No longer employable?

tinytobe

I used to have success and a good career, until for reasons beyond my control I had to leave my employment.

Ever since that time, I've been looking for work.

Applications for jobs are often answered by a rejection notice, but then at the same moment, the position goes online again, is reposted, on sites like indeed or linked in. This has continued for more than 6 months now. Even with the usual Irish recruiters in my field, like CPL I don't seem to get anywhere.

What I've noticed is that I do get some interest by recruiters in the UK but they also result in endless interview cycles, often ending in either ghosting or rejection.

Business seem to be looking for employees with my background and experience, but they apparently don't want me. The job stays vacant, even though I could hit the ground running, once joined.

I do know that AI is pretty much used in applications, and possible next interviews, however I don't know how much. I am also not certain, if I am mistaken for someobody else, as I was once victim of an identity theft scam, who posing as myself did some nasty things. Even though caught by the police, I don't know if this still poses an issue with my job search?

drunkmonkey

Just on the last point, if I googled your name would I find information that could be mistaken for you? That would throw up some red flags.

There's also a gap on your CV from what you describe, that could proabaly be the reason, if this person is so good why aren't they working is the 1st thing i'd ask myself, if somone hasn't a gap they'll proabably get the call first. Is there anything you can fill that gap with that sounds plausable. Also when explaing why you left the last job may need to be worked on, have any of these recuitment agencies flagged to you what's wrong.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123215457#Comment_123215457

I've left my last jobs as the objectives couldn't be met and any kind of performance improvement process would only have been a farce as the reasons for this were not down to me.

During the gaps in my CV I've done some personal projects like property development. I didn't put that into my CV but into the motivation letter, - maybe I should.

If I googled for my name I only find a couple of others with the same name but in a totally different industyr. However the name of that imposter might or will be in the records of some HR departments, - I am guessing this but even if I was to ask, the information won't be provided to me.

Furthermore the reason for not being in employment is that long application and interview process these days in my industry. 4 or 5 interviews via videoconferences and weeks in between, and they don't even know who I was in the first place, - other than notes behind my back being passed to the next manager….

It's a tough one.

BrianD3

I doubt that it is anything to do with a previous identity theft.

If you are out of work for any reason for a considerable period of time, you're going to be a blunt instrument at both the application and interview stage (if you get one). On top of that, if you try to explain a gap in your employment history by talking about doing property development, you'll be seen as a nutter or spoofer by many. From a recruiter's POV, I'm not sure that there is ANY valid reason for a gap that won't see a red flag raised and your application likely binned.

My situation is I have been a carer for a family member for several years and I'm fcuked when I try to get back to the workforce. My 20 year previous career and multiple STEM degrees might as well not exist, old news and the world moves on quickly.

Def_IRL

You haven't mentioned what area of work you are specifically looking to work in?

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123216734#Comment_123216734

It's probaby going to be a similar scenario for me. Either no job ever, or some kind of self employment idea. It'll most likely have to be the latter. Another issue is: I am 50, and I know that age isn't liked much. They blabber a lot about diversity and inclusion in my industry, but they exclude age. I was by far the oldest in the office my last role.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123216764#Comment_123216764

I was in account management in the IT sector.

L1011

Potentially too obvious but often missed thing - don't mention your age or DOB on a CV; and don't put the years after qualifications unless they're expiring ones.

It isn't required, and people doing really crude cuts based on thinking someone is too old are looking for it, not looking at the dates on the oldest job.

50 is a pretty normal age in that type of role, but possibly not to a first line recruiter

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123217079#Comment_123217079

Self employed recuriters aren't so much the problem. It's mostly either HR departments or managers with all sorts of age or diversity targets in the industry which seem to be the problem. And then there is the long interview cycle in the industry, - it wasn't like that before the pandemic.

In Ireland in the industry 50 is often too old, over in the UK, for senior positions it's quite common. However I haven't had any real traction there myself. As said, lot's of interest by recuriters, lot's of hits to my linked in profile, but as to real offers, none.

CuriousCucumber

We invited a lady this week. She was quite good, but we needed great for the role.

That's all it came down to. She will see the job continue to be advertised. She will know that she had a good interview.

Nothing else came into consideration.

You might want to lower your targets

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123217148#Comment_123217148

… might, as you said.

Don't know what you mean by lowering targets. I've tried more junior roles and gotten rejections as well. They probably have more than enough applicants for junior roles and only think that the lower salary won't motivate me.

BrianD3

I'm a similar age to the OP and will also be in a predicament shortly. Luckily I have low enough salary expectations but the problem with low paid jobs is they also tend to have poor conditions. I thought about an ICT apprenticeship in the public service, there were threads about them on here before but I've seen nothing for a few years. And as with anything else, there is going to be competition to get in - aptitude tests and interviews - for an apprencticeship that after two years would see one (potentially) entering the public service at the lowest point of the Executive Officer scale which is 36.5k.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123218151#Comment_123218151

The problem I also find, is that to a high degree the market is simply too weak, and it's not even personal, like age, or salary expectations, etc….

Companies are inviting in candidates, interviewing them, several interview stages, and no candidate is ever good enough? Position remains unfilled, and remains that way for months.

Then one of the only conclusion may be, that there is no strong interest to hire and fill this position in the first place.

Also, going for a lower salary also means, "rougher language", "barking bosses", worse conditions, dealing with colleagues with limited brains ( sorry about the statement), and going for more junior positions in the same industry will not lead anywhere either, as one is regarded as not motivated, or having too strong career growth expectations etc….

