Job hunt stats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me: 158 jobs applied for since getting laid off last year. 12 interviews (mostly recruiters), 103 rejections. 19 of the rejections were Federal "not referred" applications.
Have 55 applications submitted. 25 are Federal "accepting" or "reviewing" applications. Have received some referrals but no invitations to interview.
I just can't get traction and struggling financially. I know I'm supposed to be optimistic but feeling punch drunk.

What is your field?

Grants management

I feel you. I’m the OP from another thread about 8,500 applicants for one federal grants management job. It’s tough out there. Good luck to you. I hope you find something soon.

Terrifying! Hoping you guys both find something soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP continuing to track.

28 applications
11 rejections
4 interviews in progress
> 1 screening call (waiting to see if I get an interview out of this)
> 1 first round interview (scheduled, we'll see how it goes)
> 1 second round interview (scheduled, we'll see how it goes)
> 1 technical exercise (submitted, we'll see how it goes)

Starting to feel a bit more positive that I may get something out of this exercise. Although I'm hitting the hard technical portions so there's still a good chance I'll wipe out on all of these I guess. :-/ Hope everyone else on this thread got good responses in the last week, too!

OP back again with updates.
> 1 screening call (waiting to see if I get an interview out of this) -> got the first interview
> 1 first round interview (scheduled, we'll see how it goes) -> moved on to tech exercise
> 1 second round interview (scheduled, we'll see how it goes) -> they want references, which is encouraging but also daunting because it means I have to talk to my manager about the fact I'm job hunting (I know he'll give me a good reference but it's still scary)
> 1 technical exercise (submitted, we'll see how it goes) -> still waiting on this, which is sad because this is the job I want most

Hope everyone else is making progress too. It's interesting that so far all my applications that got to the interview stage have been progressing. I guess the resume screeners are good at guessing fit or I interview well.

OP back for Friday check-in lol

28 applications
13 rejections
5 interviews started
> 1 screening call -> first interview -> I removed myself from the process since as my gen z friends would say the vibes were bad
> 1 first round interview -> technical exercise (not as bad as I thought it would be so yay for that)
> 1 second round interview -> references being checked
> 1 technical exercise -> two subsequent interview scheduled; wish me luck!
> 1 first round interview (waiting to hear back if they want to move forward)

This week I'm looking at my spreadsheet of applications and thinking that I actually had a pretty good response rate. Lots of nos of course, but I appreciate that most of them actually communicated their no to me, rather than just totally ghosting me.

Not quite Friday but it's been an eventful week. Feeling vaguely ill about having to make decisions/commit but excited that things are moving. I have no idea how people do this more often than like once a decade...

28 applications
13 rejections
5 interviews started
> 1 screening call -> first interview -> I removed myself from the process since as my gen z friends would say the vibes were bad
> 1 first round interview -> technical exercise -> second round interview -> tentative offer for a slightly different position than the one I applied for; I'm scheduling a call to get more details on it next week
> 1 second round interview -> references being checked (this delay is on me and I really need to hunt down one of those references)
> 1 technical exercise -> two subsequent interviews scheduled -> pretty sure I didn't do well enough on the technical interview which is a pity because this is the job I want most but cross your fingers for me, I guess?
> 1 first round interview (waiting to hear back if they want to move forward; not optimistic at this point)

OP here. Cannot wait for this to be over but cautiously optimistic I'll get something in the next month or so? Do to various interleaving delays and different interview processes, I think I've managed to time it so I'll get all the offers I'm going to get roughly at the same time so I can choose between concrete options which is honestly amazing.

28 applications
15 rejections (either explicit or the job is shown as filled on the website)
5 interviews started
> 1 first interview -> I removed myself from the process since as my gen z friends would say the vibes were bad
> 1 interview process complete -> tentative offer for a slightly different position than the one I applied for; still negotiating salary/benefits (bad salary, but good benefits and they're clearly a flexible/chill organization so I might be able to swing it)
> 1 second round interview -> references being checked (this delay is no longer on me and I'm a little anxious they'll decide not to make me an offer after all; this job isn't the most excited but it's very safe -- an established company, decent salary, etc.)
> 1 very long interview process but next up is HR so I think I'm almost done -> vaguely shocked I've kept progressing but really really hopeful I'll get something here *crosses fingers*
> 1 first round interview (waiting to hear back if they want to move forward; not optimistic at this point)

OP here.

