Applying for a job that asks for experience that I don't have!

[smurfgirl]

I have got an application for a job in admin (entry level) that asks for one years customer service experience. I don't have that but I have worked in healthcare with the general public for the past 3 years. Its not customer services exactly but I feel that it is a 'customer' facing role with admin involved as well (organising paper work, using computers to do the job, photocopying and running errands where necessary). How do I make it sound good or should I not bother?

You can but try , it is still customer service just perhaps not paying ones. Emphasise the customer orientated tasks you did, both external and internal .

Thanks. I will try and spin it. I have everything else they want (working in a team, computer experience etc).

Honestly it sounds as if your customer service experience is at higher level than the job is asking for, that's all. It sounds fine - it doesn't need spin.

You say, "While I do not have specific customer service experience, I have acquired many of the same skills during my time in the healthcare sector." blah blah blah. You can even go so far as to list specific things you did that would be in common with a customer services role.

Sorry squeakypop, but I would definitely avoid "While I do not have specific customer service experience."

I would say: I gained extensive customer service experience over three years in a multi-faceted role which included bla bla bla.

Agree with Anna. 3 years working in a job that involved interfacing with the public is customer service. Even if you didn't think it was, don't draw attention to the fact that you have no experience - don't give them any reason to think that didn't count.

Presumably working with the public in a healthcare role would have involved lots of very challenging situations for you to deal with - excellent experience.

So far I have something like.

During my time working in client centred care I gained experience in xyz. Is that ok?

Its local government so theres lots of rubbish phrases I need to get in.

Ooooh i like public interfacing flowery beanbag will try and put that in.

I would agree with others that say you have three years customer service experiance - you worked with customers for three years so that is what they are looking for - someone who has worked with customers and in health care that would I emagine be very demanding customer service and very varied customers.

If it is local goverment then you need to put an explaination in for every "desired" etc of where and how you have done that in a previous job.

So if it wants handling money - put in my job as a Saturday girl I worked in a shop and handled money in the till, cashed up at the end of the Saturday and made sure the till balnced and was correct.

Dealing with cutomers - I worked with customers in my health care job, it was important to look after and help with their needs in sometimes difficult situations.

Most local goverment job applications are scored and you will get points for every desirable and nessesery you put down.

BUT you cant just put you can do that bit of the job, you need to write down where you have done that in a job previously to score a point, score enough points to get an interview.

HTH

Will just add a friend of mine used to score for local goverment interviews - if the application was in blue biro it wouldn't even be read - as the form stated at the top it had to be in black.

I said but they might be the person for the job appart from that one error. She explained that as there may be 80 application to get ride of 10 in the wrong colour would decrease her work load and if they cant be bothered to follow the rules they will not get a job!

ivykaty I have done lots of NHS jobs and it seems the same, I have always interviewed for NHS jobs I have applied for so hopefully its the same idea.

good luck

'Customers' could be internal as well as external, they'll be looking for the skills needed in such a role, not necessarily if you worked in such an area iyswim.