to get frustrated by this?

[HomityBabbityPie]

I'm leaving my current job and assisting with the recruitment of my replacement. I really care about my boss and the role so really want to get someone good.

I'm really shocked by the quality of the applications. We've had 35 so far and of those maybe only 2 are even vaguely interviewable. The vast majority have just sent in a CV, ignoring the fact the job ad specifically requests that an application form should be filled out. Of those who have filled out the application form, most haven't bothered to fill in the personal statement part where you are meant to state how you meet the person specification. Of those who have filled it in, it's just a small generic paragraph.

Do they not teach this in schools any more?!

I have to say never having written one I now would never apply to a job where they were a requirement...I'd think I'd screw it up!

What is the covering letter designed to show?

This is useful to me as dusting off my cv after it's only been used to get my very first job, a very long time ago.

Can anyone help with my specific circumstances?

I want to be a medical receptionist. I haven't worked for a very long time, sahm-ing, but really really keen to get back to work, and particularly to do this type of job.

However I have had my 50th birthday (ahem, a year or two ago) and I haven't had a job for 18 years.

To get anyone to blow the dust off my cv and not put it straight in the bin, I need a shiney sparkly covering letter to grab attention.

How do I say "I haven't worked for 18 years, my 50th birthday has been and gone, but I'd be bloody good as a Medical Receptionist and I really really really really want to be given a chance to show you just how good" 😀

Any pointers? (And would I get to interview stage anyway?) I'm confident I'll interview well.

It's nerve wracking trying to work again. You lose confidence that anyone would care to actually pay you some money for doing something.

Any advice would be brilliant.

Oh blimey, that's long, I wonder whether I should start my own thread rather than hijack the OPs.

I'm so surprised by all the people saying they've never filled in an application form or written a personal statement, and that they wouldn't bother applying for jobs that asked for one.

In the past few years I've applied for something like 30 jobs and had to write a statement for every single one. It was practically like having a second job working on them all the time. I can't imagine ever getting an interview based just on a CV! I'm guessing we're in very similar sectors, OP.

(I got my dream job in the end so it all worked out!)

ThroughThickAndThin I've no specific advice, but wanted to offer some encouragement - my mum was a SAHM for over 20 years and only went back to work when she split up with my dad in her late 40s. She started as a receptionist too and is now doing really well for herself! I think you'll get better advice if you do start your own thread, but good luck!

My first job was supporting NEET young people to find some form of EET. You wouldn't believe how many people don't realise that an email address like "[email protected]" isn't appropriate to use when applying for jobs. Jobsearch, application techniques and interview skills should be part of whatever has replaced phse.

Posters saying they've never filled in an application form are missing the point - these people HAVE applied for the job, and the ad DOES request an application form.

I was taught 25 years ago to always send a covering letter with a CV. All jobs I have ever applied for have required either a CV with cover letter, or an application form with a personal statement, and I have worked in a variety of jobs from minimum wage to professional in that time

We may need to re-advertise

Maybe, just maybe the really experienced hires (the kind you actually want) are able to apply elsewhere without a lengthy application form, or perhaps it's quicker or online, or a pre-fillable form.

I have years of experience in my sector, but recently some companies have introduced case study interviews for experienced hires - I will always be offered an interview but I will decline those because I don't want to waste a whole day showing their company's HR 'skills' what I already perform in my current role & which are evident if they interviewed me properly.

Op are you sure you're not being precious because it's your job the candidate is being offered?

What I mean is - I know you've another role elsewhere, you're leaving, but is there an element of thinking nobody could do the job as well as you? Not even a teeny bit....

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I wish it was that!!! It would be less depressing.

I've recruited for my replacement before elsewhere. Never had this issue previously.

In any case I'm not the only one sifting the apps. There are five of us :)

Many thanks frieda it's exciting but very scary.