Struggling to land an entry-level IT job after 7 years. What am I doing wrong?

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#3529607 20-Sep-2026 21:56

CtrlAltKiwi:

After I didn't hear back for a bit I called the manager that interviewed me and she said that the test came back as there were signs that I may get stressed so I asked her ''what type of person are you looking for are you wanting a robot someone that doesn't feel emotions''

2 interviews and a personality test reference check stage (they never called those references) It was very upsetting. I actually produced an Invoice for my time that they wasted and sent to their Accounts team with a cover letter explaining why.

I obviously didn't follow it up I was just very upset.

Lets break this down a bit - you asked for feedback, someone gave it to you, you didn't like it and got confrontational.

Maybe it would have been better to say hey thanks for the feedback it gives me something to work on.

Then in 6 months when another job comes up at XYZ you can send a new CV and say "last time you were worried about how I would handle stress, in the last 6 months I've taught myself ABC stress handling techniques. I think I'd be a great fit for this role now.

Put yourself in the hiring managers shoes when they got your invoice - do you think they'll be thinking they made the right or the wrong choice in not hiring you?

The NZ IT market is not huge, don't go making enemies.

If you have not done it before I would suggest you keep trying for a role in retail/customer service too. Customer service skills are extremely valuable in IT.

CtrlAltKiwi

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#3529608 20-Sep-2026 21:59

I wasn't asking for feedback I was calling to get an update on my application as I hadn't heard anything after the personality test.

I actually probably would never have heard back had I not followed up.

lxsw20

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#3529610 20-Sep-2026 22:01

The points remain.

CtrlAltKiwi

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#3529611 20-Sep-2026 22:23

I just feel the way Ricoh treated me was a little unfair given I had told them I'm Autistic and they claimed to support that. I was a little surprised that I was in the end treated like any other candidate she just didn't care. Though now I'm starting to find out that people actually don't care really they only about themself.

I was treated unfairly at my old Volunteer organization (by the manager) she also knew of my Neurodivergence and also claimed when I first started there that they are supportive of us.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the way I think and feel about new people I meet colleagues/managers has changed I'm a lot less trusting now.

I think moving forward I think I would be more numb to the hiring process and wont take things so personally.

CtrlAltKiwi

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#3529613 20-Sep-2026 22:34

roobarb:

PS - or a recruitment agency - their job is to get you a role.

I was with Workbridge for a while - But all they did was give me tips/advise that might make me stand out better. They didn't set up any interviews for me or work experience.

We would meet once a week. A friend was with a different agency and found the same thing just chatting.

gzt

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#3529615 20-Sep-2026 23:03

In part 'neuro-divergent friendly' may be one of those things companies like to put on their websites but haven't really thought a whole lot about what that means in practice. At least they are friendly and your application can acknowledge their desire to correctly consider neuro-divergent candidates.

You may need to prompt them by providing them with some guidance in that area.

I googled "The autistic employee" and it came up with some interesting resources. Many are US and UK based and may not match NZ environment perfectly but could be a pretty good place to start for an employer to develop.

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#3529616 20-Sep-2026 23:25

I wouldn't disclose autism until after you are employed and past any probation period, it's not their right to ask and could be used against you(they would find/claim a different reason to turn you down) but they might assume you will struggle to join in socially or find certain working environments difficult(ie loud offices) despite what most claim being supportive as an employer.

The job market is difficult even for entry level roles that don't require qualifications. Being actively employed in a part time/full time role etc shows you can function in a job and is in your favour even if its not somewhere you see yourself working longterm(ie the mitre 10 role). You don't need to take a job and stick there long term, just work until you get a better offer elsewhere. Awkward interviews happen but if you are working in some capacity you will find yourself less stressed about getting the ones you want.

CtrlAltKiwi

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#3529647 21-Sep-2026 09:12

loceff13:

I wouldn't disclose autism until after you are employed and past any probation period, it's not their right to ask and could be used against you(they would find/claim a different reason to turn you down) but they might assume you will struggle to join in socially or find certain working environments difficult(ie loud offices) despite what most claim being supportive as an employer.

The job market is difficult even for entry level roles that don't require qualifications. Being actively employed in a part time/full time role etc shows you can function in a job and is in your favour even if its not somewhere you see yourself working longterm(ie the mitre 10 role). You don't need to take a job and stick there long term, just work until you get a better offer elsewhere. Awkward interviews happen but if you are working in some capacity you will find yourself less stressed about getting the ones you want.

