Git a Job and Unemployment Cycle

I see what you mean. So many people lack the ability to respond correctly to a job applicant like for example, when you clearly have the abilities and/or experience and they don't politely offer you a job interview, especially for an entry-level job.

Job interviews should be for everyone, not just the extroverts. You don't need to be overly sociable to keep a job, yet they only hire all the Swet Talkers.

That's unfair that we Introverts never get a chance!

Interesting topic @Sugarshack and @FearofUnknown 😊. I know a number of other members here have also struggled with gaining employment, or sometimes suitable employment. Myself i am on the other side currently - i am employed but finding that it negatively impacts my mental and physical health and need to take time off work to recover.

Jobs, work enviornments, and people all come in such diversity. 

I have applied for many jobs i did not get even an interview. I have also applied for many jobs with an interview that i did not get also. And i have at other times been the chosen applicant. I have also been on application-review and interview panels (within government), as well as studied business (including hr). I have also been a staff member who has trained new coworkers chosen by my managers - professional and semi-skilled roles both.

I think different jobs suit different people, and sometimes people can be wise to consider this in their selection to determine which applicant will thrive best in their environment. For example, front-of-house retail an extrovert will be a more natural fit due to the high level of customer interactions (and the fatigue and stress that can bring to an introvert over fulltime hours). However, working in a quiet, self-directed, independent role will probably suit an introvert better - there is no need for excessive people interactions and they can focus on their work.

I dont believe this as a "hard and fast rule" - but as an alternative consideration for food for thought. A business normally wants to hire someone who will stay for a while because the time and cost to train new employees is a big cost/effort. So picking someone they think will "fit" is a consideration. Having said this --- these requirements need to be in the job criteria, and that is their responsibility. Eg "outgoing and friendly" for a retail job may be listed.

With regard to job interviews, the unfortunate reality for many riles advertised is that there is not enough time resource for every applicant to be interviewed. 200 applicants for a single role is not unusual, especially for entry-level roles. The same panel of people need to read every application - this can take a long time already - let alone then interviewing every applicant. I recall one job panel i was on which had 75 applications. It took me 2 days to read through all 75 applications and narrow down to the shortlist for interviewing. Every applicant, all 75, were rated on all 7 criteria individually. Then from the short list we would each select the strongest 5-6, and then compared which applicants we each picked. Most of the time it would be very similar and the ones that differed on were then discussed more about why and possibly also given an interview. But doing interviews, once we scheduled 6 across 2 days - that doesnt sound much. But each 1 hour interview, plus writing notes and ratings individually and then discussing the candidate strengths to form a shared rating per person... this was a very busy 2 days and would have been better to do over 3 days so we could be mentally rested between each person interviewed and not back-to-back with fatigue. If we needed to interview even the top 20, this would sadly not have been possible. 

But i am very empathetic about how discouraging it is to not receive any feedback or opportunity to prove yourself beyond what is written on paper. I have felt this often too when trying to change into a new role without experience.

One tip i can give you --- call the "contact officer" before applying for the job (or at least, with professional roles this is a big plus!). Chat to them about what the daily work looks like, what the biggest challenges are, ask any questions you have --- and leave a good impression from your personal contact with them, manner of interaction, and from showing interest in the role through contacting to find out more detail. 😉

I was surprised when i learned this -- i always assumed they would not want people to contact them and it could be a negative, but no! It is the opposite. 😊

I would love to be able to help give you any advice or encouragement or peer guidance i can to help you get a job. 😊

@AlwaysMyself Thank you for sharing the Human Resources perspective to this. I guess it takes a lot of teamwork to just hire 1 candidate.

It is all worthwhile in the long run, if we can be treated appropriately beyond the superficial, that is, beyond just what our Resume/CV states.

Many are capable of working very hard but there is no way to demonstrate this in a job interview, is there? That's why paid Job Trials should become more common, because it gives us all a fairer chance to demonstrate not just our skills, but also our personality.

Yes, i would love to see a practical-based job interview/application process @FearofUnknown ! 😍🥰

When i choose to hire people for my personal help, i will always give the opportunity to someone with a disability or disadvantage if i can 🥰, because i am aware there is so much negative prejudice out that that is unfair and makes it harder 😢. Both my cleaner and dog-walker have permanent disabilities that restrict the type of work they can do. They both do a good job and i am glad i can give some them employment, since i need to hire home-help anyway. My dog walker has a special-interest in dogs, so it is so great to see him able to work in his field of passion 🥰 and i know my dogs are always looked after well on their walks.

If only the World could be as kind and as generous as you @AlwaysMyself!

I would love to have you review my job applications and you as my Employer too! 

Then we'll all be able to work and stay SANE. 

Thankyou @AlwaysMyself I appreciate your insight a lot. That teaches me, 1. Write a good resume and cover letter and 2. Try to get the attention of the human at the end of the tunnel and 3. Try to "win the game" of doing the Resume/CV/Shortlist as much as showing myself to be a person who can actually do the job. Thankyou I appreciate it 🙂

@Sugarshack @FearofUnknown Your reflections sound like you have good insight. You both seem quite smart/practical from the interactions I have had with you, so I really do hope you find a good opportunity and put your best foot (feet?) forward in your applications. 😊. First job is always the hardest one to land - because after that you have references from coworkers/managers and a work history. But everyone who has a job had a "first job"

I would love to be able to help people with writing job applications, if wished. Obviously in an anonymous way!

For example, wording on how to describe things (especially in a cover letter and/or selection criteria/response). Or brainstorming of what skills are transferrable between different types of jobs that can be listed on a resume.

I don't think anyone likes applying for jobs (or, if they do - I am yet to meet them lol); it can be tiring and frustrating when you can't think what to say or how to say it. I often run my applications past someone to make sure they are easy to understand and relate well to the job & skills. 😊 By the end of it, I am usually sick of it and just want to throw the computer out the window lol. 😂