into any troubles. Recently, there has been far too many red numbers on this spreadsheet.
Regardless of how much I manipulated the numbers, played around with the budget and pushed bills back – I couldn’t get us out of the red. The more I looked at all of those figures with little minus symbols in front of them – the faster I started to breathe. But really, the answer was simple, it was time to get a job – one that gave me a regular, reliable income.
My first thought was that I would put my children into full-time child care and get a full-time job, so that we could really get ahead. But one day while I was visiting my parents, my dad sat down at the kitchen table with me and said very seriously, “Nic, you’ve got deadlines to meet for your book, a uni degree to finish, and two children. How are you going to manage with a full-time job as well?” “Oh, I’ll make it work,” I said. “No, really, how are you going to manage?” he persisted. I burst into tears, “I don’t know!!” I wailed, “But I don’t know what else to do!” He convinced me to at least look for a part-time job instead, and offered to lend me some money to get us through in the meantime.
So I started applying for jobs. In the beginning, I was looking for jobs where I could use my skills as a writer. Entry level copywriting positions, part-time online content producer jobs. The response from advertisers: Nada. I moved on to marketing positions instead, I have a diploma in marketing and before I left the full-time work force to become a mum, I used to work (once upon a time) as a sales and marketing coordinator. I thought I could easily snap up a position as a part-time marketing assistant. The response from advertisers? Zip.
Finally I decided to give up on all these interesting jobs that I thought I would be more than qualified for and moved on to customer service / administration style roles. I thought I would pick up one of these in a cinch. I have plenty of customer service and office experience. The response to my applications? You guessed it…. Silence. Crickets chirping. Tumble weed blowing in the breeze.
At this point, I was starting to get fed up. I’m intelligent (and ahem, modest?). I have a great work ethic. I think my résumé looks brilliant. I have a diploma and I’m just about to finish up my university degree. I have years of experience in several different industries.
So what is it about me that’s making these companies cast my application aside? Did I misspell ‘attention to detail’? And more importantly, what happened to the day when people used to at the very least acknowledge your application? I get it, people are busy, time is poor. But is it so hard to email out a standard form letter – ‘thanks for your application but I’m afraid you haven’t hit the mark this time around’ – just something so that I know my application didn’t just vanish into the ether. Maybe a kind word to bolster my confidence? Isn’t it just a bit of common courtesy? Or is that not the way the world works any more? Maybe I really have been out of the work force for a bit too long.
After several months of job hunting, I’ve decided to give up for a while and focus on my writing instead. I can’t take the rejection (or lack thereof) any more. Maybe my next book could be the fifty shades of grey phenomenon I was hoping for with my first book. And for now, I’ll just try to buy more supermarket brand products when I do my grocery shopping, and maybe save takeaway Thai for special occasions only. I’m also avoiding looking at my spreadsheet – because it will only make me start hyperventilating again.
Nicola Moriarty is a writer, student and mum from Sydney’s north west. Her debut novel Free-Falling was released in February of this year and she is currently working on her second novel. Find her website here.
Do you think businesses should respond to all job applications? Or do you think it’s just too difficult to let everyone know that they weren’t successful?
Comments
137 Comments so far
wow, good to hear there are others out there like me. i’ve been working in the admin field for the past couple of years and still haven’t managed to find a permanent role. i finally decided to do away with the rejections and go back to school to become a primary teacher.
hopefully, the job market is a little more promising after i finish my degree.
xx
loading...
I have recently been made redundant Whilst on maternity leave, and I have no idea where to start looking for/ what I am wanting to do. Hard enough looking for a new job while employed, yet how to find something that fits in with my little 8 month old, and consider a complete career change!!
Good luck with your writing and juggling.
loading...
My husband has actually been told to “Dumb down” his resume by recruiters as he intimidates prospective employers as he may know more than them.
Another prospective employer told him that he “knows too much about too many things, they want someone that does just one thing”.
The cherry on top is the following comment from an Australian that was interviewing my American husband when George Bush was in office. He actually said, “I don’t like George Bush, it will be hard to hire you”.
loading...
