I'm very sorry to hear that, it is really tough out there atm. I was surprised I was shortlisted but it is a RA post (and not postdoc) and the requirements are below my skill set. Have you asked one of your colleagues or your supervisor to give you feedback on your CV? I applied for two associate lecture positions during my PhD and I was pretty sure I'd get an interview for them, but I didn't get shortlisted. Last week I was applying for a job and looked through those two applications and realised in the previous employment list I had left the job description and date blank for two jobs - and I don't even understand how or why!

The feedback I have received from some is just that other applicants' experiences were a better fit- even when I was over qualified!

One job I applied for was in a department in my current uni and they are familiar with me, and they are kindly meeting with me to discuss in person why I was unsuccessful which will be helpful. I mean, these jobs are the first I have applied for in 5 years so it will be useful to understand if I am making any careless errors. Though, the really funny thing is that I used to work in careers advice and successfully got other people jobs consistently so I am pretty skilled at assessing and improving CVs and covering letters.

I think sometimes people are worried that you may not stay for long enough if you are over qualified? Also, I think many people already have someone else in mind, but are just interviewing to go through the formal process required to choose a candidate. It sucks really. I'm wishing you all the best, you are taking all the right steps to gather feedback and use it, so I'm sure you'll be in a good position very soon.

I also think that most PhD students (especially if they haven't submitted their first draft yet) are at the most stressful stage, and are just really stressed out, and employers are a bit hesitant to take students on at that stage. I think once you can write on your CV that you have submitted the first draft or you've submitted, my guess is more people are keen to take you on. (I can't see myself recruiting a final year PhD student unless first draft was submitted or the student was part time).

Zutterfly, I have not managed to get shortlisted for anything yet, and I also have a lot of experience of getting jobs outside of academia. It is so demoralising, and especially at this stage when the pressure is on to get something! One of the jobs I applied for needed only an undergraduate degree, and the topic was an area in which I have 12 years of work experience. Hugh may be right that academic employers know what the final pre-submission stages are like and won't interview us at this stage. I have to say, I was open-minded about whether or not I wanted to even go for academic jobs, and I am going to draw a line under this type of experience pretty quickly and move on to something different. I hope you get helpful feedback from your uni - it would be interesting to hear it if you're able to share anything, as all I've had so far is emails saying 'we got lots of excellent applications and cannot provide further feedback'.

I did wonder about this- whether they are deterred by the fact I have not submitted yet. I am sorry you have had similar experiences Chickpea, in an odd way, I am glad it is not just me, but it still sucks!

I will come back and report on the feedback when I receive it. I will also PM you about a frustrating experience I had recently if that is ok? I am cautious about putting it on here as it may ruin anonymity.

I think it should be fine if you put the date when you aim to submit, and your supervisors also say this in their reference letters. Worked for me.

I did this and still no joy!

Yeah, I've been giving them a guide to when I'll have submitted as well. I think they must be getting lots of applicants who already have their PhDs.

Just had feedback on chapter 3/5 from supervisors and while there are lots of fiddly bits, no major methodological changes required so I'm really glad about that. This weekend I really need to finish cobbling together a very rough full draft of the entire thesis. Still two chapters awaiting feedback but they're small chapters and I'm happy with them.

I will probably need at least six weeks with a full draft to make the changes, rearrange bits and pieces, add in extra bits, do my bibilo up properly so I'm on track for that. Really trying to just get this full draft done and then I know I'm nearly there!

Glad to hear that litphdgirl :) you are almost there!

Today I finished editing a chapter that took a lot of work to get it to a standard I was happy with. I am planning on working this weekend to try and get another chapter edited by the end of Monday (which should be more straightforward- it just needs a thorough read through and a couple of things adding/taking out).

I am desperately craving a duvet day though!

I feel for you! How is it going?

It is going well, hoping to finish applying feedback to chapter 5 of 9 today and proof read it tomorrow. I stupidly went for a 'quick drink' with a friend last night that turned into a fair few hours of drinking, so I feel quite tired today (my own fault though!)

How is everything going with you Hugh? Heard anything from the job interview?

You're progressing very well, well done, and I think you deserved those drinks :-)

Haven't heard back yet, but I think I'm expecting a rejection, as it sounded like they were shortlisting on the day. Maybe I am second on the list, and they are waiting for the person that was offered to accept their appointment. Or possibly I have just over thinked it all ;) I am so keen on the role, that I think I will sulk over it for a bit.

Thank you Hugh :) I just feel a bit guilty these days if I have a day that is not incredibly productive as the deadline is quickly approaching! I feel like I need to make every day count.

When was the interview? Even if it is a rejection, ask for feedback. I had some feedback recently on an application I did and it was super helpful. Whilst I had all the experience, they said I didn't make it clear enough and needed to be more specific with examples which was really helpful to know.

That feedback sounds very helpful - I think I need to use the STAR technique when replying to questions. I also stupidly forgot to say some very important things. I think the more practice I get, the better I'll get at it.

I will definitely ask for feedback. Fingers still crossed though, it could still not be a rejection. I'm trying to be a bit optimistic ;)