To think job applications are far too hard to fill out?

[PowerRangersGo]

I'm in tears. Spent 3 hours trying to do a job application form for a temp agency and I'm not even sure it actually went through. I had to sign the form on the computer which was not do-able as I don't have the stylus pen (who does?). It had to be signed about 12 times so looks an absolute mess and like a child has done it. I also don't have valid photo ID or a bank statement from the last 3 months. I provided full birth certificate and national insurance paper from a few years back but can't help but think I have blown it and wasted my time. Are all job applications this hard? I honestly can't see myself ever working again if they are.

Kindly, I think YABU.

To never work again because you had a bad afternoon filling out a form? The job was made harder as you didn't have some necessary documents, or an easy way to sign - but it's not the end of the world! Sleep on it, and hopefully tomorrow you'll realise this is a bit OTT and you'll be able to find some other things to apply to.

Yanbu. I fucking hate application forms. Anything bigger than 2 pages is a waste of time. If I was applying for a professional role then it would be different.

I have a c.v which has the information on it, this should be sufficient. I've decided that I don't want to work for an employer who is so inefficient.

Where do you live OP? My very intelligent (high earning) husband also finds online forms difficult to navigate. If you live in the SE I would happily come and help you - with my apple pen.

You can print off a bank statement or call your bank and ask them to send you one.

Each time you navigate a hurdle makes you stronger.

For online signatures take a photo of your actual signature, upload to your laptop and save it. Then next time you just copy and paste into the bit of the form which needs a signature.

So one less hurdle next time. If you're job hunting your job centre should help with computer literacy if navigating online forms is difficult.

Good luck!

Photograph your signatures and paste in. I hate filling in forms and save a master copy that I can cut paste from, for example past employment and qualifications.

Thank you.
Underneaththeleash, that is ever so kind of you. I have done it to the best of my ability but think I have messed it up. Going to call them tomorrow to explain that I tried but may need to be now sent a paper copy to send off if possible as finding it too difficult to complete on my laptop.
My best friend was helping too and also found it hard. She is also very good on computers so not sure how others are managing it.

That sounds like a nightmare!

Get on indeed y they’re very simple to fill out and you just upload a copy of your CV.

I was job hunting a year ago and I was dumbfounded by how long and complicated most application forms were.

I was only after a part time job so not on a high wage but each job application asked for their own specific form rather than my CV. They then wanted ridiculous things like a 500 word essay on my greatest achievements and what seemed like dozens of very detailed examples of things like when I last challenged myself, when I last dealt with a conflict etc etc etc. On and on and on...

Each form took about 3 hours or more to do and most companies didn't even have the basic manners to acknowledge receipt of my application.

I can understand a lot of details are required from management level applications but honestly for a 15 hour a week admin role it was ridiculous.

Thankfully I got a job with a sensible company owner who was happy with a CV and some relevant aptitude tests at interview.

I'm not sure when or why job hunting became such a faff but it's not been a change for the better.

Good luck with your job hunting OP. I hope you find something suitable quickly.

Yanbu. The hoops are just ridiculous. I was recently the ONLY applicant for a 4/hrs month role. I had to do video answers which were assessed before a zoom interview. Both were a doddle - fairly basic role.

They wanted me to do 20 hrs training BEFORE giving me a contract - and to get the contract I had to give complete financial disclosure including access to my accountant.

I suggested they continue their search.

In my experience you don't actually need to sign the online things, you just type your name where it wants a signature of paste a picture of your signature.

I know how you feel as NHS job applications take forever, you literally have to write an essay on how you meet the selection criteria and it makes me want to cry every time!!

I think they are a bit of a joke, especially as you have to spend hours on the CV as well.

I would actually like to change jobs right now, and there is a shortage of people in my field so people would want me.

But I can't actually deal with applying for jobs and also going through another significant life event at the same time. You would think with skills shortages employers would make it easy (obviously I understand the point you need to be able to prove you have the right to work etc.)

I type my signature in those boxes.
So normally I sign ITLabyrinth so that's what I type and put it in italics.
You should be able to get an electronic bank statement?
The photo ID is much harder, but think your full birth cert was probably a good alternative.

Yes, many job applications are a pain - and that ones sounds near the really poorly designed end. Don't give up they become easier with practice.

Some companies are a nightmare. Especially annoying on indeed when you write a covering letter send off your cv and they reply directing you to their website and long application form wanting two references one of which to be your current employer that they'd like to contact before interview.

