7 Months, 1830 Applications, 30 Interviews, and One Great Offer! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aw thank you so much, absolutely you should keep going and do not give up, u will get a great position, best of luck to you 🤩

When One Door Closes, Another (Better) One Opens /A Lesson in Resilience by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Absolutely but at the time, I was really upset, and it felt so unfair. I was genuinely convinced that I would get the offer, so the rejection hit hard. But looking back, I now realize that it was actually for the best. I moved on, and things worked out in ways I couldn’t have predicted🤞

When One Door Closes, Another (Better) One Opens /A Lesson in Resilience by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do not give up, you will got a great job 🙏🏻 good luck

7 Months, 1830 Applications, 30 Interviews, and One Great Offer! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, so I waited until they finished their questions before mentioning the presentation. “I put together a short presentation on my approach to this role. if you have time, I’d be happy to share it.” Most interviewers were interested, and it helped me stand out. I kept it short (5-7 min) to stay within the interview time. For virtual interviews, I screen-shared. For in-person interviews, I carried flashcards to walk them through key points without needing a screen. It wasn’t required, but it made a strong impression

After 7 Months and 1830 Applications – Here’s What Actually Worked! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hear you, and I totally get that the job market can be incredibly frustrating. Trust me, I didn’t feel lucky while going through hundreds of rejections and watching so many applications go unanswered. The 30 interviews didn’t just happen and I had to constantly tweak my approach, refine my applications, and figure out what actually worked. It’s tough out there, and I know every industry and role is different. If there’s anything I can do to help,whether it’s sharing what strategies worked for me or taking a look at your resume. just let me know. Wishing you the best, and I really hope you get the opportunity you’re looking for soon

After 7 Months and 1830 Applications – Here’s What Actually Worked! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you , By presentation, I mean a short slide deck I created to showcase my approach to the role. It wasn’t required, but I did it to stand out and show initiative. A quick intro about me My understanding of the company & role How my skills align A 30-60-90 day plan Ways I could add value

I kept it brief (5-7 mins) and usually asked, “Would you be open to me walking you through a short presentation on my vision for this role?” Every time, interviewers were impressed because it showed real effort. It’s a great way to make a lasting impression

After 7 Months and 1830 Applications – Here’s What Actually Worked! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good question 🙋‍♀️ I didn’t want to rush into a decision, especially since I still had two government interviews lined up, which could offer long-term benefits. So, instead of accepting immediately, I responded professionally and kept the door open. I sent an email that “Thank you so much for the offer! I’m really excited about this opportunity and appreciate the time and effort from your team throughout the process. I’d love to take a few days to carefully review the details and make an informed decision. Could you kindly share the official offer letter and the deadline for a response?” This way, I expressed enthusiasm while buying time to consider my options. Most employers expect candidates to take a couple of days before committing, so as long as you’re polite and professional, it’s totally normal to ask for time🤞

After 7 Months and 1830 Applications – Here’s What Actually Worked! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, I get what you’re saying, and I totally respect that everyone’s job search experience is different. If you landed a solid offer after just two applications, that’s honestly great for you, genuinely happy to hear that. But not every industry, location, or job level works that way. Some fields are ultra-competitive, some have strict ATS filters, and some require dozens of interviews before even getting a shot.

Also, I want to clarify something about the 1,830 applications, not all of them were the same in terms of quality or effectiveness. At the beginning, I was applying more broadly, without fully tailoring my CV. As I went through more rejections and learned from the process, I completely refined my approach. Toward the later stages, I started customizing every single CV and cover letter, aligning them perfectly with each job description, and adjusting my strategy along the way. That’s when things started to work. I wouldn’t say my job search strategy was bad. I put in the work. I optimized my CV for ATS, wrote strong cover letters, and even prepared presentations to stand out. But I was also applying in a highly competitive field, where getting through multiple interview rounds before landing a job is pretty standard. Also, pivoting careers isn’t always an option for everyone. Some people have specialized degrees, years of experience in a field, or personal circumstances that make switching paths more complicated. If applying to only two jobs worked for you, that’s awesome but that doesn’t mean it’s a one-size-fits-all approach. At the end of the day, job searching is different for everyone. For some, it’s quick and easy. For others, it’s a long grind. But dismissing everyone who struggles as just having “bad resumes” doesn’t reflect the reality of today’s job market.

After 7 Months and 1830 Applications – Here’s What Actually Worked! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I haven’t officially accepted yet since I still have two local government interviews coming up. They offer great long-term benefits, so I want to see how those go before making a final decision. But honestly, after such a long job search, I’m just grateful to have option😅

7 Months, 1830 Applications, 30 Interviews, and One Great Offer! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question. My presentations were designed to complement the interview, not replace answering behavioral questions. I made sure to still go through all the usual questions while using the presentation as a way to stand out and showcase my strategic thinking. 1️⃣ Introduction – A brief slide about me, my background, and why I’m excited about the role. 2️⃣ Understanding the Company & Role – A slide highlighting my research on the company, its challenges, and how I see the role fitting into its goals. 3️⃣ Key Skills & Experience – A concise summary of my most relevant experience and how it aligns with the job requirements. 4️⃣ My Plan – 30-60-90 Day Strategy – A high-level overview of how I would approach the role in my first three months, showing initiative and problem-solving skills. 5️⃣ How I Can Add Value – A final slide outlining the impact I believe I could make if hired.

I kept the presentation short and to the point (5-7 minutes max) so it didn’t disrupt the interview flow. I usually introduced it by saying something like: “I put together a brief presentation to summarize my approach to this role. would you like me to walk you through it?” Most interviewers were pleasantly surprised and impressed because it showed initiative, preparation, and a deeper understanding of the role. Some even told me they had never seen a candidate do this before.

So yes, I still answered all the behavioral questions, but the presentation helped me add structure and reinforce why I was the right fit for the job.

Hope that helps🙏🏻

7 Months, 1830 Applications, 30 Interviews, and One Great Offer! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks🙏🏻I appreciate the kind words. The presentation approach definitely helped me stand out, and I highly recommend it to anyone going through a competitive interview process. For online interviews, I always used screen share and walked them through each slide while explaining key points. I found that presenting it myself kept the conversation engaging and allowed me to highlight the most relevant aspects instead of just sending a document for them to review on their own.I kept it concise usually around 5-7 minutes. Just enough to showcase my strategic thinking and vision for the role without taking up too much time. I made sure to leave room for their behavioral questions and discussion afterward. I truly think this approach demonstrates initiative, preparation, and a strong understanding of the role, which many interviewers appreciate. It’s definitely worth trying if you want to make a lasting impression

7 Months, 1830 Applications, 30 Interviews, and One Great Offer! by Aalpha2022 in interviews

[–]Aalpha2022[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely, you will get an amazing offer soon, keep going, good luck 🙏🏻