How to deal with being “ignored” whilst job hunting
Imagine this scenario. You see a job advertised for a large company. It is advertised as an entry level job, and you are delighted that you meet all the criteria.
Actually, the more you look at it, the more you realise that you are the perfect candidate, and this is the job for you.
You clear your calendar and designate three whole days to writing the application. Dinner with Gran will have to wait.
You get it done. You get it proofread. You lap up the praise. It is perfect. You send it well in advance of the deadline. And you wait for your invite to interview.
And you wait. And you wait. You refresh your email a million times. You check that your phone is working. You google “How long does it take to be called to an interview?” You ask ChatGPT what it would do.
Not hearing back after submitting a job application is far from a new phenomenon, and many people will have tales similar to this one. However, frequency of occurrence doesn’t stop the pain of a ghosting (as many internet daters can contest to!). And it is not just initial applications – it can happen at every stage of the hiring process.
So, what do you do if you find yourself ghosted? Below are a few suggestions that might just help you out:
Claudia, a second year studying film and television, and one of our Career Ambassadors, reports back on her work talking to students about how to fit career planning into their lives.
It is no small feat to balance student life with the pressure of future planning. For lots of students, preparing for life after graduation can feel daunting, as they are often juggling many other commitments. It’s fair to say that university can be fun and fulfilling, but sometimes it can also be a hectic and overwhelming experience.
Meet Rose, a current finalist and Career Ambassador at the Careers Service, studying Politics and International Relations.
Your university years fly by faster than you think – but the best part? You have those years to cultivate the career you want. Your first year is the prime opportunity to start exploring those options. Here are the tips I wish I had, to begin building those foundations in my first year.
Explore!
It can be easy to get overwhelmed at the start of your university journey. Some have lots of exciting ideas about career prospects, other are not sure at all!
I found that a great place to start was mycareer’s guide on ‘Exploring Career Options’. This guide can help you gain more information on your interests. It is also a great option in first year, to ensure you keep all doors open. Now is the time to explore all the possibilities that come your way and make the most of them!
Thinking about careers can easily slip to the bottom of the list when you’ve got other things on. The uncertainty of “what next” can be de-motivating and sometimes it can be simpler to just not think about it.
Get Hired, our spring careers fair, is happening onWednesday 19 March from 12:30 pm to 4 pm atBristol Beacon.Third Bridge who are sponsoring this year’s fair have kindly provided a blog that is written by a Bristol alumni.
Hi I’m Amelia, when I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, I put my travel plans on hold and started looking for a graduate job in London with no real idea of what I wanted to do. I had studied Russian at Bristol, and loved the exposure to different cultures through the department and my year abroad in Tomsk, so all I knew was I wanted to work in a multicultural environment where I could meet people from different backgrounds.
Bristol Mentors is now open for applications for home UK students returning for study in 2025/26.
We caught up with Elena (Politics and Sociology BSc), one of two Bristol Mentors Student Associates, about her experiences as a mentee on the programme.
“I was delighted to gain a place on Bristol Mentors last year. As the programme got closer, I knew I didn’t have a clear vision for how I wanted my future to look, and in truth I hoped someone would tell me exactly what I was supposed to pursue. The beauty of having a mentor is that whilst they can’t make those decisions for you, they can do a great deal to help you figure it out.
As I got to know my mentor, we discussed interests and avenues I was considering, allowing her to help me consider relevant opportunities and ideas. Throughout the year, I attended networking events and applied for summer programmes. If ever I felt I was out of my depth or imposter syndrome kicked in, I knew I had my mentor to guide me and cheer me on.
After my year as a student mentee, I had the chance to join the project team and help the running of the programme as a Student Associate. This gave me an even greater appreciation of mentoring as I was able to see so many other students benefitting and the work that goes on behind the scenes.
From where I am now, I see mentorship as a journey like a trail of falling dominos; one connection, one opportunity, one piece of guidance, can set off a chain reaction that keeps you moving towards your potential. To any fellow student reading about this opportunity I would highly recommend you make the time to apply.”
Bristol Mentors provides successful student applicants with an alumni mentor working in the professional sector they are aiming to break into.
Visit the Bristol Mentors webpage to check if you are eligible for a place on the programme and to get your application started.
If you have any questions or queries, contact the team on alumni-mentoring@bristol.ac.uk
Hi there, I’m Caitlin, a recent graduate and a Careers Support and Graduate Engagement Intern.
As I navigate my own career journey, I’ve come to realise that self-doubt can be a common experience especially when stepping into something new. One of the most challenging aspects of this is imposter syndrome – that nagging feeling that you don’t truly deserve your success, or that you’re not as capable as others might think.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re certainly not alone. Research reveals an estimated 70% of people have experienced some form of imposter syndrome in their lives, including highly successful individuals. The positive news is that there are practical strategies available to help you manage these feelings and approach your job search with renewed confidence.
Chambers of Commerce are membership organisations which businesses can join to access services to help them grow and play a part in their local business community.
