I'd like to start off by saying thank goodness I currently have a job and am only looking for a career change for self improvement and growth opportunities. I send praises to all those that are currently without jobs and moving through this difficult process in search of a true career path. Good luck and may you network with the right people to get you there one day soon.
I've read several articles on career advise, paid for the premium LinkedIn account, positioned my resume and cover letter with appropriate search words and key terms for digital applications, connected directly with any HR contact I could find online at the companies I could see myself working for the long term of my career; yet no offers have come to fruition- and its been over a year.
I've moved on from the question of what am I doing wrong because at this point, I'm so well versed in interviewing that in the past few months this has no joke been my best asset. Here's the edited highlights from the past year of job hunting.
Company 1: Major Retail Department Store: Event/PR/Marketing Role.
1 x phone interview
5 x on location interviews in the same day
1 x follow up scheduled with time to be confirmed.
*HR and the Manager never got back to me with the time for the date they advised the follow up would be set up! Really rubbed me the wrong way toward the company. It reflected poorly as a way companies can do business and it was a let down to begin my job search experience that way.
Fashion retail is a small world. I heard through a colleague weeks later that they went with someone else entry level over my more experienced resume. They could have had the decency to let me know not to wait around for a follow up interview time they promised to set up.
I awkwardly ended up running into the same Manager of the location who never returned my calls/emails in follow up a month later. She pretended to be chummy with me. I smiled the whole time at her waiting for an apology - never received of course. Totally fake part of the industry. and also a trait of the area this role happened to be located that I don't handle well personally.
Nevertheless - there are other locations and contacts to work for so I cannot close off my options for one poor experience.
Months later: Same role - different location opened up!
2 x phone interviews (new HR person)
1 x Skype interview (new store person)
5 x on location interviews in 2 days
1 x let down call - they have given it to someone internal.
Months later: Same role - different location opened up!
1 x phone interview (new HR person)
1 x phone interview (new store person)
1 x let down call - they have given it to someone internal
That is 12 in total - several months, energy, time and travel possibly wasted.
The positive - "we have you on file for other openings for the role"
I consider it a positive because its still an open door - there is still hope that one day, they will not go with someone internal. That said - more to come on this position (hopefully).
Whatever is meant to be.
When it rains it pours.
After a small hiatus from job search burn out, at the same time the "Major Retail Department Store" (above) reached out about the other location's position, I was also poached at my present company "Multi-Channel Retailor" to apply for a greater internal role in another department, and then, not kidding, a third opportunity at an NYC start up but rapidly growing subscription based "Digital Beauty" company also contacted me for an interview. All in the same day. #FeelingGood
Company 2: Digital Beauty: Operations/Creative Role
4 x phone interviews with HR and team leads 3 separate days.
9 x on location in person interviews flown to NYC to meet the team
1 x let down generic email: "Regarding your Application"
14 interactions in total - 1 more month, energy, time and travel possibly wasted.
Beyond crushed. I was most excited about this opportunity and what it could have lead too, plus I know I could have done well and made a positive impact. Upset that it didn't work out and I will never really know why.
Nevertheless, I replied promptly with a grateful email back to please keep me in mind for future opportunities may they arise.
Company 3: Multi-Channel Retailor: Present Company: Operations/Content/Creative/Digital Role
2 x initial interactions recommending to apply for the role
1 x pre-meeting to discuss the role opportunity before I even apply, reach out to HR and get the ball rolling.
1 x HR interview
7 x interviews scheduled over 3 days (Really?! - I know and work with these people everyday, can't we be a little more efficient in this process?)
The verdict - more to come!
11 conversations in total for an internal role transfer so far...
Other company interviews that occurred between attributing to this year's career burnout and overall frustration:
1 x phone interview with Eyewear License Company - no follow up scheduled, no response to follow up
1 x phone interview with a Major Fashion E-Tailor, interviewed via recommendation by my previous boss, was advised the job closed due to funding with no hire. -sad.
1 x phone interview with Accessories Brand, follow up to be scheduled per initial phone interview, but no response to follow ups - another example of poor communication and common courtesy to potential candidates.
3 x phone interviews and Skype interview with Major Retail Accessories License Company -let down email received and grateful response replied.
6 more in total - mental highs and lows of opportunities come and gone.
Running total of interviews and interactions for a job in less than a year: 43
Number of offers: 0
