Feedback from rejection from a job application / hard finding a job?

tinytobe

I personally find it increasingly harder and harder to find work.

I could never make head nor tail with any form of feedback and a rejection to a job application:

• You're too experienced for this role you applied to ( after 4 rounds of interviews and well aware of what I applied for)
• You're not showing the kind of enthusiasm for the role we expect you to have ( in my day and age, I don't get over excited like a child at Christmas for a new opportunity )
• You have a lot of experience and traits relevant for this role but "at this point in time" we decided to move forward with other candidates. ( Well at what point in time would it actually be my turn?)
• You don't have the right experience for the job ( in reality a minor difference in experience about a subject that can easily be learned )

All sorts of excuses from HR, and the frustration of not getting the job one wants and never "you don't have the right qualification, exams or university degree for this role". ( the latter would be understandable)

HR on the other side: I've interviewed 30 candidates and none of them are a good fit.

I often wonder whose fault it really is?

And sadly that's a development / trend / tendency I have noticed in the last couple of years, especially during and after the pandemic.

Until 2019 I've never had these problems.

Mrs OBumble

Have you turned 50 recently?

I'd heard stories about it making a difference but was still surprised by how much difference there was when I got there.

Midlands Minnie

Im 56 and find it impossible to even get an interview.

tinytobe

About to turn 50, but my CV doesn't show it. I simple delete the roles when I was very young, plus don't mention my birth date.

However my posting was more about all the lame excuses one get's from HR rather than ageism.

Theoretically I could work until 70 or 75, as my work isn't manual, but still HR departments wouldn't like that.

Alexus25

They're crying out for Health care assistant workers and social care workers

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114196#Comment_122114196

I would get that. However I doubt' that a salary in health care assistance would pay the rent of a one bedroom in most European cities, let alone in Dublin.

Hence part of the problem.

Those jobs they try to fill so desperately don't pay. Another HR problem they fail to understand.

Let HR departments continue to cry out for what they want.

Alexus25

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114204#Comment_122114204

Idk about HCA but SCW pays anywhere between €16-€22 an hour, you work 24 hour shifts and easily make 3 and a half k after tax but you do work for it

hello2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114164#Comment_122114164

What do u do with education record like graduation or leaving cert dates?

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114164#Comment_122114164

Agree re the lame feedback. But they'd get in trouble if they told you the truth.

thefa

After a number of rejections I would probably have a look at my interviewing preparation and techniques plus also have a think about how I might not be putting my best foot forward at interviews.

Of the excuse examples you gave, the one that piqued my interest was about not being enthusiastic enough about the role. Oddly specific if the true reason whereas the others are fairly generic.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114164#Comment_122114164

No company is going to give you an reason for rejection that is actionable. So whether or not it is the actual reason or the least actionable reason you will never know, so forget about it.

Over the past 30 years or more I have been involved in various recruiting efforts and I never met an employer who took on someone they did not want to hire. So all the fancy footwork you are doing to hide the fact you are 50 is for nothing, it just means you are wasting your time and effort chasing jobs you will never get. Doing fewer interviews, but with companies that might actually employ you would be more productive. Then you can spend the rest of your time figuring out how to support yourself over the next 15 years or so.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122120008#Comment_122120008

I don't think that everything is about age discrimination. However sometimes it's obvious, like in some industries or in some business locations.

AndrewJRenko

Public service employers are generally far less likely to discriminate based on age.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122120044#Comment_122120044

It's pretty obvious there's a ceiling past about 35-40, never mind 50. You'll only know if you test the waters.

Etc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122142711#Comment_122142711

It’s not that obvious, I’m mid 50’s and have been offered 2 roles in the last 12 months. Likewise there is a lot of movement of ex colleagues of my age as their skills are valued.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122142792#Comment_122142792

I've got a few interviews as you say due to technical skills. But its noticeable internally or in other companies I visit there's an very obvious age plateau in who works there.

Etc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122143132#Comment_122143132

I guess it depends on the sector and availability, in my sector there’s a real mix of gen x to gen z and due to the constant evolution of the sector, experience is valued as a gen x’er can hit the ground running and in a lot of cases mentor junior staff so it’s an advantage for the company.

OP, give yourself every chance, work with a career coach, fine tune CV, think laterally about where else you can use your skills and take notes on interviews and companies you’ve applied to. The data will help you fine tune your cv, anticipate interview questions and above all don’t give up.

turbodiesel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114218#Comment_122114218

What's SCW short for?

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122253861#Comment_122253861

Social Care Worker