They exist around the world at the local, regional and national level. Bristol Chamber of Commerce is run by Business West.
You can easily find Chambers for your nearest home town or city by searching online.
Members come from a wide range of sectors; financial services, the legal sector, engineering, education, manufacturing, marketing, media, property, and many more.
Whilst Chambers of Commerce exist to help their business members, not students or graduates directly, here’s how you can use them to dramatically increase your job or work experience prospects:
1.Access up-to-date sector information
Chambers typically run committees or forums dedicated to different sectors and regularly publish reports or blog posts. You can find a wealth of detail about sectors you’re interested in, wherever you wish to work in the world. Example reports include Detroit’s automotive industry. Subscribe to Chamber newsletters and social media accounts to keep informed on the latest developments.
2. Develop useful relationships
Chamber networking events present an excellent way to make professional connections. You can attend many of these as a non-member, and they are often free or low cost. Look for events aimed at students or young professionals, or which are more informal rather than those aimed exclusively at business development. If in doubt about whether you would be welcome, contact the Chamber to ask. Although independent of Bristol Chamber, Bristol Young Professionals offer another way to meet people in the city and they are happy for professionally-minded students to attend their events.
3. Find jobs and internships
Many Chambers advertise positions suitable for students and graduates, either within the Chamber itself or with their members. You can also access the “hidden job market” by approaching members speculatively, ideally having first built a relationship with people working for your target employers. See our sample cover letters and advice on making speculative applications.
TOP TIP for international students or anyone wanting to work abroad
At the University of Bristol, we strive to create meaningful opportunities that prepare students for the future while fostering a positive impact. The Berkeley Square Challenge, a collaborative initiative between the School of Education, Transform Society, and the Careers Service, is a positive example of this in action.
Have you thought about getting a part-time job? This blog considers the benefits and things to consider.
Why work part-time?
For many students, the opportunity to earn some extra cash is the main draw of part-time work. However, there are several other benefits. You can:
Student Ambassador working at a University of Bristol open day
Develop your skills and confidence
Gain experience for your CV
Meet new people
Practice job searching, writing applications and interviews
Get first-hand experience of a working environment
Potentially get a “foot in the door”, and make connections with people in a sector that you might want to work in longer term
Things to consider
How much time do you have available? Part-time work mustn’t impact your studies. To get the balance right, the University advises working no more than 15 hours per week in term-time for undergraduates, or 20 hours for postgraduate students.
Regular or flexible hours? Some jobs have set hours, whilst some are more changeable. Weigh up the benefit of a regular wage versus flexibility around other commitments.
What roles would suit me? What skills do you have that might be useful in a part-time job? What would I enjoy doing? See exploring career ideas: understanding yourself for support with these questions.
What do I want to gain or develop? From transferable skills and attributes (e.g. communication, problem solving, using initiative, resilience) to more technical skills, consider roles that may help you to develop in different areas. See top skills employers look for when you graduate. Also, see the researching sectors and employers guide for ways to identify skills relevant to any future career interests you have.
In person, remote or hybrid? The nature of the job may impact whether you need to work in person, or whether working at home is an option.
Employed or freelance? Whilst many students work for an employer, some offer their skills on a freelance basis. This could mean more flexibility and choice in your work.
Any visa restrictions? International students should check their visa’s terms before applying for part-time work. You will also need a National Insurance Number to work in the UK. See the guide for international students for further information.
What adjustments might help me? If you’re a disabled or neurodivergent student, consider whether you might need adjustments. This could be when applying for, or when you’re in a job. See advice for disabled and neurodivergent students to consider what you might need and how to ask for it.
What kinds of part-time jobs could I do?
Here are some common areas for part-time work:
Hospitality, retail and other service-based jobs are common. There are many opportunities in Bristol in these sectors.
Admin jobs can also use skills developed whilst studying. Administrative experience in a professional context could also be useful for future applications for office-based roles.
Education and childcare jobs such as babysitting, nursery worker, tutoring and teaching assistant.
Health and social care such as working in a care home or healthcare assistant roles.
Marketing and social media, such as copywriting and social media marketing. These can be a great way to apply social media skills in a professional context.
Jobs on campus are popular and can come up throughout the year. Examples include: Student Ambassador, PASS Leader, working in Sports Exercise and Health, Global Lounge Ambassador, Telephone fundraiser, Careers Ambassador, BILT Student Fellow, Senior Resident and Sustainability Champion. Many (but not all) roles advertise in Spring to start the following academic year.
You could see if there are opportunities related to a graduate career you are exploring. See our work experience and internships guide for help with finding relevant opportunities.
If they don’t have anything advertised, you can also reach out to employers. This could be with a speculative application or by visiting them at their premises.
Finally, recruitment agencies or reaching out to people in your network (if applicable) and asking if they’re aware of any roles you could apply for.
Know your rights
Make sure you know your rights for part-time work, including pay, tax, holidays and contracts and where to ask for help. See this article on your part-time worker employment rights (TargetJobs) for answers to common questions.
