Please read the job description ...

[2014ThisIsMyYear]

... before you bung in a generic application!!

I have spent 2 days reviewing over 100 applications for 1 job. We specified about 10 'essential' criteria which were listed in order of importance. Many applicants do not meet the top 3, but this sometimes doesn't become clear until we have read their online application plus a 3-page CV. Twice, in case we missed it first time round.

No matter how desperate you are, or how irresistible you are in the flesh, please read job descriptions carefully, and answer each point in turn. Sure, it's a pain and it takes time, but it could change your life.

Some other tips:

• Correct spelling matters. Especially when it's the name of your school/your town/our company.
• Simple grammar helps, eg start your name with a capital letter.
• Paragraphs or bullet points would be nice.

It's not rocket science ... just explain how you meet each 'essential' requirement in turn and you are ahead of most applicants

Sorry, Im not sure what it is you do, but would it be likely the job centre made some people apply for the job even if they did not meet all the essential criteria?

I don't mind people applying for a job without meeting the essential criteria, as long as a) you have made an effort to read and understand what is being asked for; and b) you make an effort to address each stated requirements clearly. Good experience for you and you make it easy for me to assess your application - thank you.

It pays to give specific examples. Too many people claimed "I can use all computer systems". Really? Better those who wrote: "I used Excel to create a spreadsheet to record X and show it as a graph; I created an Access database for keeping records of Y; I created a PowerPoint presentation to help new members of our club".

I could go on, it's a bit of a sore point right now! Off to have a - and one for you, Redcliff !

Hear hear!

If the person spec says you need to be experienced in Excel, don't say you have experience then turn up to the interview to tell me that you haven't ever used it but learn really fast, and can pick it up as you go along.

To the same person: see point above about email addresses.

If the job description asks for experience in a particular role, requiring professional qualifications, don't bother applying if you've 23 years experience doing something completely different.

Don't, for fuck's sake, apply for a job that requires 'attention to detail' and leave 20 bloody typos uncorrected. Or tell me that you 'really want to do ', when later in your CV it states you've always wanted to do '.

Advice for interviewees:

If the interviewer asks about your weaknesses, don't say that you don't have ANY at all and expect me to believe it. Jog the fuck on, son.

Don't slag off your ex-boss to me and expect the job, because frankly I don't want a(nother) nightmare team member. Don't go on to get shitty when you don't get the job, and accuse me of giving it to one of my mates.

I don't care how expensive your jeans are. I expect you to turn up looking like you made an effort for the interview. Hell, I had to.

Don't treat me and the interviewing panel like we owe you a job because you lost a similar role at a larger organisation. We don't. And you come across as a snot, which means we won't employ you.

And breathe...

girlylala the last job I recruited for was a position that required x experience - the applicant did what 2014 suggested. She got the job and was really good. I've left, but since then she's been promoted more than once, which she thoroughly deserves. :)

Ooh yes

Don't apply for a music teaching job that requires a degree or teaching di

Teaching di

Someone once sent a CV to me that declared they had 'a passion for children'...

bluehairedfeak, it was 'I'm every woman' right?

Argh!

That requires a teaching diploma in when your only experience is you sang a bit at school & got your grade 5.

And you are studying fir a degree in a completely unrelated subject.

Don't say you have a knowledge of a certain area of music & it's particular techniques when you haven't (it's my passion, I want it to be your passion too do you can pass that love on to the children, I can tell when you know nothing about that area)

HARRUMPH!

I did everything right for the job I applied for two weeks ago. 2 page CV, addressed everything in the person spec. Spellchecked till my eyes bled. I did background reading for the bloody application. Still haven't got shortlisted.

That sucks Northern.

Despite my wee rant above, I don't agree with treating people badly when they're applying for a job. I'm a mature student now and am worried about what will happen when I start applying.

Callamia it was worse - the greatest love.

