An experiment in replying to job applicants

LadyMissA

gibson123 wrote: »

No they did not meet some of the criteria e.g. length of experience, however another part of the application was quite strong e.g core competencies, so I gave them feedback on what was good as well.

I don't understand "over-qualified", I think it is a cop out. The closest I have got are the wrong qualification e.g. when I got a Politics graduate (masters) who applied for an administration job. The applicant with the NC in Business Administration and administration skills got that particular job.

How is a cop out? I was talking to my old boss last week and they have advertised a junior accounts role - only posting invoices - no reconciliations and no contact with suppliers. He got over 150 applications and told me there was one who was an accountant so he never bothered to read his CV. There are people who can be over qualified so do not get a look in even if they are desperate for a job.

LadyMissA

I have even had replies from companies saying 'we are not looking for someone with your experience. This job is for a 2nd jobber' etc.

What can you do about it? Nothing.

t0rt0ise

I think your feedback emails, OP, are excellent. As someone else said I'd be just as happy with a "not this time" sort of response. Anything at all that just stops me hanging on and wondering.

t0rt0ise

LadyMissA wrote: »

I have even had replies from companies saying 'we are not looking for someone with your experience. This job is for a 2nd jobber' etc.

What can you do about it? Nothing.

Yes but at the same time it has nothing to do with the OP who has said that overqualification is not an issue for them.

LadyMissA

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Yes but at the same time it has nothing to do with the OP who has said that overqualification is not an issue for them.

Then that's great then if they are interviewing people who probably if out of work will only use it as a stop gap.

Wyndham

I think this is good, but I'm not completely sure that (with the best of intentions) you are being helpful in one sense. The things that I find useful are very specific, not quite as general as yours, so I got some feedback about how I didn't sell myself well enough at interview, and that I didn't give enough examples - that was brillaint, and I worked on it and currently have a verbal job offer. But I needed the specific feedback, not just 'you didn't have the experience we were looking for'. OK, fine, but what was missing, specifically?

But after saying that, I'd rather have somethng than nothing, so thank you OP for doing this.

PotatoPotato

I think this is amazing!
I am happy enough with a "sorry email" rather than hanging about for a few days then finally forget it.
I think any feedback on top would be an added bonus!

gibson123

Wyndham wrote: »

I think this is good, but I'm not completely sure that (with the best of intentions) you are being helpful in one sense. The things that I find useful are very specific, not quite as general as yours, so I got some feedback about how I didn't sell myself well enough at interview, and that I didn't give enough examples - that was brillaint, and I worked on it and currently have a verbal job offer. But I needed the specific feedback, not just 'you didn't have the experience we were looking for'. OK, fine, but what was missing, specifically?

But after saying that, I'd rather have somethng than nothing, so thank you OP for doing this.

I would love to have time to give individual feedback and if people call me up I will try to do so, but I do not have the time to give specific feedback to everyone.

gibson123

Thanks for all your feedback, so far generally favourable. It is very easy to get disheartened (or perhaps just exhausted?) when going through applications, so good to know its not a thankless task giving feedback.

Wyndham

gibson123 wrote: »

I would love to have time to give individual feedback and if people call me up I will try to do so, but I do not have the time to give specific feedback to everyone.

I realise that, of course, and I was talking about an ideal world, and that's not the one we live in. At least you're doing something, and that can only be good.