Why do job applicants waste everyone's time by...

jamespir

sorry dont get point number 2 why does somone need to explain why they want to change from being an achitect to another job it doesent ask that when applying it just says send in your c.v

you must be dumb if you want those people to explain

viktory

heretolearn wrote: »

(tongue in cheek but honest rant from someone on the other side of recruitment and currently beating my head against the wall)

1) not bothering to proofread their CVs and applications? The odd typo might creep in, but we are talking serious grammar and spelling issues. Why wouldn't you use Word spell and grammar check, for goodness sake! If you can't spell or have poor grammar, it doesn't stop you doing most jobs, but you have to be aware of the fact and be extra careful and use tools (oooh like a dictionary, there's a novel thought) to help you.

2) Not applying for the job that is on offer with no explanation. I.e. I have in front of me a CV from an architect for a role we are advertising. We have nothing whatsoever to do with architecture. No explanation as to why an architect is applying for a totally different job...maybe wants to change career...maybe the skills are transferrable...maybe he is on drugs and got confused...who knows.

3) Not following the application instructions. If we tell you to do A (call, email, write, whatever) and you ignore that and do B, it makes you look too thick to follow simple written instructions. I don't want you if you can't follow instructions.

4) tell me 'surfing the internet' is one of their skills. No, really, at work that doesn't count as a skill, it is a way to waste your working time, idiot. 'Using the internet for research when required' is a skill. What you do in your free time is a hobby, not a skill.

Sorry, I know it's hard to find work right now, but I promise you 90% of the applications I get have totally shot themselves in the foot from the the first few seconds of looking at their applications. If you put in the effort to be in the other 10%, I wish you every success in your job hunt!

Why do recruiters think it is is OK to completely ignore applicants? I know the CV was good - it was well written, pertinent, relevant. All instructions were followed and yet...nothing. Not even an acknowledgment of e-mail received. Very, very rude.

Savvy_Sue

PasturesNew wrote: »

Why do they want a degree for a job answering telephones part-time on a temporary basis?

Might depend what questions you're going to be answering, I suppose?

jamespir wrote: »

sorry dont get point number 2 why does somone need to explain why they want to change from being an achitect to another job it doesent ask that when applying it just says send in your c.v

you must be dumb if you want those people to explain

Er, no James, you're the one being dim.

I currently have a fantastic colleague who almost wasn't interviewed because their previous jobs weren't really a good fit for what we wanted, BUT they took the time to explain how they had gained the skills we needed, AND that they wanted to move out of client-facing work into 'behind the scenes' work.

An employer is likely to have a limited time available for interviews: they're not going to waste their time on people who 'might' be good in the role without much relevant experience but haven't explained why they are making a career change.

Savvy_Sue

Then there's the person who phoned to ask why she hadn't been shortlisted TWO MONTHS after the event. As it happened, I was able to tell her that we'd asked for a particular qualification, which she didn't appear to have, but TWO MONTHS?

terra_ferma

jamespir wrote: »

sorry dont get point number 2 why does somone need to explain why they want to change from being an achitect to another job it doesent ask that when applying it just says send in your c.v

you must be dumb if you want those people to explain

And you are an expert in the subject because.....?

lazarou_true

I work in a school and it's amazing the amount of people who send application forms in without the correct postage on.

School then have to pay Royal Mail over a quid per application to have it re-sent.

This means that the application arrives after the deadline.

Not the best start really, either pay correct postage (ie large letter rate) or hand deliver to ensure it arrives on time.

ilikedrawing

There's no excuse for bad grammar on an application. I do worry for dyslexic people though, as my dyslexic friend said to me once, I can click on spell check but I still don't know which is the right spelling or quite often they get the spelling so wrong that the computer can't even try to help with what word it might be!

Savvy_Sue

ilikedrawing wrote: »

There's no excuse for bad grammar on an application. I do worry for dyslexic people though, as my dyslexic friend said to me once, I can click on spell check but I still don't know which is the right spelling or quite often they get the spelling so wrong that the computer can't even try to help with what word it might be!

That's what dyslexic people need friends for ...

Also worth declaring it. Although there are some jobs I'd say not to apply for: I have a very low tolerance level for poor spelling and grammar in secretarial staff ...

pinkduvetdiva

I went for an interview at a local company, and at the end was told by the interviewer that if I was successful, they'd give me a call, and if I hadn't been successful, I wouldn't be hearing from them at all!!!
Charming.
I had to bite my lip quite hard to prevent myself from asking him how he would feel if I'd been unable to attend the interview and not bothered to let him know.

terra_ferma

pinkduvetdiva wrote: »

I went for an interview at a local company, and at the end was told by the interviewer that if I was successful, they'd give me a call, and if I hadn't been successful, I wouldn't be hearing from them at all!!!
Charming.
I had to bite my lip quite hard to prevent myself from asking him how he would feel if I'd been unable to attend the interview and not bothered to let him know.

Bad, personally, given a choice, I would not want to work for a company that has so little consideration for applicants, considering that at the stage they would only be seeing a handful of people. A quick email is all it takes.