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!!!!!!! How come you attach your CV to the form then you have to fill in 6 pages of forms that mirrors what's in your CV?

Are human resources people stupid? Do they need to be told something several times before it sinks in? My CV already has my contact details and employment history, why do they need me to fill in forms with the same information?
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Comments

  • Azari
    Azari Posts: 4,317 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    darkpool wrote: »
    Are human resources people stupid?

    As a general rule; yes.
    There are two types of people in the world: Those that can extrapolate information.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,374 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    darkpool wrote: »
    !!!!!!! How come you attach your CV to the form then you have to fill in 6 pages of forms that mirrors what's in your CV?

    Are human resources people stupid? Do they need to be told something several times before it sinks in? My CV already has my contact details and employment history, why do they need me to fill in forms with the same information?

    Alot of applications are scanned in automatically so certain information has to be at the exact same point on the document.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Dave_C_2
    Dave_C_2 Posts: 1,827 Forumite
    Working on the theory that I don't want to work for a company with a poor or lazy personnel department, I used to use the words "Please refer to attached CV". Copy once and paste many times.

    Dave
  • Gavin83
    Gavin83 Posts: 8,757 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I can fully understand why a company would want someone to fill out an application form but I'm not entirely sure why they'd require a CV as well.
  • ShaneUK
    ShaneUK Posts: 1,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Gavin83 wrote: »
    but I'm not entirely sure why they'd require a CV as well.

    Presentation skills perhaps?
  • Gavin83
    Gavin83 Posts: 8,757 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    True. I guess the layout of CV's does demonstrate some basic IT knowledge which frankly is essential for the majority of jobs these days.
  • Your CV is used as a summary of your qualifications/experience etc. To save time HR people look at your CV first to see if you match their requirements. If you do they then look at your application form where you should have expanded on the details in your CV.

    I've previously thrown in the bin those that say 'please refer to CV'.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,374 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Your CV is used as a summary of your qualifications/experience etc. To save time HR people look at your CV first to see if you match their requirements. If you do they then look at your application form where you should have expanded on the details in your CV.

    I've previously thrown in the bin those that say 'please refer to CV'.

    Exactly an application form is how you sell yourself to a potential employer therefore it is not a good idea to p1ss them off.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • blunther
    blunther Posts: 243 Forumite
    Dave_C wrote: »
    I don't want to work for a company with a poor or lazy personnel department

    Good luck with that!!
  • vyle
    vyle Posts: 2,379 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Your CV is used as a summary of your qualifications/experience etc. To save time HR people look at your CV first to see if you match their requirements. If you do they then look at your application form where you should have expanded on the details in your CV.

    I've previously thrown in the bin those that say 'please refer to CV'.

    I can see what OP means though. I've seen places that ask for a CV, then ask for simply a date and name for employers on the following page, which is EXACTLY what's on my CV.

    If they ask for more detailed info, that's fine, if not, then it seems very silly to ask for the same info that you've already provided.

    What I also hate (and as you seemingly work in HR you might know the answer) is when employers ask for two references where one must be your current employer, and the other must be the previous employer.

    My current employer does not issue references, other than to simply say: "We can confirm X worked here from Y to Z"

    My previous employer no longer has anybody working there who knows me so that's pointless. Why can't I give someone else who does?
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