Does anyone else get depressed about the sheer pointless form filling of job hunting?

miss_hh

It is severely depressing and takes up so much time. I once filled in a 30 page application for an admin post for the council. That was my worst. It also takes me the good part of the day to fill in one form and my family just dont understand how my days are not spent more productive.

wantsajob

HappyMJ wrote: »

See CV..

That's what I answer to work history. I'll fill in the essentials and the bulky bit about work history I just write See CV. If they don't like it then stuff it I don't wont such a job.

95% of employers will specifically state they do not accept a CV. In fact I am surprised people are so bothered about having or using a CV. I have spent a lot of time writing a CV, yet cannot remember a time it has actually been used. Other than for pretty much copying info from the CV to application forms.

an9i77

The only advantage I can think of from the employer's point of view is that it stops timewasters who are applying to everything using a scattergun approach. A lot of them must reason, if you can take the time to fill in this 20 page application form, you must really want the job, so it's a filter against people who don't really, really want the job. In which case those that do manage to complete the application forms may find they are up against less people as a certain number may have been put off - which can only be a good thing.

bevanuk

wantsajob wrote: »

95% of employers will specifically state they do not accept a CV.

Where has that come from?

A standard application would be good. But employers want people who can be bothered filling the application in - if you can't then they can't be bothered speaking to you. It's their choice at the end of it.

MrChandlerBing

If you dont want to do a 5 page application, they don't want to hire you. Simple.

If you're complaining about this I can't wait for you to start the monotony of most jobs

brownbabygirl

HappyMJ wrote: »

See CV..

That's what I answer to work history. I'll fill in the essentials and the bulky bit about work history I just write See CV. If they don't like it then stuff it I don't wont such a job.

lol I like you!!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

simson3325

i send cv and spec letter 95% of the time.

SnowyOwl_2

Application forms are meant to be a means of getting the most relevant information from each applicant, and a means for comparing like with like when it comes to selecting or rejecting candidates. It's an "Equal Opps" thing ie an effort to make the process more transparent, particularly should someone later suggest that they have been discriminated against.

These forms are boring and laborious, but if you want the job then there is not a lot you can do other than fill them in and send them back.

aintshesweet

60% of all statistics are made up

There are a lot of companies who request a CV.

I must have applied to 60+ jobs of varying industries and professions last year and it varies from job type.

Admin, data entry, call centre work tend to be for big companies which have their own HR systems, hence their own forms. Public sector jobs have LONG forms, in education, health, etc. I applied for a PA role at a school and the form was very long, about 30 pages. A lot of the retail giants (Tesco, Homebase, Currys etc) have their own HR systems too.

The job I ended up going for I sent my CV, a covering letter, and they required a 500 word essay. :P

My work-from-home job required a lot of admin to get started, it took me a good 10 hours to fill out about 10 different types of forms, health & safety tests, IT tests, Microsoft Office tests. Worth it now though! Still there over a year later!

Tippytoes

macalacka wrote: »

I work in HR and unfortunately have to look after some recruitment [my least favourite part!] I only ever want a CV and cover letter. In fact 90% of the time I go straight to the CV and have a look at that. Candidates put a lot of time and effort into a CV and so I wouldn't want to waste their time by giving me the same information in a different format.

I'd probably recommend you don't try and get a job with any company that asks you to complete a 6 page application form! I never apply for jobs that ask for an application form. If my CV isn't good enough then I probably won't be!

Can we please stop ridiculing and critising HR departments in general. We are not pen pushers or the gastapo! We are also employee's!!

It must be soul destroying for a reasonably educated unemployed person to submit an application to HR, knowing full well it will be perused (and probably rejected) by someone whose standard of education is lower than their own.

Proof read your post. I don't mean to be unkind, but....