gap between classing dates and interview.

brazilianwax

studentphil wrote: »

I do find it hard to believe that you can do a perfect application.

The job I wanted had people 10-15 years older than me going for it. They are just naturally going to have so much more experience than me, so if I even knew what a perfect application is, I find it hard to see how I could have beaten those people.

That's crap. The last job I had (before this) I was the youngest person appointed to that grade in Wales EVER. I didn't work there previously.

Age has nothing to do with it. It's how you apply it.

My mother is an experienced professional who has held a lot of high powered jobs - she still asks me for advice when she is applying for roles.

Stop looking for excuses. Those people could have spent the last 10-15 years as zookeepers. Or they could have been at home with their kids or looking after elderly or ill relatives. How do you know what they've been doing? Answer - you don't.

studentphil

For all 4 of those jobs expect one I put in the best application I could. Clearly there was something wrrong with them for me not have got an interview.

I do not really know what my flaw is as for at least 3 of 5 I was suitable and the other 2 less so and I see no reason why I did not get at least one interview.

brazilianwax

studentphil wrote: »

For all 4 of those jobs expect one I put in the best application I could. Clearly there was something wrrong with them for me not have got an interview.

I do not really know what my flaw is as for at least 3 of 5 I was suitable and the other 2 less so and I see no reason why I did not get at least one interview.

Did you get anyone to help you with your applications? They aren't easy things to get right?

You have already admitted that you went overboard talking about learning methods on one application.

It is entirely possible that re-presenting the basic information in a more effective way would have gotten you an interview. You really need to get some support from someone who knows what they are doing.

How are your interview skills?

Savvy_Sue

I'll second that from BrazilianWax, if you haven't yet asked someone in the Careers Service to look over the applications you submitted and ask what they think then stop whinging about why you didn't get past the initial selection stage. They'll need to see the adverts, job descriptions and person specs.

And as I'm getting tired of pointing out, some employers will guarantee an interview to ANY disabled applicant whose application DEMONSTRATES that they meet the minimum specifications. Concentrating on them might not be a bad thing, at least initially. Then you'll find out whether your application forms are clear, concise and match the specifications. AND get some interview practice to boot.

eamon

Studentphil

Whilst its nice to have all these lovely people to chat to you need to pay heed to what they are saying. I'll add my tuppence worth now.
1. Stop applying for jobs. You can't start any job until you have finished at uni and as such you are not in the job market yet. If you were planning/hoping for a graduate entry type job then you are too late for this summers intake.
2. Concentrate on your revision and do your best in the upcoming exams.
3. During breaks in your revision do what other posters have stated go and see the careers service at your uni and at your local jobcentre. They will tell you albeit in more polite language what the other posters have said.
4. You need work experience and quickly. When you have finished at uni get yourself round all the employment agencies. Yes you may get rubbish jobs but a day here a week there gives you experience, money and perhaps more importantly experience and a little work history for CV's and application forms. At the moment all your job applications will fail because of that. Even the firms that hire trainees want to see some evidence of work (paid or unpaid it doesn't matter) as it shows motivation.
5. Use your parents. Don't be embarrassed! If they have any business contacts use them.
6 The advantage of doing 4 & 5 is if the job is truly horrible then you can walk away and you can put it down to experience! And you can still be looking for your dream job/career.

Tuppence over

yours

Eamon

Tam_Lin

studentphil wrote: »

For all 4 of those jobs expect one I put in the best application I could. Clearly there was something wrrong with them for me not have got an interview.

I do not really know what my flaw is as for at least 3 of 5 I was suitable and the other 2 less so and I see no reason why I did not get at least one interview.

Perhaps all the interviewers read this forum.

Savvy_Sue

studentphil wrote: »

For all 4 of those jobs expect one I put in the best application I could. Clearly there was something wrrong with them for me not have got an interview.

I do not really know what my flaw is as for at least 3 of 5 I was suitable and the other 2 less so and I see no reason why I did not get at least one interview.

I'm beginning to feel like a cracked record.

Phil, there may not have been ANYTHING wrong with your applications (although we're not promising that ...). But if they can only interview X people and they have X plus 10 applications which DEMONSTRATE that they meet the minimum requirements, they will pick the X STRONGEST applications. And if they were all 'placed', you have no idea if you were in X - 1 position, or X - 10 position.

So could you please stop wasting your time and ours wondering what was wrong until you've SHOWN your applications to someone in the careers service. You SAY you were suitable, but we do not know if you DEMONSTRATED that clearly and concisely in your applications!

And please stop wondering aloud what your flaws are for fear that someone tells you about some you've demonstrated here in such a way that you get the thread locked, again!

lynzpower

:

studentphil wrote: »

For all 4 of those jobs expect one I put in the best application I could. Clearly there was something wrrong with them for me not have got an interview.

I do not really know what my flaw is as for at least 3 of 5 I was suitable and the other 2 less so and I see no reason why I did not get at least one interview.

I thought you told us earlier that they wanted admin experience- which you dont have.

Fundamentally thats whats WRONG with your application. You didnt have the experience they asked for .

I thought there was a lesson learned on this a few pages back :rolleyes:

TOBRUK

Phil, did you make an appointment with the Disabled Employment advisor at the job centre as you said you would - just guessing here but probably not as you are a talker not a doer! You make an appointment, you would get help there with application and interview skills and also with your condition could go on new deal for disabled.

Like savvy-sue I sound like a broken record and you are doing everyone's head in! As many have told you including myself, don't apply for anymore jobs just get on with revising and getting your degree first.

studentphil

I do not mean to sound like a broken record. BW tells me that you can make your application fit regardless of age or experience and there is no reason other than a bad application for not getting an interview.
Which maybe conflicts with what Sue says that it is far more complex than that and your application can be great but often there can be loads of other people just as good and it is very easy to miss out.


Maybe those two do marry together, but I have one of a flaw in application and the otherside of limits in numbers means I am missing out. So it is all confusing as I do not think I can ever find out which one it is. I might be tempted to think it is a flaw in my application, however, as I have really only applied to one employer, which will be a very popular one, I can not say it is a universal flaw in my application.


I think I will give applying for jobs a break and sort my essays first.

Maybe I should widen my search more too.