Do you want a JOB?

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 9:30 am

If so, then please read the following: -

If you intend to respond to a job advert - read the advert carefully.

Then read it again

Look for the parameters required of applicants; qualifications, previous experience, age, sex, height / strength, language abilities, personality etc. That is not to say that you should never go after a job where you do not exactly match the stated profile, but do be aware of these things, and prepare good arguments to counter your 'deficiencies' in those respects

If the advert requests a CV, supply one, - if it requests 'brief details' of experience, then that is what they want, not a full CV!

Be sure that you respond using the method requested in the advert - that is, if it says 'Please email xxx@xxx.com', then use email, if it says 'please ring 0392 xxx xxxx between 9 am and 10:15 am', then that is what you should do.

If the advert says that more information will be given in person 'at interview' or 'over the phone', there may well be sound commercial reasons for not giving that information out over the Forum.

Always bear in mind that you will have a much greater chance of impressing a possible employer by speaking to them, preferably face-to-face, than by ignoring the instructions, and typing a response. If responding by email, you can always follow up with a 'phone call after a short period - showing a little initiative never hurts...

So, if any of the above are stipulated, DO NOT respond by posting a question on the Forum.

I always took the view that if a person was not able to understand the instructions that I placed in a job advert, or was not prepared to comply with those instructions, then I didn't want them working for me, and they would be lucky to get even the courtesy of a rejection note!

Of course, times change, and nowadays, prospective Employers may be more tolerant than me (they could hardly be less tolerant ) but do try to maximise your chances by reading the advert carefully.

And finally - it never hurts to find out as much as you can about a Company before you apply for a Job - Websites, Brochures, a casual look at their premises, chatting to people who might be familiar with the business, can all give you the ability to talk intelligently about the firm, and your possible place in it.

...So, Good Luck with that Job!

buddy · Post by **buddy** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 11:38 am

Is this post informative or patronising ?

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 11:55 am

buddy wrote:Is this post informative or patronising ?

I suppose it all depends on your point of view, and your experience...

I spent a fair amount of time writing it because I see so many posts responding to jobs advertised on the Forum which appear (to me) to totally ignore the stated instructions, and display a complete lack of knowledge of the basics, when it comes to applying for a job.

Although it would certainly have been easier (and possibly more entertaining!) to criticise those posters, and point out that they were doing themselves a disservice, it would not have been very charitable, and so I resisted the temptation

It was actually a serious, well-intentioned attempt to inform and advise people who self evidently have little experience or appreciation of the perils of job applications.

If you found it patronising, then it was obviously not intended for a person of your experience and erudition

Thank you for your comments.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 12:02 pm

Keith, it doesn't help either the way jobs are advertised. If the people who advertise the vacancy are not professional it will follow through to the person applying.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 12:54 pm

Dalartokat wrote:Keith, it doesn't help either the way jobs are advertised. If the people who advertise the vacancy are not professional it will follow through to the person applying.

I suppose that realistically, you are correct, but I've never been one to accept low standards and ignorance as inevitable and irreversible, and if my post serves to inform and help just one person to get a job, I'll be happy

...and as they say... "Previous Posters need not respond"...

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 4:36 pm

When I was in the position of interviewing people, they were first asked to reply "in your own hand writing", requesting an application form. There was a very good reason for this as at that time neatness and overall presentation was essential. I can honestly say that 40% typed their applications, another 20% didn't asked for an application form but enclosed a CV, 20% did as requested but typed on the application form (when it specifically asked for hand writing" That left 20%. 10% of that 20% either omitted questions or crossed out and amended a couple of times. Peoples inability to actually read accurately astounded me. Seems as if nothing has changed, even in these digital times. Oh and another thing, when people did get as far as sitting in front of me at an interview, the number of applicants that actually knew what we produced and for whom was in single % figures!!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 4:47 pm

Its a long time since I have applied for a job, or vetted job applications, so I haven't taken much notice of the posts on the subject here; but in my working days the ability to express oneself clearly in the language involved (in this case English) was also an important factor. Otherwise suitable applicants were rejected for interview because of poor grammar and spelling, even handwriting!

A well set out clear and concise letter or CV would also get more attention.

Sadly this does not seem to be the criteria even for so called professionals in the UK judging from the nearly illiterate communications I have had from Banks etc. and the writers' inability to explain what they are trying to convey.

(Of course, if one wants to impress, one should also get the facts right (and know East from West - sorry private joke at my expense, Keith will understand)

However I also agree with message 4: Adverts do not always give sufficient information to enable an applicant to judge whether it is worth going to all that trouble for something that may turn out totally unsuitable.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 7:40 pm

Keith, good post but of no use for TRNC! Could have saved lots of typing by shortening it to - "Want to get a job - get a cousin" - sorry could not resist!!!!!

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Sun 25 Jan 2015 9:41 pm

Here here sad but soooo true !!

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 26 Jan 2015 5:24 am

Doomed!...we're DOOOOMED !

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Mon 26 Jan 2015 10:25 am

An applicant for a post obviously got fed up with terse and perhaps impolite nature of the questions:

Her answers were:

Name? (given as required)
Address?
Phone?

Born? YES

Sex? YES, Please

More effective was the reply of one of the commentators (I think John Arlott) on a flight questionnaire to one of the politically controversial matches in South Africa

Race? Human

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Mon 26 Jan 2015 12:27 pm

Ragged Robin wrote:An applicant for a post obviously got fed up with terse and perhaps impolite nature of the questions:

Her answers were:

Name? (given as required)
Address?
Phone?

Born? YES

Sex? YES, Please

More effective was the reply of one of the commentators (I think John Arlott) on a flight questionnaire to one of the politically controversial matches in South Africa

Race? Human

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure it was 'there's a pigeon on the pitch'

CatalkoyChris · Post by **CatalkoyChris** » Mon 26 Jan 2015 1:33 pm

In the industry I work in we are encouraged to have a questioning attitude, and that there are no stupid questions apart from ones not asked.

johnerebus · Post by **johnerebus** » Mon 26 Jan 2015 6:51 pm

And anuvver fing: why is the word "Sex" used and not "Gender" on application and also official forms? the word "Sex" leaves the questionnaire open to abuse. Isn't " Gender" more appropriate?

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Mon 26 Jan 2015 7:58 pm

You are quite right, jr, "gender" would have been the correct word. That is the point of the joke , the form was badly designed.

I thought the pigeon quote was "Johnners"

SELECT · Post by **SELECT** » Tue 27 Jan 2015 9:35 am

Funny Keith ... I guess you're only trying to help. I was asked recently to give a talk to the local university about sales careers'. What was interesting, was the fact that none of these students had any work history to put into a CV, even if they knew how to write one, let alone what to do to begin applying for a role. Interestingly, I don't see any major companies here in the North, specifically set up for recruitment or advice on job-hunting. Perhaps here is a good idea for someone looking to start a company.

Ps God loves a tryer, so don't worry about ringing the 'hiring manager' before an interview and sending in the CV. Sometimes, you'll 'gleen' a lot of information from someone in the office who is actually doing the job.

Pps Anyone want to work with SELECT ESTATES in Kyrenia? We're busy and need someone bi-lingual, male or female. CV's to ian.ratcliffe@select-estates.com

jazzdolly · Post by **jazzdolly** » Tue 27 Jan 2015 10:50 am

I recently saw an advertisement for a job on here and both the advert and the responses were full of illiterate nonsense.
I can't see how these people expect to be taken seriously?

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