I'm sat here with an application form and don't know what to put. HELP!

[NewBethlehemGirlwithsparkles]

I've filled in all my personal details but I haven't a clue how to answer the questions on it.

Can someone help me please!

what are the questions? what job is it for?

Well it's for Department Manager for Ravel (shoe shop)
They are the same company as Clarks who I worked for before I had dd. I used to be a Manager for them in one of their departments in Mothercare and before that as a Mens supervisor in another store.

The question is
"How could you contribute to Ravel being a "Great place to work and a great place to shop"?

My other problem is that on the next page it goes in to great depths about my current employment and asks what is my most significant acheivement and how it has affected store performance. Now atm I am doing a sessional job which is part of social services so do I write about my old job and put my current one in previous employment or just ignore it altogether?

Help please ... anyone!

I'll have to go to bed now (got to be up for work at 4am ) but any suggesstions will be greatfully received.

TIA

If your old job is more relevant write about that as well as your current job. Make sure you are positive about the responsibilities and achievments in your current job though.

Good luck

To the first question I would say something like 'as a manager I feel responsible for making a team work well together and by keeping staff motivated and enthusiatic. i truly believe that a happy team reflects itself in high standards of customer care and excellent service. Customers who have a positive experience in Ravel due to will enjoy shopping with us again and become repeat customers.'

The next section is important so you mustn't ignore it. Instead, I would try to link what you are doing now and how it would impact on this new role, should you be successful in getting it. So, i would say something like... 'In my current role as (something within social services) I regularly deal with people who require excellent communication skills / demanding personalities / etc... and I feel that these skills will greatly benefit me in boosting store performance as I would motivate staff, be able to provide high levels of customer service, etc. When I worked as Manager for Clarkes shoe shop (dates) I was able to do X, Y and Z to boost store performance and I believe that I still have these skills, and my more recent attributes, to move into this new role.'

Hope that helps. good luck

sorry, i didn't preview so its a bit confusing, but i hope you get the jist! Basically, I think customer service, teamwork, motivation, enthusiasm and 'my previous experience' are key words and should be mentioned wherever possible in this sort of job application!

Thanks both

My current job is really a nothing job. I'm really a glorified taxi service. All I do is pick kids up that are in care, be it from a secure unit, kids home, placements of any sort and take them to B which 9 times out of 10 is court or to another placement.

So it's not really relevent and I can't see a way of fitting it in.
I'm so bad at doing this.

Right must must go now, will be back tomorrow.

nope, you deal with member of the public who are demanding and require high levels of communication (even if you don't talk to the kids, non-verbal communication is VERY important, and worth mentioning!) You also work in a busy, ever changing environment, which requires high levels of concentration. You have to be ready to accept and deal with last minute changes and be flexible in your approach to your current work.

Ooo hellomama - you are good !

thanks!

Thanks Hellomama, I really appreciate this.

I don't know if I really want this job but having not had a proper job for 2 years I feel a bit out of it IYKWIM.