Blue that's awful :)

Northern - if yu did that, then the odds are that you were one of the CVs which they looked at seriously and then said, no, on consideration X, Y and Z looks like the stronger candidates, we'll interview them instead.
We've just been shortlisting (only 8 CVs put forward by our HR dept though) - 2 went straight out of the window with us wondering what on earth HR thought we were looking for, 2 were looked at but decided they weren't quite as strong, and 3 were selected for interview.

'We decided to loose all of the glaring spelling errors'. Oh the irony

Sorry, cross post - got distracted half way through and took ages to post.

Nope - not cross posted, just didn't see all the posts. Occasionally does that on the app. Bloody hell, I wouldn't get any job today.

Sorry to hijack, but what is the best way to answer - what are your weaknesses? I have an interview next week, first one in 8 years, bit scared!

Also, how do you mention about salary? There is no mention of salary at all on the advert and I suspect it will be too low but wanted to go for it anyway as it sounds like a great role. Don't want to waste anyone's time but could do with knowing.

Sorry again to hijack, you all just sound much more knowledgeable than me!

You are right missmagnum about the lack of salary info, it really winds me up.

Companies expect you to jump through hoops with the perfect cv - God Forbid you don't reference any of the points required in detail - as is seen on this thread, you will be binned. But companies don't feel it necessary to state a salary range?!

I recently wasted hours on an application, flew through the interview, was offered the job on the spot - for about 20p PA. A waste of everyone's time, including the person who had to wade through 200 cvs.

missmagnum - a couple of options

"I'm aware that I need to develop my X and I've been doing Y recently to help to better develop these skills. I'm planning to confuse with Y and also do Z. I think it's a great opportunity for me to continue my self development"

"I'm aware that in this role, I have less experience of X and would hope to have your support in developing this skill, possibly through Y (explain training or support needed)"

Not "confuse" - continue! How confusing!

I think the first of Blankiefan's suggestions is better as it shows you sorting out the problem. Other possibilities:

• Admit to a weakness on a non-essential skill, e.g. if presenting to groups is a "nice to have" rather than an essential skill you could admit to getting very nervous when you have to make a presentation to a large group

• Turn a weakness into a strength, e.g. "I find it difficult to avoid getting involved in details but I make sure this doesn't prevent on time delivery" (subtext - "I deliver on time and you can be confident it will be right most of the time")

Whatever you go for it needs to be genuine. Don't make something up.

I hate ads that don't reference the salary or give too wide a range. I saw one advertised at £20k - £90k once. That just makes it sound like they don't know what level of person they want. I suspect they were really after several people at varying levels of seniority and were trying to save money on advertising the job but I certainly wouldn't apply to that ad. As you are concerned about the salary I would simply ring them and say you don't want to waste everybody's time by attending an interview if the salary on offer is at the wrong level so could they give you some idea as to the kind of salary they are thinking of. If I was interviewing I would far rather find out in advance that you want £20k more than I'm prepared to pay so that I don't waste my time interviewing you.

Agree with other posters about the importance of keeping your CV brief, making sure you identify how you meet the criteria specified (either in the CV or the covering letter), making sure the spelling and grammar are correct, dressing appropriately for the interview and so on.

Don't call, drop the phone swear loudly and profusely then ask if we have any positions available for the phone based CS department.

Don't turn up to a 9am interview reeking of alcohol, looking like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards, call the interviewer 'mate' and laugh about how hungover you are.

Thanks for the suggestions, I have done as suggested and have drafted my answer, I bet they don't ask now!

Will see if I can pluck up the courage to ring them about the salary.

I applied for three different jobs for the same company over the space of 2 months and the person interviewing me said that she particularly liked the fact that I had changed the section "how do you meet the job specification" for each job (all admin and fairly similar roles). I got the job - the best one out of the 3 - and still love it 2 years later.

So a word to the wise... Make sure you specify how you meet their criteria for each section of the job spec/ description.

Some people are really very desperate for job. They'll apply for everything.

Just saying