Smiley face on a job application.

[RunBackwards]

Please, just don't

Probably don't mention twice how good your "banter" is either, it distracts from the fact that actually, your experience could be just what we need.

I would say that it is quite hard to show an internal candidate into a job these days particularly in public sector organisations. We recruited recently and the person who was filling the post temporarily did not even get shortlisted. She for some reason had not put her current role of working on our team on her application at all and had not referenced anything on the person spec. When I had to explain why we were not interviewing her, she did not even know what a PS was!
Last week we interviewed for another post and had a good internal candidate, however, if there had been a better external one they absolutely would have been offered the post. there are questions with a clear points system and HR request copies of all interview notes so hard to wangle it for an internal candidate without I suppose being really sneaking and telling them questions in advance. That would be outrageous though.

Also don't give me a link to your blog so I can read about you 🙄

@domesticslattern

If there are 5 essential criteria in the job spec please try to give the tiniest bit of evidence against all five. For example, if one of the criteria is "Good understanding of hedgehogs" (or whatever) and the job is "Head of Hedgehogs" in the "Institute of Hedgehogs" then for the love of god please mention the word hedgehogs on your supporting statement. Or at least, if you don't tailor your application, please don't have a massive go at me when you are not shortlisted.

So true.

I had 7 job applications to read through and not one of them mentioned anything related to the job (which was very specific and key part of the role)

I came to the conclusion they just needed to submit an application to keep getting job seekers as none had any interest at all

@maverickallthetime

Also don't give me a link to your blog so I can read about you 🙄

Especially not your blog for your (unrelated to the job spec and time consuming) hobby

@maverickallthetime

Also don't give me a link to your blog so I can read about you 🙄

Especially when our application forms says that all personal details will be removed to prevent bias.

Oh and don't mention all the extras you want to do in your free time, like running your own business on top of caching several football teams and being an active member of the meals on wheels volunteers group. You know, anyone will be thinking you are far to busy for a full time job! (This actually happened and the guy was only in his early 20's! )

It's simple really. Answer the Job Description, if you don't want to rework your CV, tell me in you covering letter how you meet the job requirements. I don't care what your interests are - I never read them...we have staff that have all sorts of interests, some very unusual - some I have no clue what they do outside work, they are very private but perfectly lovely - as long as you can do your job...prefer not to see politics, religion or football teams you support on a CV either.

I think the power might go to employers' heads a little. They want the youngest, most dynamic creatures they can find and then they mock at their ripped jeans or smiley face emojis.

They might want young dynamic employees - but they still want professional behaviour. I knew how to dress & act for an interview and ripped jeans, cropped tops and asking to leave early for a hair appointment wouldn't have been acceptable then, never mind now.

Saw an application from someone who said they enjoyed eating and were very adventurous about what they put in their mouth. I am not making this up. I will say the person was young and from overseas but the application was in the UK. I had hysterical laug by er for about 20 mins

The only job where some kind of eye contact is essential is: Optician/Ophthalmologist.

I have a colleague who I think it on the spectrum, he is basically "awkward" in team meetings, and struggles with eye contact. But he is perfectly good at the day job which involves going out and meeting people all day, and persuading them to give up some of their time.

I'm interested to know whether those jobs where you have people applying without addressing the person spec, directly ask people to do so.

It seems obvious now, but I remember as a young un being told to write something in either my CV or cover letter for every statement in the person spec and it being a revelation. I wonder if it should be made clearer to candidates (completely understand that some candidates don't read the instructions!)

Some jobs have a table where each essential/ desired characteristic has whether it's being assessed at application, interview or something else (if there's another part) which also helps.

My 'don't' advice is, when invited to phone up for a chat about the job, don't call up and say, "I want to get the inside scoop to see if this is somewhere I actually want to work or if it's a madhouse" and then at the end of the call, ask "do I actually have to apply now? I've already told you about my experience"
Especially if you're applying for a job IN RECRUITMENT

If you're sent an email that says there's an attachment with a task for interview. Open the attachment and read the task, to see what it is and in particular, if it's a request to prepare something in advance or you will be very embarrassed when you're asked to begin your half hour presentation and you don't have one. This happened to someone I know, the interview panel was very nice about it but it was apparently the most excruciating conversation!

@Badnessinthefolds

I'm interested to know whether those jobs where you have people applying without addressing the person spec, directly ask people to do so.

It seems obvious now, but I remember as a young un being told to write something in either my CV or cover letter for every statement in the person spec and it being a revelation. I wonder if it should be made clearer to candidates (completely understand that some candidates don't read the instructions!)

Some jobs have a table where each essential/ desired characteristic has whether it's being assessed at application, interview or something else (if there's another part) which also helps.

My 'don't' advice is, when invited to phone up for a chat about the job, don't call up and say, "I want to get the inside scoop to see if this is somewhere I actually want to work or if it's a madhouse" and then at the end of the call, ask "do I actually have to apply now? I've already told you about my experience"
Especially if you're applying for a job IN RECRUITMENT

If you're sent an email that says there's an attachment with a task for interview. Open the attachment and read the task, to see what it is and in particular, if it's a request to prepare something in advance or you will be very embarrassed when you're asked to begin your half hour presentation and you don't have one. This happened to someone I know, the interview panel was very nice about it but it was apparently the most excruciating conversation!

