Junior Job Hunter: from job offer to dole queue - how did this happen to me!?

I shouldn't be here! How in five weeks did I go from a handshake congratulating me on obtaining my new role to filing for unemployment? I pondered this meekly as I sat in Centrelink.

I've been in Melbourne for three months, after moving here to find a better opportunity. In early February I thought I had got that opportunity. After undertaking a methodical approach to job hunting this year - meeting several recruiters and having several interviews - I was offered a position supporting the front office at a Big Four bank. I got the job through a well respected recruitment company.

After a firm handshake and congratulations, I was told to prepare my references because all successful candidates undergo an extensive background check, carried out by a third party.

I promptly followed up my referees and had everything submitted the following day. There was supposedly urgency from the hiring manager to start as soon as possible, but I had worked overseas so my check was expected to take a bit longer.

After a week I began contacting the recruiter regularly. There was a delay because my police check was 'under further investigation', but the recruiter said this was not a concern. I also called the third-party provider directly and was told the "delay" was normal and checks could take up to 33 days.

More delays

I occupied my time by studying for my upcoming CFA exam. After four frustratingly long weeks and continuous follow ups, I was finally informed that my police clearance had returned and had been sent to the hiring manager. I called the recruiter immediately, expecting my start date to be confirmed.

During the fifth week alarm bells started ringing. The recruiter told me the manager was not returning emails or calls, but that it was normal and to be patient. I questioned whether I should contact the bank directly. After another four days I called around to obtain the hiring manager's details and sent an email querying my start date.

You cannot be serious

Another torturous weekend passed and I awoke last Monday to read: "I regret to inform you...decided to go with another candidate with greater experience...informed the recruiter of this several weeks ago." Unfortunately the recruiter hadn't received this message, so it hadn't been passed onto him (or me).

My heart sunk. I had invested so much nervous energy for nothing! To matter matters worse, after accepting this so-called offer, I had interviews at other banks lined up via different agencies, but politely declined them to avoid burning bridges with those who made be the offer.

So for my loyalty to the position and agency, I received in return: five weeks of potential lost income; lost job-search time; mountains of stress; and I had bothered my referees unnecessarily.

Rising from the ashes

So I now find myself back at the drawing board after a week of cursing my bad luck. However, that's irrelevant at the moment: the most important step now is determining how I can help myself to employment.

My options to find the ideal position have narrowed, which has forced me to take that first uncomfortable step: filing for unemployment. Not what I wanted or expected, but a start after a setback. Eventually your luck has to turn, right?

Is there a lesson I can take from all this? Hopefully with time I'll have a different perspective. In the meantime, I'll stay optimistic. Job hunting is hard work and sometimes when you fail it's out of your control.

So to 'Job Hunt 2.0.' Anybody who's watched Entourage knows the character Johnny Drama. You may have seen the moment of clarity that Drama has after a panic attack when he has to audition for the billionth time for another TV pilot: "It's not about whether I want to audition or not, I have to. So let's just do this. I'm ready!"