OMG I am looking at going to work next year, however I have been out of the workforce for 10 years yes you heard right.
I hope I have better luck than you’ve had, here’s hoping!
loading...
Nicola, I hear ya girlfriend! I’ve been out of work for 5 months (retrenched) & now I’m totally freaking out. Like you, I’ve got the fancy resume, buckets of terrific experience, 3 degrees including an MBA & yet I just can’t get past the dam recruiters! I’ve now completely lowered my expectations & even that is backfiring – apparently when you’re overqualified, your a flight-risk so they wont bother with you. I too am concentrating on my writing – but in my case it’s therapy rather than an income stream. I’ve got two gorgeous kids (well, they were gorgeous, they’ve recently become teenagers) & while my husband is divine & supportive, I’m sure he’s starting to think there’s something wrong with me. Like you, I was so optimistic about being an employable, valuable asset and all that, but alas, despite all my re-reads of ‘The Secret’ the positive vibes just ain’t flowing my way. The rejection is so demoralising. And I don’t dare look at my spreadsheet – it’s been red a while…..
loading...
Hey Belinda,
I really hope you find something soon – you sound like an awesome employee for any company to have, surely someone will realise that soon!
Good luck
xx
loading...
I went back to work on a part time contract when my daughter was 9 months, but I found it worse than I assume full time could have been. My sick day and annual leave entitlements were accrued as I worked (it works that way on contract), and they didn’t equate to much because of the part time hours. But having my daughter in care part time made her as equally susceptible to catching viruses as any other full time child in care. In the end, I was taking more time off than I was getting paid (but I still had to pay for daycare) between her and my sickness during cold and flu season.
I don’t recommend part time unless maybe it’s nights and weekends and the husband watches the kids, or you can score contract work at big events (like elections) where they pay well but you don’t need to work much and can just use a baby-sitter. If I really needed the money I would bite the bullet and go back full time. Otherwise, I am very happy to cut back as much as it takes to stay at home.
I also read somewhere that if you are swimming upstream too much, it’s not right for you. Maybe you are just meant to stay at home for now, and something will present itself with your writing or maybe a business opportunity…
loading...
Hi Rache,
Thanks for the thoughts, could be you’re right about the swimming upstream thing…
loading...
As hard as it is with a small baby, I think it really helps to keep one foot in the workplace as much as possible. Otherwise going back later is just so difficult.
loading...
No wonder there are so many ‘mumtrepreneurs’ popping up everywhere… it really does seem like the only viable solution in so many cases.
Now to come up with a brilliant idea…..
loading...
This is me! I wanted to return to work part time after having 6 months off with my baby. With over 7 years marketing experience, I thought it would be easy to land a new job. How wrong I was! After 6 months of sending off applications, going to interviews and no follow up; I managed to land an admin job earning a quarter of what I was earning previously. The upside is that I am able to get out of the house a couple of days a week and also earn some money, whilst still being able to spend the majority of time with my daughter.
loading...
I completely understand. I have just finished up in a Govt department as my contract was not renewed, and despite having 2 degrees and nearly 10 years of work experience, I keep getting knock back after knock back. I finally went to a recruitment company and am starting a temp role for a month. It’s a start. At the interview, the manager asked me how I was finding the job market and when I commented on how I thought it was tough, she agreed and said this is the first time she has had high calibre local applicants, as opposed to people here on working holiday visas. It’s scary, but it made me feel better!
Good luck on your search. I hope the climate improves for us all!
loading...
Thanks Eldee – good luck to you too!!
x
loading...
My boyfriend has a bachelor of Physical Outdoor education and a diploma of education, a diploma of outdoor recreation, a police check, working with children check, wilderness first aid, medium heavy ridged drivers license, RSA, food handlers and various other skills and his been job hunting for 5 months already, Its been hard on us him being unemployed so his currently working in a dairy loading milk crates onto trucks. His applied It’s disappointing but his still job hunting, I admire that perseverance to not give in.
If anyone knows of any outdoor or teaching positions, please let me know we’ll apply for anything.
loading...
