Applying for jobs help

[icelolly12]

Hi, posting here for traffic..

I'm applying for jobs. Please could any HR people or those who deal with applications help me with a few things:

1. When filling in the section about current responsibilities/duties in my current role, is this section best written in paragraphs or bullet points? How many key points should I include?

1. If writing a long personal statement whereby I need to prove that I meet the essential criteria for the position, is this best done under sub headings for each criteria or in more of a flowing essay type style?

1. Is it worth applying for jobs where I don't meet all the essential criteria in terms of direct experience, but have the key skills/ability to do the role, and if so how do I address these missing points re direct experience in the application, should I skirt them or should I give relevant skills, or is applying in the first place just wasting everyones time?

Recruiter here. Glad you are asking about this because the no of bad applications I see is unbelievable! And I mostly deal with graduates who I would expect to have some idea.

1. Use bullet points and make it brief. We may have 100s of applications to read and don't want someones life story. List only the main parts of the role.

1. Personal statement is best done under sub headings. This makes it clear to us when all the criteria has been addressed. Rather than searching through an essay style approach which could be worded with no particular structure. Again, don't write your life story and don't give us a description of everything you are doing in your current job. We only want to hear how you can fulfill the job you are applying for.

1. If you can fulfill the criteria then explain exactly how. This may not even be through your employment but in another area of your life. As an example, if the essential criteria requires a knowledge of spreadsheets which you have never used in work but use in a voluntary capacity, such as secretary of your local tennis club, then please include it.

Good luck with your applications.

@PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle Thanks for replying. This is all really helpful and reassuring, thank you.