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Original poster

Aargh - stupid question about job application...

22 replies

flyingtartar · 13/04/2021 22:01

If asked to write supporting information of no more than 2 sides A4, do they mean A4 exactly? The info has to be copied into a text box on the form, meaning that although it was 2 sides on Word, when copied into the box it goes well into 3. Will they discount my application on that basis or will they know that the text box means the pages aren't really A4? Hard to know how I could edit it enough - the 'extra' is 315 words and I don't want to send a thin application that doesn't cover everything, but also don't want it to be binned without being read.

I know I sound like a twat but I've been working on this all day and really want the job, so if anyone can help that would be great!

OP posts:

Myneighboursnorlax · 13/04/2021 22:03

Can you make the font or the gaps between lines smaller?

maddy68 · 13/04/2021 22:04

Make it fit 2 pages change spacing or font size. Then save as a PDF so the formatting doesn't change when they open it

mooonstone · 13/04/2021 22:05

Print it out, what happens?

When all else fails, try to send it as a pdf as the formatting won’t change across devices

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EarringsandLipstick · 13/04/2021 22:09

the 'extra' is 315 words and I don't want to send a thin application that doesn't cover everything

Any supporting information that is going over 2 pages (whether or not that's exactly A4) can do with being edited down by 315 words.

The info needs to fit the form, and take only 2 pages of the form. Don't let it go do 3 pages.

You'll get away with reducing font size eg to 11 but not much more.

Be ruthless. You can absolutely say what you want to say in fewer words.

TokyoSushi · 13/04/2021 22:11

Agreed, I'd try to get it down to the 2 pages of the application form if you can, good luck!!

Original poster

flyingtartar · 13/04/2021 22:15

I don't think it'll work as a PDF as it has to fit into a text box. The box starts about a third down the page as all the pages have the company logo at the top - surely that has to count?! Also, it's really narrow...

I have it as 10 Arial (that's the font they have set the rest of the form to). If I go up to 11 it'll be way over! Contrary to how I may sound here I do write good applications and always get shortlisted but I've never come across this before. Usually the supporting info goes on a separate document.

I suppose I better get editing....

OP posts:

mooonstone · 13/04/2021 22:15

I’m assuming that in your Word software, you have margins/font/spacing etc set up in a certain way to ensure it fits over 2 pages

Whereas the web form for the application is probably standardised, ie there’s a default font/font size/spacing etc across all candidates, meaning that your statement is 3 pages long in their software.

I do think you have to work within their parameters. Condense it as much as you can without relying on the font size etc.

Are you repeating yourself anywhere? Can anything be left out, if they have access to your CV maybe they can read it there instead. It’s better to have something short and punchy than long and waffle-y. Try to cut all the bluster out and wow them

mooonstone · 13/04/2021 22:17

It’s probably 11 as they might print it out, ie to make it easier to read on paper vs on screen.

chillied · 13/04/2021 22:18

Yes they mean 2 pages of their format of application in the boxes.

Good luck with the editing.

EarringsandLipstick · 13/04/2021 22:20

I have it as 10 Arial (that's the font they have set the rest of the form to). If I go up to 11 it'll be way over!

10 Arial is fine. (Arial is quite a large font). And keeping it to the same as what's in the form is good, too.

Just work on condensing your information to fit in the form. I'm sure you'll do fine! It does sound a bit frustrating that it's not a separate attachment but you'll just have to work with it.

I'm used to reading applications & short, well-written, informative statements work best. You can always tell them more at interview.

Original poster

flyingtartar · 13/04/2021 22:22

Arse . Thanks anyway all .

No CVs in my line of work so this is it, and you have to address all the key components of the (long) person spec...Oh, well - I'll get chopping. At size 11 it needs 575 words chopping! It isn't set, but I can see putting it in at 10 makes it look tiny writing, which isn't good.

OP posts:

EarringsandLipstick · 13/04/2021 22:25

Would bullet points work at all? Or does it need to be a statement?

Original poster

flyingtartar · 14/04/2021 07:21

Waah - I got it down beautifully to 2 pages. Then this morning I realised I needed to add a crucial achievement that belongs in the box above. That box getting a bit bigger has pushed the supporting statement box further down the next page (for no reason as the other box stays on the page above) meaning it s now spread across 3 pages again! FFS - bollocking text boxes! There is a big space at the top of the page but all the editing functions are greyed out and I can't shift it up a bit.

I'll have to leave it. I can't edit it further and it did fit on 2!!

OP posts:

Forestdweller11 · 14/04/2021 07:36

So the '2 pages' bit starts half way down a page? Then you have a whole page of text? And then a new page with half a page if text? That's fine Id say. The whole lot adds up to two pages.

ADandyHighwayman · 14/04/2021 07:51

Aerial narrow?

ADandyHighwayman · 14/04/2021 07:52

Arial. Autocorrect

MrsFin · 14/04/2021 08:02

No recruiter will read 2 sides of A4, let alone 3.
Be concise. Concentrate on the last 5 years, use bullet points.
This could be part of the selection procedure.

AdriannaP · 14/04/2021 08:12

I often recruit for roles. If the criteria is 2 pages then anyone over will be automatically dismissed. It shows you can’t or won’t follow simple rules and that’s not the best start. And yes secondly, as others pointed out, nobody will read 3 pages.

SwanShaped · 14/04/2021 08:49

Oh my god I know exactly the sort of form you mean!!!! Good luck.

EarringsandLipstick · 14/04/2021 08:59

Oh OP it sounds so frustrating. And a badly designed form!

I think, however, I would ensure it stays on the 2 pages. Maybe it will be ok but I wouldn't necessarily risk it.

Good luck - you'll be relieved when it's in!

BananaMaltLoaf · 14/04/2021 09:58

I write applications in my job, you've described the bane of my life. Look for extraneous words. Good luck!

Original poster

flyingtartar · 15/04/2021 09:56

So after changing the font of the top box and doing more editing I now have it so that the statement starts down the bottom of a page - there's about 5 lines of it there. Then there's a full page of it and then a third page. I takes about 75% of the third page and at the bottom of that the next text box with 5 lines of info written by the company sits. So it's definitely two pages (probably a bit less now) but it does span 3 and there is nothing I can do about that because their boxes move of their own accord. Hopefully that's okay - they can very clearly see that I haven't taken the full third page as there's other writing on it.

Also, there's another box underneath that says 'Additional Info in support of your application' - I have just out one sentence in there relating to something I do 'on the side' that relates to my industry. I assume it would be CFery to use the space to add to the supporting statement but I'm now panicking that it's what others will do and one sentence isn't enough in there...

Aaargh - this form is different from all the others I've encountered in my line of work, which tends to have very specific recruitment procedures which I thought I understood!

OP posts:

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