Yep the job market is not great right now. I’ve been looking for five weeks (not long I know), and have found hardly anything to apply for!
I have a second interview tomorrow, which was due to a friend I worked with in the past. It’s by no means my dream job, but it will be a good job. I’m so thankful that I kept contact with old workmates. It’s the best way to find work.
Arrogantly I ignored a couple of inquiry’s over linked in in the first day or two I was looking. Big mistake. The market is not good and I think it’s likely to get worse.
loading...
Unemployment is incredibly low at the moment.
But good luck.
loading...
I wonder if it looks that way partly because loads of people have done as Nicola has, and given up? All I can say is that for the types of jobs I’m looking for, the crowd of applicants is huge and the chances slim to none, even to get an interview. And I’m not that fussy in what I’m looking for, either.
loading...
Best of luck for the interview!
loading...
Nicola, I know exactly how you feel. It’s been almost 3 months since I finished my marketing degree. And the job hunt is not easy. Good luck.
loading...
Thank you!!
Best of luck to you too, hopefully you’ll be able to put that degree to good use soon
x
loading...
Melsw – I’m a marketing coordinator in Brisbane and the best piece of advice I could give to you would be intern! (that is, if you dont have experience in the industry already.) We recently advertised a 10 week internship and had only one person apply. My manager was gobsmacked. In this market it’s so important to find a way to stand out from all the other 100′s of applicants. It’s not enough to finish your degree and expect to get a job anymore.
loading...
I was retrenched 10 years ago, and some of the reactions I received to job applications made me want to just give up and walk into the ocean:
- ‘My resume was too short’ said one idiot recruiter,’ It should be at least 10 pages long , with a full page for every position’…. He then went on to ask me when I did HSC i.e. how old are you ? Try reading my resume, dickwad ! ( I wish I had said)
- Over-qualified – how do people measure this exactly ?
- Not enough experience (in an industry I had worked in for 14 years)
- but mainly a stony silence.
One job I applied for had 800 applications within 2 days, so I can see why businesses do not reply to everybody.
When I did receive rejection letters, I eventually started send facetious replies back e.g. “Unfortunately your rejection letter has been unsuccessful on this occasion, but I wish you good luck with any future rejection letters you send in the future”
I eventually got a job by utilising my contacts, but it took 18 months.
It’s a numbers game…keep at it. You seem more than capable, and maybe this posting will help.
loading...
That rejection of the rejection letter is the funniest thing I have heard!
loading...
Hey MikeyMike,
Man I wish I was brave enough to do what you did! Hilarious!
But thank you, and I’m glad you got something in the end – sorry to hear it was such a long process for you though.
By the way, did you ever get any responses from your rejection of the rejection letters? I think if I was an employer it would make me want to hire you based solely on your sense of humour!
loading...
Yes, businesses should respond to all applicants! If applicants have taken the time (in some cases several hours) to apply for a position, the very least the business can do is acknowledge their efforts and thank them for taking the time to apply. It all comes down to professionalism and courtesy. It does not take much effort to have a standard response that is sent to all non-successful applicants.
loading...
Hey Claire,
So true that some applications can take several hours – I always make adjustments to my resume to tailor it for the job, then write a new cover letter as well to address the selection criteria, I usually check out their website to find out a bit more about them… yep, it’s a lot of work!
loading...
It nice when businesses are able to give candidate feedback about their job application.
loading...
Yep – feedback definitely helps!
loading...
Great article. A couple of months ago a friend reached out to her network offering a part time admin gig. I said “oh great timing, I want to go back part time so I can spend the majority of my time with my babes, but I think I’ll try for jobs in my area (writing, marketing, pr)”. Hmmm BIG mistake. Not so many part time roles in ‘my area’ and when there are I’m one of 200+ going for them. I just wish I could go back in time!
How is this for an idea – an agency that puts forward two people for the one position and they job share?
loading...
Thank you Poppy!
Fingers crossed you’ll get something soon.
x
loading...