Thanks so much for this! Another person also said I don’t have to tell them but they didn’t say why I shouldn’t this explains perfectly.

I had thought that by disclosing it that they may understand why my answers to their questions might not be what they are expecting. Im terrible at giving answers or answers that are looking for in interviews. I often have to ask them what do they mean.

I suppose I just wanted to be sure that the office was right for me before committing but I guess thats what I would use the trial period for.

xpd

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#3529666 21-Sep-2026 10:27

enserf:

CtrlAltKiwi:

35 min to 1 hr 10 min according to google maps from my house by Car.

I'm on the Hibiscus Coast so that is limiting my search too.

I'm on Hibiscus Coast as well, and I travel 80km a day via car or bus. 1hr in a car in Auckland traffic is pretty good.

I hated getting the bus, but over the years the service etc has improved greatly and I don't mind sitting on it with my headphones on.

So don't let it be a hindrance in getting a decent position.

XPD / Gavin

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trig42

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#3529673 21-Sep-2026 10:42

My only recommendation is to get a job. Any job.

You say you've been looking for 7 years. Does that mean you are ~25 years old, and have no employment history (sorry, but 1 day a week helping a friend or acquaintance does not count as a full-time job)?

I am not in hiring but have been involved in a few interviews hiring for an IT support role (sat in with the person hiring). If a CV even got to us for looking at interviewing, a lack of a current or recent job in ANY field would be a big red flag and wouldn't proceed to interview stage.

The last one I was involved with, one of the candidates we interviewed (ultimately, came second to the candidate actually hired) hadn't had a job in IT but did currently have a job in retail in a related business to ours. If the 'perfect' candidate hadn't come along and interviewed really well, he would have got the job. He's still on our list and has been contacted recently to see if he might be available for part-time work coming into summer (which may turn into full-time).

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#3529674 21-Sep-2026 10:49

Absolutely do not divulge any label which may not even be valid any more. People change and mistakes in diagnosis often happen. You won’t know what biases an interviewer has so don’t give them a reason to reject you. No one will ask you if you are Autistic, so don’t offer this yourself. Labels stick to you forever if you let them.

Keep closely to the script and answer directly without extrapolating and shooting yourself in the foot. Keep to the positives and there are sure to be many judging from your community volunteer work. Don’t be hard on yourself.

Take any job you can find. It’s always easier getting a job when you already have a job, doesn’t matter what it is. When you go to your dream job interview you can mention you like to keep busy and took on that cleaning job while searching for the right career path. It’s a definite tick in the box.

Never, ever burn bridges no matter how angry or insulted you feel. Sending an account for your time was a very unwise thing to do and closed that door forever and that same person may move to another company and so you’ve closed that one as well. Be humble, thank everyone for THEIR time and the opportunity, then ask to be considered again in future should a new position come up. Keep all options open.

Since you are judged as soon as you walk in the door, whichever interview you attend whether it’s a bus driver or a manager position arrive clean and tidy, shoes polished, shirt ironed, hair tidy, facial hair trimmed and fresh chino pants without a two week knee bulge and creases or stains. Wear a collar not a tee shirt unless it’s with a jacket. No logos unless you need glasses to see it. Look better than all the other applicants and have a set of interview clothes ready so you’re not stressing on the day. Show that you make an effort. Sloppy never impresses and conservative will mirror the interviewer.

Best of luck.

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CtrlAltKiwi

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#3529680 21-Sep-2026 10:54

trig42:

My only recommendation is to get a job. Any job.

You say you've been looking for 7 years. Does that mean you are ~25 years old, and have no employment history (sorry, but 1 day a week helping a friend or acquaintance does not count as a full-time job)?

I am not in hiring but have been involved in a few interviews hiring for an IT support role (sat in with the person hiring). If a CV even got to us for looking at interviewing, a lack of a current or recent job in ANY field would be a big red flag and wouldn't proceed to interview stage.

