When a job advert says "ring X if you'd like to discuss the job" is it a good idea to ring?

[PossumInAPearTree]

I've seen a dream job advertised and am super excited.

I have not done anything in this field before but have a lot of transferable skills. Would ringing to speak to the person to get my name known be a good thing?

What sort of thing do you talk to them about? Is it really only if you have a specific query?

The only thing I'm curious about is in the desirable category of the person spec it says about an uunderstanding of a specific law/Act. Which I don't really have, but obviously I've been googling and reading up on it. So I am curious as to whether that would be a problem.....but I don't really think that ringing up to tell them something negative about myself is the best??

I've always read that if you ring up beforehand your more likely to be remembered. Plus they can get a pre-interview peek to see if you're a good fit for them or a time-waster or perhaps pressured to apply by the job centre for an unsuitable post.

As it's mentioned in the job advert, I think you will only have a chance of getting your application considered if you do ring up. They clearly expect it.

you're not your DYAC

If you prepare beforehand some specific questions to ask that show you have thoroughly read the job ad and about the employer it will reflect really well on you. So for the specific thing they want you to know just ask them outright what they would advise you to do, beyond reading x website or x book. It shows you're excited about the job and have gone the extra distance to find out more. Good luck!

I meant that when you ask your question phrase it to include telling them you've read x or y, it's a stealth brag

Yes definitely ring -

On the few occasions I have rung up, because I have a genuine question about the role the named person has never been there and the person I ended up speaking to has never requested my name ? I guess you could ask when best to phone back, but I never got the impression they were that impressed by my phone all.

As it's mentioned in the job advert, I think you will only have a chance of getting your application considered if you do ring up. They clearly expect it.

This really isn't true! I do lots of recruitment and it makes no difference whether people phone up before applying or not. I certainly don't expect it.

I don't mind at all if someone has genuine questions about the job. That's why we include the contact details in the ad. I get really irritated though by the people who just ring up because they think they're supposed to make an impression - sometimes they do make an impression but it's a really bad one. My pet hate is when they ring up and ask about stuff that is clearly stated in the ad/job description/person specification. It's amazing how many people do this. Why can't they just read the information first?!

Most of the time, I forget the names of the people who have rung by the time I get to shortlisting. I might remember the exceptionally annoying ones. It's very rare that I remember anyone who we actually end up recruiting.

Yes, ring if you haven't already!

When I recruit, I always put my details on the ad- and always remember when people do and I see their application.

What's the job?

Cross-posted with brokenbiscuit and we have opposing thoughts!

Well I finished the application and pressed submit today. Still debating about the phone call but thinking i probably won't. Thanks for the viewpoints though.

Are the company recruiting directly or via an agency?

Yes when I recruit sone people only ring with a very specific question, sone trying to impress. Sone do stick in the mind but performance at interview s definitely the main thing and not having rung would not be a black mark

Recruiting directly.