28 applications
15 rejections (either explicit or the job is shown as filled on the website)
5 interviews started
> 1 first interview -> I removed myself from the process since as my gen z friends would say the vibes were bad
> 1 interview process complete -> expecting formal offer letter next week (bad salary, but good benefits and they're clearly a flexible/chill organization so I might be able to swing it; interesting project)
> 1 second round interview -> meeting to discuss offer details next week (based on previous conversations, decent salary and decent benefits; I'm meh about the project but probably better than my current job)
> 1 very long interview process -> final interviews in the next week (good salary and decent benefits; best option for career growth and my personal preference for work logistics)
> 1 first round interview (I suspect we've mutually ghosted each other at this point; it probably wasn't a great fit)

If the long interview process company comes through for me, I'll have an easy decision; if not, next week I'll have to compare the other two offers and figure out which one to go with. I went into this process with the intention of moving. My favourite option is full time remote so I could start the job ASAP and then sort out the move after the fact. The other two offers will require relocation before I start work. On one hand, they'd both offer relocation assistance (yay!); on the other, that will be a very stressfully busy month of moving and starting a new job and everything. The decent-across-the-board option would have an easier relocation but I'm a little more excited about the bad-salary-good-benefits-interesting-work job and its location.

Anyway, hopefully I'll be DONE in two weeks. I submitted my first application January 21, for comprehensive stats tracking. Thank you for listening to me monologue DCUM.

OP back for a final check-in. In the end, I got three offers. Technically, I'm still considering all of them but I know which one I want to accept most (it's the very long interview process above). Really excited this process is over, and really excited to start my new job to be honest. Wishing all my fellow job seekers the best of luck; it's a terrifying exercise.

Final stats check:
28 applications
15 rejections (either explicit or the job is shown as filled on the website)
5 interviews started
3 job offers
First application sent January 21; decision made April 14.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow would be 5 weeks unemployed.

So far 33 Applications total (1 internal referral, 4 recruiters) - 3 rejections
6 interviews, 2 rejections, 4 still considering

Internal referral was made 1st day of being laid off. No response yet. This internal referral would be my top tier choice.
I had a pretty good interview today, decent firm.
I have had a long standing offer for past 2 years to return to my pre-pandemic company. In the interest of maintaining career trajectory, I have to continue turning it down.

Health insurance runs out at end of this month. Looking at state sponsored health insurance after that and it is making me very anxious and sad for my kids. Wah!

OP had a great outcome, congrats to her. I need her mojo badly.

Follow up to the above -
11 weeks unemployed now.
36 applications total
7 screened calls, 8 interviews, 5 rejections, 3 offers I turned down (after interviews, realized it wasn't right fit)

One position's had 3 interviews with me already.
1st choice firm still hasn't made a decision.
Two interviews, tomorrow and Wednesday. Tomorrow's interview would be 2nd choice firm.
Wednesday is a temp position from recruiter so not a real job, just a filler for now.
I have been too picky, there are only a handful of companies I really want to work for.

So in the meantime I've been doing long ignored home repairs so increased my real estate equity by at least 10-20K in this fallow season.
My kid got into her fully funded gap year program so most everything else in life is doing well. Trying to stay positive! Urghhhhh.

[Anonymous]

Laid off in January
30 job applications
7 interviews
3 rejections
1 said they cancelled the position
2 still in consideration
1 offer on April 19th - took the job (hybrid, close to home, money was right)

I kind of slow walked it because I had 10 weeks of severance and they kept me on for 5 weeks before my end date. I got my best leads through networking and not blindly applying for jobs without knowing anyone. My advice is to network with everyone you can think of. You’re going into a black hole otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow would be 5 weeks unemployed.

So far 33 Applications total (1 internal referral, 4 recruiters) - 3 rejections
6 interviews, 2 rejections, 4 still considering

Internal referral was made 1st day of being laid off. No response yet. This internal referral would be my top tier choice.
I had a pretty good interview today, decent firm.
I have had a long standing offer for past 2 years to return to my pre-pandemic company. In the interest of maintaining career trajectory, I have to continue turning it down.

Health insurance runs out at end of this month. Looking at state sponsored health insurance after that and it is making me very anxious and sad for my kids. Wah!

OP had a great outcome, congrats to her. I need her mojo badly.

Follow up to the above -
11 weeks unemployed now.
36 applications total
7 screened calls, 8 interviews, 5 rejections, 3 offers I turned down (after interviews, realized it wasn't right fit)

One position's had 3 interviews with me already.
1st choice firm still hasn't made a decision.
Two interviews, tomorrow and Wednesday. Tomorrow's interview would be 2nd choice firm.
Wednesday is a temp position from recruiter so not a real job, just a filler for now.
I have been too picky, there are only a handful of companies I really want to work for.

So in the meantime I've been doing long ignored home repairs so increased my real estate equity by at least 10-20K in this fallow season.
My kid got into her fully funded gap year program so most everything else in life is doing well. Trying to stay positive! Urghhhhh.

