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.

@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.

Glad I don't need a job from you.

Things are changing in many sectors and organisations are actually having to reverse this 1950's thinking and ask "why would a candidate want to work here" instead of demanding the candidate pretends they have always dreamed of a life of meaningless drudgery.

Some sectors are still stuck in the past though.

Good luck. If it’s through an agency it’s to check you have right to work here etc hence hoops with ID.
I’m helping a family friend apply - local authority applications are long but on ours you set up a profile and it saves info so you don’t have to fill out same personal info, qualifications each time saved a lot of time in application for job 2.

Don’t worry about the electronic signature, it never looks like your real one.
Maybe give the agency a call and ask if your details sent as the computer was playing up and you weren’t too sure if the application sent. Also, apologise if they’ve received it 10 times. It’s nothing unusual, I’ve been there.
They may ask for extra ID if you don’t have photo ID.

Some sectors are still stuck in the past though

Disagree with this. We, like many sectors, are moving towards applications forms and away from cvs and cover letter because it's better for all aspects of EDI, and because as a PP said it's easier to weed out the 'any job' applicants.

Do you have an old passport?
I had a passport stolen and didn't renew it for a couple of years because I didn't need it for travel.
I used the old one that had expired for several new roles in that period, and just said I'd not renewed it - I didn't experience any problems doing that.

Passport is about 20 years out of date. I've decided I will take a passport style photo with me on my phone to the care home so they know it is me and so is a form of photo ID.

Don’t bother filling one out by hand - it will just be binned as all the info will have to be transferred manually to the computer.
I used to work in recruitment.

They seem to have accepted it all.
I guess if they hadn't, I would have just had to have asked them to put it in an easier format. It was ridiculously hard.

@Polmuggle

Some sectors are still stuck in the past though

Disagree with this. We, like many sectors, are moving towards applications forms and away from cvs and cover letter because it's better for all aspects of EDI, and because as a PP said it's easier to weed out the 'any job' applicants.

Good luck.

As for the "any job" applicants - is your organisation really so very special you're only interested in people who have a burning desire to work there? Really?

I do understand that it needs to be a bit more complex a process than sending off a generic c.v. as with the amount of job seekers and targets set by dwp to apply for jobs etc, there'd be hundreds of applicants for each. position, many of who wouldn't be remotely suited to the job, or even want it. That being said, the long winded application form process really is tedious.

Ridiculously hard. I just helped a friend with poor written English skills apply for a cleaning job (that she was already doing). Had to answer questions like 'describe how you used your initiative to solve a problem' and 'show how you have demonstrated leadership in a previous role'. The job was given to a man (friend of the supervisor) who was also in situ already. She was kicked out.

Also had problems cut-and-pasting signatures because the background tint did not match document.

I work in recruitment.

I think it needs to be a balance - hiring managers and recruiters need something to go off to decide who to shortlist for interview. Also sometimes you need certain info if the role is a safeguarding one.

However we are in candidates market right now and it needs to be as easy as possible to apply, and some jobs don’t need such a full on application. A CV would be enough alongside some other basic details. It’s getting the balance right on a job by job basis.

Also some people don’t have CVs, so something else to consider.

However application forms can be better in terms of EDI and means applications can be blind sifted.

I do wonder if some of the questions on some application forms I have seen as to cover the company, should allegations be made of unfair selection.

I wonder if you can still get those Citizen Card photo ID cards. I think they're cheap enough, and it could come in handy for other things.

I get irritated filling out application forms that are really long (taking a few hours to do) to not even get the courtesy of a call back saying "no thanks".

But personally I'd try and get to grips with online application forms and ways of completing them - some great suggestions on this thread. Being totally honest, when I did some of the recruiting in my previous role, if I got a phone call asking for a paper company of the application form then I'd remember their name and be put off by the lack of IT skills.

I agree about the unnecessarily difficult application process for some jobs. I was asked to provide the signed contract for jobs I did more than 20 years ago during one application process

@PowerRangersGo

They seem to have accepted it all. I guess if they hadn't, I would have just had to have asked them to put it in an easier format. It was ridiculously hard.

If it’s all online, that’s it. The application form is just online and you fill it out online. There is no “easier format” and they wouldn’t go out of their way to create an entirely new form just because you struggled on the computer.

You’re not doing them a favour filling it out. You would be marking yourself as difficult and too much work before you even started so wouldn’t be hired anyway.

You also should get photo ID. A passport photo in and of itself is not photo ID and wouldn’t be accepted.

They are a pain. What annoys me is you send your CV off and they send you an application form which asks you for exactly the same information as is in your CV.
They are never easy to send off IME and I often wonder if they even receive my application.

They accept passport photos in the role I am going for. Also, my friend had trouble filling out an application form once and they changed it so they can do that at times.
The way this form was set out was truly ridiculous and I'd be surprised if anyone completed it perfectly.
Rosebel, exactly that. I had already sent the CV and then all the questions in the form was basically me repeating the same information as well as constant signatures. Job searching is soul destroying, just hope I get some decent work out of this.

Passport photos are accepted that aren’t attached to a passport? I would be surprised if that’s the case. There’s nothing different about a passport photo to you taking a selfie on your phone.

And yes, some places might have an alternate form. Most places won’t.

Agree with Fluffywabbits,
In my area of work, we don't accept CVs, only applications on our own form. This ensures transparency in the recruitment process as every application form is the same, so shortlisting can be completely open and fair, based off the person's qualifications, experience and statement. This allows us to score each application in against the same criteria.
We also have to keep all shortlisting and interview scores, notes and records to prove that the process was fair if anyone complains about not being shortlisted or offered the post.

CVs often are very generic, do not answer the person spec and vary widely in quality.

[quote MojoMoon]@PowerRangersGo provisional driving licence is cheaper at £43.

Employers face much stricter penalities now for employing anyone who doesn't have the right to work in the UK.
The agency is trying to save themselves time by getting applicants to prove their identity - and right to work- before proceeding with the application.

Otherwise, even if you clearly state only applicants with the right to work will be considered, you will get candidates put through who actually require visa sponsorship etc[/quote]
I used to have a provisional licence.
I no longer have it as I let it lapse (my eyesight means I would not be allowed to drive even if I somehow managed to pass the test so what would be the point?)

I was told time & time again that only a full driving licence counted as id not a provisional one so it was never accepted anywhere as id.

I haven't filled out an application form in over twenty years, I've always used CVs to get my jobs. If I was asked to fill one out I don't think I'd bother.

I think that so many jobs are low paid that any employer who expects people to jump through hoops should be paying at least £1.50 over the real living wage.

For most people the motivation for going to work is to earn enough money to live. They just want work where they can feel that they have done a good job, had a nice day doing it and maybe learnt some new skills.
They don't really care who they sell their time to, particularly at the stage of registering their interest in a job and those who have a wide skill set, good work ethic and confidence in their abilities will know that if they send enough generic applications then a good recruiter who takes the time (which they are being paid for) then they will be offered interviews and jobs.
They remove themselves from the application process as they feel that the employer wouldn't be a good fit for them.

For minimum wage jobs which are desperate for staff such as care work, they should be making the process as simple as possible. The ops experience is ridiculous.

Friends son had worked for a supermarket for three years weekend and holidays. Went to university so applied to the local one who were hiring lots of staff. Filled in application but was told he didn't have the necessary experience.