Can I complain about not being shortlisted?

Oldernotwiser

stellaforstar wrote: »

but why? why prepare to get slated? do you realise how ridiculous this sounds? yes, its a public forum but my point is ive been ducking and diving around this forum for a few years now and seen it get steadily worse and worse from the point of view of people replying just to be nasty. If you think im an idiot then just ignore me. But when did coming on here and asking for help mean Its open season? Its not just on this board - try posting on the house selling and property board and see if you come out alive.

I don't know which thread you've been reading but nobody here has slated you. There was one negative comment about your spelling but every other post was helpful and constructive.

MrsManda

How are you filling out application forms?
Spelling, grammar, black ink, clear handwritting if filling out a paper application, bullet points and small paragraphs rather than big blocks of text will all make it easier for a person to pick out the relevant points.

When writing about your experience do you use the job description and person specification?
It's worth writing a sentence or two to state precisely how your knowledge/experience means you are able to meet each part of the person specification.

For example rather than writing that 'I have experience using MS Office', write something like 'during my previous role as an administration assistant at CPS, I used Microsoft Office to produce reports, write letters and use the mail merge function to send letters to our clients. I also used MS Access to keep a database of client details.'

This allows the reader to quickly see how your previous experience matches the job as just because you've had a job with the same title doesn't mean you've got the experience they're looking for.

If you're applying for a job doing something you've not done previously think about how your previous experience allows you to bring something to the job. E.g. A customer service advisor in M&S requires an ability to deal with different people, multitask, remain calm and customer focussed. As a school administrator you've experience communicating with people face to face from a range of ages from children to parents about a variety of issues - parents angry their kid has got detention, parents upset because their child is poorly, bullying etc... which shows an experience of customer service and ability to stay calm in difficult situations.

Jobhunting can be horrible but keep going and you'll get there eventually. Good luck

MrChandlerBing

Admin jobs right now gets 100's of applications. You have people with law/business degrees with a year or two as a part time secretary going for these sorts of jobs and not getting shortlisted.

Keep plugging away and hope you get lucky. Honestly right now I think the only way you are getting a job as an admin assistant is if you know someone in the company.

Its a reasonably well paid, easy job that almost anyone can do. The competition for places reflects that.

tiff

And even then you dont always get an interview. My friend who is a secretary/receptionist in a private school is leaving where she works to live in a different town. She's been there 18 years and is highly thought of. She told me about the vacancy and sent out an application, I went to the office to have a look round. Ive not heard anything so assume I havent got an interview. 200 application forms were sent out and a third were returned. I could do this job standing on my head, its so frustrating.

PasturesNew

The other one they like to see is: Relevant/exact match experience for the past 2-5 years solidly. Maybe your experience has a gap. They're picky cahnts.

kwan-do_mum

stellaforstar wrote: »

but why? why prepare to get slated? do you realise how ridiculous this sounds? yes, its a public forum but my point is ive been ducking and diving around this forum for a few years now and seen it get steadily worse and worse from the point of view of people replying just to be nasty. If you think im an idiot then just ignore me. But when did coming on here and asking for help mean Its open season? Its not just on this board - try posting on the house selling and property board and see if you come out alive.

I have been applying for all sorts of jobs - Marks and Spencer, Boots - apparently im over qualified. Tried to get a job in a pub - no experience. The jobs I am going for are about £10 k less in salary than I get currently but thats fine. but i dont have enough experience for those or they think im over qualified and will leave quickly.

my mortgage payments are frozen at the moment but that runs out after xmas. As do my options.

I know how you feel,I am in the same situation and it's a real nightmare. The only thing I can say is try and keep your chin up and keep going. Saying that I too am still awaiting some long awaited interviews. GOOD LUCK

teabelly

There are just too many unemployed people out there. They may not even bother reading your application and just pick the first few decent people they find without reading everyone's. It's just the way it is. It's nothing personal.

gingerdad

I have to say i get between 70-100 applications for every job i advertise - so only the cv's/applications that really stick out even get close. you need to look at your cv/application and really make it shout out how good you are, otherwise it will just get chucked. its an employers market and you really need to be the best/most professional cv they see otherwise you'll just get lost in the mix

swingaloo

At the risk of being blasted down like some other posters I have to say that 2 things stand out to me.

You mention in your opening post that you have experience and have done the job a few times before. You mention that you have a baby so Im guessing that you are relativly young still. Therefore I wonder if perhaps in detailing your previous employment history there are maybe quite a few previous jobs which MAY give the impression that you dont settle or stay in a job a long time.

The other thing I have picked up from your posts (I have read your other threads as well which brings me to this conclusion), you do come across as being a tad aggressive and as someone who does not mince her words.
Perhaps its not so much what you say on your CV as much as how you say it.

Slinks off to hide in a cupboard

Nemo

The last three admin-related jobs in the school I work at had 70 applications for a receptionist, 120 for head's P.A., and 75 for attendance officer. Of course, not all of the applicants are going to have significant existing school experience, but when you're going to shortlist around 6 candidates, you're in all likelihood going to reject some with good experience. It's also very possible that there'll be candidates with good skills who haven't worked in a school setting before, but are worthy of an interview.

As many school jobs are term-time only, this itself attracts a high interest. Unfortunately with public sector job cuts looming, things are likely to get worse.

Keep on trying though!