It seems to be the trend the past couple of years… I have over 10 years of experience in my industry – and just looking for a new job to further my career, yet I’ve been rejected based on reasons such as “over-experienced” (even though I chose to take the lower pay), “under-experienced” (in a relatively small company), “We just don’t have the money to hire someone with your qualifications” …. and the list goes on. I don’t even know what to think anymore….
loading...
Hi A,
Seems as though there are so many more people going through the same thing than I realised. I hope you manage to find the right job soon.
x
loading...
I’m guessing employers are looking at your resume and thinking you’re overqualified (especially if you think so too, it might shine through). And combined with not having worked for a while, you’re probably less attractive than other applicants.
Best thing I ever did was temping after coming out from Denmark with a brand new Masters degree but no experience. It gave me experience in Australia and eventually landed me a position in the local council, which has been the best experience for me. Not a career, but enough to keep the wheels spinning and my mind occupied.
Best of luck!!
loading...
Hi Dkmum,
Thanks!
Smart move with the temping – glad it got you the permanent position in the end
loading...
I was retrenched two months ago – I’ve worked solidly for the last 17 years to build a career along with having four children and two degrees. I cannot count how many jobs I have applied for in the last two months. I’ve only managed to get two interviews so far. Both progressed to third round interviews. One decided to restructure so put the position on hold – the other said they really wanted to employ me but the timing wasn’t quite right. (WTF!) It’s a tough market out there no matter what your level of experience is.
loading...
Best of luck Anon, I really hope you find something soon.
x
loading...
I wrote a long winded post earlier but it never appeared. Here are my top 8 job seeking tips, written from experience:
http://lucindainthesky.blogspot.com.au/
I think the most important thing to remember is that if you are applying for the right jobs, but not getting any response from employers then you need to revisit your resume because it isn’t working. Resumes need to speak to the organisation you want to work for and cover letters need to be written specifically for each new application addressing the criteria for the job and showing that you are interested in the organisation. If it is not personal, you’ve cut and pasted from previous applications, and your resume is full of irrelevant information and spelling mistakes, then you will find your application ends up in the bin very quickly.
Even though Nicola is obviously clever, something isn’t working for her in her applications. I’d encourage all job seekers to swallow their pride and look carefully at their failed applications objectively and consider if it was the job that wasn’t right or the application letter and resume. It is almost always one or the other.
loading...
Hi Lucinda,
Thanks for the advice
x
loading...
You would think with all the experience and qualifications Nicola has someone would have given her a job!! I have not worked for 10 years as I am a full time stay at home mum to 3 kids.I am planning to go back to work when my youngest starts school.It’s a bit terrifying really…
loading...
Hi Meagan,
Wishing you all the luck in the world when the time comes to head back to work.
x
loading...
Thanks Nicola! Wishing you all the best of luck too:)
loading...
My dear girl you need to bull shit a little more! Play the game, speak some fluff and tell them what they want to hear. You are capapble and you will in the end win the game
loading...
Sally, you are awesome!!
Thank you – and excellent idea
x
loading...
A few ideas for mums looking for flexible/part-time work:
- Home helpers/concierge/assistant etc – helping other mums during school hours to get through their ‘life admin’ stuff.
- Tutors – for uni students, primary and high school students
- Casual before and after school care – for parents who work full time and need someone to look after their kids from 3-5.30. My SIL does this for 3 kids and gets paid $40 a day to have them for 45min in the morning before school, and 2 hours in the afternoon. That’s $200 a week tax free, helps her pay the bills for sure
Good luck everyone! xx
loading...
As a teacher I don’t know if I agree about you suggesting a job as a tutor for high school unless a person has experience in the field they are tutoring. It is not a job that anyone with a uni education is qualified for – it is quite specialised field in what actually should be taught and I have had a few tutors of my students that have caused more damage than good.
loading...
Hi Megs,
Thanks for the ideas!!
xx
loading...
