Monday 12 September 2016

Life Isn't Points Based

copper cactus flatlay

 I'm becoming kind of conscious of moaning too much about being unemployed and blah blah but I know a lot of you seem to relate to it... Which sucks for all of us.

This is the last I have to say about this for a while becaaaauusee I have got a job for a couple of months! Paired with a bit of freelance writing and photography work, things are looking up for the time being :-)

Firstly, the problem in question. I am a person and I should not be judged based on a points based system. I recently got rejected from a job, and the interview was scored based on "points". You could have the most perfect personality in the world and they could think you are the perfect person for the job, but if you don't score as many "points" as someone else then the job is theirs. Simple.

But it shouldn't be that simple. I hope this doesn't come across as bitterness for not getting the job because it's really, really not. Of course I am disappointed but I've had my fair share of job rejections recently and I don't take them personally.

The feedback I received from the interview was that I was great and did a good job. The person who got the job was an internal candidate who was familar with the systems and software etc. They said if they hadn't been in the running I would have been a very suitable candidate. But the long-short of it is that they were in the running so I didn't get the job.

This is the way I look at it and can't help but look at it. This person has a job, was given the opportunity to get themselves into employment and gain some skills. I (and so, so, so many graduates) do not have a job so cannot compete with that person when it comes to that sort of experience. The only way us recent graduates with little experience in the way of professional employment can compete is by wowing with our personality - showing them how hungry we are to succeed and grow in our chosen industries, showing some passion and interest, and being someone they want to work with.

In a points based interview none of this matters.

So what chance do I stand? All I need, and all the other graduates in the same boat, is for someone to see something in us and give us a chance. I'm not asking to jump straight in at director level on a £50k salary. I'd be happy starting from the bottom where I am more than qualified to work and where I know I have the capability to learn what they need me to learn.

I feel so disheartened that this is the way we are being scored. Not always, I know. I'm also not placing this as the cause of all of my rejections - some I am aware that I simply wasn't right for the job which is completely okay. This job I could have done and they knew that too.

Because of points based marking I was never given the chance. And that scares me.


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13 comments

  1. As Churchill once said, 'When you're going through hell.... keep going' <3

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    1. That Churchill is a pretty wise dude. Thank you xx

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  2. I can 100% agree with this post. Even though I'm only a GCSE student, I think it's really unfair that employers base things on points, and points only. If you have the passion, and you truly show that you're willing to work your very best in that particular job, then why should it matter? You may not score the highest in terms of points, but it isn't the be all, and end all. You're prepared to work your way up, and that's what should matter most!

    Very well said though, and you have put together this post very well :) I wish you all the best in terms of your career!

    Jade | www.simplyjadey.co.uk

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    1. I worry more for your age group that more jobs will work like that by the time you're part of the job market. Thank you for your kind words though, I'm sure it'll all work out in the end :-) xx

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  3. My old job introduced a points based system it was only a supermarket job but still it's ridiculous. I never had to go through that but others did and it became a lot harder, I understand their reasons behind introducing it buttt I think it was more based on what personality you had and how you dealt with customers not points. Congrats on getting a job by the way Teri!

    Claire ❤ | My Little Memoir

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    1. That's what I think, too. Experience and skills obviously matter a lot but there's so much more than that! Thank you very much, it's only a temp job but it's something! Xx

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  4. Honeybun! I'm happy for. Never give up and always have a positive mindset💘 Check out my blog whenever you need encouragement! Loved this post!

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  5. I think this points based system for job applicants is totally unfair. Luckily it wasn't like that when I got my first job, I applied for hundreds and was on the point of giving up. It sounds like this job was always going to go to an internal candidate and advertising externaly was just a formality. Good luck with everything, don't give up and by taking a part time time or one that you're not really happy with may help you gain experience in some way or points you need for the next time this happens.

    Sharon xx
    rosieloveslife.blogspot.com

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    1. I've got a temporary job now which is just what I need at the moment! Hopefully not all of my future interviews will be points based! X

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  6. I hate this. I went through the same thing, endless rejections from places I knew I could be an asset, all because I didn't have experience. Where do you get the experience in the first place when nobody will hire?
    Congrats on the job, and good luck with everything xx

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    1. That's exactly the problem! Someone needs to give me some damn experience!! Thank you my love xx

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  7. Couldn't agree more - what bugs me most with jobs is when they say "need x years experience"... well SOMEONE has to give me it at some point! YAY for the job though, i just got one too, part time, so balances nicely along with my blog! x
    Bumble and Be

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    1. I know it's like weeellll why dont you just give it to me?? I'm looking forward to still being able to blog and go to the gym etc, so it works well :-)

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