Informal inquiry about vacancy

backtowales

Hi.

I'm in the process of applying for a new job, and I haven't had much luck with getting interviews. I have found a vacancy to apply for that would really suit me and I would like to make informal enquiries about the job, but I've never done that before and I'm not sure what questions to ask. I'm having a bit of a blank to be honest. The job is higher education administration. Any tips on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BTW

1984ReturnsForReal_2

I would like to make informal enquiries about the job
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Ring them up.

SomeBozo

If the advert lists a contact name, ring that person up.

Just say something like "Hi, I saw the advert listed for position X, I intend in making a application, I was just wondering if you could tell me a little more about it".

Specific questions can be :

How many in the team?
Specific software/It systems?
Whats a average day in the life of .....(the position)

If you want, ask if you can have an informal visit. Thats being asked to be shown round to see it for yourself.

Bozo

Savvy_Sue

SomeBozo wrote: »

If you want, ask if you can have an informal visit. Thats being asked to be shown round to see it for yourself.

By all means ask, but do not be offended if the answer is no. Some employers would not do this on principle because it would be against Equal Ops, ie possibly giving you an unfair advantage.

Also, please don't ring or email incessantly. Or just turn up hoping that someone will be able to drop everything and show you round anyway, even though they've said that's not possible. Or phone 3 times to check your application was received and ask (again) if you can come and visit prior to interview. Or phone daily between deadline and published interview date to ask if you've been shortlisted.

These actions will get you noticed, certainly, but not in a good way.

I'm sure you wouldn't, but as you've guessed, some people do!

SomeBozo

By all means ask, but do not be offended if the answer is no. Some employers would not do this on principle because it would be against Equal Ops, ie possibly giving you an unfair advantage.

Sorry Sue I disagree.

"Equal ops" as you put it, is about not discriminating against a candidate because of race, colour, gender etc.

It is not about giving a potential candidate a whirwind tour of the office/building at the expense of those who didn't ask.

Bozo

Savvy_Sue

SomeBozo wrote: »

Sorry Sue I disagree.

"Equal ops" as you put it, is about not discriminating against a candidate because of race, colour, gender etc.

It is not about giving a potential candidate a whirwind tour of the office/building at the expense of those who didn't ask.

That, however, is the reason which used to be given at previous places I've worked at. I'm not saying I agreed with it at the time, that's what they used to say. Either you do it for everyone, or you don't do it. If you can't do it for everyone, you don't do it.

When I was running an out of school club, I actively invited people to visit before applying. Very few took me up on it, which I thought was short-sighted!

Where I work now, we are up-front: if we're recruiting, we're short-staffed. We send out comprehensive information in our job packs. If you have a specific question which can't be left until interview (if you're shortlisted), by all means ask it, but we don't have time to do individual tours of our premises or explain what we do and how we do it face to face.

Interestingly, although hassling the admin staff doesn't affect your chances of being shortlisted (because we aren't involved in that and the forms are anonymised), we have noticed that the hasslers tend not to be shortlisted! Are they hoping their 'charms' will outweigh the weakness of their applications?

backtowales

Thanks everyone for your replies. I emailed the person named in the application pack as I had one question in particular to ask as the job is similar to my current job, but in a slightly different area. Hopefully I'll get an answer, but as you said, if I don't I can ask it at the interview.

maz_student

Before calling them, list ALL the questions you are thinking of. All of them, lol.
Then when you feel as though you have no more questions floating around in your mind (and everything is on paper), then call them. And dont be afraid to keep asking. Just say something like "sorry to keep asking so many questions, but .....(and continue asking away!)"

DONT BE SHY! lol

maz_student

backtowales wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies. I emailed the person named in the application pack as I had one question in particular to ask as the job is similar to my current job, but in a slightly different area. Hopefully I'll get an answer, but as you said, if I don't I can ask it at the interview.

hmm, from experience ive always got more help by talking (not by sending emails).

Reason being because when people reply back to an email, theyre typing, so they say less. If they were talking to you on the phone, however, they can say much more (because its easier to talk than to type), -- plus, its much faster!

1984ReturnsForReal_2

backtowales wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies. I emailed the person named in the application pack as I had one question in particular to ask as the job is similar to my current job, but in a slightly different area. Hopefully I'll get an answer, but as you said, if I don't I can ask it at the interview.

Try & avoid emails. Trust me, if you spent 10 years of looking at them you would know what I mean.

Anyway with hundreds of emails being received per position at the moment why do you think yours will stand out?

CALL THEM UP!


Its a job in the education sector not MI5!

backtowales

I spend every working day looking at e-mails.

The reason I didn't phone in the first instance is because I don't have time during the working day especially work in a very open plan office where everything is heard. It won't look good to be heard phoning about another job in the current climate!