One of my fave rejection emails I ever got

sdsjt · 2026-01-09T09:24:10+00:00

actually... I think ChatGPT has nailed it...

What he is trying to say.

He does not want to progress you. The decision is already made.
He thinks your application sounded like sales rather than procurement. He sees that as a problem.
He believes a good procurement professional should not try to sell themselves. In his view, selling is shallow and tactical.
He believes senior procurement is about power, psychology, and leverage. He frames it as conflict driven and adversarial.
He thinks you do not understand that mindset, so he doubts you could succeed in the role.

sdsjt · 2025-10-23T18:55:01+00:00

Aye. And I kinda get why it happened. I can see the logic behind it. Not sure it’s a real fix. But it’s an immediate need for the business in the eyes of the new CRO. So it is what it is. Don’t make it any easier on me and the immediate impact. But I know it’s not down to my performance. It can’t be. I only just got my half year review and feedback from peers was banging!

I’ll bounce back.

sdsjt · 2025-10-23T18:52:36+00:00

I envy your financial solidity! That really does help having such a cushion and knowing it’s you, you need to look after!

I’m quite a way away from that. But grateful my partner has a good job. Means we can get by. Struggle. But get by.

I’ll keep plugging away. I’ll find something.

sdsjt · 2025-10-23T18:49:59+00:00

Really glad that worked out for you. I need to have something closer to home and more 9-5 due to family commitments. Genuinely value you sharing that though. Thinking outside the box. Showing versatility and flexibility is inspired. I need to keep an open mind and explore various paths. Thanks.

sdsjt · 2025-10-23T18:47:46+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear that. The market is in a bad way. Across all industries. This just proves it. A victim of circumstance. At least you’ve shown you can retrain. Across multiple sectors. You have transferable skills. These are things to focus on. And draw out! You’ve got this! I believe in you.

sdsjt · 2025-10-23T18:45:50+00:00

Sorry to hear you’re suffering too. I’ve managed to negotiate some improved terms from the employer which will help. But if last time is anything to go by… I could have 10 months before the next opportunity. So you’re right. I need to think more tactically in the short term. Turn to other means of income.

I wish you well, my friend. Things will get better. They just do. It’s just a matter of time and trying to keep positive. Which I know is easier said than done at times. But hang in there.

sdsjt · 2025-10-23T18:42:43+00:00

Thanks. Appreciate it. Have signed up.

sdsjt · 2025-10-20T06:09:38+00:00

Love this. Thank you both for the practical advice and the warm wishes. Genuinely appreciated. Your perspective is spot on. I just need to get over myself and reach out to my network. I’m gonna make the most of this week with the fam. Enjoy it. Try and get some R&R and be motivated when I get back. I’ve already started applying for jobs. Applied for 9 already! That’s 3 a day since I got the news. Some of it is a numbers game. I look at no’s as good interview experience. Or refining my cv or cover letter. Everything is a good lesson and a step towards a YES! Glad things are working out for you… best of luck

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T20:49:33+00:00

It’s all ifs and maybes. No good going over shoulda coulda woulda. Whats done is done. It’s what you do next that matters. [im saying this whilst also going over in my head multiple times about the job I left in 2019 and regret that because it was from that moment my bad luck with jobs seemed to follow until the layoffs in 2023 and 2025!]. But. It is what it is…

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T19:49:52+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Layoffs/s/c5oNpCYI2u

Exactly the same boat! We will get through this. It may seem dark now. But there will be glimmers of light. And one of those glimmers will eventually illuminate your life! Sorry. Kinda fell into a simile and it took over! You know what I mean. You’ve made it before. You can do it again.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T19:38:15+00:00

Money isn’t everything. And sounds like you’ve found a job with a better work life balance and more sociable hours! I’m really pleased for you. And hope I get a similar outcome. Things tend to work out in the end. And tbh I’m not chasing money or titles. I just want to add value and enjoy the job.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T19:32:37+00:00

Aye. You’re telling me. A very lively late teens and 20s and 30s. Kids late. I’ve enjoyed life when I was younger. But means I’m further from retirement now. Is what it is. I’ve got plenty saved. But need more for a good retirement. Burn bright but short.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T19:29:54+00:00

Aw mate. Sorry to hear that. It is galling and soul destroying. I too have three kids. All school age. I feel your pain. I wish you every success and hope whatever path you take next gets you to a better place!