And then there is a lot of talk and blabber going on behind any applicant's back, things said, and if negative, objections one can't handle, as one doesn't get to hear them.

MacDanger

The best option might be to leverage any contacts (people you've previously worked with/for) you have in the industry, chances are it'll be more fruitful than the standard route

ELM327

No offence OP but having read through your posts in this thread, I would find that your attitude may be the reason you are not being employed.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123218264#Comment_123218264

It's probably not attitude, but personality. I absolutely don't know what I should do differently. Up until 4 years ago, things were more than fine, I was successful.

If you'd care to show a little bit more info on your "no offence posting"?

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123218684#Comment_123218684

I think you should focus on positivity.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123218253#Comment_123218253

Exactly this. Network colleagues friends and family. Do some courses and industry meets. The online stuff only goes so far.

Theres a book called "What Color Is Your Parachute" worth reading. Might give you ideas .

BrianD3

The below quote may be telling

"I've left my last jobs as the objectives couldn't be met and any kind of performance improvement process would only have been a farce as the reasons for this were not down to me."

That sort of thing happens frequently in workplaces but doesn't result in people resigning. They brazen it out - but it takes a certain type of personality to do that. It also takes a certain type of personality to spoof, lie and self promote effectively on job applications and at interview.

As for why employers seemingly don't care if they employ someone or not, in large workplaces things often move slowly and apathy can be a problem. Many places are chronically understaffed and providing a sh1t service to their customers yet are staying in business. Not much incentive to hire anyone, especially when your competitors are the same. But they'll half heartedly test the market - like some eejit arriving at a car dealership to pass the time and kick tyres with little intention of buying.

Flinty997

"..I've left my last jobs as the objectives couldn't be met and any kind of performance improvement process would only have been a farce as the reasons for this were not down to me..."

This is known as being set up to fail, gate keeping and institutional road blocks. It's a thing. You usually have to wait it out, or move laterally or move externally.

I've often seen people leave a job. Work somewhere else and get hired back having got around the block, or never come back. Common enough I'd say.

But that's the past. No point dwelling on that now.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123218175#Comment_123218175

Good luck trying to second guess what HR recruitment is. I've been through it from both sides of the desk and I've not a clue.

I think as you get older you lose patience with it all.

I know we've turned away people who are currently doing the job only to hire someone who can't do the job who then requires the first person to always help them. The first person leaves for obvious reasons and we are left with a person who can't do the job. Madness.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123219108#Comment_123219108

Yes, it was pretty much a set up to fail scenario. I've heard that some US IT companies do that deliberately, as they have to fire a certain percentage every year, and they don't want that with those they value? Thus they hire new just to let them go? Odd thing to me, it's an explanation, even though it's hard to understand for me.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123219153#Comment_123219153

I think that's a good description. I've actually lost patience with these sort of "HR games", and even worse, if they are liked to be hidden behind "diversity and inclusion", - none of those ever included me.

The feeling of no longer employable does go hand in hand with the feeling of having grown out of certain things.

Flinty997

I think you have start over with clean sheet.

What's on your CV that's under 2yrs old. If there's nothing start doing courses or certs or projects that get something to freshen up that CV.

banie01

You mentioned in reply to a question regarding your name being googled and perhaps returning worrying results that?

"and they don't even know who I was in the first place, - other than notes behind my back being passed to the next manager"

Do you believe that information regarding your suitability or otherwise is being shared by former managers? That your previous managers or your referees are where your application is falling down?

Is there a history of malice or conflict with prior colleagues that lead you to that belief?

nachouser

… .

506972617465

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058398420/no-longer-employable

Speaking as someone mid-aged, recently looking for and getting a new white collar and well paid job:

Review
- your CV
- language you use
- attitude (don't confuse self-worth and confidence with acting like a Prima Donna)

Think of yourself as if you are a product you'd like to sell to the highest bidder. Be prepared, rock solid. Answer calls. Respond to emails immediately. Be agreeable. Be reasonable. Be professional and confident. Stay focused.
Also be someone recruiters want to work with - you are their guy. Think about it - this is how they get their commission and they love to earn money. Logically - if you're an OK person why would they miss the opportunity?

If that won't help, visit your local parish and ask for exorcism.

Gloomtastic!

Where do you live?

John_Rambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123216734#Comment_123216734

Surely you're pure ripe for self employment? Perfect age with the right education… start small, grow slow with a one man show.

Gloomtastic!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123220297#Comment_123220297

This 100%

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123220179#Comment_123220179

It's not like that. It's the endless interview cycles these days. Different managers every time, and weeks in between. It's like momentum being lost, other than notes passed around.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123220277#Comment_123220277

Thanks for the advice, but I did all that, except exorcism. Oddly the cathlolic church still does that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123219980#Comment_123219980

I've always done some online e-learning about companies I've applied to, - at least of certain companies. Often these courses are for free. But that didn't help either.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123220297#Comment_123220297

At the moment it's the only choice, I'd say.

Also, I need to state, that nearly everyone I used to work with, former colleagues, etc.. did leave the industry. Ageism ot a certain extent and endless interview cycles are often stated as well. However even a former colleague 20 years junior also found it difficult finding work, - similar issues, except age.

Gloomtastic!

Where do you live?

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123220422#Comment_123220422

I'd rather not say, it's also not relevant to the discussion.

I am in general looking for jobs in Dublin as well as London, or the Greater London area.