Anyone who has ever looked for a job knows that it is mentally exhausting and time consuming. Put it alongside a full-time job and job searching becomes nearly impossible. The whole process right from job adverts, through to applying and interviews needs to change for the better. Employers really need to be more considerate of the interviewee’s time because not everyone that’s looking for a job is unemployed and if you have a full-time job you can’t attend a job interview on a one day notice, and you can’t attend a brief interview, and an interview with the manager as well as a trail day. I’ve lost count how many days off I’ve taken by now just to attend a job interview which I’ve never heard back from. Not hearing anything back after putting the time and effort is probably the most disheartening thing, I appreciate that it’s probably not possible to give everyone feedback but even a short ‘sorry we’re not interested’ e-mail would be better than never hearing anything back. It takes two minutes to write an email and send it to all unsuccessful candidates but it can save someone from feeling like they’re unworthy of a response.
Another one of my job searching ‘pet peeves’ and something that has to change is when companies don’t put down the salary or say ‘great pay’ or ‘competitive pay’. ‘Great pay’ will mean something different to everyone, and can lead to disappointment when the promised great pay isn’t actually that great. Putting down the actual pay would save everyone time and disappointment. In fact, in the past, I was told by a professional that it is rude to ask about the pay of the job which you’re being interviewed for because it shows that you only care about the money. I know that this can come as a surprise to some people but most people have jobs in order to earn money and pay for things and experiences. Furthermore, on the topic of salary, anything under 18k a year is simply not a wage you can live on by yourself especially in the London area, and the South. If a company can’t offer at least that amount, they shouldn’t be hiring.
I understand that job searching in a competitive industry is hard but things need to change; one job application shouldn’t be 10 pages long, you shouldn’t have to go to 3 interviews and have 2 phone interviews in order to be just considered for a job (not even offered one), it shouldn’t be taboo to ask how much you’re going to get paid and you definitely shouldn’t be expected to be available 24/7 in order to be a good employee because believe me I’ve seen job ad’s where it says that you would have to be available at any time of the day and it wasn’t even for a senior position. It’s the companies responsibility to encourage work/life balance not working ‘yourself to death’ mentality. It’s important to have a job you love, but no job is more important than your health and mental health. Always put yourself and your needs first and don’t let any employee take advantage of you or undervalue you, know your worth. Because believe me, I’ve seen it first hand what working non-stop can do to someone and this ‘the grind never stops’ mentality is dangerous and working 16 hour days is not something to be proud of.
This is something that needs to be talked about more in order for things to change because as long as people will agree to unfair treatment in the workplace it will happen.
While you’re here why don’t you check out my previous post ‘Why I love visting Paris‘?
Outfit 1 – Top Topshop, Bag River Island, Trousers ASOS, Shoes Carvela
Outfit 2 – Top River Island, Trousers ASOS, Shoes New Look, Bag Marc B
None of these items were purchased for the purpose of this blog post.
