Getting interviews but not jobs, advice needed!

job124hunt

Hi all,
Working in a fairly specialised/niche area and currently looking for a job.
I’ve been applying for roles for approximately, six months or so, without any joy and currently in a role which will finish soon.
I’ve been there or thereabouts to getting roles, I’ve sought feedback from HR people etc, some of whom have been excellent, and I’ve tried the recruitment agency route with little success.
I’m worn out from the job hunt, and thinking I need to re-focus and get my game together again, and maybe do some sort of interview preparation course as I’m well aware I may not be presenting as I wish.

Are there any firms out there who people can recommend I could do a pre-interview course/even revamp a CV?

Also, there is one organisation I have been shortlisted for on more than one occasion, without success, but yet the feedback is I’m in and around the role, in one instance came second for example.

Does it look desperate to HR staff/Managers when someone applies three or four times and is even interviewed at the same firm in say a year or two?

In one instance a HR person has suggested I apply again, but figure at this point I may not be a ‘fit’ for the organisation and wonder have I been put forward for interviews before to make up the numbers.
Interested to get peoples perspective on all of the above.

Diziet

You have nothing to lose by applying multiple times (these would be different positions, anyway). In the last two jobs that I got, I had applied to the organisation before. And get your priorities in order - it does not matter if you 'look desperate', whatever that means, if you end up with a job offer at the end of it now, does it?

If you are getting interviews but no offers, it comes down to fit. You need to keep going. Job hunting is pretty much a full time job, or it feels like one. You constantly need to refine your approach. So yes, do look at your CV, rope in a mentor to do a mock interview, read some books on job hunting.

I recommend 'answers to tough interview questions' by Martin John Yates. I have used it and recommended it to lots of people who started getting interviews once they put the instruction into practice. It is more general than just interviews.

When at interview, always always view your responses from the point of view of the employer. What can you do for them? Have lots of examples of previous experiences and situations handy. How did you solve problem x? How did you deal with a difficult customer? What did you do What was the outcome? If you are really organised, you will have all this in a spreadsheet, for quick revision.

Keep at it. You will get the right for for you (it works both ways)

job124hunt

Hi Diziet,
Many thanks for that, I probably didn’t explain myself right, but, having been shortlisted for interviews in the same organisation and not getting the roles, I wondered was I just being put in front of the panels to make up the numbers etc.
Perhaps as you say persistence will pay off. I’m going to get a colleague to review my CV. I will definitely go online and order the book.
As an aside, do people speak to HR staff in the companies where they are applying to before applying etc? To find out more about the role? What is the done thing?
In the past I generally only dealt with HR people when getting an invite to or outcome from an interview, but maybe I should keep up more regular contact.

ongarboy

job124hunt wrote: »

Hi Diziet,

As an aside, do people speak to HR staff in the companies where they are applying to before applying etc? To find out more about the role? What is the done thing?
In the past I generally only dealt with HR people when getting an invite to or outcome from an interview, but maybe I should keep up more regular contact.

I would have expected asking more about the role would come up during the actual interview. Usually, good interviewers will start by telling you a little about the organisation, the dept you'll be working in and a brief overview of the role. Usually, it will be someone (a supervisor/manager) from the dept you are working in that will go into technical specifics. A HR interviewer will be there also to ask and explain more personnel related information. There is usually a period towards the end of the interview where interviewers will ask you do you have any questions and this is the opportunity to ask such questions about the role (assuming they haven't explained them to you earlier in the interview...you don't want to raise red flags about not paying attention!).

Contacting a HR rep prior to the interview seems a bit premature and may come across as off putting to them as it would look like you are trying to bypass the actual purpose of the interview. Engaging with HR prior to the interview should only be for situations such as confirming availability for the interview, clarifying directions to address and possibly to rule out any show stopping scenarios that you may be concerned about (eg lack of public transport and you have no car etc).

You would have been expected to do research on the company in advance (via internet etc) and combine that with the attributes requested of in the job spec of the role you applied for, prepare informed questions about your role.

Just reading your issue again - if it's in house transfers you are seeking and are consistently unsuccessful, is it possible to seek advice from a mentor (more senior than you) who may be able to offer guidance as they would/should have good insight on how to progress in the company. Also seeking feedback from HR is recommended.