Job Application Help

Spendless

My college course ends this week:j and I've acquired a lot of new computer skills:T .

I have seen a job advertised and have got the application form. It gives what the requirements are with an 'essential' or desirable' at side. One of the essentials is the setting up of databases which was not taught at the level I was at in college, only manipulation of. From my college tutor I understand that creation of databases is only taught at a more higher level. The rest of the essentials I have and also 99% of the desirables. The work is in a similar field to where I did my work placement and I know that I will get a good reference from the manager. The job includes some of the type of work I did on work experience.

What should I do . Mr Spendless takes the view that they are requesting a very high standard for what is a 9 hour a week job. He feels that they will get limited applicants, perhaps someone retiring from a high level or someone whose circumstances mean that they are very limited in hours. He thinks I should apply anyway and if I got thru to interview stress what I can do and how short a time I've acheived it in before saying anything about the bit I have no knowledge of.

The salary is good but obviously with it being pro-roted you don't come out with a great deal cos of the few hours involved. It's not the end of the world if I don't get anywhere cos we can manage financially. I'm interested in it though cos not only is it in a field I'd like to work but it is managable around 3 year old going to school nursery in autumn.

Since my husband accuses me of overthinking:rolleyes: . I thought I'd ask MSE members of any tips/views/suggestions on whether to apply or not.

kiwigirl

What have you got to lose? Time to complete application form and you may get a very good job (albeit it PT) but will help you progress onto working again and use your new skills.

If you've already got most of the essentials and desirables there is no reason why not to try, but if you get an interview what about saying you've looked into doing a higher Access course (databases) and would be willing to do that as part of the work or via e-learning or similar - what about EDLC or something via learn direct?

Most jobs I've gone for I haven't managed to fit all the essential criteria but I've gone for some I've been succesful in others not. It depends on what you feel you've managed to accomplish in that time. Sounds like it's a good way to go on for a post though, you say you've got a lot of relevant past experience.

Good luck - I think you should apply for it myself.

KG

Spendless

kiwigirl wrote:

but if you get an interview what about saying you've looked into doing a higher Access course (databases) and would be willing to do that as part of the work or via e-learning or similar - what about EDLC or something via learn direct?



KG

What a great idea:T . It's highly likely I'll be back at college in the Autumn though very part time due to school nursery hours. Hadn't thought of making databases that high up my list of priorities yet but could do if needed. I can ask at college what course would cover them in event I do get through to interview. I've actually started ECDL but don't really like it, find it full of theory and tbh a bit boring:eek: and after being taught in college mode not keen on e-learning style either:o .

Anyone thats a lot for your suggestion:A

kiwigirl

It may be a good idea to look into what employers are looking for, i.e. good Access skills, good Excel skills and try and get a relevant course on that even if it's only the basics.

I never did the EDCL (or whatever it's called) as I was on a more advanced level on most of it and work wouldn't let us have time off to do the advanced one just the basic.

I did a lot of my course via learn direct and really enjoyed it, you can do modules within 3 hours (did most of mine in less than that) so if it is really boring it's not for many hours?

What about having a go at one doing a wizard? Or if you've nearly finished at college, what about asking one of your nice tutors if they could give you a bit of hand with going through access and show them the job spec they might be able to give you a bit of a head start and then you finish at home - they've got wizards on how to do your CD collection if I remember correctly (used to anyway) and you can then go onto other bigger things?

Good luck anyway

KG

Katie_Bell

I'm an IT recruitment consultant and my advice would be to definately apply (if you haven't already). Client's generally write a massive list of skills on a job description and when you actually talk to them they aren't expecting to get them all!

Fill it in and if you want any help, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

Astaroth

Any job advert is going to be the for the ideal candidate and not what they necessarily expect to get... kind of more of a wish list than a definative requirements.

You need to really read the role profile to determine if database creation is really going to be a key part of the job... so if it is as an SQL Administrator you can be fairly sure it is but if it is for a office tech support then it is very much a minor part.

Doing an introductory course may be an idea as long as you know if it is Access or SQL or Oracle etc

jobbingmusician

Apply and make it clear what your actual skills are, and that you are willing to learn. It may well be, in such a specialised job, that the person who wrote the job description/person specification knows a lot less about databases than you do anyway!!! If you can explain how your actual training fits you for the JD, so much the better.

eamon

By the sounds of things I suspect a local authority/local further education application form? They can be overspecified for the job/work advertised, in otherwords unrealistic!

I would suggest that if you have 40% of the essentials and desirables then you must apply.

You need to know that typically for LA jobs only about 20% of people who ask for the application pack complete it and send it back. That means if 50 people request a pack only 10 people will send it back. Therefore your odds of getting an interview have reduced from 50-1 to 10-1, much better I think. By knowing this you can play the numbers game and remember the objective is to get selected for an interview.

Hope all this helps

Eamon

Savvy_Sue

Go for it girl! And yes, see if you can get a short course which includes database creation organised in the next few weeks. It's not rocket science ...

Spendless

It's actually for a charity and I've checked the person spec which states 'setting up and using databases'. (essential) I've asked my tutor at college about it and she's told me that it is taught at CLAIT plus level.

College closes this week. It is shutting early this year. So perhaps not possible to get on a crash course before the Autumn

jobbingmusician

Get yourself online and do a search for courses on Access (MS Office), or find a friend who can lend you a computer with a copy to play with, and buy yourself (or borrow from library!) Access for Dummies, or something similar. I reckon you could get quite a lot of experience under your belt in a week of playing with it......:D