Comments on: When you’re sick of the whole job application process, what then?

By: Cari

Cari — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:49:10 +0000

Clearly you have a problem with women. If you’re applying to jobs where women are the Hiring Manager or are involved in the interview process somehow, this probably comes across.

I work in recruitment and I probably recruit 75% men versus 25% women. According to your twisted way of thinking then, this means that I’m biased against women. But actually I’m not – I make sure to hire the best candidate each time, and it just so happens that three quarters of the time they’re men.

Also, I can tell you that every time I reject a candidate, I never, ever reveal to them what gender the successful candidate was. Why would I? Who’s business is it? What does it have to do with why they didn’t get the job? What difference does it make to anyone? Therefore I don’t quite believe your story, that you’re constantly being passed up in favour of women … I believe that majority of the time you wouldn’t even know what gender the successful candidate was, and on the odd occasion that you did find out, it wouldn’t have had any bearing on your application anyway.

Don’t even get me started on this sentence: "all they are getting from women, who have no trouble securing well-paid or even modestly-paid careers …" – in the UK, it is still a FACT that men are paid more for doing exactly the same job as women.

Wake up and face facts. Yes, you are unemployable, and this is because you chose not to work for a period of time, and then you chose to take temp jobs which make it appear that you are incapable of holding down a job. Anyone in this situation, whether male or female, would find themselves unable to find employment. The fact that you are male has no bearing on anything.

By: oohbetty

oohbetty — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:49:10 +0000

Firstly, I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a tough time career wise and it must be really mentally draining and disheartening. Life can be cruel for all of us at some point in our lives whether its because of work, love, money or whatever. Secondly, even though my life isn’t perfect (I’m a stay at home mum/housewife desperate to work even though I love my kids but we need the money and I’m having trouble finding something suitable) I believe you should never give up hope. I lost a good friend to suicide a few months ago and believe me it leaves too much misery behind so please don’t go down that road. I know it’s may not be the kind of work you’re after but what about a job as a bus driver, or in a supermarket? When my kids were babies I worked nights on the checkout (after 11 years as a legal secretary!) and actually enjoyed meeting people. I knew a lot of older people who only joined the company later in life so have you thought of this option? Finally 52 is no age at all so try and be positive. You also mention you won’t get a pension – I know of people who have never worked (because they can’t be bothered unlike yourself) and have gone straight from benefits to a government pension so make sure you know your options before you think the worst. Good luck.

By: almcneilcan

almcneilcan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:49:10 +0000

I hear ya! I didn’t bother reading your elongated diatribe but from the first paragragh alone I can relate! Re-inventing yourself at middle-age is very difficult. In a nutshell, I settled on self-employment. Find something you really like and start your own business. It’s tough at first but it feels AMAZING once it starts to build!!

Best,
– Liam

By: COLIN T

COLIN T — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:49:10 +0000

I almost wish that i had not read your question Elmbeard. Lots of bell’s were ringing and bad memories being re-awakened. I was actually a little older than you when my similar saga started. One job i went for an interview for was actually at a DHSS Office. I walked in to this huge open plan office with about 50 women of assorted ages working away (or something) and one solitary male, possibly young enough to be on work experience, sorting some papers in a corner. I was interviewed by 3 women. They described what the department did, described the job, commented that there were a number of other applicants being interviewed and they would let me know. Then stood up to indicate the interview was at an end. Excuse me, says i, are there not any questions that you would like to ask me, or perhaps you would care to hear how i feel that i can fill the role etc/ Oh no, we have all we need in your application. Yeah, right!

I am an honest man and played strictly by the rules – no little cash in hand jobs on the side etc. Well, whatever HM Govt. might imagine, you could not keep yourself and your wife, run your home, run a modest car (I lived in a country hamlet 3 miles from nearest shop and NO public Transport at all so having a car was essential!), pay insurances etc etc all on £86 a week [plus Council Tax credits]. By the time i actually got a job my very modest savings were gone, i was nearly 16 grand in debt and within 3 months of having to downsize our home to release some of the equity.

Suddenly out of the blue 3 job applications in one week resulted in interviews – and 3 job offers resulted. All permanent positions, salary almost the same with each, pretty low compared to what i had earned previously, but hey, work!!!! I am now into my 6th year with the one i accepted (a Charity), love the work, have recently cleared my debts and, best of all for a person of my generation who was brought up to expect to work for whatever i wanted, i am not living on tax payers handouts and can hold my head up. For the last 6 years i have been a Mental Health Support Worker and after a lifetime of helping to make profits for anonymous share holders finally know what the term ‘Job Satisfaction’ means! We cannot live at the standard we used to but every day i go to work looking forward to what the day will bring and am pretty happy with my lot.

Like you, at one stage i thought i was a lost cause (nothing to do with my beard!) but there you are, the turnaround for you may be just around the corner!