I’m so relieved
For a long time now, I’ve not been okay.
Professionally, I work in communications and PR. I get a buzz when I get to lead on a story and work with journalists, and it’s a real pleasure to be able to shout out about the great media coverage I get for spokespeople. But my last contract ended in August, and it’s been five months before I got a new job.
I’ve had weeks where I’ve had loads of interviews, and days where all I’ve had are rejections. Recruiters have worked with me and set up interviews, and sometimes ghosted me after (not often, but it has happened), whilst others check back in a few weeks later to see if I’ve found anything. And when I have nothing to report, it’s another black mark to my self-confidence. After a while, you question yourself and wonder what you’re doing wrong. And to have to see friends and family and admit that no, you still haven’t found anything. There’s no judgement, but the regularly repeated phrases, ‘oh you’ll find something’, ‘you’ll get something soon’. But what if I don’t? What if I stay unemployed for years? What if I never get anything again? Because let’s face it, I’ve got bills to pay.
The thing is, it’s an incredibly difficult job market right now in the UK, and it has been for a while. My situation is not uncommon. In fact, I’m not the exception, I’m the rule right now, amongst UK jobseekers. Economically, there is very little growth, fewer jobs available, and more candidates who are extremely well qualified. Some people are casually looking, others like me, are spending hours each day, seven days a week, actively job hunting. Tailoring the CV for the job, polishing each cover letter for the specific role. Doing everything possible, just to get an interview. Last year I had 17 initial chats with HR (just to get to a first stage interview), 30 interviews, 4 second-stage interviews, and no offers.
I had to give presentations, write op-eds, do timed tests. When your internet fails, that’s just more added pressure. I once had to prepare a 10 minute media plan presentation based on a 24 page report, and turn in an 800 word op-ed on a 144 page report, both for the same second-stage interview. I’d spent so much time preparing these, I didn’t spend as much time as usual researching the company, and bombed the interview.
I’ve had my heart broken by a few jobs, where the interview process is so long and multiple stages you really do start to gain hope you might get the job. Then it’s crushing when you don’t. A few times I’ve had the feedback, ‘you were our second choice’, or ‘they had to cut someone, so they decided to cut you’. I’ve had feedback where I’ve given too long answers, and so try to be more concise for the next time, only to get the feedback my answers weren’t detailed enough. Other times I have a great interview, and never hear back from the employer. That hurts.
I’ve had deaths in the family, my wonderful band has broken up in terrible ways, and my weight has ballooned to a UK size 16. I’m normally a 12. Should be a 10 (US size 6). I spent days wearing the same sweatpants and fluffy jumpers since there’s no point in dressing up. I had nothing to dress up for. I’ve worked with recruiters who are kind and others incredibly pushy, convincing me to go for junior-level roles I did years ago, just to be doing something. And when I do interview for them, it’s no surprise to anyone that I get rejected for being overqualified.
Fast forward to 2025. Thank goodness. Jobs I applied for back in December and early January came in with interviews. My weeks are filling up with interviews, brilliant.
I was shocked this week to get not one, but two job offers. Me. After months of constant searching. I feel so ridiculously grateful. It pains me to have to say no to one of them. It really comes in waves. Today a former colleague reached out to see if I was looking for work, and I had to thank him and pass, but I’m still touched he contacted me. Earlier this week a Head of Marketing/Comms at a role I’d applied for back in September got in touch, to say they’re hiring for a role on their team and would I like to have a chat. I’ve still got 2 more interviews lined up for next week (and a funeral).
So in short, I’m touched, grateful, and sad I have to turn down jobs. But I’m so incredibly relieved that I’ve got an offer. Thank you, world. And to my next employer, for taking a chance on me.