The last one I was involved with, one of the candidates we interviewed (ultimately, came second to the candidate actually hired) hadn't had a job in IT but did currently have a job in retail in a related business to ours. If the 'perfect' candidate hadn't come along and interviewed really well, he would have got the job. He's still on our list and has been contacted recently to see if he might be available for part-time work coming into summer (which may turn into full-time).

it’s actually worse than that. Im 37. My CV is not saying that im only working 1 day per week I think that’s the only reason Ive been able to get any interviews, interviews for big companies . I would think volunteer work must amount for something? As far as my job applications go I say im working full-time.

lxsw20

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#3529682 21-Sep-2026 10:58

Eva888:

Since you are judged as soon as you walk in the door, whichever interview you attend whether it’s a bus driver or a manager position arrive clean and tidy, shoes polished, shirt ironed, hair tidy, facial hair trimmed and fresh chino pants without a two week knee bulge and creases or stains. Wear a collar not a tee shirt unless it’s with a jacket. No logos unless you need glasses to see it. Look better than all the other applicants and have a set of interview clothes ready so you’re not stressing on the day. Show that you make an effort. Sloppy never impresses and conservative will mirror the interviewer.

It shouldn't need to be said but showered properly that day too.

CtrlAltKiwi

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#3529683 21-Sep-2026 10:59

Eva888:

Absolutely do not divulge any label which may not even be valid any more. People change and mistakes in diagnosis often happen. You won’t know what biases an interviewer has so don’t give them a reason to reject you. No one will ask you if you are Autistic, so don’t offer this yourself. Labels stick to you forever if you let them.

Keep closely to the script and answer directly without extrapolating and shooting yourself in the foot. Keep to the positives and there are sure to be many judging from your community volunteer work. Don’t be hard on yourself.

Take any job you can find. It’s always easier getting a job when you already have a job, doesn’t matter what it is. When you go to your dream job interview you can mention you like to keep busy and took on that cleaning job while searching for the right career path. It’s a definite tick in the box.

Never, ever burn bridges no matter how angry or insulted you feel. Sending an account for your time was a very unwise thing to do and closed that door forever and that same person may move to another company and so you’ve closed that one as well. Be humble, thank everyone for THEIR time and the opportunity, then ask to be considered again in future should a new position come up. Keep all options open.

Since you are judged as soon as you walk in the door, whichever interview you attend whether it’s a bus driver or a manager position arrive clean and tidy, shoes polished, shirt ironed, hair tidy, facial hair trimmed and fresh chino pants without a two week knee bulge and creases or stains. Wear a collar not a tee shirt unless it’s with a jacket. No logos unless you need glasses to see it. Look better than all the other applicants and have a set of interview clothes ready so you’re not stressing on the day. Show that you make an effort. Sloppy never impresses and conservative will mirror the interviewer.

Best of luck.

definitely the diagnosis is correct I was diagnosed as a kid and again in my 20s but they said it was Aspergers which is no not a term used anymore.

Do you really think they have black listed me forever over the invoice thing and my comment? Would they really still hold a grudge if they moved to a new job? Would they even remember me?

xpd

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#3529686 21-Sep-2026 11:04

We have a team member who is on the spectrum and has multiple conditions, but we still took him on. He was honest with us straight from the first meeting, and while we were wary, he had the right attitude and is still working with us today (3 years ?)

It does depend on the company how they view any conditions/quirks/etc/etc you may have.

It is extremely frustrating (especially these days) when noone gets back to you, or comes back with some random reason as to why you don't suit the position. Do send at least one calm email asking for feedback and leave it at that. I've done it before, and mentioned I was really keen on the job anyway, and had them come back with a different position they thought I might like - take it, get the foot in the door.

I applied for a position with the council many moons ago, and after the interview got told I didn't have enough "corporate" IT experience. I had 10+ years corporate IT support experience....... I just moved on.

In some cases, HR's view of IT is "installs software and plugs in routers" whereas the IT manager is actually asking for SQL experience, PHP, TCP/IP etc but only said "need a new IT person" to HR. So the position gets written up by someone who has no clue what the job actually is and leads to such experiences as mine - I spoke to the HR person doing the interview who didnt know what they had in front of them because they didnt understand what was actually needed.

@Eva888 I know of someone who applied for a job, turned up at the interview with wife carrying the newborn, and he was wearing ripped jeans, black rock shirt and leather jacket - I worked for the company at the time but wasn't in the office when he came in, but got told afterwards.... I was like "OMFG".

XPD / Gavin

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