Is it who you know that counts most?

I'm a postgraduate student with a Masters in European Contemporary Politics from the University of Bath and an unemployed citizen. I am proud to be Maltese and a European citizen. I have always believed in the principles, vision and direction promulgated by the Prime Minister. I am writing this letter because I've been experiencing intolerable feedback while applying for several jobs and also negative attitudes during interviews.

I have applied for various posts like EU fund manager and funding support executive within various government bodies and ministries. Very unexpectedly I am finding that everyone is closing doors, stating that I do not possess any experience at all. Well, I am aware that there are several people that have the same qualifications but lack work experience and who have been approved to work in the same job I applied for. In my case I was told that I'm not eligible to attend an interview.

Recently, I was even rejected because at the time of handing in my application I did not have my Masters certificate. The thing that hurt me most was that these people invited me for the interview and then the selection board stated that they are not even interviewing me.

These people did not even give me a chance to speak and show them my capabilities and motivation to work. They have to understand that I have been looking for a job since September.

I have received rejection letters, so am I too qualified? When am I going start my career, for which I studied hard, and obtain my work experience? Shall I go and work abroad? Did I get into debt to earn a Masters degree only to face all this negative feedback? I keep asking myself, what is happening here? I feel betrayed by the society that says it tries hard to achieve equality and opportunities for work. So, is it true that in Malta it is not how much one knows but who one knows?

I'm really disappointed and saddened by the situation that I'm experiencing.