So, I've (31F) been steadily applying to this university that my friend and her sister both work at, they're enjoying it, it's exactly what I want, a nice office job with a little intellectual challenge and great community spirit. I've roughly got the same work experience and qualifications as the both of them. We are all the same academically, I have the same managerial experience as one and the other has prior experience in their field but no leadership experience.
I keep getting rejected.
They tried to comfort me that they only got an interview on their second application but I'm on number eight now and I can't lie, I'm getting really upset because I really want this change.
I'm rewriting my application from scratch every time too knowing its likely the same people not putting me forward and I don't want them to think I'm lazy.
So the rejection letter says I can't ask for feedback if I don't get an interview. But my god, I just want a reason, if they want to see some extra courses etc I'll do them, if they want to understand a previous job I held more, I'll do it. I'm driving myself mad thinking it's because I have an unconventional name and my friend and her sister have typical middle class names. I've even changed my title from “Ms” to “Miss” in the hope it might change perception, and used one of my middle names alongside my first name which is a very middle class name.
Is there any way of asking for feedback despite them saying they won't give me feedback without sounding bonkers? I'm currently a retail manager, and being turned away from a customer service position in the university library was so disappointing as I'd have enjoyed it so much.
TLDR; I'm having a crisis because I can't get an interview and I don't know why. The university I'm applying to jobs at says they can't give feedback if I didn't get an interview. I've been rejected so many times I really want to understand their angle. Is there a way of asking so I don't look crazy?