Job applicants - the other perspective.

gibson123

Horace wrote: »

I know that I have applied for 100's of jobs - some via jobcentre and some from other places, out of them I have had one interview. I am awaiting a phone call about a job as part of a pre-interview. Most of the time I don't get a response.

I hate being on the dole - if my business hadn't failed due to the recession I would be working for myself now. It seems that when I do get a response to applications - I am overqualified no matter how much I dumb down my CV. It is frustrating and must admit don't like suggestions that jobseekers are only meeting requirements of continued unemployment benefits! Yes, some may be but not all of us so please don't tar me with the same brush!

Most employers do not tar everyone with the same brush, and by the same token all jobseekers should not tar all employers with that blimming tarry brush. A bit more thought and respect on both parts would greatly improve the situation. There are a few people on these threads who are really trying hard to gain work and If they lived in my area I would have no problem employing if they had the skills and I had a post suitable in their area.

LadyMissA

gibson123 wrote: »

Most employers do not tar everyone with the same brush, and by the same token all jobseekers should not tar all employers with that blimming tarry brush. A bit more thought and respect on both parts would greatly improve the situation. There are a few people on these threads who are really trying hard to gain work and If they lived in my area I would have no problem employing if they had the skills and I had a post suitable in their area.

I do believe that a lot of employers think the unemployed do not want to work. My woman at the Work Programme told me she used to work in the motor trade and back then if she looked at a CV and saw someone was out of work (for whatever reason) she would assume they didn't want to work & said it was very easy to get a job. She said since she has been working for the provider her opinion has changed.

PasturesNew

elsien wrote: »

I do know one of the reasons there aren't many applicants - it's for support work for adults with learning disabilities ....
Only no-one wants to work for me.:(

And I'd not apply because adverts seem to imply/request that people have previous experience.... so I wouldn't apply. Most jobs these days expect/want stuff applicant's haven't got, so we don't apply because we assume you'll have 1000 other applicants that do have XYZ.

t0rt0ise

I cancelled a couple of interviews by email as that is the way I was communicated with and both times got no response at all. Two minutes to hit reply and say "thanks for letting us know" would have done it. My reasons for cancelling were first time I had a kidney stone and couldn't really walk and the second time I was offered a job in the meantime which I had accepted.

I would still always let them know if I wasn't going to attend but only because I may want to apply to them again in the future and don't want to blot my copy book. I think the whole looking for a job thing has become so impersonal. Generally the HR departments I have dealt with have no idea of how to treat people.

PasturesNew

gibson123 wrote: »

...The pay ... goes up to £7.25 per hour ...

Where I live, adverts for that level of salary would be "fully qualified and experienced Legal Secretary".... or "Office Manager, with years of experience at doing management accounts and payroll".

gibson123

LadyMissA wrote: »

I do believe that a lot of employers think the unemployed do not want to work. My woman at the Work Programme told me she used to work in the motor trade and back then if she looked at a CV and saw someone was out of work (for whatever reason) she would assume they didn't want to work & said it was very easy to get a job. She said since she has been working for the provider her opinion has changed.

I agree with you and that's because a lot of them have had bad experiences. I know a number of employers that refuse to advertise with the job centre because they get inundated with unsuitable applications and no show interviewees. That's why when you are unemployed I recommend that you should get involved with voluntary or community work so it differentiates you from the "can't work, won't work" bunch. That is if the work programme will let you (but then that's a whole different topic)

gibson123

PasturesNew wrote: »

Where I live, adverts for that level of salary would be "fully qualified and experienced Legal Secretary".... or "Office Manager, with years of experience at doing management accounts and payroll".

A bit unrealistic even in the current climate, a lot of employers believe in setting their wages at a minimum entry level "living wage" which depending in where you live is around the £7.25. This is for entry level jobs.

LadyMissA

gibson123 wrote: »

I agree with you and that's because a lot of them have had bad experiences. I know a number of employers that refuse to advertise with the job centre because they get inundated with unsuitable applications and no show interviewees. That's why when you are unemployed I recommend that you should get involved with voluntary or community work so it differentiates you from the "can't work, won't work" bunch. That is if the work programme will let you (but then that's a whole different topic)

I rarely apply for jobs on the Job Seekers direct site as they are never current nor will you get a reply from them and if you do they tell you , you are over qualified.

jc808

elsien wrote: »

I think it's the sheer bad manners that got to me today.
What would make anyone think it was ok to ask to have everything rearranged for them, then not even have the courtesy to pick up a phone. Ok, circumstances change, but at least have the manners to let us know.

I do know one of the reasons there aren't many applicants - it's for support work for adults with learning disabilities and unsocial hours in an industrial area where you can get paid more doing a day shift in a factory. The pay isn't great, but it is above minimum wage and for the right person it's a personally rewarding job, and a good stepping stone for anyone wanting experience for social work etc.
Only no-one wants to work for me.:(

Where are you mate?

CCFC_80

jazzyman01 wrote: »

I am also looking to recruit and have had the same problems. Interviewees not turning up, candidates not responding to telephone or email contact. Out of over 250 applications I have been unsuccessful to date.

I am clear in the job requirements and the salary range.

Am now in a position where I believe most applicants are just meeting the requirements of their continued unemployment benefits!

What role are you recruiting for and how are you marketing the vacancy?