is there an 'better' way to say I got the sack on a application form/interview?

Naf

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I disagree: there was no gross misconduct, simply a failure to meet targets. They have given the OP notice, therefore they have a choice, pay him to keep working his notice period, or pay him NOT to keep working for his notice period.

Sorry, the 'they' I meant was the Jobcebtre, not former employer. Employer is obliged to.

Savvy_Sue

Naf wrote: »

Sorry, the 'they' I meant was the Jobcebtre, not former employer. Employer is obliged to.

Yes, that makes more sense.

PrincesaGuerrera

Ok with all this talk about payment for notice period, I'm beginning to think I may have answered one of the questions on my JSA application wrong. There was a question that went along the lines of 'Are you owed any money other than for work already done?' (or something like that), to which I replied 'no', thinking this meant bonus money or something, but now I'm thinking that meant notice payment. This may explain why the woman at the jobcentre didn't say I couldn't start claiming yet (or get paid any money). I'm due to sign on tomorrow so maybe I'd better mention it then, don't want to get into bother for benefit fraud! Plus if they sign me off for a couple more weeks it means I can enjoy my week holiday to London which I have had planned for about 6 months and really don't want to be spending my evenings job hunting or potentially having to come back to Glasgow at my own expense to go to a job interview for a job I don't even want!

nearlyrich

PrincesaGuerrera wrote: »

My last employer said they just give generic references and I wouldn't be happy about lying on my application form as I do believe honesty is always the best policy (you can see how I wouldn't fit in in sales!). But I just have this dark cloud hanging over my head that now that's all I'm going to be put forward for as I don't have any other office skills even tho I would quite like an office job.

I work in a sales role and I have never compromised on honesty so we are not all trained by Arthur Daley.;)

In your sales job did you use standard office software like work and excel? do your own order entry? presentations? If so what makes you think you have no office skills?

RuthnJasper

nearlyrich wrote: »

I work in a sales role and I have never compromised on honesty so we are not all trained by Arthur Daley.;)

In your sales job did you use standard office software like work and excel? do your own order entry? presentations? If so what makes you think you have no office skills?

NearlyRich is right OP - you have got the computer skills to start a thread here on this Forum, you have been updating it and responding to comments and advice (unlike some posters, who ask for advice then disappear completely and/or don't thank those who've taken the time to offer advice or support), your spelling is good... these are ALL worthwhile skills to bring to an office (or any) job.

Obviously, it's not too smart to put under 'skills' on a CV - "I regularly update my Facebook status and post on an MSE Forum, so I'm good with computers..." But, from your posts on this thread, you seem very literate and capable - apologies if this sounds a bit patronising, it's not meant to.

Maybe you can focus on skills you've developed outside of your previous job (like these pc skills) and find a way to apply them to workplace situations on your CV (e.g. "I do a lot of amateur dramatics so I am confident in speaking to people, both face-to-face and over the telephone." or "At college, I regularly organised social evenings for the football club so I have developed good organisational skills and the ability to put together events and team-building functions.").

As long as you focus on what you CAN do, rather than fretting too intently about what negative aspects might hold you back, I'm sure you'll do just fine. xx

PrincesaGuerrera

nearlyrich wrote: »

I work in a sales role and I have never compromised on honesty so we are not all trained by Arthur Daley.;)

sorry wasn't being rude, just a tongue in cheek comment!

I guess I do have some office skills buried down there somewhere (a bit like the French you learnt as school that miraculously come back to you a on a trip to Paris!). In my last job we mostly used in house systems and email and I can do basic things on excel such as working out my monthly budget and expenses.

I suppose one of the things I consider is a major achievement and I hope would look good on my CV is that I've done a lot of indepent travelling (backpacking) and I lived in South America for 2 years,which seems to bring out gasps of 'You're so brave!' from most people.

RuthnJasper

PrincesaGuerrera wrote: »

sorry wasn't being rude, just a tongue in cheek comment!

I guess I do have some office skills buried down there somewhere (a bit like the French you learnt as school that miraculously come back to you a on a trip to Paris!). In my last job we mostly used in house systems and email and I can do basic things on excel such as working out my monthly budget and expenses.

I suppose one of the things I consider is a major achievement and I hope would look good on my CV is that I've done a lot of indepent travelling (backpacking) and I lived in South America for 2 years,which seems to bring out gasps of 'You're so brave!' from most people.

There you go! :beer: Sounds, to me, like a prospective employer would be a fool to turn you down. x

paddyrg

I'd phrase it along the lines of ...

...you had to leave your last job as you couldn't keep up with ever-rising sales targets in a tightening market - you were focussing on retaining existing long-term customers through the storm.

Or something like that!

PrincesaGuerrera

RuthnJasper wrote: »

There you go! :beer: Sounds, to me, like a prospective employer would be a fool to turn you down. x

thanks you're so sweet . Just filling in an application just now so I have something to show tomorrow when I go to sign on. Its actually not as daunting as I thought it was going to be, just needed to break the seal I guess.

Just one thing you might be able to help with is the additional information section.

I have already filled in about why I want the job, what skills I have and shmoozed about the company etc so not sure what to put in this part but don't want to leave it blank any suggestions?

cashbackproblems

References from large companies do not confirm details of WHY you left so it you were at a big firm they will just confirm dates of employment and position, i know this having worked as a HR consultant.

So you can say you left due to wanting a new challenge, or you were on the verge of being made redundant, you dont need to say you were sacked.