Poster above - recruiter secured me a freelance position at the 2nd choice firm starting Monday. No benefits.
Trying to organize a coffee with a division head at 1st choice firm.
Had a very good interview with 3rd choice firm.
Things are hopeful. Good luck to everyone searching. There will be days where things feel low but keep chugging along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great updates, OP!! Keep it up!

Just found out today that a job I interviewed for in Dec and really wanted did not select me. I felt like they were stringing me along/back benching me, and I was right. Oh well. I had heard they were a sh!tshow internally, but loved the subject matter and the project. Sigh.

25 submissions

-1 screening, full interview, no offer
-1 full interview, no offer
-1 screening interview, waiting to be invited to full interview
-1 online assessment prior to interview, waiting for results and interview invite
-4 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

I have about 15 others I will review and decide whether to apply for or not.

Also saw on LinkedIn two people I know get jobs that I applied for. They were definitely better candidates, so I don't feel so badly about it.

Here is the latest from me:

36 applications to date, 5 interviews, 1 take these assessments first, 1 offer

-1 screening and full interview, no offer
-1 screening interview, no offer
-1 interview, next steps TBD
-1 two rounds interview, received offer today, $20k LESS than my current job. whomp whomp (but I will certainly negotiate)
-1 screening interview, then ghosted despite follow up (and knowing the recruiter from TWO past lives!)
-1 online assessment prior to interview, STILL waiting for results and interview invite. Feels like recruiter slow rolling me.
-12 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

I am starting to reach out to old colleagues to chat with them about opportunities and get advice on whether to go the management track (e.g., pathway to VP, managing director, executive director type jobs) or the technical track (e.g., senior director of policy or program type jobs). I have been applying to both. The former pay more, but the latter make me happier. I think in my field I can do one more role of the latter before either being stuck there for good or heading over to the VP track. We'll see if anything comes of the networking. Up until now, it's all been cold applying. (Though in two cases I knew people at those organizations, so had an employee referral. One has not panned out, and the other remains in the ether.)

[Anonymous]

OP back. I just a follow up from an application I submitted Jan 29 asking for an interview. Apparently some of the ghosters were just really, really slow.

Wishing all of you still looking luck and spontaneous interview/offer emails in your inbox today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the latest from me:

36 applications to date, 5 interviews, 1 take these assessments first, 1 offer

-1 screening and full interview, no offer
-1 screening interview, no offer
-1 interview, next steps TBD
-1 two rounds interview, received offer today, $20k LESS than my current job. whomp whomp (but I will certainly negotiate)
-1 screening interview, then ghosted despite follow up (and knowing the recruiter from TWO past lives!)
-1 online assessment prior to interview, STILL waiting for results and interview invite. Feels like recruiter slow rolling me.
-12 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

I am starting to reach out to old colleagues to chat with them about opportunities and get advice on whether to go the management track (e.g., pathway to VP, managing director, executive director type jobs) or the technical track (e.g., senior director of policy or program type jobs). I have been applying to both. The former pay more, but the latter make me happier. I think in my field I can do one more role of the latter before either being stuck there for good or heading over to the VP track. We'll see if anything comes of the networking. Up until now, it's all been cold applying. (Though in two cases I knew people at those organizations, so had an employee referral. One has not panned out, and the other remains in the ether.)

Me again with a new job I am quite happy with, but still interviewing to practice and in case the dream job I was screened for this week pans out. Updated stats:

43 applications; 8 interviews/screens/both; 1 offer
-1 screening and full interview, no offer
-1 interview, ghosted
-2 interviews this week, waiting on next steps
-1 screening, then ghosted despite follow up (and knowing the recruiter from TWO past lives!)
-1 screening this week, waiting on next steps ***this is the job want!***
-1 screening, nothing further
-1 online assessment prior to interview, not invited to interview.
-14 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

I learned a few things from this experience:

1. Most places move quite slowly. The one that offered me the job moved very quickly, which bodes well for it being a good culture fit.

2. I have options. I was worried that I would be pigeonholed into a specific track, but was able to pivot to something I like better than my current role.

3. You can do it without connections. While two of my last 5 jobs were folks who picked up the phone and asked me to join or a recruiter, everything above was done via applications except for one where I had a direct contact and it went nowhere.

4. I'm a little obsessive. Kinda like still tracking Redfin and new houses even after we bought our new home, I am still checking jobs daily and considering applying. I need to just let it go.

