Hopefully the end of my search.

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Maybe they'll reply today, or next week. Maybe they won't reply at all. It's frustrating. Without wanting to sound like a xenophobic old gammon, it used to be traditional British courtesy to acknowledge every applicant, even if it was just a pat 'every success in the future' response.

Maybe if you don't hear from them by this time next week, contact them and ask how things are proceeding. If they respond with a 'yes' or even a 'still thinking about it', then all good. If they don't respond, you probably wouldn't want to work there anyway.

I was once verbally offered a job at a startup. The CEO told me he'd contact me in a couple of days to iron out the details. He never did, and I forgot about it. Five months (yes, five months) later, he phoned me and asked me if I was still interested. I had to explain to him that I'd moved on and found work somewhere else, rather than having been sitting there waiting for his call all that time. (I'm afraid I wasn't particularly polite about it; I may have rather verbosely questioned his intelligence and personal skills, and also damaged his eardrum. But it felt good.)

On the subject of over/underqualification, I posted previously about a graduate recruiter who rejected me because my (2:1 BSc) degree was too good. They decided I hadn't 'lived enough' at university. (I most certainly had. But I'm 31 years sober now.)

More recently, I was offered a job at a company who offered me less money than I would have wanted for the role, with a review after 12 months. I told them I'd take it on the condition that they gave me a review after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. That worked. I got a raise after each of those reviews.

Good luck.

I heard back. They are reviewing my references and will be in touch on Monday.

Well. This does indeed look like it could be the end of my search!

I'm picturing you sounding basically like The Simpsons version of Al Gore as you queue up the record.

YAAAYYYYY

Unfortunately, it seems to be a no.

Monday came and went with nothing to show. I messaged on Tuesday and was met with further silence. So I phoned up today (Thursday). "I'll let HR know you called".

Somehow, I doubt it. I don't think that I was overly pushy. It's not as if I spammed them constantly. So, I've done all that I can do. I'm taking this as a rejection unless I hear a response.

Back to applying for jobs I go. A shame really. I thought I had this one.

I've noticed that with my last two interviews, I was told that I am overqualified. Both times I was told that I would hear back shortly, only to be met with silence. Predictable, unfortunately. A significant amount of employers don't bother to reject you and just stay silent instead.

So, I have decided to change my approach. I have made one CV that talks down my experience and makes me seem more approachable. I will use this one for more general jobs such as retail. My other CV is more detailed and will be used for more niche jobs in cities that are commutable in the short-term. This will allow me to cast a more tailored net.

Unfortunately, when the job market that surrounds you is in a bad shape, you have to play to the situation. I do have plans to move to a better economic area when it is possible to do so, but for now I just need to land something. Convincing others that I am loyal to the area and have no ambitions to leave them is the difficult part. My last interview outright asked why I still lived in the area. I get it though, I am in a key demographic that moves out for better career options. Locals side-eye the twenty somethings.

I have passed my driving theory and just need to pass my practical now. I am really looking to move out when it's possible. Yet I can't let on to that information either.

Two more interviews to go.