Woud you reject a job application due to incorrect line spacing in a couple of typos?

[tigermoth]

I am just curious to know as this has just happened to me.

I applied for a post with a public sector organisation in Exeter. The post was in the marketing and communications field. I know my background fitted the requirements of the post very well.

The person spec was a long one so my answer ran into four or five pages. I checked my text thoroughly (a lot more thoroughly than I check my posts on mumsnet!) and of cause I did a spell check. It took me over a day to write the supporting statement and I know it read well.

I was not shortlisted for interview, and when I emailed to ask for feedback I was told that my application was rejected at the very first hurdle because I had 'a missing paragraph space' between two paragraphs and on page one I had mis-spelled Exeter as Exert.

The email goes on to say 'Had
the application been accurate you would have been a strong candidate. I cannot say you would definately have been shortlisted as we did have a very strong field and it would have been a panel decision. However I
can say that I think your application responded well to the criteria we
set'

Oh well, you live and learn I guess. Next time I will have to be more careful when I run a computer spell check and ensure place name words like 'Exeter' do not get bastardised, not even the once.

I have just checked the form on screen and can see no evidence of lack of spacing between two paragraphs. I can only assume this happened when it was printed out.

It was not the be all and end all of jobs and I won't dwell on what might have been.
But still, I am pretty amazed at this feedback. I understand that in communications posts, excellent written skills are a must, but honestly, these were typos!

Also, there was nothing in the application pack to suggest that shortlisting would be dependent on 100% perfect presentation.

I am interested to know if the above is a common reason for rejection - any comments please!

have you thought about going freelance?

I'd probably reject for this reason, sorry, especially the Exert for Exeter. Suggests the writer didn't proof read.

yes I would reject this kind of error - sorry.

Line spacing is bizarre. Spelling their name is something that really gets to organisations so I understand that one.

I hope they didn't spell "definately" as you did. If they did have fun writing back with that circled in red!

Tamum- mwah- I could kiss you I have been concerned about my application since reading this

Can the most pedanitic nit pickers here please CAT me - I may have some freelance work coming your way soon (seriously )

I had no idea you named the Twister the twister????! Wow (secretly impressed)

If you're down in Devon this summer, give us a call- we're here all summer...... we can manage some sort of meet up......

me, me gess.. I think I'm the most pedantic nit-picker in the world .. and I do seriously read stuff backwards too

I've emailed you nitpicker!

Idiots!

I am particular about presentation and standards for job applications but I would never reject an otherwise strong candidate for that. If they were that concerned and it was a vital part of the job they could have tested you as part of the recruitment process

TBH I always used to reject people who had errors on their CVs. If you can't be arsed to check that properly, how sloppy must your work be. Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but particularly in marketing and comms, errors like that are very public and very embarassing.

Next time, read the doc backwards - so the sentences don't make sense but you see the words, that way you will spot the typos more easily.

Good luck in your job search.

thats my thinking aardfark. If they cant get the application right, how can they get the job right? How much must they realy want it. Sloppy is as sloppy does.

Ouch www, that must have made you cringe - just as well it was her last day.

Thanks for the spell check nitpicking offers - I know to call you if needed

I am amazed companies might reject candidates for sending a CV in a brown envelope - what is the world coming to?

SenoraP My dh will probably be freelance in his job if we move, so I need to be the one who brings in some steady money.

Xenia I NEVER spell check on mumsnet as I am usually in a rush to post. I definitely know that most of my posts here contain errors.

I didn't know you could ask why they did not interview you.

I recently applied for a job and it asked for a hand written statement and I thought 'fuck that' - and guess what - not interview

tigermoth - have you moved yet?

I suppose being able to spelling "definite" without having to check it surely is a requirement for many jobs.

xenia - I don't think it is that one does not know how to spell it, it is the rushed nature of posts that makes for easy slips

I must point out this was not my CV.

The errors were in 4 or 5 pages of text - my supporting statement.

Not that it makes a huge difference in the end, I suppose, if someone wants a 100% correct application form.

Xenia to be pedantic: when describing the use of a word, one uses apostrophes thus 'definite', not speechmarks: "definite".

To op - not read thread - but for jobs with many applicants and in communications field, am not surprised it was rejected for typos.

I used to work in a communication dept and boss once laughed with all in office and threw out an application because 'liaise' had been spelt wrongly.

Tigermoth - your supporting statement is not meant to be oxymoronic. It's meant to show how good you are - in some ways it's more important than your CV - particularly for public sector jobs because the selection panels sometimes aren't allowed to see that bit - it's screened by HR - they only see the supporting statement. That's your only chance to impress. You didn't even spell their name correctly. If you can put yourself in their place, what would you have done?

And I have slippery typing fingers when rushed - they go everywhere Rogue letters appear all over the place. But take it from me, I really didn't write the supporting statement without re-reading it carefully.

That's true but you see definate God knows how many times a day on mumsnet and accomodation and usually it's because they can't spell, not because they made a typo. I'm certainly not perfect myself but definate just look so obviously wrong. The a key is not near the i etc.

Anyway my daughter did some applications earlier in the year and she certainly found the spell checking and trying to make sure not a single thing was wrong very hard particularly as all the applications are on line so it's not even that easy to spell check.

The very WORST thing, is that 10 minutes after I emailed over the application form, I realised I the spell check has changed an 'Exeter' to an 'Exert'

It is a real howler, I know. The error appeared in my intro to the supporting statement and was very plain to see.

I did consider phoning the HR department to point out the typo and apologise for it, but decided not to because......I thought I would appear neurotic, needy and, well, a bit of a crackpot .

I didn't for a minute consider they would use it as a reason to reject my application!

I would have called them and apologised and said you'd sent the wrong version and could they please disregard it and send it again.

You must be kicking yourself - don't worry we all do it now and then - see even Xenia made a mistake in her posts hurrah!

Xenia, I just re read the email I had from the Exeter HR department.

The 'definately' you spotted in my op actually was not something I had typed. It was typed by the HR person in her email to me. I had cut and pasted an extract in my OP.

Other bits of the email read 'other candidates porduced' and 'a missing paragraph spaces'

Mind you, she is not applying for the job, so I guess that lets her off the hook.

Beetroot, no I am not in Devon yet. We won't move till I have a job.