Companies not replying

Whatsisname

Lost count of how many online applications I've done and/or sent my cv and cover letter to email addresses. I've only ever got your automatic general reply to anyone they didn't want to hire and thats been from the same company. I've gotten about 2/3 replies in the last year or so out of 40+ applications.

I've kinda gotten the message I'm not what anybody is looking for but a reply would be nice.

Just me or are there others in the same boat?

baby and crumble

Whatsisname wrote: »

Lost count of how many online applications I've done and/or sent my cv and cover letter to email addresses. I've only ever got your automatic general reply to anyone they didn't want to hire and thats been from the same company. I've gotten about 2/3 replies in the last year or so out of 40+ applications.

I've kinda gotten the message I'm not what anybody is looking for but a reply would be nice.

Just me or are there others in the same boat?

It's not just you. I've only gotten replies/ acknowledgements from 2 posts. I think there's so many people applying for jobs they just can't acknowledge everyone and that's only if there's some kind of automatic reply.

It's really disheartening though, I get really paranoid that I haven't sent it to the right address, but don't want to email again or ring up and sound really desperate and needy!!!

mrinsatiable

I'm in the same boat. It's very depressing but you do have to remember the amount of applications they get. I find it very difficult now even to tempt myself to apply for jobs. I thought it was my CV but I had some recruitment agencies look at my CV and they told me my CV was very strong, so I dunno. Luck of the draw at this stage I think.

baby and crumble

A lot of the time it's all about who you're up against. I have 2 masters degrees but I wouldn't be surprised if the jobs I'm going for have PhDs applying. I meet the requirements but if they can get a person with a phd for the same money why wouldn't they? I'm slowly coming to realise I'm going to have to swallow my pride and go for stuff I'm WAY over qualified for.

That makes me sound like I love myself, I really don't!!!

dobman88

Not just you. Unfortunately the amount of workers far outweighs the jobs available. It really is the luck of the draw at this stage. A former manager of mine used to dump half the CV's we got in the bin "to avoid unlucky people" was his excuse. I'd always heard of that kind of stuff happening but never actually believed it until I saw him do it.

Like I told my brother last week. Keep sending CV's and applications and something will eventually turn up, disheartening and all as it is. Best of luck.

AngryHippie

I'll give you a hint that will either put you ahead, or give you a closure:

A follow up call.

Think of it this way, An employer might get 40-50 resumes for a job. 30% won't have the qualifications/skills, 30% won't have the experience, another 30% won't have great references, this will leave them with maybe a dozen or so in real competition for the job.
Providing that:
You are qualified
You have experience
Your references check out and are good

Making a follow up call, and asking if your resume was received will indicate to your employer that you are interested and eager to get the job. It's not a sign of desperation, but one of interest.
After that, it will come down to the usual criteria:
Age, different levels of experience, extra experience/skills above the job description, expected pay, and of course, the all important interview, which will give them an indication of whether you will fit within their organization,

Don't be disheartened by it, just remember that you are selling your skills, not the employer selling a job. It's up to you to follow up, and make yourself stand out from the other dozen on the shortlist.

Be positive and best of luck.

donegal_man

It's hard at the moment to get past even the first hurdle of having your cv read. From my dealings since the New Year screening applicants can I offer a piece of advice.
Keep your cv short, two pages, no one wants to read about the job you had during your gap year unless it's really relevant to the position you're after.
Tailor your cv for each post you apply for, those generic word templates do not catch the eye.
Good luck

L.Jenkins

Given the number of unemployed in the Country, any position available could expect to receive a few hundred applications. Potential employers can't be expected to reply to everyone, as much as we'd like one.

baby and crumble

Itzy wrote: »

Given the number of unemployed in the Country, any position available could expect to receive a few hundred applications. Potential employers can't be expected to reply to everyone, as much as we'd like one.

It's not that i want a personal acknowledgement, but I don't think it'd be too hard to set up an email for the application process and have an automatic reply In place.

I applied for one job that sent an automatic reply saying that if I didn't hear within 3 weeks I wasn't being called for interview. At least I knew where I stood, you know?