What do you look for when employing

[FrustratinglyFrustrated]

So, I'm currently out of work, have been for about 4 months.
I have applied for nearly 100 jobs, all jobs I've applied for are jobs i can do and have experience in, I have received 2 replies. That's it. I don't understand where I am going wrong. I always include a cover note stating why I'm suited for the role, include my CV which states my work experience.
What do employers look for when deciding who to interview/ offer the position to.
If it's relevant, I'm early 40s.

Thanks everyone for the advice,

I have changed my CV to suit the role I am applying for, and added more of an explanation in my cover note as to why I am a good fit. so, instead of just saying I have experience in organising, I have given examples why.

I don't apply for jobs that state weekend work, however most vacancies advertise fully flexible, and don't always include the days needed, weather it is a 24/7 operation or a Monday - Friday thing. I am avoiding retail as they are mostly weekends, as well as places such as hotels and pubs,(unless its other wise stated) Which, TBH, doesn't leave me with a lot.

Please everyone send me positive vibes. Fingers crossed something will come along soon.

As an employer it irritates me that you havent had responses from so many. We reply to every applicant, regardless of outcome.
I instantly dismiss poorly written and poorly punctuated CVs. I also dismiss those which are just long lists of skills but no attempt has been made to match those skills to the job advertised.
At interview, my first question is usually asking the candidate what they know about our organisation(It's quite niche). I am staggered how many say " nothing really" or "I hope to learn about it as I go along etc". Interview over as far as I am concerned.

As a pp said, I go through the person spec for the role, and score each candidate against the points in the person spec. I need each point to be addressed specifically- not implied - with an example.

The highest scorers will get interviews (usually between 6 and 8 people). The best candidates know the drill and will address each point in the person spec in a separate paragraph or bullet point. Those who just send a cv and cover letter don't have a chance. Sorry if that sounds harsh; but I work in a very competitive industry, and one where I've had candidates complain, on several occasions, about not being shortlisted. The process has to be watertight, and scoring against the person spec is deemed the best way to ensure fairness.

Have you had lots of jobs?
I avoid people who seem like they haven’t got staying power
I don’t want to be recruiting again in a couple of months.

@insancerre

Have you had lots of jobs? I avoid people who seem like they haven’t got staying power I don’t want to be recruiting again in a couple of months.

I have a fair few jobs in my 25+ years of working. I left 2 due to having children and decided to be a SAHM for a coupe of years with each child, Then I was made redundant from 3 jobs (companies ceased trading), My last 3 jobs sort of merged together, so although they are 3 separate jobs on my CV they were all with the same company as my position changed and then I was promoted. I have never just quit a job just because, If I have a job, I stick with it.

I will happily email my CV to anyone who would like to have a look at it

Are you writing a proper cover letter?

I work in local government and have been involved with admin type recruitment. We do not accept CVs, only applications that are highly targeted to the person spec. To score highly you have to give in depth examples to match each spec. You may need to check how the organisations you are applying to want you to apply. Good luck

You will be going wrong because there will probably be 500-1000 applications for each role. So the shortlisters will be able to really narrow down what they're looking for.

As others have mentioned tailor your CV, and even apply for less roles.

@peachypetite

Are you writing a proper cover letter?

Waste of time doing a cover letter.

A targeted message to the hiring manager on Linkedin will be more useful.

Does your cv make you look like a good administrator? Spell checked, all in same font, clear, well spaced etc? Do the recent roles have good, bullet pointed detail?
Are you definitely meeting all the criteria?
It's tough at the minute. Unfortunately, there ARE perfect matches available for a lot of roles. I'm sorry you're still in this position.

Have you a smart up to date LinkedIn in profile?

This is all really good stuff, thank you. I have found myself job seeking for the first time in 7 years. Would recruiters mind sharing the sorts of numbers of applicants you get for roles? I'll start - I recruit for schools in the south east.

Middays - 10
Learning Support Assistants - 8
Cleaners - 6
Kitchen Assistants - 6
Admin - 80

When shortlisting for schools, the biggest turn-off is when people don't complete the reference information. We have very high standards because of safeguarding, so saying your first referee is Julie with a mobile number is just not good enough.

A targeted message to the hiring manager on Linkedin will be more useful.

Words cannot express how much I do not want candidates randomly contracting me on LinkedIn rather than following the process I've set out for them in the application materials.

@LAlexander7 not sure what you’re on about. Not all jobs are on LinkedIn. A proper cover is definitely needed. I asked because OP mentioned a cover note which doesn’t sound substantial.

@peachypetite I think they're advocating gumption.

I used to recruit as part of my role and cover letters were not pointless.

Oh god, don't be DMing them.

By LI, I meant have you updated your profile so you and what you can do us visible on the Recruiters' Playground!
Been seen. Treat it as a work activity- comment and like for an hour a day.

[quote peachypetite]@LAlexander7 not sure what you’re on about. Not all jobs are on LinkedIn. A proper cover is definitely needed. I asked because OP mentioned a cover note which doesn’t sound substantial.[/quote]
I say cover note, it is more a cover letter. I detail why I'm a good fit and give examples, ie why I am a good organiser and not just I am good at organising.

@chocolateoranges33

I work in local government and have been involved with admin type recruitment. We do not accept CVs, only applications that are highly targeted to the person spec. To score highly you have to give in depth examples to match each spec. You may need to check how the organisations you are applying to want you to apply. Good luck

I only send CV's if that is what the recruiter is asking for, otherwise I apply on the company site via an application for.

I'm surprised by how many companies only ask for a cv,

@Todaywewilldobetter

Does your cv make you look like a good administrator? Spell checked, all in same font, clear, well spaced etc? Do the recent roles have good, bullet pointed detail? Are you definitely meeting all the criteria? It's tough at the minute. Unfortunately, there ARE perfect matches available for a lot of roles. I'm sorry you're still in this position.

Have you a smart up to date LinkedIn in profile?

Yep, I have updated my Linkedin, and by looking at my connections on there, my CV looks good.

I don't feel comfortable DM-ing any managers on Linked-in if the job ad states to apply a different way. Although I suppose it can look assertive, In my opinion it will look like I haven't read the ad correctly so that isn't a good start is it?!

Also, Can I ask, Is it worth contacting the recruiter to see if it's worth me applying? I mean, If the job is perfect apart from, lets say they want 3 years experience but I only have 2, or ideally they want X and Y but I only have Y, is it worth asking if its worth applying?

It really depends what the x & y are. But yes, you could pop in a call / email.

@Todaywewilldobetter

Oh god, don't be DMing them.

By LI, I meant have you updated your profile so you and what you can do us visible on the Recruiters' Playground!
Been seen. Treat it as a work activity- comment and like for an hour a day.

Sorry for all the questions - but, What do you mean by commenting and like? Just random comments on random posts, or what Icompanies I may be interested in? I only use linked-in to browse for jobs and never comment on things

You need to find a way of getting the hiring managers attention or even getting your application seen or known about, I've been a recruitment manager for the last 10 years. Typically we would get 30-50 n per role.

Now, 500-1000 I would say on average, yes applying as per the advert fine. But what i am saying is, a message to the hiring manager or recruiter on Linkedin to say: Hi, I've applied for your x role I thought I would be a good fit because of xyz.

Otherwise what is making you stand out from everyone else?

None of my hiring managers I've ever worked with ever bother with covering letters. What is this the 90s? Might as well look in the back of the local paper for job adverts