Part-time jobs are harder to get than full time jobs. I’m a young-ish (28 year old) mum and when I was looking for part-time work I was cometing with all the other mums returning to work, generally older (33-35) and therefore with years more experience. And because there are so few jobs, many of those jobs get too many applicants and pay peanuts. I ended up realising I couldn’t compete, and went full-time, and ended up with three offers within a month. Not ideal for me or my family, but what’s the alternative? To choose a more traditional family-friendly job like teaching, as my sister says? But I love marketing, and I don’t want to be a teacher.
loading...
Hi Nelle,
Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully one day you can convert to more family-friendly hours.
xx
loading...
Nicola your book sounds amazing! I just bought a copy so hopefully that helps to get some of your sums out of the red
loading...
Hi Megs,
Brilliant!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You’re the best!
x
loading...
Your story is my story. I am doing freelance copyediting and manuscript development projects for clients who want to get their work out into the world (thank God for e-publishing and E. L. James and co.). That way I can pay the bills while I keep on with the slog of looking for work.
I tried editing and publishing work – over qualified for some jobs, up against a multitude of competition for others. I was one of 11 interviewees taken from 186 applicants for one particular position.
In nearly every case I’ve received an acknowledgement of my application at least, and those jobs where I’ve had an interview, have always had a phonecall from one of the panel to give me the bad news. It still hurts coming second on the day, but at least they were polite enough to do it, so … respect.
There’s some good advice in many of the comments here, most of which I’ve followed. Especially important is the ‘hidden’ job market of personal networks and contacts; I got my last two jobs that way.
Best of luck from a fellow traveller!
loading...
Hey Lizi,
Thanks so much for your comment! I agree, the advice given so far has been great. Best of luck right back atcha!
x
loading...
Nicola, I just wanted to tell you that you are amazing. A friend of mine is currently in a similar situation…smart, two degrees, experienced, lovely..yet no employment. She has tried for jobs in-her-field, then close-to-her-field, and is now going for jobs nowhere-near-her-field-but-it-pays-the-bills. I think the thing she finds hard is the lack of response in general. Stay strong. Can’t wait for your second novel. xo
loading...
Oh Elle you are lovely!! Absolutely lovely!
Thank you so much
xxx
p.s. I hope your friend finds something soon
loading...
I tried to get a job – any job for 9 months after graduating. There was nothing for me in my area of interest and I was ‘overqualified’ for entry level jobs and retail.
The problem is, a lot of jobs that we have degrees for a popular and therefore competitive. A lot of it is based on who you know. And, for jobs in other areas, they see the qualifications and think that you’ll leave as soon as something better comes along.
I finally got a job after going to a recruitment agency and when i was finally offered something I worked really hard and have now been workin there for 2 years and am permanent.
Sure it’s not my dream job but it’s paying the bills for now.
loading...
Hey Cee,
Glad you got something in the end
xx
loading...
I have applied for 22 jobs in the last 24 months. I’ve only not been contacted twice out of those 22. One was very embarrassed when I rang after a month to enquire. The other is supposedly still open, but it’s been a month. The recruiter said I was ranked 2nd. Boo!
loading...
Good luck with the search!
xx
loading...
MM can you please find my comment (in the spam?) and post it? I spent ages writing job seeking and resume tips a while ago and it hasn’t posted. Disappointed. There was certainly nothing disrespectful about it.
loading...
I’m a few years out of the workforce (retired) but I suspect all those wrongly addressed applications come via Seek, or similar, where your general resume is stored and the database just spits it out to any position advertised which has a few relevant matching words in it. Useless. Delete on sight.
And I think Alison Paul is right, maybe leave off all those degrees and concentrate on your experience. Not every employer wants staff with a stack of degrees (especially if you’re better educated than them!) Some would rather train people up rather than hiring a 26 year old graduate with no experience in the workplace. (I had a friend high up in the insurance industry who refused to hire university graduates – reckoned they thought they knew everything but knew nothing).
Think about volunteering too, this can often lead to actual employment.
loading...
Thanks Jennome, you give me a lot of hope in my situation! I have done a LOT of volunteering since being a Stay at home Mum for 9 years. I love it that you have a friend high up in the insurance industry who did not hire university graduates. That says a lot about passing the exams of life rather than the traditional university path. Thanks for your reply!
loading...