Extra points for badly formatted forms that don't allow enough room for the information asked for to be given and forms that demand your entire educational background. I have a degree can't help but feel that my standard grade music grade is irrelevant.

Re: Proof of address can you download a pdf bank statement from your bank and a utility bill? Also you can get an up to date 'proof of ni number' from the government gateway if you log in, or register if you've not already done so.

I also hate applications, they do seem to make them difficult!

YANBU the applications via specific third party job websites (even LinkedIn) are really annoying because I've no idea who they reach at the other end and whether they get read properly even though I spent hours on it.

It’s a bit of a nightmare especially if you’re not used to it or not great with tech. What I’d suggest you do is to write down all your details that may be asked for in an application form - dates, employers, qualifications etc. get a CV written - there are plenty of online sites that you can do this for little cost. Get originals of important docs - driving license, passport, birth / marriage / divorce certificates etc. get someone to scan them and save them on your computer as photos or PDFs. Then, when a job comes up, you should have all the basics ready to complete the application form.
Good luck x

I had to take a quick fire test including weird questions like “have you ever lied to your parents”?

I had a job application last year which was 12 pages long. I didn't get the job and I was more pissed off because of the time I'd spent on that application for nothing than not getting the job on my merit.

They suck I have to fill them in all the time, what annoys me the most about them is the gender question, I dont believe in gender only sex, sometimes i tick prefer not to say just to prove a point but I would prefer if there was just a box to write in, gender isnt in UK legislation anyway so why is everyone using it in place of sex.

BTW why does a job agency need 3 months of bank statements thats none of their business. all they need is your bank details to pay you and you shouldnt have to give them that until you have actually been given work, not just signing up to be on the agency books.

When I recently had to apply for jobs I onky applied for the 'quick apply' jobs on linkedin e.g, the ones which sent over my cv and didnt send me to another form to fill in the exact same information. Admittedly I was very luck because there is a bit of a boom in jobs in this area so I had that luxury, but i hate faffy job applications!

I’m not the most tech savvy person. I need to apply for jobs at the moment but I can’t actually do these forms.

I’m a well educated, hard working person but I fear I will be unemployable because I can’t cope with these bloody forms.

I’m crap at selling myself as well (can you tell) I’m good in person, just not able to sell myself on these forms.

I am exactly the same Dobby.
Sorry if not clear, they wanted a proof of address within the last 3 months. Just found an amazon order which I made in December which should do it. The only issue they should have is with the no photo ID but have provided them with full birth certificate, national insurance number and can now give proof of address. I will call tomorrow. If they say the form did not get to them then I will have to ask for them to send it in the post so I can handwrite it. Then they want a zoom call which I am also dreading. All this just for a bit of work. I just hope it doesn't all come to nothing. I really can't see many people completing that form so have that on my side at least.

This might be an unpopular perspective but as a hiring manager I find asking candidates to fill in an apication firm helps to level the playing field a bit. When a pile of cvs arrive, there's no consistency and rightly or wrong it's really easy to be put off candidates that use ridiculous formatting, include photos or clip art ( this happens surprisingly often!). Many people submit generic indeed CVs and cover letters that make no reference to the specific role being advertise. This might be easier for candidates making loads of applications but it comes across as lazy/ that the candidate doesn't think its worth the effort to tailor their application.

@Fluffywabbits

This might be an unpopular perspective but as a hiring manager I find asking candidates to fill in an apication firm helps to level the playing field a bit. When a pile of cvs arrive, there's no consistency and rightly or wrong it's really easy to be put off candidates that use ridiculous formatting, include photos or clip art ( this happens surprisingly often!). Many people submit generic indeed CVs and cover letters that make no reference to the specific role being advertise. This might be easier for candidates making loads of applications but it comes across as lazy/ that the candidate doesn't think its worth the effort to tailor their application.

Can I be honest that for a lot of jobs it really isn't worth their effort?

I don't mind answering a few questions but after several NHS roles, and they have the most pointless application system ever, I decided when leaving that I wasn't going to waste my time on companies too lazy to read a CV and instead ask me to manually enter every employment and education history I have. And always using drop downs, so I couldn't copy and paste.

I find asking for a cover letter and dismissing those who didn't personalize that a more effective way of 'leveling the playing field' than pointless forms.