Help with IT skill question in an application

[Rewis]

This is a dumb question but I have no idea how to answer this question in a job application

"Please give examples of when you have used Microsoft Word, Excel, e-mail and internet to a good level"

I can't think of examples. I use all these programmes daily but what else can I say other than I can send e-mail and receive e-mail? I know how to log on to mumsnet? I know how to use Word and some basic stuff in Excel but I dunno any examples, I just use them to make documents. I dunno why this is hard. Can't think of any BS answer.

How about:

I am very comfortable using IT software and reguarly use this in my previous work as well as personal use. I largely use Microsoft Word to write letters and reports. I use Excel to compile data and assist with calculations. I am comfortable using functions such as applying filters and using formula to sum numbers.* I use email to send correspondence and documents on a daily basis.

• These are ones you could easily learn if you don’t already but there’s more complex stuff. Depends on the role if you’ll need them. You could add about VLOOKUPs /pivots but don’t do this unless you use them.

P.s love the idea of being an expert in mumsnet!

OP this is the sort of question I’d use Chat GPT for

The world is fucked.

They sound like they aren’t great at it themselves tbh from wording it like that

Thanks for the advice. I've been staring at job apps all day and got job listing blind. I got too hang up on the example part. I'll just explain how I use them and not get too hung up on the email and internet. I also find this to be a slightly ridiculous question, this is a senior support service role. And I'm struggling to see anyone getting to this point in their career and not know how to use the internet.

I used chatGPT to proofread my CV but didn't think to use it for this. Clearly AI is not in my skill set :D

I’d think about the purpose of those programmes and how you use them to the best eg for email I’d mention how you manage a work inbox, keeping on track of things etc. if it’s a support role I imagine it’s organisation type skills and having information to hand they want

Surely you can think of an example of how you use them? Or do you just open the program, stare at the screen and then close it again?

For instance: mail merge uses both Excel and Word; you might then use it to send emails to clients. Have you used pivot tables? Set up dashboards? You might have set up letter templates in Word, or more complicated stuff like creating leaflets with multiple columns. Or you might have done none of these, in which case the job probably isn’t for you!

I kinda wanted to respond something snarky to this snarky reply. But I found it quite funny that the examples you gave are significantly more advanced than is required in my job and just highlight how inefficient the ridiculous homemade programmes we use actually are 😅
I dunno, am i really the only one who thinks that is a weird question? Maybe if my Internet usage knowledge was upto a good level I'd feel different. But yeah, maybe me staring at the blank page of word is a reason I shouldn't apply 🤷🏼‍♀️

For the Internet one you could say that you use the Internet, particularly X site, for reference and accuracy. In my line of work we have to refer to and look up regulations so a candidate who was confident and familiar with that would be welcome.

I’m sorry, it was a bit snarky but without knowing what the job is, it’s difficult to offer any tailored advice. Could you search the job title in google and see if similar jobs are more specific about what MS Office skills are required? What kind of company is it? Can you give us a paraphrased job title if you don’t want to give the actual title?

Other possibilities could be something like managing a team mailbox, maintaining a spreadsheet of team members’ leave dates, writing standard operating procedures for company processes or whatever. There’s all sorts!

You say you use them to make documents - what kind of documents? There’s your answer. You could also add that you’re keen to develop those skills further, shows willing to learn.

For using the internet, you could say that you use the internet when you need to learn how to do something. For example, you could say that you wanted to learn how to create a report template in Word, using different styles, and used the internet to find a training video to learn how to do this.

It is a senior procurement specialist position for a public body. I've worked in something adjacent before at a lower level. I can list things I assumet they do with word and excel based on my experience. I got too hung up of the examples and good level. I'll ignore that part and just explain what I use it for at the moment which I assume is similar in this position.

But it is the email and Internet that threw me off. Like, I just use it like humans do? I have no idea what shows off email and Internet skills and I'm starting to think that maybe my email skills are so basic that i don't even know what professionals should know. I did ask chatgpt to help me and I do like this "I efficiently manage and interpret digital communications to ensure seamless information flow" and "i optimise synergy between Web based platforms and operational workload for enhanced efficiency". I asked to use corporate jargon and buzzwords😃

Yeah the internet and email bit feels a bit early 00s for me! I’m also public sector so empathise with trying to answer vague questions. Do you use SharePoint or other browser-based apps? Office 365 on a browser? Power Apps/Power BI? Though if they need those skills then they should specify them.

I’d go with what you said about listing skills, ie what you used them for in your previous adjacent role.

Application sent! I think the IT is quite ok. The other questions were quite abstract and asked same question. They also wanted me to attach an anonymised CV. Hope I did that correctly. That was a minefield and I have no idea how anon they wanted.

That came up recently on another post and I can’t quite remember what the answer was, but I think it was fairly limited changes, along the lines of removing any personal info/contact details rather than deleting names of schools and employers etc.

I read quite a few things about this and doesn't seem to have universal answer. Some say to take away educational institutes, employer names, hobbies, years of graduation. Some says to take away your name and references to gender and ethnicity. I wish if employers want this stuff, they would give instructions.

You don’t need to delete names of employers on an anonymised CV. You do need to remove your own name and any educational institutions.

Got a polite rejection today. I'm a bit gutted cause i thought I was quite a good fit. Maybe I'll learn to use the Internet better.

I'm sorry. As a manager who has done a fair bit of recruitment lately, remember two things:

• there may have been LOADS of other applicants
• it's possible they knew before they began who they were going to recruit but have to open it to the public anyway.

"to sum numbers"???

Ridiculous fucking question anyway.

Describe your level of competency would get much clearer answers.