Hi Jennome,
Ta for the tips!!
x
loading...
I regularly advertise for staff and the last time received 369 applications. I employe 10 people and do not have time to respond to all 369 applications. I singled at one resume and interviewed and employed that person.
I suspect that many of the applicants applied for a large number of jobs as their cover letters often stated they were applying for an account clerk job when I advertised for a bookkeeper or said they really wanted to work on the other side of Sydney to where the job was located. Very few give the impression that they are sweating on a response to that one job ad and yes, very few of them can spell and use proper grammar.
loading...
With all due respect Maree, our time is just as valuable as yours. If we can take the time to offer you our services, you can take the time to let us know the position has been filled. A generic ‘unsuccessful’ letter does not take much time, compared to those of us putting everything we can into a great job application. It can really knock you psychologically when you don’t get a response to a job application. Maybe you should walk in the shoes of a job seeker for a while..
loading...
Hi Maree,
Thank you for the perspective from the other side!
loading...
Hi Maree,
I can understand not being able to respond to that many applications, particularly if a lot of them a very poor applications such as you described. But surely you quickly weed them out and make a short list of the better ones, which you would then assess more carefully? Perhaps you could respond to them with a courtesy email? For some job applications it can take a whole day to prepare the resume, cover letter and selection criteria statement. Imagine doing that day after day with no response.
loading...
What a terrible experience! Absolutely – every applicant should get an acknowledgement and then again when the role has been filled to say sorry you’ve been unsuccessful. With technology and auto-responders it really isn’t that hard. I have worked in the recruitment industry for over 15 years and I still tell candidates VERBALLY after every face to face interview if they have been unsuccessful. Common courtesy goes along way in terms of brand, reputation and employers of choice.
loading...
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for the support!
It’s been interesting to read the different comments from people with different perspectives and it’s nice to hear that someone in the recruitment industry agrees!
That said, I can understand where people are coming from in regards to trying to respond to hundreds of applicants when they’re a small business.
I am learning much thanks to the response to this article!!
x
loading...
A reply to say thanks but no thanks is better than nothing! So rude, surely they can just acknowledge your application. I was applying left right and centre recently, I got maybe 2 replies out of about 30 applications!
loading...
Thanks Natalie, I hope you got something in the end!
xx
loading...
I live in a small town where only 4% of the population have a University degree, so after much searching and NO luck I finally took my formal qualifications off my resume and I got a job. It is sad to think that taking my degree off is the reason why…
Also I have to wholeheartedly agree that it is all about WHO you know. Ask around, ask your friends to ask around. Something will come up
loading...
Hey Alison,
Thanks so much!
I agree, that’s amazing that you had to take your qualifications off your resume to get there in the end. Just so crazy.
x
loading...
My husband of 25 yrs left when I was 43 yrs old. I had been out of the workforce 25 yrs and I needed a job desperately. After many soul destroying job applications on top of no self esteem from my marital demise I decided i would start my own business through NEIS and Centrelink. With years of experience doing a myriad of unpaid skills I have become a Personal Concierge. It is a new industry in Australia but it is growing. I am proud of what I have done and my now growing but still small business is allowing me to achieve things I couldn’t have done in a “normal job position”. My hours are flexible and my clients appreciate what I do for them. My self esteem is back. Its not easy but then all those applications that went into the universe with all my hope and prayers was harder.
loading...
Hi Tracey,
Congratulations on your new business. I’m fascinated by personal concierge services and have been thinking about starting a business for a while now. I’m based in a regional NSW town and think that there could really be a market for such a service. May I ask how you charge your clients? Is it an hourly rate or on a per service basis?
Carly
loading...
FANTASTIC idea Tracey and a service I would definitely use, and have used in the past – when i lived remotely away from my family, and life got “too much”, I found a ‘helper’ on Gumtree to help me do all sorts of things, like clean out my kitchen pantry and wardrobe, tidy up my office, filing etc – it was a great help
Awesome business idea, I hope you’re super successful! x
loading...