Good luck to all who are still hunting. It is just a matter of time until the job that is perfect for you opens up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the latest from me:

36 applications to date, 5 interviews, 1 take these assessments first, 1 offer

-1 screening and full interview, no offer
-1 screening interview, no offer
-1 interview, next steps TBD
-1 two rounds interview, received offer today, $20k LESS than my current job. whomp whomp (but I will certainly negotiate)
-1 screening interview, then ghosted despite follow up (and knowing the recruiter from TWO past lives!)
-1 online assessment prior to interview, STILL waiting for results and interview invite. Feels like recruiter slow rolling me.
-12 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

I am starting to reach out to old colleagues to chat with them about opportunities and get advice on whether to go the management track (e.g., pathway to VP, managing director, executive director type jobs) or the technical track (e.g., senior director of policy or program type jobs). I have been applying to both. The former pay more, but the latter make me happier. I think in my field I can do one more role of the latter before either being stuck there for good or heading over to the VP track. We'll see if anything comes of the networking. Up until now, it's all been cold applying. (Though in two cases I knew people at those organizations, so had an employee referral. One has not panned out, and the other remains in the ether.)

Me again with a new job I am quite happy with, but still interviewing to practice and in case the dream job I was screened for this week pans out. Updated stats:

43 applications; 8 interviews/screens/both; 1 offer
-1 screening and full interview, no offer
-1 interview, ghosted
-2 interviews this week, waiting on next steps
-1 screening, then ghosted despite follow up (and knowing the recruiter from TWO past lives!)
-1 screening this week, waiting on next steps ***this is the job want!***
-1 screening, nothing further
-1 online assessment prior to interview, not invited to interview.
-14 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

I learned a few things from this experience:

1. Most places move quite slowly. The one that offered me the job moved very quickly, which bodes well for it being a good culture fit.

2. I have options. I was worried that I would be pigeonholed into a specific track, but was able to pivot to something I like better than my current role.

3. You can do it without connections. While two of my last 5 jobs were folks who picked up the phone and asked me to join or a recruiter, everything above was done via applications except for one where I had a direct contact and it went nowhere.

4. I'm a little obsessive. Kinda like still tracking Redfin and new houses even after we bought our new home, I am still checking jobs daily and considering applying. I need to just let it go.

Good luck to all who are still hunting. It is just a matter of time until the job that is perfect for you opens up.

I can’t tell you how reassuring your post was for me. Thanks for taking the time to update us. I’m waiting to hear back from a second interview. It’s been two weeks and I’ve become increasingly depressed and anxious with each passing day. It’s encouraging to think that maybe they are just slow, or maybe a better job is waiting for me. Thanks for the perspective.

[Anonymous]

11:56, the job will or will not come, regardless of your stressing yourself out. Don't do that to yourself.

The right one will come along. It really will.

Sending peace and strength your way. Enjoy this long weekend and just be. It will be good for you.

[Anonymous]

20:20 here: Just landed another offer, so total stats are now two offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20:20 here: Just landed another offer, so total stats are now two offers.

Good job! Congratulations to you!

(This is OP — started my new job last week and it’s going great. So nice to see other posters come back with successes too! Good luck to everyone still looking!)

[Anonymous]

Reading all of this, this justbhammer home the importance of making and keeping connections. I’ve had the same job for 14 years, but my DH has had 4 in the timeframe and every single job his resume has been walked in by someone he knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the latest from me:

36 applications to date, 5 interviews, 1 take these assessments first, 1 offer

-1 screening and full interview, no offer
-1 screening interview, no offer
-1 interview, next steps TBD
-1 two rounds interview, received offer today, $20k LESS than my current job. whomp whomp (but I will certainly negotiate)
-1 screening interview, then ghosted despite follow up (and knowing the recruiter from TWO past lives!)
-1 online assessment prior to interview, STILL waiting for results and interview invite. Feels like recruiter slow rolling me.
-12 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit

Just got another interview offer, running a university center in my area of expertise. Boy are people slow. Tells you a lot about the culture, which I will not ignore moving forward in interviewing and choosing jobs.

Updated stats:

43 applications, 9 interviews, 1 take these assessments first, 2 offers, 16 had the courtesy to let me know I was not a good fit. Fun fact: For 2 of these jobs, I know and worked with the people who ultimately got the job! It's a small world out there. Your corridor reputation definitely precedes you/follows you wherever you go.

Good luck to everyone out there. Keep hope alive, the right job will come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can these stats be true if employers can’t find anyone to hire?

Do you lack critical thinking skills? unemployment may be at 3.4% but there’s plenty of under qualified people applying at my company

Under qualified or too old. I'm GenX and pretty sure I'm getting passed over for jobs because of my age.

Try only listing the last 10 years on resume - take grad date off college, etc. That may help get you through the 1st screen.