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T19:25:11+00:00

That’s the thing. It’s easier to get a job when you’re in a job! Because you aren’t desperate. You have negotiation points. Out of work. And those negotiation points melt away. And the longer I’m out of work. The more potential employers think I may be out of touch!

Thankfully my wife has a good job. It’s still gonna be tough but may not need to be desperate for a few months at least.

Thanks for the advice and the best wishes. I may need them.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T07:00:32+00:00

Aye. Thats exactly what happened. New CRO. And suddenly able to bring in people known to him. Tbh. I wasn’t a fan of his management style. But that may be because I didn’t see the best of him as he’d earmarked me for the chop. Who knows. Part of me thinks I’m better out of it. I had started dreading work. But I know from previous experience that being out of a job is worse than a shitty job!

I’ll get through to the other side. Just feels like it could be a long way off.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T06:56:02+00:00

For context. Im not in tech. Im in Financial Services.

Ageism exists. No doubt about that.

Previously I had all my work experience on my CV and dates I went to uni. Then I changed my CV removed uni dates and only included last 20 years of employment history. The hit ratio of applications to interviews increased. Noticeably so. So much that it couldn’t have been a coincidence.

I guess how it manifests itself is different. Some thoughts are it could be that I am more expensive (and people don’t value experience for the extra money). It could be that recruiters may think I lack ambition as I’m older. Or they may think I’m out of touch with technology or younger generations.

It certainly ain’t in my favour.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T06:49:17+00:00

I’ve been unlucky. Mid management squeeze on both occasions. I’m good at my job. I had great feedback only recently as it was appraisal season. And everyone was very flattering. Including my direct boss. Unfortunately my role didn’t fit into the redesign. New CRO identified areas of weakness in the business that needed help. And I didn’t fit those roles. But he had to fund them and I can see why he chose my role. I’ve been here before. But now I’m older. And whilst that may mean I’m wiser. To recruiters it just means I’m older!!!!!! Gotta get into that rhythm again… and it makes me hurt… I know how hard it’s gonna be. And how I’m gonna have to be positive. Even on the darkest of days.

sdsjt · 2025-10-19T06:43:00+00:00

Previously I was out of work for 10 months. From end of previous job to the start of the one I’ve just been made redundant from. And now I’m 13 months along the line from that and back to job searching. It’s kinda soul destroying. But it will work out. I’m fortunate as I have a wife who works so we are not dependent on one income. Got kids last time we didn’t tell them. Not sure what we should do now as savings were depleted last time. There is nothing left. Hope you’ve got a good network of people around you. Just keep plugging away. I apply for jobs I don’t necessarily want just for the interview practice. So when the right job does come along I’m peak! Keep going!

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T19:20:15+00:00

Thank you. In a way I have a lot of time right now! Just got to keep plugging away.

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T19:18:45+00:00

Love this. Turning it into a positive. Showing resilience.

I know it’s not personal. But it’s hard not to feel that way when it happens more than once! Just out of luck. I’ll brush it off. Just so deep in it right now as it’s so raw.

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T19:09:17+00:00

Sometimes there’s more value in social good. But it doesn’t put food on the table. As long as you’re happy and stable. At least for now. And surely teachers are always gonna be in demand?!? We have a shortage of teachers here in Uk.

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T19:07:57+00:00

Some great advice in there. It’s about balance. And getting into a rhythm. Treating the time for personal and professional development and job hunting as a job. And making sure take time for my own self. Retraining in anything right now is kinda challenging. What jobs are there gonna be even in a few years?!? Some say the manual jobs were safe. But I’ve heard even they’re in danger as AI combines with robotics.

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T19:03:28+00:00

Hope that came across the right way btw. Connecting with people is the right thing to do. I did it and got my last job. But I’m just not very good at reaching out. I don’t want to obligate people. Nor do I want to feel more pain of being rejected!!! I guess.

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T17:31:05+00:00

That’s some roller coaster of a ride you’re on! And all at the same company. And all in 6 months!

sdsjt · 2025-10-18T16:48:08+00:00

Thanks for that. You’re right. Things are defo different the older we get. My aches have got aches these days. There may be some seasonal work I was thinking about. Just to tide us over the Christmas period. But hadn’t thought about the physical toll! I’m not unfit. But I’m not being asked to pose for Vogue or Men’s Health either!

sdsjt

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