to think that people have no idea how to apply for jobs?!

[myteenytinyteapot]

Just that really. Hiring for a senior admin person at the moment and have had hundreds of applications but honestly only about four shortlistable ones. I have had:

• CVs which include full-length glamour model style photographs of applicants
• CVs without cover letters when the advert clearly asks for a cover letter
• CVs and cover letters riddled with spelling and grammatical errors
• CVs which are 20 pages long and go into loads of detail about the hobbies and interests of the applicant. Also hardly anyone uses page numbers!
• Cover letters which are obviously just generic copied and pasted mass send out jobs - "I am writing to apply for the position advertised". Couldn't even be arsed to put in the job title!
• People applying who don't have any of the essential requirements listed

AIBU that I'm not surprised people can't get jobs if this is the general standard considered acceptable?!

Placemarking as I'm about to return to work after being a SAHM!

I'm shortlisting and interviewing. We've used agencies before and they've sent us totally unsuitable candidates.

The other problem with charity recruitment is you get people who are invested in the cause and looking for a foot in the door. Which is fine, but the role is all admin.

And yet another one with a photo!! What's with that?! I don't give a shit what they look like.

@myteenytinyteapot yes sorry that's what I mean, I think we are at an advantage applying for jobs when we've experienced recruitment from the other side. Generally speaking, although it doesn't condone many of these dire examples! I really think applications and interviews are a skill in themselves that not everyone has (or they underestimate) it takes me days to do an application to a standard I am happy with, I dread to think how many hours prep I put in for my last interview (that I got!)

I'm just amazed how many people clearly haven't bothered to read the person spec and JD and tailor their cover letter accordingly

Is it not common knowledge that you need to do that? Do people really think it isn't obvious if you've just written a generic cover letter?

Some of you need to do an AMA thread!

I've spent hours and hours on application forms and covering letters and I've not had a single interview (10 year gap due to being a sahm). Maybe some of the applications you're getting are from people in a similar position who've somewhat given up. The whole process is thoroughly depressing, especially when you know that you're more than capable of doing the job.

I agree with pp, loads will be from people who may be genuinely looking for work but who have to fullfill ridiculous job application quotas to get their full benefit. It's a waste of everyone's time.

I’m interviewing today for a digital marketing assistant. Two done, two to go.

One earlier seemed unaware of what was required and told me that social media was basically irrelevant.

I think they need to reestablish the schools career service. Soon.

This is what happens when you decimate the careers guidance provision in schools and colleges.

I think they need to reestablish the schools career service. Soon.

They have....but it's taking a while to bed in and make up for years and years of practically no provision. It would also help if the government funded it properly but that's a whole other post!

@myteenytinyteapot absolutely, applying for a job is a big thing and needs the time put into it as you would searching and buying a house, getting married etc, you are asking for potentially 10s of thousands of pounds and a livelihood. You don't just rattle off a generic CV.

I advertised for a research assistant. An under-qualified man applied. The last page of his CV for a full page head/shoulders shot (well from just below nipple line) of him topless pulling a 'smouldering' face. He was very good looking with a great body so I suspect he wanted any opportunity to show that off.

He was rejected.

He got back in touch to ask for feedback. I detailed that he was under-qualified and suggested ditching the picture on the CV as it's inappropriate.

He emailed back saying I only found it inappropriate because it turned me on and would I like to go for a drink sometime.

There have been many others but that's the one that particularly sticks in my mind.

May I add people that use email addresses like '[email protected]'?

I agree about people reading properly in general - you only have to read some responses on here to see that.

This is fascinating!

Chucking at the righteous indignation of the OP for ranting about the number of poor, badly put together applications for ..... an admin job at a charity. Which I’m presuming isn’t the most well remunerated position in the marketplace etc.

I know recruitment admin is annoying, but when you place an online ad for anything, you open yourselves up to literally anything. Just that.

Posting snooty comments as if you’re an investment bank bemoaning the calibre of junior analyst applications is just hilarious.

If you quickly eliminate the no cover letter lot, and the “my mum did it for me”, you’re back to where the rest of us usually are - serious people with real intent to work for your organisation.

I usually am positive with almost all Mumsnet posts but this is just to me

People also think anyone can do admin but don't really know what a good senior administrator actually does.

The 35 hours a week job search from the job centre is ridiculous, they told me off for only applying for two jobs a week but as others have mentioned, a good application takes hours and hours. Then interview prep again takes hours and hours...

So just because it's 'an admin job at a charity' it doesn't matter what the applications are like GinDaddy?

I work in student admissions at a highly selective UK university, and my programmes are the most competitive ones. We get over 2000 applications for 80 places. It's always the people who were so so far off getting a place who reply to their rejection email making out that they're god's gift to higher education then the people who were really near misses accept the rejection gracefully. Over the last decade it's never ceased to amaze me what some people think is appropriate to write in an application, or when they fail to read basic things like entry requirements so pay £50 for me to tell them they aren't what we are looking for instead of just looking online.

Look at the bright side, people like this are keeping people like me in a job. If applicants actually followed instructions and/or used Google then I'd need a smaller team because we'd waste less time dealing with enquiries so would have more time to focus on making decisions.

@GinDaddy Administration is a bloody hard job to do and absolutely requires excellent communication (written and verbal) skills and an ability to adapt to specific tasks/situations. The job application/interview is the candidates first opportunity to show they have these skills.

My approach is that if an applicant can't be bothered/is unable to create a good application (tailored, all spelled correctly etc.) then they won't be able to do the administration job I'm advertising.

Also, @GinDaddy, my point above is particularly relevant to the charity sector where employers want the best candidate (as demonstrated by great applications) to minimise the time/effort but, most importantly, money that has to be funneled into training some up.

Well said DirtyDennis.

I’ve submitted an application for a role which has opened up at my current workplace- it’s a more senior role but I am able to do the role as I often cover it when the current person is on leave

It has taken me 3 weeks to complete the application and I have had someone else read it too. I’m hoping I get an interview!

My DS1 is looking for employment as the moment, he knows nothing about getting a job, I really think schools / college fail youngsters with these important life skills. He knows about Macbeth though 😂 how useful will that be!

I have had more CVs this past few week starting with their primary school education.... 🤦🏼‍♀️