Feeling Rubbish

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I’m sorry this has knocked your confidence OneeyedRaven. Most companies won’t provide feedback unless you have actually had an interview. Was there a Person Specification with the job? For future applications, try and make sure you provide an example in relation to EVERY point on the person spec. Keep at the applications and don’t get disheartened.

I know it sucks, but at least they told you - they don't always!

Maybe your CV needed me keywords from their job description? Maybe they just had loads of applications and there were others more qualified.

There will be another job you want - keep looking and don't give up.

Was it via an agency or direct with the employer? To actually get a response at all is pretty amazing these days and the fact you've got any acknowledgement I would take as a good sign, I would reply saying that you appreciate the time they took to let you know and ask them why, also wish them luck with the recruitment for the vacancy.

Never send out the same CV for each vacancy, remember this is your introduction to them and you should take time to tailor your CV to suit the job spec and if there's any gaps that don't fit, include an explanation in a cover letter. Yes it's a ballache, but taking time over a CV shows, especially if they are using a word match programme to pick out buzzwords. Don't be discouraged, the perfect job is out there just waiting for you to find it, this one wasn't the right one

Cant you email or phone them to ask why you wasnt considered and if they can offer you any advice on improving whatever the issue was?

I believe that when this happens it would be helpful if the prospective employer sent a quick email or phoned just to explain their reasoning. It would be helpful for future applications and to stop people feeling rubbish.

Maybe someone already working for them has applied too. Make the time to write to the company thanking them, I’m sure they’ll keep the letter on file so next time they have a vacancy you might be lucky.

Ugh it sucks when that happens. Keep your head up, I applied for loads of jobs last year and loads declined my cv and wouldn't tell me why.

Hi,

I'm not sure how much experience you have at job hunting, but it sounds to me like you are applying for advertised jobs. That means competition for the post from other people, and lots of it. And if you go through an employment agency that will result in an expensive commission payment for your employer (that they would prefer to avoid).

My top tips would be to focus most of your effort and time on direct approach to the companies / organisations you'd like to work for (40%), and on networking (40%), and less on Ads and Agencies (20%). Direct approach and networking are both hard work, but they pay off, and you are much more likely to be top of the list for first interview than those people responding to ads. You may even get the job before it's even been advertised, or listed with agencies. Or even get a job created especially for you, tailored to make the most of your skills and experience!

Rejection should be water off a duck's back. If you want to work somewhere specific be persistent and keep trying different routes in. People admire tenacity. Don't let one rejection put you off an organisation. Remember too that sometimes there's already an internal candidate lined up for the post, and the external advertising of the position - and the interviewing of external candidates - can be someone just going through the motions to keep HR or their line manager happy.

Finally, always always get someone (who's really good at spelling) to check your CV and cover letter for you, looking for errors. They will nearly always find things that you've missed. Ask them to also highlight any sentences that they don't fully understand, or that they believe could be expressed more simply, or in fewer words. Given that you've got plenty of time to prepare it, your CV really should be word perfect, and error free. If an employer sees errors, and thinks you were too lazy to get someone to check it for you....you won't get to first interview.

A good rule of thumb is that a manager will forget all about you and your CV within a week, and HR will forget all about you and your CV within a month, so you need to keep applying, writing, calling etc. regularly until you get in. It's best not to think that they'll keep your CV on file for any length of time. Just because one person in HR knows about you, (or one manager in a department) doesn't mean they all do.

There's some good job hunting tips here that apply to everyone, not just students:

https://www.savethestudent.org/student-jobs/top-10-smarter-ways-to-find-a-job.html

Good luck

Johnny

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am applying directly and through advertised Jobs and unfortunately due to the state of the economy and organisation I am applying to competition is always high. Due to the nature of organisation I know it is frowned upon to direct email for feedback etc However I will take the advice and thank them for notifying me of my unsuccessful application and try to ask for feedback for further applications- which they have encouraged me to do which is something! Thanks everyone you have really helped me try to stary proactive xx

How old are you?

If over 50 dont put it on your cv - it shouldnt go on your cv anyway

Make a video selling yourself or something unusual it will soon get you noticed!

I saw a Robert De-niro movie about the guy in question finding it hard to get a job and it was quite funny so i did the same as the interviewer advised Robert Deniro in themovie and dyed all my grey hair black to disguise my age and shaved off my goatee - it took 10 years off me and i got the job!

You need someone else look at your cv and give them their opinion!

Send it to me i will give you an appraisal for free - i am the master of creative CV writing!

Sorry to hear but it’s only one rejection, don’t let this knock you down. Get back up and get in again!