Public Sector application forms for higher grades

notsurewhereIstand

They are time consuming, but when you've done one, the next application is easier for the same time of position with a bit of editing.

But does their complexity put people off applying?

When they are being assessed are the ones that clearly demonstrate satisfaction of their requirements, in say a box ticking fashion, the ones that are most likely to get interviews?

bobajob_1966

What level are you referring to when you say 'higher grades'?

The assessment criteria for civil service roles does tend to be a 'box ticking' exercise - they are looking for specific criteria in order to ensure consistency and transparency.

notsurewhereIstand

Higher grades - let's say a London Borough paying £30-40k pa.

bobajob_1966

OK, when you get to that level people will expect a more complex application, so it will not put them off applying. Remember that those who apply for the civil service fast stream go through an application process that can take up to ten months, and they have thousands of applicants!

eamon

I would suspect that the OP is correct in their assumption. Though I can only speak from my local government experience. The initial advert will be general in appearance. Unsuspecting applicant receives the best part of a large tree through the letterbox, reads through the mighty tome and realises that they don't know how to complete the application form and thus they don't apply for the job. But there are no boxes to tick. More a case of comparing your documented qualifications, experience etc against the job description & job specification and then carefully completing the application form. As alread said civil service recruitment is very different to local government.

SarEl

eamon wrote: »

Unsuspecting applicant receives the best part of a large tree through the letterbox.

Letterbox? You know councils that post application forms?

eamon

You can tell that its been a while since I looked at the jobsgopublic web site. You are correct its all done by pixies! I've just followed a link through to Camden Councils website at a "Trading Standards" position. So far I've made about 20 mouse clicks and still not at the online application page. This is possibly worse than a postal version. I give up, the job is not for me!

However if I was serious then I wouldn't give up so easily.

notsurewhereIstand

I'm on with the next job application and doing the Personal Statement (Experience & Skills) bit.

It says 'please provide details of how you meet the criteria outlined in the Job Profile,
does this generally mean how you meet the 'Person Specification' or is it this and also how you
have the ability to perform the Job description?

LondonDiva

notsurewhereIstand wrote: »

It says 'please provide details of how you meet the criteria outlined in the Job Profile

It means show:

notsurewhereIstand wrote: »

how you meet the 'Person Specification'

notsurewhereIstand wrote: »

and also how you have the ability to perform the Job description?

The two are pretty much the same thing - demonstrate with examples, just how you meet the person sepcification they believe the postholder should have to do the job.:)

notsurewhereIstand

Thanks LondonDiva. Yes, the two are pretty much the same thing.

But it appears that the Job Profile has been updated a number of times and that things have been added into the job description without necessarily covering that in the person specification. So I think it is a case of reading the whole of the Job Profile thoroughly and covering everything and as you say with examples.

LondonDiva

notsurewhereIstand wrote: »

Thanks LondonDiva. Yes, the two are pretty much the same thing.

But it appears that the Job Profile has been updated a number of times and that things have been added into the job description without necessarily covering that in the person specification. So I think it is a case of reading the whole of the Job Profile thoroughly and covering everything and as you say with examples.

Look at the person spec - demonstrate how you meet the person spec, hopefully this will also cover the jd. However the shortlisting(at list on the whittling stage) is based on the person spec.

Stop over thinking it and start thinking about pulling together a concise statement.

Good luck