It can be really difficult knowing when to consider applying for new roles, particularly Assistant Psychologist (AP) posts, and especially within the NHS. The competition is fierce, and it can be such a disheartening experience when we are unsuccessful. Or sometimes just really frustrating when we do not hear whether we are invited to the interview stage or not. It can also be very difficult to hear a peer (particularly an AP or similar) say ‘just keep going’ or ‘you will get there’ when they are already in a role you so desperately want. Don’t get me wrong, it can be motivating and reassuring, but also difficult. Ironically, I am now in that position. However, not without any struggles, a long wait or perseverance.
To recap, it took me quite some months after completing my MSc to find even an honorary AP placement, then another several months of job applications before getting invited to an interview of any kind. This was for a therapeutic part time position at a charity where I was volunteering, so all other job applications were completely unsuccessful. So as I have said before, right place, right time I think can really be a factor. I then spent over 5 years (on/off) whilst in this post applying to AP and similar roles, some NHS and some private. For some context I must have applied to well over 100 vacancies in this time, to be offered just three interviews. THREE! Those odds just feel shocking. The first was based in a prison with over an hour daily commute each way, but it was also a very unpleasant interview experience. In hindsight I think I was glad that I wasn’t offered this position. The second, an NHS position (again with a reasonably long commute) but nevertheless a promising interview experience, yet another unsuccessful interview and a sense of rejection.
Finally, the third was for a private company in Family Law. This was my first AP interview where I was surprisingly and ecstatically offered the position. Although a long commute on some days, I worked from home for the majority of the time. This really eased the travel but also taught me a lot (as discussed in a previous post), in addition to the clinical experience. The moral of this part of the story is how appalling my odds were before I got offered an AP position. But eventually and after several years, I did. I also subsequently discovered that I was actually not the most experienced candidate, however I was the best fit for the team which I am learning is often just as valued, if not sometimes more so than the experience we have. So being a friendly, workable person can really go in your favour. After two years in this post, I thought I would test the water at some NHS applications, mainly to become familiar with the process again and to consider what field I wanted moving forward. Although over several weeks, I was astoundingly offered an interview for 5 out of the 6 applications. An absolutely huge improvement in odds! One of which was also a band 5 Senior AP role. Although unsuccessful at getting the position, a promising sign that my applications and experiences are improving. I was offered two out of the first 3 in which I was interviewed for, before later declining the other two interviews.
The message really is…just keep going. It can be a long, disheartening road, but it can be successful. I was encouraged that everything ‘is just a numbers game’ in that the more you apply, the higher your chances of success. Although this can be very hard to hear at times of rejection, I do now feel the proof really is in the pudding and the evidence would suggest there has to be some truth in this. As a result I am now an Assistant Psychologist for the NHS and I couldn’t be prouder. I am nothing special, I am not from a privileged background with lots of job opportunities. Actually, the contrary. Although perseverance can be a hard journey, it is so worth it when you get there. Really, just keep going – you have got this.