Is it possible to apply for a job without sounding like a knob?

[HollywentLightly]

For me the answer is no. I've just submitted an application for a director level role. It's all so much jargon just to tick boxes. I referred to myself as an authentic leader, ffs. I've the experience and I'm well able to do the job but writing it down to sell myself makes my skin crawl. I'm too Irish for this bullshit 😂

Why an authentic leader? I’ve never described myself as ‘authentic’ on a job application. But if it gets you the job then who cares!

I would cringe myself inside out if I ever had to apply for a job and describe myself as “passionate about…..”. Too English for that!

It is ridiculous that you have to build yourself up to godlike proportions, and if you don't you know some idiot who does will get the job!

I used to always skip to qualifications first and chuck out the ones without GCSE English and maths, I didn't want an uneducated god. And then look at the required qualifications and where they got them. Some of the descriptions of the work they had done were worth an Oscar!

I'm in the not for profit sector so had to reference my passion for the cause @SydneyCarton . I've been doing this work with little pay and fuck all glory for 20 years, do I really have to say I'm passionate about it too?

I’ve got an interview at 12.30 for a role I’m desperate for. My emotional awareness and critical thinking skills are apparently amazing but I can’t remember any of it 😂

Good luck!

I presume your English? I think it goes against the grain for most English people to blow your own trumpet but purely in the context of interviews and job applications you have to do it

Good luck! 🤞

One of my bosses said that if reading your application didn't make your toes curl with embarrassment, you needed to sell yourself more. I hate it. But not as much as I hate seeing less qualified blaggers getting promoted over my head!

I'm Irish @Pyjamatimenow so even worse, I sound like I have notions about myself. I know it's how these things work, but I just hate that I have to play this game.

My old boss (who told me to apply for this job) basically said the same @UnaOfStormhold .

I’ve read back my application and don’t even remember doing it as it doesn’t sound like me!

I had to write my own author page for Amazon. Referring to myself in the third person was weird enough, but having to make yourself sound dynamic and an interesting person was absolutely beyond me. As a result, I have possibly the most bland author bio on the planet. Same principle.

Hmm

I will hold onto this! I hate all the jargon and cringe inducing BS we have to spout to get a job these days, but needs must, lol.

Oh god, this sort of thing being out in the wild would finish me off entirely. Well done for surviving it and I hope it helped you sell lots of books. I had to write a speaker profile for myself last year. I gave a few bland lines that covered why I was there. It was rejected for being too short. I had to give a minimum of 200 words. Absolute horror.