Hi Tracey,
Congrats on a brilliant idea!
And most importantly, so great that your self esteem is back – so important to have that.
All the best
loading...
Tracey, your business sounds seriously interesting. I’d love to learn more about how it works and how you set it up. Do you have a website I could take a look at by any chance?
Congratulations on your business!
loading...
Often it’s who you know that can give you the edge so instead of applying through all the formal channels why not let all your friends and business contacts know you’re available for work? I think it’s unrealistic to expect businesses to contact everyone to let them know you’re unsuccessful. I think you should just assume you are until they call. Nobody owes you anything so treat a courtesy call or letter to let you know the role has been filled as a pleasant surprise! Good luck though!
loading...
Thanks Crackers,
A pleasant surprise is a nice way of looking at it
x
loading...
I wonder if a job ad that included “successful applicants will be contacted within 2 weeks” or some such, would help given that some jobs attract massive numbers of applicants.
loading...
Good thought
loading...
I’m sure it’s frustrating! I am an employer and recently employed someone (yes, I did acknowledge all applicants!). Firstly, the job market has tightened up, we advertised the same position 2 years and has practically no one apply, this time we got a large number of qualified people. Some hints from an employers point of view:
- Write a cover letter for the job so they know you put time and effort into your application
- If it is a position where people skills are required, try calling the contact and ask intelligent questions (but don’t waste their time!!!)
- I don’t even read job applications that have spelling mistakes or major formatting problems
- Most importantly if you are not successful, try calling or emailing for feedback (not all places will give feedback, but doesn’t hurt to try). There may be something you are doing that’s a turn off with out realising.
Good luck!!!!
loading...
Great tips, Lilybun!
loading...
Hi Lilybun,
I agree with kattate – great tips!!
Thanks so much
xx
loading...
Over the past 2 years I’ve applied for over 300 jobs, and I’ve only received 2 replies. I’m still unemployed, and I haven’t bothered applying for jobs in 4 months because there is just nothing available.
There was a segment about Spain’s terrible youth unemployment figures, but why can’t they talk about the same issues here, it’s getting worse here but nobody bothers to mention it or take it seriously.
loading...
Hey Bridget,
So sorry to hear that. 300 jobs and only 2 replied – that’s incredible.
Wishing you all the luck in the future. I hope you get something soon.
xx
loading...
From an employers perspective. I am a sole proprietor of a small business, I am also a mum. When we advertise we usually get around 200 Applicantions for 1 position. I give every application 100% opportunity and once we get down to the candidates we phone and interview I will email a response either way, but the amount of trouble some applicants go to is about nil. I even have application with other business names on it. It is a massive undertaking for me to hire someone and generally takes 2 weeks for me to do it. But large companies that have an hr department should be better equipped to handle the numbers.
loading...
Hey Guest,
Thanks so much for giving the other side of the story – I’ve been sort of amazed to hear from so many commenters on here that some jobs attract applications in the hundreds – I’ll be honest and admit that I didn’t realise that that was how many people I was up against!! Eeep!
x
loading...
Feeling your pain Nicola! I’ve been trying to get into a field for 15 yrs (while working P/T in other areas) and now it looks like the job market is changing & phasing out that type of job. To compete & be in the same industry I’ll have to get a degree via correspondence cause it’s not available locally (which won’t happen – I know my learning style & that’s not it), & then compete with people who have degree + also years of experience. Then my plan B was to put my name down at schools for casual office/library work once my youngest starts kinder next year, but the NSW gov’t has just cut 1200 admin jobs from schools. Great. Then for my plan C I’m competing to do a paid role against a stack of retired volunteers who’ll work for nothing, because they have time to kill. And the economy is crappy & only getting crappier. It all wants to make me scream. I’m booked in to see a careers counsellor at my local uni/TAFE campus in the school holidays – hopefully they can help me come up with a plan. Good luck Nicola. Here’s hoping you’re the next JK Rowling.
loading...
