It's not my year... - Page 2

Lougarry · 07-13-2012, 03:48 PM

As someone who does a lot of recruitment, I have noticed we are getting far more applications for every post recently, which means an application which succinctly demonstrates, in one place, how the applicant meets the requirements of the job description and person spec is far more likely to get short listed than one in which the information is scattered all over the place or where bits are not explicit.

My advice is to tailor your CV or application to each post you apply for, rather than using a standard one, and make sure that in your covering letter or statement you give as many concrete examples as possible of how you have used each of the skills required or when you have achieved similar things to those required. Don't assume, for example, that because you've said somewhere that you've worked in retail the person short listing will know you've 'ticked the box' of handling money/being trustworthy. When you are reading 100 applications you don't always remember everything by the time you get to the end and can confuse different applications.

Focus, where you can, on measurable achievements and facts and figures rather than tasks (e.g. 'achieved target of training 80% of employees in xxxx within 6 months' rather than 'was responsible for staff training'). When describing your employment history it's quite good to have 2-3 bullets summarising the role followed by 2-3 key achievements - so something like, 'Responsible for planning and project management. Secured business case approval for £10 million nursing home development.'

Also, if a form asks you to complete it in black ink then don't use blue. You probably wouldn't, but lots of people do, and then I will decide I can do without someone who can't follow a simple instruction.

You'd be surprised by how many applications will just say something like: 'I believe I meet all the essential requirements of the post, am reliable and trustworthy and will be an asset to the organisation.' Even 'I have 7 years' experience in the field and have continued my personal development throughout my career' is unlikely to stand out.

Hope some of this helps a bit, and very sorry if you are doing all this already. Good luck- it's a really tough market at the moment xx

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-13-2012, 03:49 PM

Good luck, I've just had one idea and checked my company. The Cardiff branch is hiring so I'll send you some details on that in a minute. Not neccessarily reccomending the job as it won't work for everyone, but it can't hurt.

Womblehands · 07-13-2012, 03:56 PM

You could come and work with me. We are hiring at the moment. Good luck tho hun. Being an adult sure isnt easy

Flamestriker · 07-13-2012, 03:57 PM

Thank you Lougarry, I don't think I was succinct enough.

I didn't spend enough time on it either, because i only decided at the last moment to put a form in, and thus what did I really expect? miracles? BTW it was an on line application, with an unstable Internet connection. Monday was such a fun day

I generally spend hours on an application form, the expression of interest I recently filled in took me 3 hours, linked to a person spec, and that was after I was told not to spend too long on it. Just proves you can't rush these things.

Thanks everyone, I feel better now

Flamestriker · 07-13-2012, 03:59 PM

Aww Sam and Womblehands I'm...shocked. Thank you so much! This means a lot.

Womblehands where do you work?

Lougarry · 07-13-2012, 04:01 PM

It always takes me hours too. Often days in fact, going back and revising everything. When I first left uni I was applying for 3 posts a day for several months. I must have applied for upwards of 100 jobs and only got short listed for 3. It's soul destroying really.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-13-2012, 04:03 PM

No problem, I know my branch is often short of staff so figured I'd check the one by you.
Details will be sent when I've eaten, food was ready as I started typing the pm out.

Flamestriker · 07-13-2012, 04:12 PM

No prob, thank you again. Iv got a headache that's making me feel very unwell at t mo, so I'm going to lie down in a dark room for a bit.

Il look at your PM in the morning as soon as I wake because any more reading and typing and I'm going to be physically Ill. Drafted headaches!

Thank you again

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-13-2012, 04:16 PM

I ate and sent it, I hope you feel better tomorrow!
(I won't be around until late tomorrow so if you reply and a reply takes a while its because I'm out at a wedding for most of the day lol)

Womblehands · 07-13-2012, 04:18 PM

I work for T Mobile, we are taking on 40 new people..