Flowerbeanbag or anyone else who knows about job applications?

[thirtysomething]

I'm being made to jump through the hoop of applying for a job I'm already doing due to funding being switched. to all intents and purposes it's an open recruitment process, but they keep telling me they'd like to keep me....It's light years since I actually formally applied for a job and I'm sure things have changed....I've got this great big application form to fill in with 1-2 sides to fill with why I want and would be good at the job (v. odd as I'm already doing it!) - do people still submit covering letters? The last time I did this (about 15 years ago!) you had to explain in a letter why you wanted the job, but now it seems you put that on the application form?

TIA!

[StealthPolarBear]

With a form like that I would submit a brief covering letter "Please find enclosed...would be grateful to be considered for this position" type.
Is the job public sector? Is there a person spec?

[thirtysomething]

no it's a small charity, and yes there is a person spec which is a bit waffly and tbh it seems a bit odd to be writing stuff like i'm organised or have a good undertanding of the issues we deal with as they know all of that about me anyway as they are encouraging me to apply....it's all a bit embarassing really!

[StealthPolarBear]

I agree - I applied for an internal job once and a lot of the stuff I was writing my boss knew better than me! Still needs to be done though, as if they're anything like my employer they'll need to show they went through a fair process and there was no bias

[thirtysomething]

thanks for that stealth, you've made me feel a lot better, nice to know i'm not alone in having to do this!!

[flowerybeanbag]

Try to get past the feeling of it being weird having to tell your boss things he/she already knows about you.

In this sort of situation, it's very likely that a condition of the funding the charity is receiving for this is that an open, fair and robust recruitment procedure is used.

Try to work on the basis that someone you don't know might see your form. You can still obviously use skills and experience gained and demonstrated in the job, but write it as though it will be read by someone who doesn't know you.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

[thirtysomething]

thanks flowery!