Hey,
Wow, you’ve had some damn sucky luck there. I really feel for you. Good luck with your careers meeting, I hope they come up with some good advice for you and that you can find what you’re looking for without having to resort to a plan D!
LOVE your JK Rowling comment by the way… ahhh, if only!
xx
loading...
Its the part time part that’s the killer – I have recently got a part time job, but it’s through a contact. I agree with the comments that you need to find a role within your network as when I approached recruiters and said I was looking for three, perhaps four at a stretch, days per week I was basically told best to talk to my network.
loading...
Thanks for the info, so great hearing all of these tips from everyone and stories of other people’s experiences.
x
loading...
Maybe you were doing this, but just in case:
Don’t just rely on advertised jobs – so much of the job market is “hidden”, talk to your friends, ex-colleagues, university colleagues, about opportunities.
When you do apply for an advertised job – call up the contact and TALK to them. Tell them about yourself and how you are suited to the role.
Get your university careers service to check over your resume and applications – you may think that they’re great, but maybe you are pitching yourself wrong.
If you want feedback after rejection, a polite email asking for feedback is completely appropriate.
And if you don’t have anything current on your resume – work experience, work experience, work experience. Try and find something that can fit in with all of your other commitments and give you something current to include on your resume, and also it is a great opportunity to build networks.
Best of luck
loading...
Hi Katyberry,
Some really great advice and so lovely of you to take the time to pass it all on.
Much appreciated
xx
loading...
I completely understand. Ive been working long hours, studying, writing freelance and doing pro bono work over the last eight years – it made me stand out in the employment market in Australia. But now I’ve been in North America for four months and I can’t get a job. Contacts are EVERYTHING here and it makes me so mad. I’m starting to make a little progress by cold calling HR people, connecting on LinkedIn and getting involved with professional groups. I also need to do pro bono again. It all takes a lot of time but maybe some of these approaches will help you too?? All the best
loading...
Thanks so much Marissa, I appreciate the thoughts.
Best of luck to you too!!
xx
loading...
The majority of people don’t get jobs by applying for them and in my personal experience, 80% of my jobs have come from asking around and getting an in that way.
Ask around and tell all your friends what you’re looking for. Look up old bosses, post on social media, etc.
loading...
Thanks for the tip
Funny you should say that, after writing this article I ran into an old work colleague and have since starting doing some part time marketing work for his new business! It’s not a lot of work – but it’s something, and something is better than nothing!!
loading...
just shows that wages don’t really match up with the cost of living! very hard to get a job if you are a mum it seems…
loading...
Mmm, does seem that way – from my experience anyway!
loading...
I hear you!
Definitely agree about the lack of courtesy with responding to job applications too. Surely a stock standard letter of receipt will do. Applicants have taken the time to write the letter, why can’t companies take some effort at their end? Even if it is a cut & paste job. I also think it is important for the PR of the company too. Particularly if they deal with the public. Makes me less reluctant to give them my business if they can’t respond to a job application.
But so agreed! Great post!
loading...
Thank you!!
I was really nervous about this story, worried people would think I was too whingey! So it’s a relief to see that there are people who agree (phew!)
xx
loading...
Hi, I had the exact same experience and in the end I was so demoralised by the whole thing – spending HOURS putting together applications for jobs I was completely qualified to do and hearing nothing. I got sick of well-meaning people telling me that I would just have to lower my expectations and apply for an entry level job and work my way up (yes, really!) without realising that I was not going to get one of them either- being completely over qualifed. In the end I decided to set up my own consulting business doing what I used to do for other businesses but working for myself, and which also helps other mums set themselves up in a business. It has been a long year getting myself established, but totally worth it and now I have a really stimulating and rewarding job that I can manage flexibly around my family commitments. This is a BIG ISSUE for women who take time out to have a family.
There is a lot of talk about the crisis in childcare but what about an emphasis on employers providing meaningful part-time work for educated, commited and hard working women to re-enter the workforce?
loading...
Hey Fiona,
Great comment and a massive congrats on your success!
Sounds like you’re doing brilliantly, what a great way to turn a difficult situation around.
x
loading...