To be a tad confused?

[ImActuallyNigellaLawson]

I applied a little while ago for a casual job in my local council. It was a role I had worked in before for a few years pre-kids with no problems.

In the application there was only one opportunity to write an extended answer re suitability for the role, and I duly write about three short paragraphs mentioning my previous experience in the role as well as other relevant jobs I had had.

Found out yesterday that my application was unsuccessful because it was scored against a series of predetermined criteria and although I had relevant experience I had crucially failed to provide examples

It was very kind of the person at the other end to mention this and I was appreciative of the feedback, however anyone think this is a flawed system? Seems a little ridiculous when in practice I am able to do the job but in theory I'm not!

Ah! The good old 'no human being was involved in the decision making' checklist of criteria.

Bad luck. Better luck next time

That's rubbish - it does seem that these systems are unfair to people not in the know. I was advised when applying for jobs to get the Person Specification and specifically say how you meet each of them using the exact wording in the person specification as headings. No use to you this time around, but next time you'll not be stung.

It's the same in a lot of interviews too - particularly competency based interviews. You have to say key words and can be allocated points for each of the key words.

Sorry about the job.

Thanks both

Yeah I do get it but it's just so frustrating isn't it, when you aren't aware of these things - was really counting on at least an interview as well! V annoying.

But will obvs try and not make same mistake twice now

You have to be incredibly thorough for LA jobs, make sure you have mentioned every desirable and essential and literally tick them off as you go. It won't read very well but it doesn't matter

Took me 4 attempts to get a job in my local authority before a friend told me about the ticks!