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

LondonDiva

snowqueen555 wrote: »

Letters should say to confirm if attending. A lot of letters do not

As already said, recruiters are fine with not calling back if we fail an interview, I guess it goes both ways

I try to spilt interviews over 2/3/4 or whatever half says. We always ensure we contact all shortlisted applicants by phone to agree a time and day in that set that works for them.

We still get a good 25% drop out rate. One of my colleagues interviewed and only 3 out of 11 candidates bothered to turn up. It's very poor manners and means that someone else who may have been interviewed, but just didn't make it because of numbers missed a chance.

Another thing I wish the job centre did was ring to ask for feedback about the performance of JSA candidates - it's really easy to spot the people who don't want the job and are actively trying to out you off:( Another waste of time.

catmiaow

I always spend a CV with covering letter, spell checked and read prior to sending. Makes me cross I don't even get a no thank you, even though I have taken the time. I have gone up to an hour's drive each way to interviews and some of them do not even get back to me, how rude is that!

The biggest thing that annoys me is that all the agency's I am registered with are a waste of time, do not get you work and are just interested in signing people up, They should be banned!

Mupette

1) not bothering to proofread their CVs and applications?
If you can't spell or have poor grammar, it doesn't stop you doing most jobs
Interesting, you have done the same, should that be a capital n? (I wouldn't even bother picking up with mine, i have a legitamate illness which has destroyed my memory and my ability to type the right thing in the right place.)

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.
Considering we are all being told just apply for a job any job to pay for the roof over our heads.

My career used to be I.T., if i was able to work again i would consider anything i though capable of.

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.

Again desperation for a job,you'll make contact any which way you can.

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.

That's fair enough, but some people may think that 'surfing the net' would account for being computer literate? knowing their way around websites?

Like others have said on here, agencies that advertise non existant jobs, brings your hopes up for nothing, complete waste of time and effort put in when you could be somewhere else being interviewed for a job that really does exist.

callow

I recently applied for a job within a NHS Trust. Their currently policy is that all candidates are interviewed and then references are obtained from the preferred candidate/s. Only then on acceptable references is the job offered. At the interview we were told that it would be 2 weeks before they would let me know about the job.

After almost 2 weeks I assumed I didn't have a job as I see 2 of my 3 referees every day and they hadn't mentioned a reference request. When I had an email the day before the 2 weeks was up I assumed that it was a sorry you didn't get the job. Instead it was a "your referees haven't send in their references, could you chase them up" email. This was the first indication they I might have job. I spoke with the 2 referees I see every day and both told me that the first request for a reference was the same day that I had also recieved an email. It looks like HR forgot to send out the first reference requests.

Finally 3 weeks after the interview I get a phone call offering me a job and telling me to wait for the offer letter. One week on I am still waiting for the letter. I already work within the NHS so I am used to this level of sloppiness, I have learnt to be very patient.

Savvy_Sue

LondonDiva wrote: »

We still get a good 25% drop out rate. One of my colleagues interviewed and only 3 out of 11 candidates bothered to turn up. It's very poor manners and means that someone else who may have been interviewed, but just didn't make it because of numbers missed a chance.

Indeed, and one day that may well be one of these posters who doesn't bother letting a potential employer know that they won't be attending an interview.

Person_one

callow wrote: »

I recently applied for a job within a NHS Trust. Their currently policy is that all candidates are interviewed and then references are obtained from the preferred candidate/s. Only then on acceptable references is the job offered. At the interview we were told that it would be 2 weeks before they would let me know about the job.

After almost 2 weeks I assumed I didn't have a job as I see 2 of my 3 referees every day and they hadn't mentioned a reference request. When I had an email the day before the 2 weeks was up I assumed that it was a sorry you didn't get the job. Instead it was a "your referees haven't send in their references, could you chase them up" email. This was the first indication they I might have job. I spoke with the 2 referees I see every day and both told me that the first request for a reference was the same day that I had also recieved an email. It looks like HR forgot to send out the first reference requests.

Finally 3 weeks after the interview I get a phone call offering me a job and telling me to wait for the offer letter. One week on I am still waiting for the letter. I already work within the NHS so I am used to this level of sloppiness, I have learnt to be very patient.

I guess it must depend on the trust, I went for a job interview for the NHS on a Wednesday, phone call with a conditional offer the same day, letter with conditional offer and further instructions by the end of the week, references, CRB, Occ Health all done by the end of the next week!

ilikedrawing

I went for a job once and the interview went quite well. The employer said 'well everything looks good to me, I'll definately be in touch either way by Wednesday'.....never heard from her again. Why bother saying it then?!

dickydonkin

Mr_Oink wrote: »

You know what I'd do for a laugh? Make up a similar CV to the one that got you an interview last time (changing key details and dates around for a bit of munging) and reapply with a spoof name.

If you are offered an interview try and push late in the day. Ring them telling them you are delayed but on your way. Repeat this for a few hours until they lose their rag and hang up. :rotfl:

Methinks it would be worth setting up a website/database where candidates can blacklist recruiters based on experience (such as failing to notify/secure personal data/advertising jobs that don't exist etc). Perhaps a winter project......

Brilliant Mr_Oink !

I wish I had thought of that at the time.

Seriously though, I have had some kicks in the teeth but that one really hurt as the job was exactly what I was looking for - but if that is the only major disappointment in my life, then I will be happy!

brokeinwales

1) not bothering to proofread their CVs and applications?
If you can't spell or have poor grammar, it doesn't stop you doing most jobs
Interesting, you have done the same, should that be a capital n? (I wouldn't even bother picking up with mine, i have a legitamate illness which has destroyed my memory and my ability to type the right thing in the right place.)

I think we need to differentiate here between things like putting a preposition at the end of a sentence or splitting an infinitive (which, unless you're applying for a job as a proof reader or English teacher, probably won't affect your ability to do a job) - and sending in a CV which the applicant plainly hasn't even bothered to read back to themselves or run a spellcheck (which shows a lack of care and attention to detail, which will probably be qualities required in most jobs).

brokeinwales

dpassmore wrote: »

Brilliant Mr_Oink !

I wish I had thought of that at the time.

Seriously though, I have had some kicks in the teeth but that one really hurt as the job was exactly what I was looking for - but if that is the only major disappointment in my life, then I will be happy!

Before applying for a job try googling "company name + scam" and see what comes up - always worthwhile!