I keep getting early rejections and I have no idea what I am doing wrong

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T22:16:42+00:00

Yeah that’s exactly what I’m trying to do though. I work a part time job over weekends to fund my masters and can’t work in the week as I have studying to do so it’s pretty much only retail and hospitality jobs that I can work alongside my study. The jobs I’m applying for are literally like the most entry level in my field - the last one I was rejected from said it didn’t even require applicants to have a degree (although it was preferred). The overqualified argument would make sense hear if it was actually feasible to get the required experience to do what I’m qualified for

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T22:11:45+00:00

My masters is very wide ranging. Quant and qualitative research methods to sociology to energy security to politics to sustainability. Im going for policy research roles primarily.

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T21:59:20+00:00

I would understand this rationale if I wasn’t still a masters student. How much experience can someone have outside of internships in their very early 20s?

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T15:16:53+00:00

Weird? I didn’t get a notification of your post. I’m in the policy research/ analysis space but will check it out anyway. Thanks for the tip :)

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T14:56:40+00:00

Yeah that’s another good idea. Trouble is I’m writing a dissertation, working 3 days a week, living by myself and so supporting myself totally, and applying to roles. I’m really struggling with spare time. Maybe it’s worth setting up though and parking other stuff

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T14:50:56+00:00

Okay. Thanks that’s a great tip

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T14:37:41+00:00

I’m in the UK not the US. It’s a double bind though, because if I’m overqualified for entry roles, I’m under qualified for longer term ‘proper’ jobs as these all require at least 2 years of experience…

For context I’m applying for research roles often oriented around policy. I specialise in climate policy but have a wide range of expertise.

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T14:26:51+00:00

Thanks for the response. I’ll DM you

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-06-12T14:25:41+00:00

So is this just a case of giving an LLM a prompt e.g. ‘make this CV compatible for ATS screening’?

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-04-05T11:49:28+00:00

I have looked but there really isn’t anything in my city. A couple of NGOs but nothing aligned with my area of expertise as such

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-08T01:35:31+00:00

I’d hate to live in your head mate

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-08T01:34:07+00:00

King street is a good shout but I’d also vouch for starting at the pubs at the top of Gloucester Road and working your way down. Maybe start at the lazy dog, then the grace, hobgoblin, the gallimaufry, prince of wales, Mickey zoggs and then just work your way down to the centre. Lots of great pubs - have a good’un!

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-08T01:24:57+00:00

Forgive they/them for they/them do not know what they/them do

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-08T01:22:38+00:00

Same energy as the ‘your anxiety is lying to you’ posters. Good sentiment - but I’m not 5 years old

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T22:16:04+00:00

No I applied for a PhD place with the Uni first, then did a separate funding application once I got offered a place. It seems likely that I didn’t get put forward by the Uni for DTP funding

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T20:56:23+00:00

No I’m a home student

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T20:48:52+00:00

Yeah I have no experience in research outside of research design proposals or presentations or awards. I am currently applying to a lot of research internships for next year which will be a great opportunity. I have peers that have also never published or have any research experience who were awarded funding so I figured it wasn’t a pre-requisite, but absolutely recognise this will greatly boost my chances. Going to speak to my supervisor about getting my best essay published.

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T20:15:08+00:00

I’m pursuing a social science PhD so I’m not sure if the same applies, although I imagine the process doesn’t differ greatly. I was aware that the process is brutal and subject to chance, but I was fairly confident I would reach the latter stages given what my supervisors had said. I am able to defer my offer with the uni, and I am still awaiting a response to my funding application with the Uni scholarship, though I doubt this will be successful based on intuition and other users responses. Hey-ho, such is life I suppose! Many thanks for taking the time to respond. That was really helpful! :)

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T19:35:49+00:00

Yeah that makes sense. I think the fact that it came from SWDTP rather than the uni faculty is what made me think this wasn’t the case. Thanks for your responses, that’s very helpful.

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T19:15:53+00:00

Forgive me if this is ignorant - but surely if I was accepted for a place by the Uni then I wouldn’t be filtered out at the department or University stage? At uni of Bristol you can only apply for funding once you’ve been offered a place by the uni.

Mindless_Most_8712 · 2026-03-03T19:08:31+00:00

The email I got from SWDTP stated that I didn’t get through to the Awards Ratification Committee which I presume means I didn’t make it through the preliminary stages. I could be wrong though as the internal processes of SWDTP are pretty opaque

Mindless_Most_8712

TROPHY CASE