Yes we did ask them to tell us why they were a good fit for the job in their covering letter. People are saying they are applying for hundreds of jobs - slow down and apply for one well - if you don't have experience in the industry you are applying in be honest about it and explain why you think your transferable skills might be useful, don't tell me you are brilliant, it makes me think you are a bullshitter. I need evidence, examples and explanations - if you can fit it in it's more useful than hobbies. And one more thing - think about your audience - don't pepper your CV with industry specific acronyms (especially if you are applying for jobs in another industry) - it's not a great way to communicate.

And if it is March 2020 and you are interviewing for a job in risk don’t say “coronavirus isn’t really a risk thing, just health and safety... I am bored of hearing about it.” Up until that point the interviewee seemed smart.

Don’t apply for a driving job if you don’t have a driving licence.

When asked a question about safeguarding in a school, don't say that you would report to the RSPCA.

One for interviewers: please don't expect me to sit through four rounds in one day, with each person asking three questions off a list of ten so I kept on feeling like I was repeating myself and making it last four hours while never offering me a glass of water. At one point I had to ask to use the facilities and they acted like it was very inconvenient. I didn't get the job but after the second hour didn't want it anyway.

@Pipandmum

One for interviewers: please don't expect me to sit through four rounds in one day, with each person asking three questions off a list of ten so I kept on feeling like I was repeating myself and making it last four hours while never offering me a glass of water. At one point I had to ask to use the facilities and they acted like it was very inconvenient. I didn't get the job but after the second hour didn't want it anyway.

That sounds awful.

@RamsayBoltonsConscience

When asked a question about safeguarding in a school, don't say that you would report to the RSPCA.

overheard whist DH was interviewing for his real via Zoom during lockdown

This is one thing that sucks about home working, you shouldn't be listening to him interviewing people (and then posting about it)..

There is a big body of research being done into supporting autistic adults into the workplace and how to raise awareness amongst interviewers. Some organisations have already made great steps towards this, I work with someone who is incredible at his job, there are elements of the 'extras' he isn't able to do, but that's okay as it doesn't affect his work- he is a real asset to the team, and I am glad the interviewers were more than eye contact and rapport etc.

This thread is depressing. Yes, some entertaining and outrageous examples but also candidates being turned down and sneered at for petty, arbitrary reasons like saying "awesome", using the wrong font or having the wrong clothes, when the person could've actually been perfect at the job and had applied in good faith. Or on the other hand, people getting the job for random reasons like talking about tropical fish.

Probably explains why I've struggled with job hunting for the past 2 years (already have a job but want to move). I have qualifications, experience, good track record/references, strong work ethic, my CV is "normal" and I don't do anything crazy in interviews.
But no doubt I've made some heinous faux pas like saying an American word or not "commanding a room", whatever that even means

I agree @oncloudnine, very short sighted to dismiss people on basic and unimportant 'fauxpas' and shows how much of a game job hunting actually is. The attitudes of some who shortlist on here is nasty, I hope people don't bother wasting any more time applying for jobs with them.

@oncloudnine

This thread is depressing. Yes, some entertaining and outrageous examples but also candidates being turned down and sneered at for petty, arbitrary reasons like saying "awesome", using the wrong font or having the wrong clothes, when the person could've actually been perfect at the job and had applied in good faith. Or on the other hand, people getting the job for random reasons like talking about tropical fish.

Probably explains why I've struggled with job hunting for the past 2 years (already have a job but want to move). I have qualifications, experience, good track record/references, strong work ethic, my CV is "normal" and I don't do anything crazy in interviews.
But no doubt I've made some heinous faux pas like saying an American word or not "commanding a room", whatever that even means

Theatrics are not needed, fancy CVs are not needed. But the more you tailor your CV to the job description the easier it is for the person who is sifting through countless CVs to place you on the interview pile. By not tailoring your CV you either show yourself as not having the skills, not understanding the job or just not being interested enough in that job. Not having all the skills is not a problem but you need to be aware of what you need to do to develop those skills. Some of the CVs I've read this week have been so full of jargon they are virtually unreadable - we are a client facing organisation - we need to be able to explain complex, technical ideas to Senior Management in a concise and easy to understand manner - over-use of jargon can make you come across as a poor communicator - MBA graduates I'm looking at you!

Question for those who have experience with Autism - is the video interview easier or harder for someone who struggles with eye contact?

Some of the CVs I've read this week have been so full of jargon they are virtually unreadable - we are a client facing organisation - we need to be able to explain complex, technical ideas to Senior Management in a concise and easy to understand manner - over-use of jargon can make you come across as a poor communicator - MBA graduates I'm looking at you!

A CV isn't reflective of that though, they are different scenarios. They probably have been advised to put in 'jargon' to demonstrate an understanding, if they met the criteria otherwise and reached interview, they may have gone on to explain that they have experience of explaining tech matters clearly and concisely to a wide range of stakeholders with different levels of knowledge. People don't write CVs as they would write other documents, they feel pressured to put across their ability on 2 sides of A4, that's challenging and there isn't any consistent guidance on how to be successful at that. Other companies may have taken a dim view to having no 'jargon' in.

I would build into the recruitment process an example doc, asking them to explain x to someone with limited knowledge of the subject, or have it form part of the interview if it's that integral.

They were applying to a completely different industry - so the jargon was meaningless, and very probably unique to the company they worked in. It's a very poor communication style on a CV - especially when your covering letter says - here's my cv, hope to hear from you soon!
They didn't meet the criteria because they didn't answer the job description...potentially they had the skills - who would know, they didn't tell me? If they spoken in plain English to the Job description thay may have had a chance.